5
TABLE IV.
On the 1st April 1918 there were 52 itinerant Veterinary Assistants
on the roll. Twelve new graduates joined during the year, making the total
sixty-four. Out of this number, one Assistant died, one was discharged, two
were appointed stationary Assistants and one was brought on to the staff
as a Laboratory Assistant. Thus, at the end of the year there were 59
itinerant Veterinary Assistants.
The total number of fresh cases treated by the Assistants was 40,319
which represents a decrease of 28,803 as compared with the number treated
in the previous year, which is not satisfactory. The cause of this decrease
may be put down to (1) absence of many Veterinary Assistants on leave
through sickness or other cause, the dispensaries remaining vacant during
the period of absence, e.g., the dispensaries at Kishanganj, Supaul, Bettiah,
Chapra Sadr, Deoghar, Khunti, Khurda, Khondmals and Sambalpur Sadr,
remained closed for considerable periods, (2) less cattle disease, especially
Foot and Mouth disease which used in former years to swell the numbers
considerably, (3) want of a leave reserve.
The number of villages visited by Veterinary Assistants was 16,S32 as
compared with 15,107 in 1917-18.
TABLE V.
Though a new hospital was opened at Siwan,the total number remained
the same, viz., 2-4, as in the previous year, the reason being that the two hospitals
at Muzaffarpur have been combined in the new building which was completed
and opened during the year. No Stationary Veterinary Assistant was
appointed to Siwan but the post at Supaul was filled. The hospital at Dumraon
remained vacant. The hospital at Hajipur has not yet been constructed.
The hospital at Balasore was in charge of the Sadr itinerant Veterinary
Assistant.
The Patna Municipality have agreed to enlarge the present hospital, and
it is hoped to finish it during the next year. Government has been asked to
contribute a sum of lis. 10,000 towards the cost. A veterinary hospital with
quarters for an Assistant is badly needed at Puri. Singhbhum also requires
a veterinary hospital, but as the Road Committee is unable to meet the entire
charge, it is proposed to apply to Government for help. Sites have been selected
at Madhubani and Samastipur in Darbhanga District and at Bagaha in Cham-
paran District instead of Ramnagar. Quarters have been sanctioned by the
District Board for the Bettiah Veterinary Assistant as those now occupied by
him are quite uninbabitable. At Gopalganj, a site was also selected and it is
understood the District Board will acquire it during 1919-20. The District
Board, Shahabad, have agreed to construct hospitals at Sasaram, Bhabua
and Buxar, and two of these will probably be put in hand during the coming
year. Similarly, in Purnea sites have been chosen at Kishanganj, Katihar and
Araria. The District Board may also erect a hospital at Damdaha, as this
part of the District has developed considerably in recent years. The hospital at
Dhanbad has not yet been put in hand, but the material has been collected
and it is hoped to open it before the end of the current year.
In Orissa, hospitals and quarters are very badly needed; it is hoped
Government will arrange to allot funds to meet a portion of the cost, as the
resources of local bodies are very meagre.
Type plans and estimates of hospital buildings have been prepared, and
are now available for the guidance of local bodies.
The question of quarters, and general good living conditions for the staff
in the mufassal, is a very important one, and every effort will be made to get
them provided by local bodies as early as funds will permit ; but Government
must be prepared to help substantially in districts which have small revenue
at their disposal.
28,528 fresh patients were treated at the hospitals, against 30,820 in
1917-18.