2
4. The most noticeable event which has taken place since the cl asss
of the year is that Government have issued orders regarding the free
supply of serum to local bodies with retrospective effect from 1st April
1927. This has relieved these bodies of a charge of Rs. 70,000 per
annum, and it is hoped that they will now bear their legitimate shar
of the veterinary expenditure more readily than hitherto.
5. It is pleasing to note that the year under review has been
generally a healthy one for the live-stock of the province. Rinderpest
continues to be the most serious scourge, being responsible for 67 per
cent. of the deaths reported from bovine diseases. A very important
feature of the campaign of the year was a free demonstration of the
serum simultaneous method of inoculation against rinderpest organise
at char Patharghata in the district of Bakarganj. It is hoped that
the demonstration will prove of real value. It may be expected that
the gradual extension of the serum simultaneous method of inoculation
will tend towards the reduction of the death rate on account of rinder-
pest. In this connection Government note with satisfaction that the
death rate among inoculated animals was negligible during the year.
6. The record of the working of the veterinary hospitals and dis-
pensaries is not very satisfactory, the number of such institution
having been reduced from 45 to 44. The most striking feature appear
to be the abrupt fall from 21,290 to 9,353 in the number of cases no
brought to hospital but supplied with medicine. The reasons as state
in the report do not seem to explain adequately this abnormal decreas
and the matter requires further investigation. Government join with
the Director in thanking the Rani Brindarani Chaudhurani, of Dimla
for her generous contribution towards the construction of the veterinary
dispensary at that station and note with pleasure that the Maharaja
Susang in Mymensingh also contemplates opening a veterinary dis-
pensary on his own estate in collaboration with the district board. 1
is hoped that other landlords of the province will emulate these efforts.
7. It is satisfactory to notice that cattle fairs and shows continue
to be attended by departmental officers who took these opportunities of
delivering lectures on veterinary matters and of explaining to the
people the modern methods of treatment of diseases and of management
of cattle. This is essentially necessary for the development of veterin-
ary knowledge among cultivators who are proverbially conservative.
8. Government note with pleasure the names of officers of the
department who did good work during the year and desire also
acknowledge the services of Messrs. Kerr and Davis for their efficient
administration of the department.
II. The Bengal Veterinary College.
9. Government are gratified to note that the demand for admission
into the college shows an increase. With the opening of a Veterinary
College at Patna students will, of course, cease to come from Bihar and
Orissa, but in view of the increase in the number of students from
Bengal seeking admission into the college, it does not seem probably
that the position will be affected very seriously. At the same time
Government would again take this opportunity of urging that
bodies be prepared to bear their legitimate share of veterinary exper
diture specially as they are now being supplied with serum free
charge.