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many of which were under constant treatment. The Veterinary Hospital
Committee, which was abolished in September 1903, was reconstituted
during the month of September 1908 and since then three meetings have been
held.
29. Palamau.—The Assistant in charge treated 3,765 out-patients against
4,851 of the previous year. The decrease is due to the absence of any serious
epidemic among cattle.
Nine in-patients only were treated. I do not think the in-patient depart-
ment will ever be a great success, owing to the very few people in the
neighbourhood who can afford to send their animals, and also to the fact that
the cattle are so wretchedly small and weedy.
30. Muzaffarpur.—The work of this dispensary is most satisfactory and
is making steady progress. The Assistant Babu B. B. Mitter, takes great
interest in his charge. More accommodation is required for in-patients,
which are rapidly increasing in numbers.
31. Howrah.—This is a private dispensary under the control of a
Committee. It is inspected by the Principal, Bengal Veterinary College.
32. Monghyr.—The total number of in and out-patients treated at this
dispensary was 136 and 1,355 against 135 and 1,315 respectively of the previous
year. The Assistant in charge is doing good work, but finds the greatest
difficulty in inducing native clients to send their horses for treatment.
He tours in the mufassal to attend outbreaks and treated 617 cases while
visiting 80 villages.
33. Purnea.—The large decrease noted against this dispensary as
compared with last year is accounted for by the Chairman of the District
Board reporting that the number of cases shown this year is the actual
number of animals treated and not the number of daily attendances which was
shown in the previous year's returns. The dispensary is doing good work.
A shoeing forge is attached to the dispensary. It is appreciated by the
European community, but only a few horses, the property of native gentlemen,
are sent.
34. Sitamarhi.—There is a decrease in the number of patients treated at
this dispensary, This is attributed to the issue of this Department circular
No. 5-V.D., dated the 2nd December 1908, which prohibits Assistants to record
cases which have not been actually treated with medicines or by surgical
operations.
35. Dumka.—The number of patients treated at this dispensary was
2,568 against 12,123 of the previous year. I was desired by Government
to make enquiries into the large numbers reported in the last year's report.
As a result of this enquiry, it was found that the Veterinary Assistant used
to record cases for which advice only was given with the result that the
returns were enormously inflated. The Assistant inoculated 1,424 cattle
against rinderpest. His work is more satisfactory this year.
36. Ranchi.—This dispensary is progressing satisfactorily but slowly,
44 in and 952 out-patients being treated against 33 and 781 respectively of
the previous year. The cause of the number of in-patients being so small
is attributable to the inability of the poor people, such as cultivators and
cartmen, to keep their animals at the hospital. I regret to say that native
gentlemen in Ranchi display but little interest in the hospital or its welfare.
A shoeing-forge has been attached to the dispensary during the year;
293 horses were shod. The Committee intend erecting a new hospital as the
buildings are not suitable. The present site is, however, an excellent one and
should be retained.
37. Bankipur.—This dispensary is progressing slowly, the cases treated
as in and out-patients numbered 106 and 764 respectively against 104 and 729
of the previous year.
I wish to call particular attention to the apathy displayed by the well-to-do
native gentlemen of Patna towards the dispensary and hospital. Very few
patients are sent by them for treatment. The notice of the Committee has
been frequently drawn to this point without appreciable result. A new
hospital is under construction and will be opened next year.
38. Cuttack.—The work in this hospital is satisfactory. Seventy-three
operations were performed ; 353 animals were shod.