168
The Superintendent remarks :—
"The decrease in the number of patients treated is due to the prevalence of Surra in the district of
Hoshiarpur, where the disease has been raging for the past two years to such an extent as to seriously diminish
the number of animals in the district."
The total cost of the dispensary was R713-3-3, which was defrayed by
the District Board. (Vide Table O, page cxii.) The dispensary is a good one,
but a house is required for the Veterinary Assistant in charge, so that he may
always be present.
Ludhiana Dispensary.—This dispensary was only opened in April 1896,
and during the year 1,564 animals were treated, 87 being in-patients and 1,477
out-patients: 63 were shown as cured, 14 relieved, 3 incurable, 4 died, and the
large number of 1,480 are shown as unknown. The number of animals treated
is large and proves that the institution is appreciated by animal owners
and this is very satisfactory, considering that it is the first year.
The cost of the dispensary amounted to R459-10-2 and was defrayed by
the District Board.
Rohtak Dispensary.—The number of animals treated during the year was
956 as against 1,547 the previous year. The Superintendent explains this
falling off by remarking that the decrease is due to the almost total absence of
grass in many parts of the district and to the scarcity of all forage, so that large
numbers of animals were removed to other districts. The total cost of the dis-
pensary was R759-8-10, which was defrayed by the District Board.
The results of the treatment have not been received.
The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, South Punjab, makes
the following remarks:—
"I visited all the above dispensaries and found them doing excellent work. The Rohtak and Hoshiarpur
dispensaries treated less patients this year than last, but the reasons given will explain the cause of this."
New indent forms for medicines, instruments, etc., have been issued in
which is shown the balance on last indent, quantity expended, quantity
required, number of animals treated, etc. Veterinary Assistants in some cases
have indented for more medicines than they required, and they gave no returns.
I would strongly advise the opening of Veterinary dispensaries in all large
centres of population, as they do more good than itinerant Veterinary Assist-
ants. The dispensaries should, however, be placed conveniently. The people as
yet will not travel far to get their sick animals treated, and they have a rooted
objection to leaving their animals at the dispensary hospital, unless an opera-
tion is necessary or that the animal is extremely ill. The reason is probably
that they object to the extra expense of feeding and attendants. I cannot
speak too highly of these institutions which are doing a great deal of good.
North- Western Provinces.
No dispensaries have yet been started by Government. There is one attached
to the Government Farm at Cawnpur. The Assistant Director of Land
Records and Agriculture, North-Western Provinces, reports:—
"Seventy-five cases in all were treated at the Veterinary Dispensary during 1896-97. The largest number
of cattle (22) treated were affected with fever. There were also 19 cases of ulcer. Of the two animals that
died, one suffered from pneumonia and the other from constipation. It will appear that the number of cases
treated was very small, but it should not be inferred from this that the system of treatment at the dispensary is
not popular in the neighbouring villages. On the contrary, it is much appreciated by them, but the fact is that
the services of the salutri belonging to the Department were not available at the dispensary continually, as he
was out during a great part of the year in connection with purchase of bulls for certain districts, and therefore
no work was done at the dispensary during that period."
Bengal.
Darjeeling Dispensary.—This dispensary is under the management of the
local Municipality. This body has been furnished with the necessary forms
for report, but no reply has been received.
The Veterinary Assistant (Lahore) was appointed on a salary of R45 per
mensem.
Sitamarhi Dispensary.—The first Veterinary Assistant proved a failure,
owing to a want of practical knowledge and resigned. Another was sent and
he is reported to be doing better. This dispensary is maintained by a local
grant of R200, and an income from other sources, such as subscriptions from