202
1115. One of the most pleasing features with this establishment is the steady
increase in the practice obtainable at this School. On this point, Veterinary-
Captain Raymond reports as follows:—
The total number of in-patients during the year under review was 714 and of out-patients 325 as against 479
and 248 in 1896-97.
This gives a total of 1,039 cases treated in 1897-98, or an increase of 312 cases.
The increase is most marked in the cattle in-patient ward, which from 99 in 1896-97 has risen to 223 in 1897-98.
The daily average of in-patients (38) and out-patients (22) amounted to 60 as opposed to 33 and 19, respectively,
amounting to 52 in 1896-97.
The increase, especially in cattle practice, is most satisfactory.
1116. There is one point connected with this Institution which might
with advantage be adopted by all our teaching establishments. I allude to the
facilities enjoyed by the students of Bengal in the way of enabling them to study
contagious diseases. On this point, Veterinary-Captain Raymond remarks:—
The students had opportunity of studying most of the contagious diseases they will be called upon to diagnose,
for we had 25 cases of Glanders, 76 of Rinderpest, 26 of Foot and Mouth, 9 of Tuberculosis and 3 of Rabies, including
one case in a cow.
I wish this could be said of Ajmere and Lahore where the students have
no such opportunities.
1117. This Institution is fortunate in having obtained the services of an
energetic Officer who carries a thing through when once he takes it in hand. The
starting of the hostel which has been productive of so much good, required much
decision of character. Reporting on this Veterinary-Captain Raymond states:—
Before the hostel could be opened it became necessary to provide furniture, a staff, rules and a scale of
dietary.
Government sanctioned a sum of Rs. 1,248 for furniture.
The staff consists of the Sub-Assistant Superintendent, 4 ward servants, 3 cooks, 2 sweepers, and one durwan.
Besides his duties of Manager of the hostel, the Sub-Assistant Superintendent was charged with the purchase
of forage and bazar medicines, &c., for the Institution. He was also the Students' Gymnastic Instructor. The
sanctioned pay of the staff amounts to Rs. 1,584 per annum.
To this should be added Rs. 300 per annum for the Medical attendant since appointed who visits the hostel
in addition to other duties.
The trouble connected with these preliminaries was very great, and this was not lessened by the behaviour of
the students, who, when the place was ready, refused to enter on the ground of the expense and for other reasons,
the true one probably being a liking for the greater freedom they had hitherto enjoined. However, the prompt
punishment of a ringleader created a favorable impression, and the students turned in and settled down. Then
the veitualling caused complaints, and this I have got over by daily inspecting samples of the food, which is
purchased by the Sub-Assistant Superintendent and the Students' Committee.
The victualling of the Hindus was a difficult matter at first, and there were complaints about the cooking and
quality of the rations, but I have got over them by daily inspecting samples of the food. This food is purchased
by the Sub-Assistant Superintendent (a Brahmin) and a committee of students. The Hindu cooks are Brahmins.
Recently Government sanction has been obtained for the Sub-Assistant Superintendent to take his meals with
the students, paying Rs. 10 towards its cost. This tends to maintain the quality of the food.
The chief difficulty has been to get the students to observe habits of cleanliness in the rooms, &c., but daily
inspections and other means have brought about the desired result.
The students have certainly been healthier, stouter, cleaner, and brighter since they have lived in the hostel.
All the students attending the Institution were residents with one exception, and as his attendance at the
lectures was not satisfactory, he was ordered into the hostel during the last month of the session.
Burma
Veterinary
School.
1118. This School evidently suffers from one of the great failings of the
Burman-laziness; this results in constant changes which naturally impeds progress.
The Subordinate Veterinary Establishment appears to be a popular service in Burma,
as 100 applications were received for admission. Twenty-four were selected on
20th December 1897, but owing to the fact that they are made to work whilst at
the school the number fell to 16 by the end of the year. Referring to this,
Veterinary-Captain Evans, Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Burma,
states:—
Most of the boys now remaining appear to be eager to learn. I hone to be able to obtain some Karen boys to
to fill the remaining vacancies, after which I trust I will have no further trouble. Lectures have been delivered in
the following subjects:—Physiology, Materia Medica. Pharmacy and Anatomy. Classes are also held daily for
practical work (handling of animals. &c.), and every patient I can obtain is brought to the school for their benefit.
The Officer in charge of Government Transport has again promised to send his sick animals to the school for
treatment.
1119. The Principal obtained pupils from the Shan States in order that he
might be in a position to supply the requirements of the States. On this subject
he remarks as follows:—
At the close of last year there were seven boys on the register. One pupil, Maung Tok Pyu, returned to
the States in August 1896, and after a considerable time returned, bringing a letter from the Sawbwa of Yatsauk
informing me that Maung Tok Pyu had returned to his home very ill and had been under treatment, and that on his
recovery he had been sent back to resume his studies.
Two Shans died during the year, namely, Maung Po Myit, who died in the States in August, and Maung Po Mya
in Rangoon in September.