22
The brains of 20 dogs suspected to have died of rabies were extracted and
sent to the Bombay Bacteriological Laboratory for examination.
Veterinary Dispensaries.
See Table V.
22. A new dispensary was opened at Dhandhuka (Ahmedabad District).
Several others have been proposed and sanctioned but
for financial reasons have not yet been equipped
and opened.
The total number of patients treated was 139,748 at 53 Dispensaries
against 126,915 at 52 in the previous year. There is steady progress in the
number of patients treated and in the efficiency of the treatment provided.
There is still a large proportion of cases not brought to the dispensary, advice
and medicine being provided on the evidence of owners. This is unavoidable
in many instances, but it should be discouraged as far as possible as treatment
cannot be satisfactorily provided under such circumstances.
23. During the year the new dispensary at Bulsar was completed. An
existing building at Islámpur (Sátára District) has been taken over by the
District Local Board and adapted as a new veterinary dispensary. Some
additions have been made at the Poona City Dispensary.
Mr. D. P. Alur of Sirsi has generously offered to build a new dispensary
at that place. No other dispensaries were built during the year. The Wadia
Trust Fund, earmarked for the building of new veterinary dispensaries, was
diverted to famine relief in Gujarát.
When money is available it is expected that a number of new buildings
will be provided as many of those in which dispensaries are now accommodated
are unsuitable. Some existing buildings require alterations and additions.
The new standard plans have now been published and distributed. They
should be of great use in new projects and when making improvements.
III.—BREEDING OPERATIONS.
(1) Bovines.
(i) Stud bulls and their produce.
See Table VIII.
24. Stud bulls are provided and maintained by certain local bodies but
the number is very small. The attention of local
bodies and others was drawn to the matter during the
year but little or no interest was displayed. This department can provide a
number of good bulls from the Northcote Cattle Farm for localities for which
they are suitable and is prepared to assist in procuring others also. It remains
for districts to provide the money and determine a satisfactory method of
distribution and maintenance. In the northern districts the year was unfavour-
able for the distribution of bulls.
The only Government stud bulls are those kept at the Northcote Cattle
Farm.
Veterinary Inspectors and Assistants have been ordered to inspect stud
bulls in the course of their tours and to report on them and their produce.
(ii) Bull rearing and breeding farms and depôts.
See Table IX.
25. The Northcote Cattle Farm at Chharodi, Ahmedabad District, was
in charge of Mr. P. V. Nagarseth except for a period
of 49 days in April and May when he was on privilege
leave. Veterinary Assistant Gandhi acted for him during his absence. Owing
to the deficiency of rain, which was less than half the usual amount, the year
must be included among the lean ones.
The receipts amounted to Rs. 5,250 against Rs. 9,162 in the previous year
and the expenditure to Rs. 15,941 against Rs. 17,899. The receipts under
" other heads " should be supplemented by a sum of Rs. 2,412 due from Mr.
Borges, a Brazilian cattle dealer, whose cattle are still at the farm. The money
has been paid since the year closed.