5
General W. Gatacre, C.B., D.S.O.
Colonel Deane, Director General, Remount Operations.
R. H. Vincent, Esquire, C.I.E.
Dr. MacGregor, M. P.
Anton Schuh, V. S., in charge, Emperor of Austria's Stud.
Lieutenant Robert Clemm, Field Artillery, German Army.
Hospital.
16. The records of the Hospital give the following information
(a). In-patients.—1,820 cases were admitted in 1895 as compared
with 1,766 in 1894, showing an increase of 54. The various classes of
animals admitted were as follows:—Horses 477, cattle 1,042, and dogs 301.
The daily average was 176, showing an increase of 19 over that of the last
year.
(b). Out-patients.—662 were treated during 1895, showing an increase
of 104 over that of the last year.
(c). Mortality.—The mortality in horses for 1895 was at the rate of
7 per cent., in cattle 4 per cent., and in dogs 41 per cent., as compared with
6 per cent., 4 per cent., and 38 per cent., respectively of the last year.
(d). Supply of medicines and pharmacy requisites.—The supply of
medicines and pharmacy requisites by the Society P. C. A. is unsatisfactory.
The monthly indents, in some instances, are only partially complied with
and after considerable correspondence. This naturally does not conduce to
the carrying out of the proper treatment of cases in Hospital, which
should not be. I have, therefore, made certain representations in regard
to this matter to Government with the view of changing the system, and I
trust they will be acted upon.
(e). Buldings.—The tetanus box, the gift of Messrs. Dharamsi and
Gordhundas Sundardass, has been completed and has proved an incalculable
boon to animals suffering from such a terrible disease as tetanus, in fact,
I attribute, to a large extent, the recovery of several cases to the comfort
and quietude afforded by this box.
The servants' quarters of the Hospital are not as they ought to be, a
fact to which I have drawn the attention of the Secretary, S P. C. A., and
hope the Hospital authorities will take steps to improve them.
(f). Management.—The Manager and his assistants have performed
their duties satisfactorily. With regard to the employment of good syces,
I have addressed Government, and it is to be hoped that the Society will
see their way to adopt my recommendations.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals have made a move in
the right direction by offering prizes for essays on the humane treatment of
animals, and I feel astonished that this should not have been instituted years
ago. There can be no possible doubt whatever that educating the minds of the
young, by stimulating them to read and learn what does and what does not con-
stitute cruelty to animals, will no doubt have a beneficial effect in ameliorating the
condition of the lower creation. In fact, I would strongly urge that kindness to
animals should form a portion of the education of all young people, in the same
way as history, geography or any other subject does. Thirty-two prizes of Rs. 30
each were offered and competed for by the various schools and colleges, and about
1,000 girls and boys visited this institution in February last, for the purpose of
having demonstrated to them what the care and treatment of sick animals
meant, and the means adopted here for their well-being and comfort. I was glad
to receive them and to witness the pleasure and interest they took in what must
have been to many of them a foreign subject. I do hope that the Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will make these prizes an annual occurrence, and
I will do all in my power to favour this noble object. A student of this College,
Mr. H. V. Ku1karni, obtained the prize allotted to the junior students.
B 271—2