4
In addition 461 castrations were performed at hospitals and 88 by the salutry,
making a total of 4,985.
The services of the salutry were dispensed with from 7th September 1913.
During the year three additional touring assistants were posted to the districts of
Ganjām, Vizagapatam and Gōdāvari in order to bring the agency tracts more within
the reach of veterinary aid and also, on the suggestion of the Collector of Vizaga-
patam, to ensure regular inspection of the Government elephants which are used in
those districts.
Even after making allowances for the three additional hands, the number of
cases treated on tour shows a considerable increase, but it will never become what it
might be, or what it is in other provinces, per assistant, until the touring men of
this province are given smaller charges, which will allow them to become acquainted
with the ryots and gain their confidence.
(iii) Hospitals.—Again it has to be reported that no new hospitals or dispen
saries were opened during the year under review.
Excluding the figures for the Madras Veterinary College hospital the total
number of cases treated rose from 18,630 the previous year, to 22,206 in 1913-1914.
The figures for Vizianagram show a considerable decrease which is explained
by the assistant as being due to the introduction of fees for treatment. These have
since been abolished.
In addition, it came to the Superintendent's notice that the assistant in charge
was granted one month's privilege leave during the year and no substitute was
obtained in his place, which could not have done the hospital any good.
Saidapet, Coimbatore and Bellary report a very slight decrease, while Trichino-
poly, Vellore, Rajahmundry, Ellore, Sivaganga, Ongole and Berhampur show a
satisfactory increase.
The figures from Trichinopoly are very high owing to the practice of sending
all S.P.C.A. cases compulsorily to the hospital for treatment—this has since been
discontinued.
Cattle Quarantine depot, Tuticorin.—During the year 19,100 cattle and 135,414
sheep and goats passed through this depot, as compared with 20,716 and 120,950
respectively the previous year. The depot was closed from 21st February 1914 to
18th March 1914 on account of the prevalence of rinderpest.
Owing to the unsatisfactory way in which the work had to be carried out in the
old site, it was decided to move the depot to a more convenient one as soon as the
necessary arrangements could be made.
It will never be entirely satisfactory however until pukka buildings are put up,
and in this connection it is worthy of note that the Municipal Veterinary Surgeon,
Colombo, remarks in his report for 1913, that "it has been decided that cattle are
to continue to come by the sea route and not by the railway ; therefore the proposals
regarding accommodation (at Tuticorin) may again be considered."
III.—BREEDING OPERATIONS.
(i) Bovines.—There were 19 bulls in the department at the beginning of the
year.
Of these one was cast and sold and two died.
These casualties were not replaced pending the final orders of Government on
the question of maintaining these stud bulls.
A satisfactory scheme for this has not yet been worked out. A register of
coverings performed by each bull was maintained as far as possible and according to
this 500 were known to have been performed.
(ii) Equines.—A much more satisfactory state of affairs is reported under this
head.
The same three stallions were employed during the year, one each in Coimbatore,
Madura and Salem districts.