120
Remarks.
334. Very satisfactory progress has been made under this heading during the
year. In Bombay the total number of animals treated has risen from 9,843 last
year to 13,936 during the present, and the percentage of cases cured and relieved
is much higher. It is gratifying to find that suitable buildings for the
reception of patients are being erected at all dispensary head-quarters, and that
the general public are anxious to promote the welfare of these institutions and
to assist them with funds.
The dispensaries in the South Punjab have also done good work, nearly all
of them showing an improvement over last year.
The establishment of dispensaries is the first step towards showing the
people the benefit to be derived from having their animals properly cared
for, to gain their sympathies with our methods of treatment and to overcome
their superstition and ignorance with regard to cattle diseases. Institutions
of this kind, showing as they have done during the year a very substantial
result, deserve every encouragement, and doubtless all districts will shortly see
the necessity of opening them for the benefit of the ryots.
Cases treated by Veterinary Assistants during the year.
Treatment.
335. Burma.—Table N (vide page civ) shows the number of animals treated
during the year. Extraordinarily good progress has been made, the number
of cases treated having risen from 4,403 last year to 42,455 this year. The
number cured is 38,305, died 538, and 3,612 of which the result is unknown.
South Punjab.—Satisfactory progress has been made in the number of
cases treated by the Veterinary Assistants in this division. The number of cases
treated is 30,715 against 18,061 last year. Of these, 21,565 were cured, 1,567
relieved, and 5,544 died, whilst of 1,662 the results are unknown.
North Punjab.—The progress which has been made under this heading in
the North Punjab is satisfactory. The number of cases treated in the five dis-
tricts mentioned during the year is 16,041 against 3,076 last year. Of these,
10,228 were cured, 41 relieved, 2,811 died, the remainder being incurable or the
results unknown.
Derajat.—The Veterinary Assistants in this division have treated 2,193
cases during the year. Of these, 80 were cured, 1,589 relieved, and 524 died.
These results are far from satisfactory, and point to the fact that more supervi-
sion is required.
Records of cases treated by Veterinary Assistants are very incomplete, but
improvement will doubtless be made next year. The figures quoted show
that improvement is taking place.
Madras.
Under this heading the Superintendent remarks :—
" No action was taken as regards the treatment of cattle as the Government have given up at
present all efforts in that directon."
It is greatly to be regretted that the Government of Madras should find
itself in such a position as to be unable to avail themselves of the benefits to be
derived from the veterinary treatment of the sick cattle belonging to the ryots.
As will be seen from this report, all other presidencies are establishing dispen-
saries and employing veterinarians for work in the districts, and an enormous
advance in the numbers of animals treated by these men has taken place during
the year. Madras, however, has made absolutely no advance in this most import-
ant matter. It is to be hoped that the Government will see the advisability of
doing something for the unfortunate ryots, especially as from the reports
received from stock inspectors it is evident that the people are anxious to get
there sick animals treated. One fact must not be last sight of, and that is,
that there are a great number of non-contagious maladies affecting cattle which,
although fatal if not attended to, are readily amenable to treatment, and I think
that there is no valid reason why the Government should not follow the
example of other presidencies and utilize their men in this direction.