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THE INFIRMARY.
8. The total number of cases treated at the College Hospital during the
year under report was 2,982 against 2,819 of last year, showing an increase of
163, which was due to the increased popularity of the infirmary and the people
in the neighbourhood being more interested and more confident in the nature
of the treatment received. Of these 2,982 cases 1,405 were in-patients and
1,577 out-patients.
9. A very lamentable falling off is, however, noticed in the number of
cruelty cases sent here which was 83 against 278 of last year, although the
attention of the Magistrate was drawn to the fact that cruelty could be more
effectually prevented if, instead of fining the owners and allowing them to
continue to work their animals, Magistrates were to send the animals to the
hospital for treatment. If they could be persuaded to do this, it should tend
to show the owners that we can frequently relieve their animals from their
various forms of disease, and that we are always anxious to assist them both,
—the owner and his animal. This falling off is also a serious drawback in
another direction. It is very important to get as many cases of cruelty in the
College as possible—so long as cruelty exists—as I consider they afford the
students a greater variety of disease, and subjects requiring good nursing and
general looking after to put them into condition and so on than the better
kept animals of the well-to-do. I am glad to say that the Government
sanction has since been received to appoint a qualified Veterinary Assistant as
a "Court Inspector" whose duty it will be to watch cruelty cases and advise
the Magistrate as to whether they should be sent to us for treatment or not.
10. The percentage of deaths was 5.93 against 5.32 last year. Seven
hundred and fifty-nine cases of operations were performed against 723 of last
year. The number of horses shod at the forge was 407 against 391 of
last year.
11. One hundred and eight horses were admitted into the Contagious
Diseases Hospital against 57 last year.
12. Owing to the rapid development of the Institution, its present site and
the accommodation have been found to be so insufficient, that an additional area
of 106 bighasX19 cottahs has been acquired by Government at a cost of
Rs. 2,15,948 for the extension of the College premises and erection of addi-
tional buildings, etc. For this purpose it has been proposed to convene a
Committee consisting of the present members of the Management Committee of
the College supplemented by 1 or 2 architects of authority and experience to
consider the proposals for improvements, etc.
FINANCIAL.
13. The fees for the treatment and shoeing, etc., of animals in the
institution amounted to Rs. 12,428-9-10 and the cost of feeding the patients
Rs. 16,323-5 against Rs. 11,127-5-9 and Rs. 17,983-2-5 respectively of last year.
OUTSTANDING ACCOUNTS.
14. The outstanding sum of Rs. 27-14 shown in last year's report was
realized during 1904-1905. The outstanding account of 1904-1905 amounts
to Rs. 83-12. Steps are being taken for the recovery of all these sums.
THE HOSTEL.
15. All the students lived within the premises of the College ; their general
health was good, notwithstanding that they were cramped in accommodation.
Several had to be housed in the only large lecture room, which caused not a
little inconvenience.
INSTRUCTIONS TO OTHERS THAN VETERINARY STUDENTS.
16. A course of 56 lectures on "Veterinary Hygiene" and "Cattle
Breeding and Rearing" was delivered to 11 students of the Sibpur Civil
Engineering College. All passed the examination which was held at the end
of the course.
17. Fourteen Commissariat Transport Drivers were instructed in nursing
sick animals during the vacation. An examination was held after they were
trained, and all but one passed.
GENERAL.
18. The need of further development continues to make itself felt in the
Province, and a Conference was held in January last for the purpose of
considering this end.