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3. The Madras Veterinary College.—The total strength of the three classes in
the college at the end of December 1915 was 65, the percentage of Brahman students
being 72. It is noticeable that the Tamil-speaking districts and the West Coast
practically monopolize the college. In the interests of the Civil Veterinary Depart
ment it is desirable that more Telugu students should be attracted, if possible. The
Principal is requested to report on the point. In order to get Telugu students to the
Agricultural College, their selection is now being made at a centre in the Northern
Circars, as it was feared that Telugus did not come forward partly on account of the
long journey to Coimbatore, and partly because of the risk of not being selected after
taking such a journey. Fifteen students graduated from the college during the year,
the percentage of successful candidates at the final examination being 75 as in the
preceding year. In the first and second year classes the percentages of passes were 64
and 86 against 75 and 94 respectively in the previous year. These results were, as
remarked by the Board of Examiners, though not unsatisfactory, not as good as usual
on account of the number of changes in the teaching staff during the year and the
increased number of students in class A.
The Board of Examiners also suggested that instruction in shoeing should include
the removal of shoes and the preparation of the foot. This suggestion has been given
effect to.
The changes in the teaching staff are inevitable in the present conditions if
men of good service are not to be passed over. The pay of the lecturers is less than
that of the Deputy Superintendent and is likely always to be so. The number of
annual admissions to the college has been raised from 30 to 40 for five years and the
employment of two assistant lecturers of the grade of veterinary assistants has also
been sanctioned. The salaries of the second and third lecturers of the college have
been revised so as to permit the interchange of veterinary inspectors with the college
staff. In spite of the increased number of admissions into the college there was no
paucity of passed candidates among the pupils. The Principal suggests the provision
of additional hostel accommodation to meet the growing requirements of the college.
The Board agrees that further accommodation is desirable and should be provided
when funds permit. The Principal is requested to submit separate detailed proposals
in the matter.
4. Veterinary hospitals and dispensaries.—New hospitals in permanent buildings
at Erode, Amalapuram, Nellore, Hindupur and Salem, a dispensary at Naudyal and
two minor dispensaries at Negapatam and Bhadrachalam were opened during the year
under review. The provision of dispensaries proposed to be opened at Madanapalle
and Ootacamund awaits the selection of buildings for their location.
Taking in-patients and out-patients together, there was a noticeable decrease
in the attendance at the hospitals at Trichinopoly, Coimbatore, Pithapuram, Bellary
and Tiruvannamalai. The figures for the hospitals at Saidapet, Rajahmundry and
Berhampore and for the dispensary at Tinnevelly show a considerable increase and
the hospital at Calicut and the dispensaries at Guntūr and Adōni have made a good
start; the Board agrees with the Superintendent that the officers in charge deserve
credit for these results. Proposals for the acquisition of a new site for the
construction of a permanent hospital at Tinnevelly have been called for from the
Collector.
The provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act XI of 1890 have
been extended to all municipalities in which there are veterinary hospitals and
District Magistrates have been requested to issue instructions to all Magistrates who
try cases under the Act to make a free use of the provisions of section 6 (3) in respect
of animals brought before them.
The number of animals shipped to Colombo from the Cattle Quarantine Depot
at Tuticorin was smaller than in the year preceding owing to the irregular steamer
service and limited accommodation for live-stock in the steamers running. The
depot remained at Tattaparai throughout the year but has since been ordered to be
taken back to Tuticorin and located experimentally on the site of the old depot in
that town.
An Inspector was appointed to be in charge of the depot during the year and
there were no severe outbreaks of contagious diseases in it.