175
Veterinary Graduate Vedh, Shikarpur Dispensary.—When inspected it
was found to be in good order. It is to
be regretted that sufficient funds are not
forthcoming to remove the dispensary from
its present site to one nearer the city, and
to find that it was necessary to dispense
with the services of the itinerating
Veterinary Graduate. The total number
of cases treated during the year was 1,025
against 894 last year. In-patients 127, out-patients 898. Out of the above
number, 323 were horses, 428 cattle, and the remainder goats, etc. The Veteri-
nary Graduate attended an outbreak of Rinderpest where the usual precau-
tionary measures were adopted. He attended the Horse Show at Jacobabad.
and looked after the working of the Government stallions. Two cases of
castration are reported. The report shows considerable improvement on last
year and is satisfactory—
Cases cured . . . . .
„ relieved . . . . .
„ incurable
.
.
.
.
.
„ unknown
.
.
.
.
.
„ died
.
.
.
.
.
.
„ remaining . . . . .
TOTAL .
689
44
13
212
45
22
1,025
Receipts
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Expenditure . . . . . . . .
Balance .
R
6,586
3,153
3,432
a.
13
14
15
p.
6
5
1
Cases treated by Veterinary Assistants.
Punjab.
747. The number of cases treated by the Veterinary Assistants in the
Punjab show a decided improvement over last year. There were three
additional men employed during the year, making a total of 73 for the Province.
These men were employed in the various districts, and visited 12,085 villages
as against 9,913 last year. The total number of cases said to have been treated
being 66,946 or an increase of 2,615 over last year. This is not quite such a
rapid advance as was reported last year, neverthless the increase is consider-
able, and shows that much useful work is being done by the Veterinary
Assistants. The average number of animals treated by each Veterinary Assist-
ant works out to 917. This steady increase of work and usefulness is decidedly
encouraging, and in time we may hope to have this good work extended beyond
the Province. So far the Punjab is far ahead of any other Province in India
in this respect.
North-Western
Provinces.
In these Provinces seventeen Veterinary Assistants submitted reports
during the year, and it is very satisfactory to note that the work done by them
has increased very considerably. Three thousand and four villages were visited
last year, and the number of animals treated was 16,511 as against 7,055 in pre-
ceding year, an increase of 234 per cent.
The average number of animals treated by each Veterinary Assistant was
971.2 as against 503.9 for the year 1895-96, and the average number of villages
visited was 176.7. This showed a very marked increase upon last year which
averaged 37.2 each. So that altogether a very considerable advance has been
made in the working of the subordinate Veterinary establishment in these
Provinces, and it is to be hoped that more dispensaries will soon be opened so
that the zemindars may have visible proof of the benefits that the cattle may
derive from humane and scientific Veterinary treatment.
The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North-Western Prov-
inces and Oudh, makes the following remarks on the work done by the Veteri-
nary Assistants:—
" The Veterinary Assistants are instructed to do all in their power to prevent the spread of the disease by
isolating the diseased or suspected animals, disinfection of all articles likely to have been in contact with
diseased animals, and also seeing that the sick animals have proper attention.
"Our staff of Veterinary Assistants is much too small to deal effectually with outbreaks in a large area like
the North-Western Provinces.
"We had 15 Veterinary Assistants in the beginning of the year, two were added during the year, thus we
had 17 Veterinary Assistants on 31st March 1897, paid from Provincial funds. In addition to the above 17
Veterinary Assistants, one was employed by the District Board, Sitapur, and one by the Court of Wards Estate,
Bhuiga, in Bahraich district.
"For 48 districts we have only 17 Veterinary Assistants, this number is manifestly absolutely inadequate.
"The Veterinary Assistants of the following districts were sent on special duty to deal with cattle-diseases in
the districts.
"The Veterinary Assistant of Agra sent to Banda using May and June 1896.
"The Veterinary Assistant Shahjehanpur sent to Sultanpur during May 1896.