75
nary Inspector who is a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons,
England. Before the horses reach the port of shipment, they are examined by
the District (inland) Inspectors and travel to the port on the Inspector's
permit. If they come from a district in which cattle ticks have been known
to exist they are, before being moved, thoroughly dipped or disinfected and
on arrival at the port of shipment are twice disinfected by the Government
Veterinary Inspector at that place. That officer then issues his certificate
that the horses are free from disease or infection.
477. A copy of the form of certificate has been received and the precautions
taken, as noted above, have been deemed sufficient guarantee against the
introduction of the disease into India.
478. The various Maritime Governments have been asked to take such steps
as will ensure the agreement come to between the Queensland and Indian
Governments being given effect to, and all firms interested in the horse trade
have been informed that if Queensland horses are introduced into India in
infraction of the agreement come to or if ticks are actually found on any
shipment, the Government of India will be obliged to put the Live-stock
Importation Act, IX of 1898, into force.
479. The precautions taken by the Queensland Government, if properly
carried out, will guard this country against the introduction of the disease and
will not interfere in any way with the horse trade.
Introductory.
VETERINARY DISPENSARIES.
480. Table L will show that the total number of cattle treated at dispen-
saries was as follows :—Inpatients 3,440, outpatients 43,295, making a total of
46,735. The mortality amongst the inpatients amounted to 7.61 per cent.
whilst that amongst the outpatients amounted to only 1.54. This difference is
accounted for by the fact that the majority of cases amongst the former are
such that are of a severe character and cannot be removed.
481. No comparison can be drawn with last year as Table L is submitted
for the first time. No returns have been received from Central Provinces where
last year over 8,000 patients were treated in dispensaries: if this number were
added, it would give a total of 55,000 animals treated.
482. The good which is done at these dispensaries cannot be overestimated,
and I would urge on all Local Governments that, as opportunity and funds
present themselves, their numbers should be increased.
North-Western
Provinces.
483. I am pleased to find that the establishment of Veterinary Dispen-
saries has been sanctioned by the Local Government. A dispensary was opened
at Muzafarnagar in December last—the first started by Local Bodies in the
North-Western Provinces. In addition to this one, there are two others, viz.,
Cawnpore Experimental Farm and one at Gorakhpur, supported by the
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
484. A dispensary was also to be opened at Hapur on 1st April and the
following District Boards also propose establishing dispensaries during
1900-01 :—
Bijnour, Bulandshahr, Muttra, Etawah, Shahjehanpur and Rae-Bareilly.
The number of cattle treated at these institutions was :— Inpatients 65,
Outpatients 317.
The start made in these Provinces is a small one, but I feel convinced that
these most useful institutions will rapidly increase.
Punjab
485. No new Veterinary Dispensaries were opened in this Province during
the year, but it could not be expected that with the existing famine, attention
could be paid to this matter. The Superintendents, Civil Veterinary Depart-
ment, North and South Punjab, show that 11 dispensaries were open through-
out the year, and that 18,513 cases were treated. This must be considered very
satisfactory.
L 2