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109. The Veterinary Assistant reports upon the working of the Dispen-
sary as follows:—
" The dispensary was first established in a small hut in the Municipal office at Sadhikpur
far off from the head-quarters, with few medicines and appliances. In March 1897 the late
Chairman of the Municipality visited the place, and seeing its miserable condition ordered it to
be removed to its present locality, which was done in April 1897. Since then it has been
furnished with more medicines, instruments, and appliances than what was supplied at its
opening, but yet much remains to be added. Though the present site of the dispensary is
good, its accommodation for in-patients and for the Veterinary Assistant is not good.
Several patients could not be treated owing to the want of accommodation for in-patients.
110. During the outbreak of Rinderpest at Patna, segregation lines were
opened, where several sick cattle were treated.
The Veterinary Assistant suggests the establishment of a shoeing forge,
which will be a source of income and material help to the progress of the
dispensary, and the erection of a few cattle and pony sheds near the head-
quarters, where animals can be treated.
111. The total number of cases treated by the Veterinary Assistant is 285,
of which 154 were cured, 54 relieved, and 77 died (Appendix XXV). Three
oxen and 8 horses which wore castrated by the Veterinary Assistant are
included in the column " Other diseases."
112. The statements of receipts and expenditure of the dispensary have
not been received.
113. Bhagalpur.—This district has been in the Calcutta Gazette for cattle
disease for 41 weeks out of 52. In my predecessor's time there was, I believe,
some idea of opening a Veterinary Dispensary there. But it will be seen from
my synopsis of cattle disease in Appendix XXX) that nothing has been done.
I have visited Bhagalpur and find the neighbourhood rich in cattle.
114. Muzaffarpur.—This
is another place in which the subject of a Veteri-
nary Dispensary has long been under consideration. The district has lost
heavily from rinderpest, and I understand that something will be done next
year to establish a dispensary to combat cattle disease.
115. Dacca.—The
Municipality of Dacca has appointed a Veterinary
Assistant permanently. 1 have sent Veterinary Assistant Nanda Lal Mitter,
who should do well in the appointment. They will probably start the Veteri-
nary Dispensary which they have had under consideration for a long time.
116. Saran.—I believe Saran would willingly establish a Veterinary
Dispensary, but all the money has been spent on the purchase of land at Sonpur
and on famine relief, so that the district cannot even support a Veterinary
Assistant.
CONTAGIOUS DISEASE—GLANDERS AND FARCY.
117. Calcutta.—Twenty-five
cases of Glanders were admitted at the Bengal
Veterinary Institution during 1897-98. These two died in the Institution,
the remainder were destroyed under Act VIII (B.C.) of 1880, and the owners
were duly informed.
118. I have serious grounds for suspecting that Glanders is a much more
prevalent disease in Calcutta than these figures prove, and I suggest as possible
that owing to the non-appointment of Veterinary Assistants in Calcutta and
Suburbs, the Act VIII of 1880 is not very strictly observed, nor do I quite
understand how an untrained Policeman can diagnose Glanders when he sees
a case.
119. Mufassal.—The
extension of Act VIII of 1880 has been sanctioned
to the Sonepur, Barahpur, and Kalimpong when fairs are held in these places.
120. Outbreak of Glanders in North-Bihar.—On receipt of information about
the outbreak of Glanders in the Saran and Muzaffarpur districts, the following
places were visited to investigate the outbreak:—Hatwa, Kahala, Pertapore,
Chuckia and Ratassia Indigo Concerns, and Siwan in Saran, Kanti in
Muzaffarpur district and Teegrah in Monghyr district.
121. There was no outbreak at Hatwa and it was found that the sale by
Mr. Buskin of 24 old horses gave rise to the rumour that these animals had been
shot for Glanders.
122. At Kahala factory four horses had been destroyed for Glanders some
time previous to my inspection, and there wore no outward signs of the disease