92
566. Ajmer.—The Principal brings to notice a large number of require-
ments, most of which are essential for the proper training of the students.
I have addressed the Agent to the Governor-General, and have expressed a
hope that as soon as funds are available, they will receive his attention.
567. The financial portion of this school is not satisfactory and the funds
are only just sufficient to keep it going, in fact if it were not for the fees of
the private pupils, which last year amounted to Rl,995, it would be impossible
to meet the expenditure.
568. Bengal.—The students of this Institution have great facilities for the
study of most of the contagious diseases, as during the year there were:—
33
107
6
8
3
11
1
cases of Glanders.
„
„Rinderpest.
„
„Influenza.
„ „Rabies.
„ „Strangles.
„ „Eczema
Contagiosa.
„ „Variola
Equina.
Burma.
Veterinary.
School.
569. On this point the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department,
states:—
"The class about to pass out numbered 16, one pupil left owing to illness, so that there are now 15 pupils.
Several of these men are constant offenders as regards attendance."
570. Remarking on the general working of the school, the Superintendent
states:—
"Lectures in Materia Medica, Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, Medicine, and Surgery were delivered
throughout the year, and practical classes in handling of animals and Pharmacy, were held regularly. I must
once more remark that the ordinary Burman youth we get is extremely slow; it appears difficult for him
to retain anything. Insufficient previous education no doubt to a great extent accounts for difficulties in
assimilating the lectures, but the more serious cause is apathy; there is an absolute want of application. The
pupils will not understand that without regular attendance, regular moderate work, and careful attention at
lectures they cannot hope to attain success. They seem to possess little or no aptitude for work. For instance,
when a sick animal is brought for treatment it would be surprising if a pupil voluntarily went up to inspect the
animal, or question the attendant with the object of trying to elicit information about the case—too much trouble.
It is much more simple for them to wait until they are dragged out. Of course there are one or two exceptions.
The majority have to be treated like young children, everything has to be repeated frequently to prevent their
forgetting their work. On the other hand, it is pleasing to find that several of the last batch of boys, who
were dull and hard to teach at school, have turned out very good district Assistants.
"The present pupils will be examined immediately on completion of the annual report, and I trust the
results will be satisfactory. Special arrangements will be made with the municipality regarding the pupils
having every opportunity of seeing some cases of glanders. A course of lectures on some of the more common
ailments of elephants has been delivered. Several class examinations were held during the year; the majority
of the pupils did well. Every advantage was taken to show the boys cases, etc. The school was closed from
11th September to 12th November, and during this period several pupils voluntarily spent the vacation learning
district work under some of the Veterinary Assistants."
Karens were admitted as pupils, but have not proved a success, as of 8 admitted
only 2 remain.
571. With reference to the above, I can only say that the success obtained
reflects great credit on the Superintendent, Veterinary Captain Evans. The
raw material with which he has to deal is of the worst possible description and
still the results of the working in the districts is amongst the best. 1 can only
attribute the success obtained to the fact that Veterinary Captain Evans has
the training and subsequent control of these men and that owing to his
knowledge of the country and the people, he is able to manage them as few
officers could do. This leads me to express a hope that the second officer sanc-
tioned for Burma may soon be appointed in order that he may receive his
training under one who is so capable of teaching him the work.