95
492. The death-rate was very small. In class (1) it amounted to 2.8; all
the cases having been admitted in a hopeless condition. In class (2) it was
only 3. In class (3) it was 12.9, due to the fact that this includes 9 dogs des-
troyed for rabies out of a total number of 11 deaths. In class (4) it was 1.2.
493. The falling off in the number of horses examined for soundness was
due to the fact that the Principal was alone for a portion of the year and could
not attend to this branch.
494. The total number of patients, indoor and outdoor, rose from 3,193
in 1892-93 to 3,897 during the year under review.
495. The total cost of this establishment was Rs, 17,935 from Imperial
Revenues against Rs. 16,006 and Rs. 15,759 from Provincial Funds
against Rs. 16,965 last year, showing a decrease of Rs. 1,206 under Provincial
Revenues and an increase of Rs. 1,929 under Imperial; the latter being due
to compensation allowance paid to the European staff.
496. The Principal again brings to notice the necessity of some standard
text-books being decided upon. This question will be considered in consulta-
tion with Principals of other Colleges.
497. The only suggestion which I can possibly make for the improvement
of the teaching at this College is that, as is done in Burma, a certain number
of the senior students be occasionally sent out into districts in which contagious
diseases exist, in order to become acquainted with the symptoms exhibited in
the different forms of such diseases, as well as to be instructed in the best
methods to be adopted to prevent their extension. This question will be referred
to the Director of Land Records and Agriculture, Punjab.
498. Our best thanks are due to Veterinary Captain Nunn, D. S. O., for
his indefatigable zeal shown under trying circumstances ; for, as has already been
stated, this officer had to work single-handed for nine months.
Bengal Veteri-
nary
Institu-
tion.
499. This institution which had for a long time been considered necessary
for the purpose of providing duly qualified Veterinary assistants for the cattle
districts in Lower Bengal and Assam, was opened at the early part of the year;
and although it has already made some progress, still it cannot be considered as
in full working order.
500. The staff of the institution is as follows :—
Principal...Veterinary Captain W. D. Gunn.
Assistant Superintendent and Lecturer in Anatomy...Mr. E. Burke.
Lecturer in Physiology...Mr. B. S. Shroff, G.B.V.C.
Lecturer in Materia Medica and Therapeutics...Babu Haradhan Dutt, G. C. M. S.
501. Commenced on 20th April, the hospital was opened for the admission
of patients on 10th January 1894. Accommodation is provided for 40 horses
and 60 cattle patients. Since the opening of the College on 10th January until
31st March 50 horses and mules and 53 bullocks have received treatment.
The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Bengal, who is also Princi-
pal of the School, states:—
Considering the excellent accommodation for sick animals and the great care bestowed
on them, it is very disappointing that there are not more applications for veterinary relief.
502. As, however, it was of the greatest importance that cases should be
obtained for instructional purposes, opportunity was taken of the appearance
amongst the transport animals of a peculiar form of disease which at first was
thought to be Farcy, but which has subsequently proved not to be so. These
cases were admitted to the Bengal Veterinary Institution for careful investi-
gation and also to provide patients for the students.
503. The Principal further remarks : —
It will probably be some time before the institution becomes properly known to the
classes which it is intended to benefit, and in the mean time practice for the students must be
obtained from every available source. The institution is now well equipped with surgical
instruments, drugs and appliances ; and there is little doubt that when it becomes more widely