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39. Suri.—The number of out-patients treated at this dispensary rose to
1,376 during the year, including cattle inoculated. The number of in-patients
is still very low. This hospital will not, 1 fear, be a great success; as there are
very few cattle in the neighbourhood worth sending to the dispensary for treat-
ment as in-patients.
40. Laheria Sarai.—This popular dispensary is under the management
of the local Municipality; patients are increasing in number but more accom-
modation is required. Native owners patronize it largely.
The Assistant's quarters are unsuitable, being most insanitary and liable
to flood during the rains, too small for a family and not well lighted. The
attention of the Committee and Municipal Commissioners has been frequently
drawn to these defects without result. The Veterinary Assistant works well.
41. Burdwan.—The Veterinary Assistant treated 1,235 animals against
1,134 of the previous year; of these 52 only were in-patients. The former
Assistant, Mitter, was dismissed by the Municipality on a charge of extortion
and misappropriation of public money. The present incumbent performs the
duties of an itinerating officer when occasion arises. He treated 102 animals
in the mufassal and inoculated 616 cattle against rinderpest.
42. Gaya.—The total number of patients treated at this Dispensary was
1,189, of which 131 were in-patients and 1,058 out-patients against 155 and 1,105
respectively of the previous year. The fall is partly due to the appointment
of an Itinerating Veterinary Assistant. One hundred and twenty-five success-
ful operations were performed by the Veterinary Assistant. The farrier's
department attached to the dispensary is doing good work. The total receipts
increased by Rs. 362 as compared with the previous year's figures.
43. Sambalpur.—There were altogether 57 in and 4,528 out-patients treated
at this dispensary against 322 and 5,933 respectively of the previous year. No
special reason can be ascribed for the decrease except the issue of the circular
order quoted above.
The hospital formerly in the Serai has now been removed to new quarters
near by ; an operation shed has been built and a shoeing forge opened under
the supervision of the Assistant.
The Assistant in addition to his other work has been ordered to tour in
the district round head-quarters within a radius of five miles.
I should like to bring to notice, the efforts which the Deputy Commis-
sioner and the District Board are making to combat disease among live-stock
in the district and to place before the cultivators the value of veterinary advice.
Outbreaks are more regularly reported than in any other district in Bengal.
44. Arrah.—This hospital was first opened in 1907-08. The Assistant this
year treated 63 in and 701 out-patients against seven and 630 of the previous
year. The native horse and cattle owners do not patronize it much at present.
45. Larpur.—The work of the Assistant continues to be satisfactory.
The hospital compound has been improved by the planting of trees. A new
cattle shed has also been provided.
The decrease in the number of patients as compared with last year is due
to the Siripur Farm cattle being now treated on the farm, instead of at the
hospital as in other years.
46. Hazaribagh.—The Assistant in charge of this dispensary also performs
the duties of an itinerating officer and spends 15 days a month in the mufassal.
During the year under report a new hospital building with accommodation for
three horses and five cattle, a post-mortem shed, an operation enclosure, and quar-
ters for the Veterinary Assistant were constructed by the District Board at a
total cost of Rs. 2,496-15-3. The dispensary is gaining in popularity.
47. Bhagalpur.—This dispensary was opened during the year, and has
during the short period of its existence made considerable progress. The total
number of patients treated was 1,547 which included 96 in-patients.
A shoeing forge is attached to the hospital under the direct supervision of
the Veterinary Assistant; from July 1908, to the end of the year, 325 horses
were shod. The receipts derived from this source amounted to Rs. 368
against an expenditure of Rs. 632. The Chairman expresses a hope that in
course of time the forge will be self-supporting. I wish to record the interest
displayed in this institute by the Committee, especially the Chairman. The
Veterinary Assistant worked satisfactorily.