4
subdivisions, and one for the Bihar district of Patna, Government sanction for
them was, however, not received until March, and, as they could not then be
filled up, the figures for Gaya represent the work of the Itinerant Veterinary
Assistant Sadr only. The Veterinary Assistant of Bihar was appointed only
at the end of March. Altogether 9,543 villages were visited against 10,411
of the previous year while 44,779 patients were treated against 34,778 of
1910-11, showing a total increase of 10,001 cases which is satisfactory. The
above figures represent new cases only and have been subject to frequent
scrutiny by Inspectors. While there has been an increase in most instances,
Dinapur, Bettiah, Arraria, Dumka, Sahibganj, Khurda, Hazaribagh, Giridih,
and Ranchi show a decrease. Except in the case of Ranchi and Khurda no
explanation appears necessary as the Assistants have been doing good work but
in the district of Ranchi from want of proper supervision, the Veterinary As-
sistant did but little work and sent in his resignation which was not accepted
until enquiries, which were not finished at the end of the year, had been made.
In the case of Angul, Puri, the Khonclmahals, Begusarai, North Bhagalpur, etc.,
very large increases have been recorded due to extensive outbreaks of foot-
and-mouth disease. The Itinerant Veterinary Assistants of Purnea, Cuttack,
Champaran, Buxar, Dinapur, Giridih, Dhanbaid, Bargarh, Angul, Muzaffarpur,
and Sitamarhi performed their duties satisfactorily.
Additional Assistants are urgently needed in Cuttack, Balasore, Puri,
Champaran (Sadr), Shahabad, Patna (Sadr), Monghyr (Sadr), Purnea
(Kissenganj), Saran (Sadr and Gopalganj), and Darbhanga (Samastipur),
as it is found impossible for one Assistant to treat satisfactorily outbreaks
which are situated at widely separated parts of the same district. Medicine
depôts are being opened wherever funds can be found to furnish them ; medi-
cines are also more freely distributed than formerly and with satisfactory
results.
TABLES V AND VI.
HOSPITALS AND DISPENSARIES.
At the beginning of the year there were 20 hospitals, excluding the
Hazaribagh Pinjrapole. One new hospital was opened at Motihari and the
Raj hospital at Bettiah was completed during the year. The Begusarai hos-
pital has not been taken over by the District Board from the donor owing to
the inferior manner in which it was constructed.
The work in the majority of the hospitals has been satisfactory, specially
in Bettiah, Motihari, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Purnea, Cuttack, Bankipore,
and Laheria Serai. The dispensary at Palamau was closed; the manner in
which the Veterinary Assistants at Purulia and Dumka did their duty was
not satisfactory. During the period under report 6,503 horses, 15,525 bovines,
and 4,653 others, or a total number of 26,681, were treated against 19,020 of
the previous year or an increase of 7,661 cases.
It is satisfactory to record that the shoeing forges in Purnea, Ranchi,
Motihari, Gaya and Monghyr are doing so well. At Bhagalpur and Hazari-
bagh, though a large number of horses were shod, they closed the year with
a slight loss. The most unsatisfactory feature about them is the fact that so
few wealthy and educated native gentlemen, private or in Government em-
ploy, take advantage of them although the fees charged are no greater than
the bazar rate. The result is that many horses are permanently lamed by
the manner in which the bazar Nalbands shoe them.
Shoeing forges will, it is hoped, be started in every headquarters station,
if they can be worked without a loss.
BREEDING OPERATIONS.
Table VIII shows the number of stud bulls maintained in various
districts of the Province. Applications for bulls for breeding purposes con-
tinued to be received during the year, and in some instances they were
complied with. In the majority of cases, however, nothing could be done
as good Brahmini bulls are no longer available. The Darpan Wards Estates
obtained a Nellore bull through the Department.