4
the fact, that the previous year's returns of these assistants included the figures
for the number of daily attendances of patients, both old and new, instead of
new cases only shown this year, under instruction of this office
The decrease
against other assistants, viz., Burdwan, Midnapore, Jessore and Malda, is also
noticeable, and is reported to be due to the decrease of foot and mouth and
other contagious diseases.
31. In spite of the decrease noted above, the total number of patients
treated by the assistants shows a slight increase, which is partly due to the
appointment of three new assistants during the year.
TABLE V.—HOSPITALS AND DISPENSARIES.
32. Table V shows the working of the hospitals and dispensaries,
which numbered 18 during the year.
33. As reported in the previous years, the dispensaries at Sodepur-Pinjra-
pole, Howrah and Cooch Behar are managed privately, and the others by local
bodies.
34. The total number of patients treated at the dispensaries was 22,106
against 17,289 of the previous year. Of these 4,921 were in and 17,185 out-
patients. A short account of the working of each dispensary is put up below.
35. Howrah.—This
dispensary is under the supervision of the Principal,
Bengal Veterinary College. Veterinary Assistant Babu K. G. Moitra was in
charge of it throughout the year. One thousand five hundred and ninety-five
cases were treated against 1,543 of the previous year.
36. Suri.— Seventeen in and 749 out-patients were treated at this hospital
during the year against 5 and 816 respectively of the previous year.
37. Burdwan. — There has been a considerable falling off in the number
of patients treated during the year, as only 11 in and 780 out-patients were
treated against 27 and 984 respectively of the previous year. This dispensary,
although a very long-standing institution, has apparently lost its former
reputation. I visited this dispensary twice during the year, and the cause
of this unsatisfactory condition appeared to me to be the lack of support by
the local authorities and the people of influence, and not due to any particular
fault on the part of the Veterinary Assistant in charge. Regarding the
falling off in the number of patients, 1 noticed that the Municipal meat Veteri-
nary Assistant still treated the Municipal cases, and doubtless also private
cases; and in addition to that some in-patients actually brought to the hospital
had to be sent away, as neither the owners, who were poor, nor the hospital
could provide attendants for the animals. The necessity for an attendant was
obvious, and 1 strongly recommended the Board to employ one, but 1 regret
that the Board has not yet sanctioned one.
38. Chinsura.—This dispensary was opened in November 1911 and is pro-
gressing satisfactorily. One hundred and twenty-six in and 1,102 out-patients
were treated in it during the year. No comparison of work can be made, as
the dispensary worked for five months only during the previous year. This
dispensary has been taken over by the Chinsura Municipality since 1st April
1913, and its management placed in the hands of a Committee with the Civil
Surgeon as President.
39. Dacca.—This
dispensary continues to work satisfactorily.
One
thousand three hundred and fifty-three animals, viz., 409 equines, 711 bovines
and 233 others, were treated as out-patients against 1,136 cases, viz., 333
equines, 593 bovines and 210 others of the previous year. One hundred and
ninety-two Municipal bullocks only were treated as in-patients against 157 of
the previous year, there being no accommodation in the hospital for animals
belonging to private persons.
A sum of Rs. 233 was realized and deposited into the treasury as
dispensary fees against Rs. 317-11 of the previous year. The decrease is due
to the lesser number of animals of high officers being sent up, consequent on
the transfer of the head-quarters of the province from Dacca.
The Veterinary Assistant in charge also treated Municipal bullocks at
their gowkbanas, Jail cows, the Agricultural Farm cattle and the horses of the
Police Training School for some part of the year.