7
Maulvi Syed Ataul Haque, Moriani, Srijut Madhab Chandra Das, Barpeta, Maulvi
Azizuddin Sarker, Golaghat, Babu Jatindra Narain Roy, Sunamganj, Babu Suresh
Chandra Chanda, Nowgong.
PART V—EXPENDITURE OF THE DEPARTMENT.
41. The cost of the Department as stated by the Comptroller was Rs. 84,118-9-5-
The contribution of Rs. 10,000 towards the up-keep of the Bengal Veterinary
College has not been included in statement under Veterinary Instruction. In the pre-
vious year the expenditure was Rs, 85,611-3-7.
PART VI—GENERAL REMARKS.
42. We were able to send the full number of Government stipendaries to College,
two retired as they probably did not like the work, and the vacancies were duly filled
up. The increase in the scale of pay of Veterinary Assistants was given effect to
during the year and it is expected that better candidates will come forward. The
number of applications for Government stipends have considerably increased from all
districts except Lakhimpur, but suitable men are wanting and the standard of general
education was much below expectation.
43. It is satisfactory to note that reports of outbreaks of diseases have been more
promptly received by Assistants. Under the present arrangement outbreaks are
reported not only by the police bur. also by touring officers of various departments, by
tea garden Managers, and village headmen. The reports are now sent not only to
the local Veterinary Assistants but also to the Chairmen, Local Boards, or District
Officers concerned who are thus able to requisition for any further assistance from the
reserve at Gauhati. Cases still occur where simple non-contagious disease has been
reported and much of the Assistants' time is wasted in travelling to investigate false
reports. The deaths of animals due to flood, want of fodder, etc., have been reported
in at least one instance as deaths from contagious diseases.
44. Distomalosis.—This disease seems to be very prevalent in nearly all parts of
the Assam Valley and is responsible for a good deal of the poor condition of both
cattle and buffaloes. It ultimately causes severe anæmia and death; no cure has yet
been found for the disease.
45. A sufficient supply of serum has been received from the Imperial Laboratory
this year. During the year 1,10,000 doses of Rinderpest, 19,000 doses of Anthrax and
6,000 doses of Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia serum were obtained from the Laboratory
against 85,000 doses of Rinderpest, 8,000 doses of Anthrax and 3,600 doses of Hæmorr-
hagic Septicæmia serum received in the previous year.
46. At Gauhati the Hospital accommodation for in-patients was completed.
There are now two loose boxes, six stalls for horses, a shed for cattle, four kennels,
an operating shed and quarters for syces. In the loose box there is apparatus for
slinging animals. The advantages available, are already appreciated and horses have
been sent from places as far apart as Dibrugarh, Nowgong, Tezpur and Mangaldai.
The kennels have been occupied, most of the time with dogs under observation for
rabies.
47. Rabies seems to have been very prevalent during the last year. There is
no effectual way of combating this danger, but reducing the number of stray dogs
minimises the risk.
48. The work of the Veterinary Assistant in Shillong and the Khasi Hills has
been so much appreciated by the people, that they have petitioned for a second As-
sistant to be placed in Jowai.
49. I should like to mention the public spirit shown by the Veterinary Assist-
ant of Karimganj, Babu Girindra Nath Syam Choudhury, who during the time
of severe floods in that district gave valuable assistance in the work of rescue and
in the distribution of rice.
50. I agree with the suggestion of Lieutenant-Colonel Cole, Political Agent
in Manipur, that the Veterinary work there should be inspected, especially as there
is a proposal to get breeding bulls from, that State.
51. The office staff under the control of the Head Clerk, Babu Surendra Nath
Roy, has carried out its work efficiently and satisfactorily.
W. HARRIS,
Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, Assam.