( 8 )
57. Specimens.—Some 35 specimens were sent to the Bengal Veterinary
College Laboratory by the various Assistants. Cases of Black Quarter reported
from Muzaffarpur were confirmed by bacteriological examination.
PART IV.—SUBORDINATE STAFF.
58. Table VII shows the strength of the subordinate staff. Eighteen
graduates of the Bengal Veterinary College were posted in the following
districts:—
Darjeeling, Purnea, Shahabad, Patna, Champaran, Birbhum, Darbhanga,
Muzaffarpur, Monghyr, Bhagalpur, Gaya, Puri and Balasore.
During the year two resigned, one was appointed Inspector on probation
and one Inspector reverted ; there were thus on the 31st March 1909 four Ins-
pectors and 52 Assistants.
First Inspector Babu N. L. Mitter has done excellent work in attending
fairs, purchasing stock and enquiring into the work of the stationary and
itinerant Assistants. He acted for three months as Chief Glanders Inspector.
Second Inspector Babu P. N. Das must also be commended for useful work
in connection with outbreaks of contagious disease and inspection generally.
The Assistants have done good work on the whole, and display consider-
able interest in their duties. The following Veterinary Assistants have not
been working to my satisfaction:—Ranjit Singh, Darjeeling, mentioned in
last year's report; B. Mitter Berhampore; K. N. Dey, Jessore, Veterinary
Assistant, 24-Parganas; Veterinary Assistant, Sitamarhi Dispensary; Veteri-
nary Assistant, Kalimpong. During the coming year the Inspectors will be
given circles so that the general supervision of the Assistants may be more
stringent than formerly. Considering the difficulties which they encounter
in some districts from the nature of the country and from the prejudices
of the people, the results are encouraging.
PART V.—EXPENDITURE OP THE DEPARTMENT.
59. Table XIV (a) shows in detail the cost of the department during the
year.
PART VI.—GENERAL.
60. The scheme for the reorganisation of the Civil Veterinary Department,
which received the sanction of the Secretary of State last year, has not yet
been introduced in the districts, through want of funds.
61. The condition of gharry ponies in the various Municipalities is receiv-
ing attention; in Burdwan, Hooghly, Berhampore, Monghyr, Patna and a
few others it is bad ; in Gaya the condition of the ponies is disgraceful for
they are undersized, half starved and overloaded. In many cases a pair must
drag a gharry, the weight of which is sometimes over 10 maunds exclusive
of passengers, drivers or luggage.
62. During the last year's rains a tour was made in the Khulna district
with a view to discover specimens of the biting flies supposed to convey surra.
None were found. The blood of a large number of cattle in widely separated
tracts was examined microscopically, but no cases of surra could be detected.
A large and most interesting field of research work is open to anyone who has
but little office work and plenty of time at his disposal. Investigation of
various diseases is badly needed in this Province, but the increase of routine
work and of the number of Assistants in the districts make it impossible for
me to pursue those studies for any length of time.
63. The destruction of dogs found in any public place without a collar
bearing the owners name or a registered number should be made compulsory
throughout the Province. They are a grave menace to health.
64. The work connected with the office has increased during the year.
The total number of letters received being 9,013 as compared with 2,277
of the previous year.