205
I trust that funds will soon be available for this necessary addition to this
school.
802. The one drawback to the education of students at this school has
been the want of practice. I am therefore pleased to report that it has shown
great improvement during the past year. On this point the Principal
states:—
"It is satisfactory to be able to report that the hospital practice has much increased. The number of
patients of all kinds admitted during the year under report was 669, as compared with 357 for last year. This
increase, which was chiefly amongst the animals of more or less indigent persons who receive advice and treat-
ment free of charge, may, I think, be taken as a sure sign that the institution is gaining the confidence of that
class. Of this, there is, I think, no doubt, as not only have a considerable number of gharry and ekkawallas
availed themselves of the school hospital for the treatment of animals, but malis and other owners of cattle are
apparently beginning to appreciate the advantages of skilled treatment for their sick and lame bullocks. Owners
of this class, however, are very difficult to satisfy; a large number of the cases brought in by them are either
of long standing and beyond hope of recovery, or of so severe a nature that nothing short of our constant
personal attention can afford relief; but when advised to leave such cases in the hospital, they almost invariably
state that, though willing to do so, they can neither afford to feed the animal, nor to lose time in attending to it
while in hospital. In many cases this, no doubt, is quite true; and as there is no fund at my disposal from
which the cost of feeding such animals can be defrayed, they are taken away to live a lingering life of semi-
starvation. To relieve the suffering of these poor creatures, it would, I am sure, be charity well applied, if the
District Board of each tehsil were to contribute a small sum annually, say, a total of R100, for the purpose
of paying for the keep of sick and lame animals belonging to persons who are obviously unable to afford to do
so."
803. One most important point brought forward in the above extract is
that of the free treatment and feed of animals, the property of owners who
would be unable to pay for their keep whilst in hospital. This system is to
be strongly advocated, as it would increase the hospital practice and would
prevent cruelty to dumb animals. I notice that the receipts for treatment
from paying patients was R578-8-0 ; a portion of this amount might with
advantage be utilized for carrying out this most desirable object.
804. When inspecting this institution, it was pointed out to me that the
expenses of the private pupils were very great, as not only have they to main-
tain themselves away from their homes, but they also have to pay the school
fees, amounting to Rs. 45 per annum. Already two scholarships are given by
the Ajmere and Beawar Municipalities, and a free scholarship, the gift of which
is vested in the Principal, is awarded by competitive examination at the
beginning of the school year. I was pleased to add another scholarship to the
above, which I purpose continuing whilst holding the appointment of Inspector
General, Civil Veterinary Department, and I trust to see a few more added by
the native gentlemen in Ajmere Merwara, as I feel that at little cost we can
help the private pupils of this institution who are a deserving body of men.
Burma Veterin-
ary School.
805. Thirty-two pupils were on the rolls at the commencement of the
year, and 30 at the end.
Lectures were delivered throughout the year on the diseases of the domestic
animals (special care being taken with the lectures on the contagious diseases),
Pathology, Materia Medica, Anatomy and Physiology.
The Burman, however, appears lazy, and to punish them no vacation was
given; this period was devoted to revision of lectures.
In September the students were sent to different districts to learn the
duties they would be called upon hereafter to perform. This is an excellent
arrangement, but in this case it failed, as 75 per cent. contracted fever and
dysentery.
At the final examination 27 students presented themselves, three being
sick. Of these, only six failed, the remaining 21 passed very creditably.
806. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Burma, concludes
his report as follows :—
" Irregular attendance is one of the great faults in Burman boys and one of the several difficulties met with
in teaching them. As far as I can judge, if a Burman boy wishes to have a day or two off, he will take it in
spite of punishment being in store for him. Even when scholarships are withheld, they appear to be perfectly
happy and independent. If they are short of money, they appear to have confidential friends to assist them.
With the exception of this failing, the general conduct of the boys has been exceptionally good."
807. With these difficulties to contend with Veterinary Captain Evans is
to be congratulated on the success met with.