( 2 )
4. There was a slight increase in the total number of cases of cattle-
disease reported from the districts during the year. There was a very marked
increase in the number of animals attacked by foot-and-mouth disease, and
a noticeable decrease in the number of those suffering from rinderpest. There
were over 25,500 cases of the former disease as against 8,436 in the previous
year; very severe outbreaks occurring in Backergunge and Palamau, from
each of which districts over 9,000 cases were reported. The preventive measures
taken in the former district were most effective; practically every animal
affected received treatment; and it is satisfactory to observe that the percent-
age of deaths was as low as .04. On the other hand the number of animals
attacked by rinderpest (15,266) was the lowest on record during the last four
years; and it is clear that there has been a steady and general decrease in the
number of such cases since the year 1900-01 when they reached the large total
of nearly 64,000. As in the previous year, this disease was specially prevalent
in the districts of Khulna and Palamau, nearly 3,000 animals being attacked in
the former and over 4,500 in the latter district. Altogether 9,454 cattle were
immunised, but unfortunately these operations had to be suspended owing to a
deficiency in the supply of serum and partly also in consequence of the small-
ness of the staff available. This stoppage of the supply was the more regret-
table, as it occurred at the beginning of the rinderpest season when, owing to
the outbreaks which occurred in various places, the demand was at its greatest.
5. Improvement of Stock.—The question of establishing dep6ts for the
rearing of bulls in this Province came under the consideration of Government
shortly before the close of the year. The scheme which has been approved by
the Lieutenant-Governor is that animals should, in the first instance, be selected
for cattle-breeding operations from the farms at Pusa and Sripur, and that,
where the conditions of climate vary, they should be sent away to be acclimat-
ised before being used. For this purpose, it is proposed that the farms at Pusa
and Sripur should be utilised for young bulls intended for service in Bihar and
Bhagalpur, and that depots for Central and Northern Bengal should be
established at Belgachia and Rampur Boalia. The purchase of cattle for
breeding operations at the Pusa farm has been entrusted to the Bengal Veteri-
nary Department, and Major Raymond was engaged during the year in
making arrangements for the purchase of suitable animals.
6. The Veterinary College.—Altogether 43 students were under instruction
throughout the year. The results of the examinations of the three classes
were extremely satisfactory; and the Lieutenant-Governor agrees with the
Director of Land Records that they are highly creditable to the Principal and
the teaching staff of the College.
7. Belgachia Infirmary.—There was an increase of 434 in the total
number of cases treated in the infirmary during the year, which was mainly
due to the large number of in-patients received. Altogether there were 2,819
patients of all classes; and 723 operations were performed as against 623 in the
previous year. The Superintendent draws attention to the fact that though a
large number of cruelty cases came before the Magistrates of Calcutta, com-
paratively few animals were sent by them to the Infirmary. There is reason
to believe that cruelty would be more effectually prevented if, instead of fining
the owners and allowing them to continue to work their animals, Magistrates
were to send the latter to the hospital for treatment. The attention of Magis-
trates in Calcutta has been drawn to the matter.
8. Financial.—The Provincial cost of maintaining the Department ex-
ceeded that of last year by over Rs. 15,000. The increase was chiefly due to
greater expenditure on account of the pay of lecturers, increased establishment,
the feeding of animals and contingencies.
9. The Lieutenant-Governor has much pleasure in acknowledging the zeal
and ability with which Major Raymond managed the Department during the
year, and agrees with the Director of Land Records that he deserves great
credit for the progress which has been made in its development.
By order of the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal,
H. LEMESURIER,
Offg. Secy. to the Govt. of Bengal.
B. S. Press—2866C—900-16-8-1904-T. N. R.