(5)
Now that the operations of the department are expanding, it has become very
necessary to have at head quarters in connection with the laboratory some
accommodation for animals under observation and experiment. It should fulfil a
very useful purpose in the interests of general research and will be a place where
the younger and inexperienced veterinary assistants can obtain experience and an
up-to-date training in practical pathology, &c.
29. Cattle poisoning.—Some cases of criminal cattle poisoning were reported
from 6 districts. These were investigated and handed over to the police to be dealt
with.
VETERINARY HOSPITALS AND DISPENSARIES.
See table V.
30. The number of hospitals and dispensaries in the provinces has now
increased to 40, and it is hoped that ere long all district head quarters and towns
of any importance will possess one of these institutions. New Veterinary hospitals
have been established during the year at Pilibhit, Jhansi and Mahaban and new
premises erected at Jaunpur and Cawnpore, while at Kasia and Etawah the
buildings are under reconstruction. The question of a new hospital for Gonda is
under consideration and many district boards are now contemplating the opening of
shoeing forges in connection with the already existing hospitals or dispensaries.
The number of cases treated during the year at these institutions was—out-patients
36,766 and in-patients 3,626, making a total of 40,392.
The proposal which I suggested last year of charging a small scale of fees for
treatment at hospitals and dispensaries to those owners who can afford to pay has
been adopted by some districts. It is however too early yet to be able to judge
how far this system has been successful.
BREEDING OPERATIONS.
(1)
(i)
BOVINE.
Stud bulls.
See table VIII.
31. During the year stud bulls have been maintained by district boards,
municipalities, courts of wards and private estates in the following districts:—
Cawnpore, Banda, Jhansi, Jalaun, Garhwal, Lucknow, Unao, Rae Bareli,
Sitapur, Gonda, Bahraich, Sultanpur, Shahjahanpur, Muzaffarnagar Fatehpur,
Aligarh, Meerut, Muttra, Agra, Bareilly, Basti, Ballia, Bulandshahr, Etawah,
Benares, Gorakhpur and Azamgarh. This is a considerable addition to the
number of public bulls hitherto provided in the provinces, and it is gratifying
to notice the increasing interest which is now being shown in the question of
cattle breeding. Not only have endeavours been directed towards the production
of plough bullocks for agricultural purposes but some action appeared to be
necessary to improve the breed and type of the cows in certain parts, with
a view to an increased milk supply. For this purpose arrangements were
made with the Superintendent of the Government Cattle Farm, Hissar, for the
supply of 20 bulls to meet the immediate demand. These have been distributed
and located where their introduction appeared indicated and it is hoped that we
shall be able to continue our operations in this direction annually.
BULL REARING, AND BREEDING FARMS AND DEPOTS.
See table IX.
32. The work at the bull rearing farm at Kheri continues to progress
satisfactorily. Some improvements and additions have been made to the temporary
buildings and the fencing of the farm has been completed. There are at present
202 head of young stock which up to now are doing very well. During this year it is
hoped that the full number of 300 will be secured. The original scheme provided
for the issue to the stud of the first batch of bulls in 1913, viz. 3 years after the
establishment of the farm. I am pleased to report however that with a good hot
weather and other satisfactory conditions there is every probability that we shall
be able to turn out from 10 to 20 good young animals by October next,
and continue on from 1913, as originally intended. The approach to the farm
from the Lakhimpur station consists of 3¾ miles of pucca road and a quarter
of a mile of kuchha and some difficulty is therefore experienced in reaching
the farm, to do which it is necessary to cross a stream. During the cold
weather this is managed by the erection of a small temporary wooden bridge but
in the rains it can only be reached by boat; hence it is almost impossible to
transport carts or animals across at that time of year. A bridge capable of