152
Veterinary Dispensaries.
Bengal.
671. No province has made as rapid strides in one year in the matter of
dispensaries as Bengal has done. In last year's report the only three dispen-
saries mentioned as having started work were those of Sitamarhi, Howrah and
Patna. No mention is made this year of the Howrah dispensary and it is not
known if it still exists, but the following have been opened:—Dumraon, Gaya,
Muzaffarpur, Balasore, Cuttack, Burdwan, Dumka and Kanti. This is most
satisfactory, especially as we find that whilst at actual dispensaries only 695
animals were treated last year, 3,874 have been treated during the year under
review.
672. The following is an abstract of the report on this subject by Veteri-
nary Major Raymond:—
Sitamarhi.—" The total number of cases treated by the Veterinary Assistant was 343, of which 260 were
cured, 57 relieved, and 23 died. This number shows an increase over the last year's figure by 49. The
Veterinary Assistant visited 19
villages."
Patna.—"The
total number of animals treated in the dispensary during the year under report was 197
of which 178 were cured, 10 relieved and 9 died, against 285 of the previous year. The fal1 in number is due
to the sudden transfer of the Veterinary Dispensary from its place of prosperity. The dispensary has again
been removed to the Head-Quarters, the present building of which serves the purpose fairly well. The estab-
lishment of a shoeing forge is under the contemplation of the Board, as there is a great demand for it, and it is
expected to be shortly opened."
Dumraon.-"
The hospital is entirely supported by the Raj at an annual estimated budget of Rs. 907-8-9
in addition to the cost of building and repairs, for which special grants have been made by Her Highness the
Maharani."
" The total number of animals sent to the hospital and treated therein during the year was 551, out of
which 500 were cured, 9 relieved and 42 died."
" The hospital is making fair progress and is much appreciated by the public. It is expected that animals
will come in larger numbers the more it is known throughout the district and beyond."
" It has an office building with verandahs on both sides for in-patients, and also private quarters for the
Veterinary Assistant. Her Highness the Maharani is building separate stalls for the more valuable animals
attending the hospital, with quarters for the attendants
attached."
Muzafferpur.—"This
Veterinary Dispensary was opened in the month of February 1899. It is situated
in the outskirts of the town, away from the inhabited parts and is enclosed by a wall, with a compound and a
shall building within. There are two wards, one for cattle and the other for horses. Six horses and five
cattle can be accommodated at a time. It is managed by the District Board of Muzafferpur and is under the
direct, management of a sub-committee consisting of the Civil Surgeon, District Engineer, and Babu Paramesh-
war Narayan Mahta."
Balasore.- "The Chairman of the District Board reports that the Veterinary Dispensary was opened on
the 9th November 1898, and placed under a Veterinary Assistant, named Radha Krishna Nandi, on a monthly
pay of Rs. 35, with travelling allowance. The Dispensary and the Veterinary Assistant's quarters have been
provided in a suitable building at a monthly rent of Rs. 25. Necessary furniture, instruments, and medicines
have also been provided for the dispensary. Besides treating cattle in the dispensary, the Veterinary Assistant
visits the interior of the district when any disease among cattle breaks out, and brings it to the notice of
the Board. The number of animals treated by the Veterinary Assistant was 709, of which 686 were cured and
23 died. Fifty-one villages were visited by
him."
Cuttack.—" Animals are treated as out-patients in the dispensary, and the Veterinary Assistant attends
subscribers' houses to treat sick animals without any charge. If any non-subscriber require the services of
the Veterinary Assistant, the following rates of fees have been fixed:—
First
.
.
.
.
From 5 to 7 visits at .
„ 8 to upward visits at
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Rs.
1
0
0
As.
0 each
12 „
8 „
" Besides this, the Chairman reports that the Veterinary Assistant has to go on tour to treat cattle disease
and has recently been directed to perform post-mortem examinations of cattle-poisoning cases, and to see that
the horses of hackney carriages and cart bullocks are not used when unfit for work.
" The total number of cases treated during the year under report was 1,894, of which 572 were cured, 743
relieved, and 579 died."
Burdwan.—"The
Chairman of the District Board, Burdwan, reports that the dispensary was opened in
the middle of October 1898, and a passed student of the Rajputana Veterinary School at Ajmere was appointed
on a fixed pay of Rs. 50 per mensem, inclusive of all allowances. A chaprasi on Rs. 6 a month was allowed to
him. The dispensary has been opened, and is being held in one of the rooms in the cutcherry compound, which
were, previous to the construction of the new Magistrate's Court, used as hajat and malkhana, the said room
being kindly lent by the Magistrate for the purpose, until the Board is in a position to make other arrangements
for the location of the dispensary. This institution has been furnished with the necessary instruments and a
stock of medicines sufficient for its present requirements. The Veterinary Assistant attends the dispensary
while he remains at the Sadar, and treats sick animals that are brought there between 7 and 10 A.M., free of
charge. Besides, he is permitted to visit animals, if desired by their owners, elsewhere than at the dispensary,
in which case his fee is Re. 1 for each visit.
"The total number of animals treated at the dispensary at Burdwan during the year under report was 152.
The number treated by the Veterinary Assistant in the interior of the district was 231 during the year."
Bombay.
673. The Dispensaries in Bombay continue to do the good work they have
hitherto done. In former years it has been customary to give a short review