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VETERINARY DISPENSARIES.
98. Sitamarhi.—I
inspected this dispensary on the 12th April 1897. The
Veterinary Assistant Ram Lal Bhattacharjee is doing very well and seems to
give satisfaction.
99. The Subdivisional Officer of Sitamarhi reports that the work of the
veterinary dispensary was conducted in a satisfactory manner during the year
under report. He forwards a statement showing the receipt and expenditure of
the dispensary (Appendix XXVI), which goes to show that Government has
contributed Rs. 200 towards the maintenance of the dispensary, besides which a
local grant is made of Rs. 250, and a subscription of Rs. 1,374-11-6 is derived
from other sources. These amounts, supplemented by a sum of Rs. 819-6, the
last year's balance, have raised the total of the receipts to Rs. 2,644-1-6. But I
do not quite understand the balance of Rs. 819-6 brought forward from last year,
because in last year's return no surplus was shown. The total expenditure, of
which the details will be found in Appendix XXVI, amounts to Rs. 2,631-2,
and there is a balance of Rs. 12-15-6 left.
100. It will thus be seen that the dispensary is doing very well indeed, and
offers an encouraging example. With regard to the treatment of patients, the
Subdivisional Officer reports that the Veterinary Assistant was employed in
treating patients at the hospital, and in going out to villages whenever
epidemics of cattle disease broke out. He was also sent to the subscribers'
houses to treat their cattle. His services were mostly used by the planters and
educated natives who subscribe to the hospital. Scarcely any patient was
brought in by the ordinary ignorant cultivators.
101. The total number of cases treated by the Veterinary Assistant is 294,
of which 253 were cured, 28 relieved, and 13 died (Appendix XXV). This
is nearly double the number of cases treated last year.
102. Howrah.—In my last Annual Report it was stated that a proposal had
been made to establish a Veterinary Hospital at Howrah from the donation of
Rs. 20,000 offered by Babu Rameswar Maliah. The Secretary to the Howrah
Municipality reports that no hospital has yet been established.
103. The Veterinary Assistant in charge of the municipal cattle by name
Bankim Chandra Chandra is reported to have treated 116 cases, of which 95
were cured and 21 died (Appendix XXV). Ho was appointed on 1st July 1896.
Besides the direct charge of the animals belonging to the Commissioners, he
inspects the animals seized by the S. P. C. A. His work is satisfactory, but his
attendance is not regular.
104. Dumraon.—I am glad to report that Her Highness the Maharani of
Dumraon has established at her own cost a Veterinary Hospital on the 1st of
January 1898, and a passed student of this Institution, named Satis Churn
Mukerjee, was placed in charge of the hospital on that date. A set of draft rules
was made by the Manager of the Estate for the management of the hospital,
which, after a few alterations made by me, were approved.
The rules are
appended (Appendix XXVII). At the time of my visit, the dispensary was nearly
finished. It is situated near the Dumraon railway station in a large enclosed space
which includes a good well near the dispensary and a grove of young trees.
105. The Manager of the Dumraon Estates reports that the Veterinary
Assistant looks after the Raj cattle, and that his work has been satisfactory.
As yet there has been no opportunity for the public to express an opinion of
him. As the hospital has not yet been fully appreciated by the public, they
have not sent in their cattle.
106. Gaya.—I have visited Gaya. A site has been selected for a veteri-
nary dispensary near the new dâk bungalow, and I understand that the work
of erection will begin shortly. The site is a very good one.
107. A Veterinary Assistant, named Nanda Lal Gupta, has been
permanently employed under the District Board since 15th October 1897.
108. Patna.—I have inspected this dispensary. It is in a good situation,
but the Veterinary Assistant's quarters are not very comfortable. I made
certain suggestions about the keeping of accounts. The Vice-Chairman of the
Patna Municipality reports that the Veterinary Assistant was employed on the
treatment of sick animals, both indoor and out door, and was in charge of the
hospital. The work of the Veterinary Assistant was, on the whole, satisfactory,
and the public opinion about him is good.
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