( 3 )
20. Monghyr.—The dispensary has been in existence for nearly three
years and though slight improvement is shown this year the progress made
is not very satisfactory.
21. Howrah.—The local Municipality has been requested to make over
to the Dispensary Committee a piece of land to the west of the dispensary
buildings on which to construct a shed for the accommodation of in-door
patients. The Howrah Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
contributed Rs. 1,500 towards the fund of the dispensary. Of this sum,
Rs. 1,000 has been utilized in the purchase of a Government security as an
addition to the invested funds and Rs, 500 kept for the construction of the
proposed shed for in-patients. The Veterinary Assistant K. M. Chatterjee,
worked well during the year.
22. Dumka.—The dispensary was re-opened on the 12th April 1903,
when Veterinary Assistant K. B. Dey took charge. The majority of animals
were treated gratis and belonged to poor people and cultivators.
23. Ranchi.—The dispensary is maintained by the District Board, assisted
by a subsidy from Government and also by subscriptions from local gentlemen
who get free treatment for their animals. The public appreciate the benefits
of the institution. Veterinary Assistant D. N. Bauerjee has worked well.
24. Noakhali.—The dispensary was opened on 13th April 1903, in a tem-
porary erection near the District Board Office. A piece of land measuring
4 bighas and 16 kattas has been acquired by the Board at a cost of lis. 341
for the purpose of erecting a permanent dispensary with Veterinary Assistant's
quarters. The establishment consists of a Veterinary Assistant and a peon.
It is maintained jointly by the District Board and the Municipality. The
latter promised an aid of Rs. 225 of which it has so far paid only Rs. 100.
Government has also contributed Rs. 111 towards its maintenance. The
Veterinary Assistant has to perform both hospital and itinerant duties. About
97 per cent. of the animals treated in the hospital as out-door patients belong
to bonâ fide cultivators and other poor people, who fully recognise the useful-
ness of the institution. The dispensary promises well and appears to have
supplied a long-felt want. Veterinary Assistant U. L. Sen Gupta has worked
well and with much interest and success.
25. Palamau.—Salutri Sucha Singh continued to hold charge of the
dispensary. No report as to its working has been received from the Palamau
District Board, though asked for.
26. Dinajpur.—A Veterinary Assistant was appointed on the 17th
October 1903. He will work as an itinerant officer till the dispensary is
completed.
ITINERANT VETERINARY ASSISTANTS.
27. Table XXI shows the number of animals treated by Veterinary
Assistants in villages during the year 1903-1904.
GLANDERS AND FARCY.
28. Calcutta and Suburbs—Fifty-seven
animals were admitted into
the Belgachia Contagious Diseases (Animals) Hospital against 57 of the
previous year. Of these, 43 having been found to bo suffering from glanders,
were destroyed, 1 died of the disease, 6 were found to be non-glandered on
mallein test and 4 were kept under observation.
These cases of glandera represent a mere fraction of the amount of
glanders in Calcutta.
29. In districts.—Twelve cases were suspected to be suffering from
glanders and farcy—1 in Muzaffarpur, 7 in Dumka, 2 in Hooghly, 1 in Gaya
and 1 in Cuttack—of which 4 were destroyed, 5 died and 3 proved, on mallein
test, free from glanders.
INSPECTION OF RAILWAY HORSE BOXES AND CATTLE TRUCKS.
30. One hundred and seventy-five horse boxes and 35 cattle trucks were
inspected by the two Veterinary Inspectors of the Department on the East
Indian and Eastern Bengal State Railways. Advice was given as to cleansing
and disinfection of the vehicles whenever any omissions were found.
CATTLE DISEASE.
31. Cattle diseases were reported by thana officers from all the districts
of Bengal, except Birbhum, Murshidabad, Rajshahi, Dacca, Mymensingh,