( 3 )
The students had ample opportunity of studying most of the contagious
diseases, as there were 33 cases of glanders, 107 of rinderpest, 6 of influenza,
5 of rabies, 3 of strangles, 11 of eczema contagiosa, and one each of malignant
catarrh and variola equina (Appendices VIII, IX, X and XI).
During the year 5 horses belonging to the Calcutta Police, and 70 head of
cattle and 9 ponies belonging to the Calcutta Municipality, were admitted into
the hospital. All the municipal cattle were suffering from rinderpest. They
were conveyed to the hospital in the ambulances immediately on receipt of
intimation from the Gowkhanas. The municipal ponies were all cases of
suspected glanders; three of these were found free from the disease, five were
found glandered and destroyed, and one died while under observation.
The number of operations performed was 400, against 364 in 1898-99
(Appendix XII).
The number of first class patients was 115 (99 in-patients and 16 out-
patients) against 98 (88 in-patients and 10 out-patients) in 1898-99, and the
fees received under this head were Rs. 3,104-5, against Rs. 2,526-12 in the
previous year. The number of second class patients was 113, yielding fees to
the amount of Rs. 2,199-3, against 115 patients, yielding fees to the amount of
Rs. 2,256-10 in the previous year. The success of the scale of fees, which came
into force on the 4th June 1898, was maintained.
The revised Act for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which is before
Government, will enable the College to be registered as an infirmary under
the Act.
It has also been contemplated to move the Entally Glanders Hospital to
Belgachia, but I do not know how much progress has been made in the matter.
THE AMBULANCES.
16. The ambulances have been of great service and have saved much
suffering. They were frequently requisitioned during the year.
THE FORGE.
17. Three -hundred and fifty-one horses were shod in 1899-1900 against
393 and 307 in 1898-99 and 1897-98, respectively. The falling off in the
number appears to be due to the number of horses sent from Dum-Dum being-
less, owing to the change of regiments this year.
FINANCIAL.
18. The fees for the treatment and shoeing of animals realised during the
year amount to Rs. 6,355-15-3 against Rs. 5,878-4-9 in the preceding year
They would have amounted to Rs. 6,407-5-3, had the fees for the treatment of
Government animals been included. The cost of feeding the patients is
Rs. 4,502-10-6, against Rs. 5,553-11-0 in 1898-99. Thus there has boon a sur-
plus of Rs. 1,853-4-9, in 1899-1900, of fees over the cost of feed of the
patients, against Rs. 324-9-9 in 1898-99. This larger surplus is partly due to
the admission of a larger number of first class patients, and partly to the curtail-
ment of feeding charges by the use of fodder grown on the area newly
rented by Government. As this land will probably be required for other pur
poses than cultivation, it is doubtful if the surplus will be so large next year
Defaulters.—Last year a sum of Rs. 94-7-6 was outstanding for fees This
sum is still- wanted from three defaulters. A suit against one has recently
been decreed, and decrees against two have been executed. No accounts for
the year under report are outstanding. The usual financial statement is
appended (Appendix XIII).
THE HOSTEL.
19. The hostel continues to offer a comfortable and healthy home to the
students. Sixteen pupils of class A, 6 of class B and 16 of class C were
boarders during the year. Of the above 38 students, 5 were Muhammadans.
one a Christian and the rest Hindus; separate arrangements were made for
their meals The course of dieting has been changed a little, and provision has
been made for meat, four days in a week, for those who like food of that sort