2
per cent. in the preceding year. The heaviest mortality from this disease occurred
in Goalpara, where 14,3-94 animals are said to have died against only 476 in the
previous year : the result is due to the want of reporting outbreaks when they occur.
No reliance can be placed on the statistics of mortality, but they probably show the
general incidence of disease during the year. The number of outbreaks reported has,
however, largely increased since last year and shows that there has been an improve-
ment in the matter of reporting cattle disease.
5. The inoculation work done by the Assistants was satisfactory. Out of 38,295
animals inoculated against rinderpest there were 345 deaths, while b,956 animals
died before inoculation : the corresponding figures in the previous year were 29,986,
571 and 9,€33. The number of inoculations increased to 45,704 in the year from
36,016 in the preceding year.
6. The Assistants visited 6,685 villages, treated 10,562 animals for contagious
and 39,156 for non-contagious diseases and performed 173 castrations : the correspond-
ing figures for the previous year were 6,729, 25,593, 34,912 and 246. There was
thus a small decrease in the number of villages visited and a considerable decrease in
the number of animals treated and castrations performed. The Superintendent does
not explain this falling off in spite of an increase in the subordinate staff.
7. No change occurred in the number of veterinary hospitals and dispensaries
during the year.
S. Regarding the breeding of cattle no orders have been passed on the rather
tentative preliminary proposals submitted in my letter No. 2717, dated the 24th May
1917, referred to in last year's report.
9. The staff of the Department was increased by the appointment of 4 new
Assistants, bringing the total number to 41, including 5 on military duty. The 36
Assistants available for local service were distributed as follows :—
Twenty-eight under Local Boards, 1 on staff, 4 in reserve and 3 in hills districts.
Since the close of the year under report one Assistant has resigned to obtain
more lucrative private employment and 3 new Assistants have been appointed, of
whom 2 are Government stipendiaries and one a Local Board stipendiary: there are
thus 43 Assistants employed now, of whom 5 are on military duty.
10. The question of sending a number of assistants to the Veterinary College
annually for a course of post-graduate training is an important one and plainly
deserves serious consideration. Our assistants forget what they learned in College in
quite a short time, whether on account of insufficient training or general want of
keenness in their profession.
11. The work of the Department has continued to be satisfactory on the whole,
considering the class of men employed : credit is due to Mr. Harris for his efficient
administration. He mentions the names of two Inspectors and three Assistants for
good work.
12. It is regrettable that there has been such a small number of volunteers for
military duty : I hope that the Chief Commissioner will issue instructions to ensure
preference in promotion for those who have volunteered.
I have the honour to be,
SIR,
Your most obedient Servant,
J. McSWINEY,
Director of Land Records and Agriculture, Assam.