( 5 )
Other diseases.
See table IV.
30. The veterinary assistants have this year visited 22,590 villages against
19,691 in the previous year and have treated 90,067 animals for diseases other
than those already reported on.
Investigation of disease.
31. During the year the work of the laboratory has much increased, and a
great number of specimens of blood, morbid tissues, intestinal parasites, and other
material have been received from the district veterinary staff, veterinary inspectors,
district officers, and private persons for examination and opinion. In these cases
the results are noted and, where possible, the diagnosis confirmed and the persons
interested accordingly informed. Certain investigations have been carried out
in the slaughter-houses and dried meat factories of these provinces, but
owing to the present somewhat inefficient control of the butchering trades,
it is difficult to obtain the material and assistance which should be available
to this department to pursue its investigations. At the request of the
Australian Government Entomologist an enquiry was made into the prevalence
of " Onchocerca Gibsoni " or Worm Nodules in the cattle of this country.
The necessary information and specimens were obtained and forwarded to the
officer in question.
Virulent rinderpest blood and other morbid material was collected during
the year for the Imperial Bacteriologist for experimental and other purposes.
Some continued enquiries have been made in regard to cattle tuberculosis,
spirochetosis in fowls, and kamri, and experiments have been carried out in the
preventive and curative treatment of distemper by vaccine treatment.
32. A new experimental station for the accommodation of animals under
scientific observation, is in course of construction and will be shortly opened.
With these increased facilities it is hoped that not only we shall be able to do
more towards the elucidation of obscure diseases, but it will afford also the younger
members of the staff more opportunity for observation and study of methods of
research. The institution will be furnished with a lethal chamber for the quick
and painless destruction of dogs, in addition to other up-to-date equipment.
Much still remains to be done in connection with investigation of disease, but
up to now, on account of the very large area of the Superintendents' charges and
the rapidly-increasing amount of work in connection with inspection and general
administration of the department, it has not been possible to devote as much
personal attention to this important branch of work, as it really demands.
It is however hoped that before long some increase in the superior staff will
be sanctioned.
All veterinary assistants in charge of veterinary hospitals are now being
furnished with instruments for removing the brains of dogs suspected of rabies,
and have been instructed in the methods of preparing and despatching the same to
the Pasteur institute for examination.
Veterinary hospitals and dispensaries.
See table V.
33. There are now 49 hospitals or dispensaries in the provinces as against
46 of last year, being an increase of 3; those at Baraut, Amroha, and Partabgarh
having been opened during the year. Others are about to be established at Rurki,
Kairana and Jansath, Hathras and Kasganj and the question of new premises for
the present hospital in Moradabad is now under consideration. There has been
an increase in the number of patients treated, viz. 4,714 in-patients and 51,753
out-patients against 4,061 in-patients and 43,106 out-patients for 1912-13. These
institutions continue to do excellent work and it is to be regretted that there are
not more of them.
The system of charging a small scale of fees has now been adopted and is
meeting with considerable success at Lucknow, Cawnpore, Agra, Dehra Dun, and
Jhansi. It has been found to work well and in some cases so much income
is realized as to render them practically self-supporting while other smaller
institutions earn a not inconsiderable sum towards their expenses.
It is much to be regretted that at certain district head quarters veterinary
hospitals although urgently required have not yet been provided. Amongst these
Allahabad, Naini Tal, Mussooree, Mirzapur, Hamirpur, and Jalaun might be
mentioned.