169
434 or 2.18 per cent. died, 159 or 0.79 per cent. returned incurable, the result of
1,933 or 9.68 per cent. was unknown, and the remainder 352 or 1.76 per cent. were
under treatment at the end of the year. It is satisfactory to note that the per-
centage of cured and relieved has again increased this year, being 85.59 against
84.29 last year with a corresponding fall in the percentage died, incurable, and
unknown.
VETERINARY ASSISTANTS.
968. I have long felt that the persent organization of the Subordinate Staff
is faulty, but have deferred offering any suggestions until I was in full possession of
all facts connected with their working. Owing to my visit to Burma during the
past year I was able to carefully consider the system under which they work in
that country; it impressed me so greatly and I was so struck with the organization
in that Province that I felt in a position to address the Government of India on
the subject. I pointed out that the employment and control of Veterinary Assis-
tants by the District Boards or Local Bodies was a mistake, that it would lead
to the deterioration of these men, as no one but a professional man was capable of
judging of their capabilities, and to such an Officer should they be made to look
for their advancement.
969. The system adopted in Burma, and which works smoothly, is as
follows:—The appointment of the men rests with the Superintendent, Civil
Veterinary Department, to whom all reports and returns are submitted. He is
thus able to judge of the work done by the subordinates. The transfer of these
men rests with this Officer, who is thus in a position to reward a man who has done
good service by giving him a good district, or to punish one who is negligent by
sending him to a bad district.
The promotion of Veterinary Assistants from one grade to another rests
with the Superintendent who is in the best position to judge whether a Veteri-
nary Assistant is deserving of such.
Granting this power to a Superintendent, enables him to concentrate, at a
moment's notice, a sufficent number of Veterinary Assistants in any one district
in which outbreaks of contagious disease may occur.
The control and movement of a Veterinary Assistant, whilst employed in a
district, is left with the District Officials.
970. The above system works well and smoothly, and has the great
advantage that it ensures most thorough supervision of the subordinates, in fact
I am of opinion that it is the only one under which we can expect success in the
working of a Subordinate Veterinary Establishment.
971. The ordinary native, having once obtained an appointment, thinks
that his aim in life having been achieved, there is no further necessity for him to
exert himself, the result being that he ceases to keep himself up in professional
matters, and lapses into utter ignorance. A professional man is the only person
capable of judging of these subordinates' abilities, and if they know that their
advancement rests entirely with such an Officer, they are more likely to keep
themselves up to the work than if serving under District Officers.
972. I trust soon to see the scheme for the employment of these subordinates
sanctioned by the Government of India, and to find that it has been found possi-
ble to adopt the system which I have above advocated.
Veterinary
Assistants for
East Africa.
973. During the year under review, 4 Veterinary Assistants have been
despatched from India for work on the Uganda Railway, and four more have been
selected and will be despatched at an early date.
Great care has been exercised in the selection of these men, and I trust that
they will give satisfaction.
This proves the Imperial value of our educational establishments. The men
were all Lahore students, Bombay being unable to furnish any.
Bengal.
974. It is with pleasure I have to report that the employment of Veterinary
Assistants in Bengal had, during the year under review, made great progress and
in order to give a clear idea of the work now being done, an extract from the
Annual Report of the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, is given.
Veterinary Assistants are trained in the Bengal Veterinary Institution, and as