MUKTESAR, FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 31ST MARCH, 1929
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The Government of India have sanctioned the replacement of one
of the existing electric pumps, which has become worn out, by a
multistage centrifugal pump. When the new pump has been installed
it is hoped that the problem of providing an adequate water supply to
cope with the increasing needs of the station will be a step nearer to
solution.
(i) Building construction and repairs. This work was undertaken,
as in the preceding year, by the Public Works Department, Delhi
Province. Mr. A. Littlejohn (the laboratory engineer) continued in
immediate charge of the works at Muktesar until his resignation on
the 26th August, 1928. Since the departure of Mr. Littlejohn, a
Public Works Department subordinate has again been placed in charge
of the work. The chief items of construction at Muktesar during the
year were (A) " Major Works " (1) constructing quarters for the
Power House staff (estimated cost Rs. 23,500 ; (B) " Minor Works "
(1) installation of incubator room and minor additions and alterations
to the culture media storage and serum-mixing block (estimated cost
Rs. 14,400), (2) constructing sedimentation storage tanks (estimated
cost Rs. 10,484), (3) providing Paterson patent chemical supply gear
(estimated cost Rs. 9,100), (4) constructing 3 Dutch barns (estimated
cost Rs. 8,060), (5) certain additions and alterations to the dispensary
buildings (estimated cost Rs. 5,830), (6) constructing Stenographer's
quarters (estimated cost Rs. 6,965), (7) constructing a timber shed
(estimated cost Rs. 8,000), (8) certain protective works to the quarters
for the 2nd Veterinary Deputy Superintendent, the Assistant Surgeon,
the Librarian, the Sanitary Inspector and additional clerks (aggregate
estimated cost Rs. 12,620), and (9) construction of a P. W. D., coolie
line (estimated cost Rs. 19,611).
The comprehensive scheme for the provision of suitable permanent
buildings for the Izatnagar Branch Laboratory is in abeyance pending
the consideration of the more urgent recommendations of the Royal
Commission on Agriculture by the Government of India. The Officer
in charge reports that little real development can now take place until
suitably equipped buildings are erected.
(j) Medical and sanitary arrangements. The number of patients
treated at the Muktesar dispensary were :—outdoor 4,561; indoor 65.
The number of operations performed was 142 including 5 major
operations. No death was recorded among the staff treated in the
hospital. There was no outbreak of serious epidemic disease. The
construction of the new operating room was completed towards the end
of the year.
The post of a nurse and mid-wife, sanctioned at the beginning of
the year, could not be filled during the year for want of a suitable
candidate.
During the year the Government of the United Provinces deputed,
at the instance of the Government of India, as a result of representa-
tions made by the Institute, Major D. Clyde, M.B., D.P.H., I.M.S.,
Offg. Assistant Director of Public Health, II Range, United Provinces,
and Mr. W. Saise, Executive Engineer of the Public Health Engineer-
ing Branch of the United Provinces, to study the question of sanitation