2
promptly attended to by the staff of the Bengal Veterinary College. Inocula-
tion was performed in 3,181 oases, of which only 5 died. It is reported that
prejudice against inoculation still exists among cultivators in some districts.
The Governor in Council trusts that the satisfactory results attending the
work of inoculation will gradually overcome the objection.
5. During the year under report the Itinerant Veterinary Assistants
visited 11,119 villages and treated 61,386 animals compared with 10.189
villages and 53,287 animals in the previous year. This is satisfactory.
Thirteen new Veterinary Assistants were appointed during the year bringing
the total number of such assistants employed in districts to 82, excluding
four Staff Veterinary Assistants and six Reserve Veterinary Assistants.
Several applications from District Boards for additional Veterinary Assist-
ants had to be refused for want of qualified men. It is satisfactory to
notice that the demand for Veterinary Assistants is continuing to increase.
6. There were altogether 83 stud bulls in the Province at the close
of the year. Most of them are the property of Jails or of District Boards.
Many applications received for bulls during the year from District Boards
could not be complied with owing to want of suitable animals. It is hoped
that this demand will in time be met by the Provincial Cattle Breeding
Farm. It is reported that the Circle Inspectors try to impress upon the
public the means of improving the breed of cattle and specially the necessity
of proper care and feeding.
The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, remarks that the
work of the Veterinary Assistants was satisfactory.
7. In Calcutta and its neighbourhood all the stables within the area
under the Glanders and Farcy Act were frequently inspected during the
year, and glanders was detected in 5 stables against 6 in the previous
year.
Four stables were also found infected with surra against 3
in 1914-15. In the mufassal glanders was confined to two districts, viz.,
Bakarganj and Dacca, and there were only 9 deaths against 38 in the preced-
ing year.
The deaths in the Sodepur Pinjrapole also declined, the
number being 71 against 167 in the previous year. There were severe
outbreaks of surra in the districts of Khulna and Tippera.
All possible
measures for its suppression were taken by the staff of the Department.
8. No new dispensary was opened during the year. The total number
of patients treated at the existing 24 dispensaries shows a considerable
increase, viz., 29,349 against 24,049 in 1914-15. Satisfactory progress is
shown in almost all the districts of the Province. New buildings were
completed for the Veterinary Dispensary at Barisal, and the dispensary was
removed to them during the year. The Governor in Council observes with
satisfaction that arrangements are being made by the District Board of
Bakarganj for the construction of a Veterinary Dispensary with quarters for
the Veterinary Assistants in each of the three outlying subdivisions.
9. The number of animals sent to the College Hospital for treatment in
connection with cases under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act
during the year was 523 out of 4,879 prosecutions instituted under the Act,
as against 220 animals out of 8,455 prosecutions in the previous year. The
report submitted by the Committee appointed to consider whether any
improvement was possible in the law of cruelty to animals and its adminis-
tration is under the consideration of Government.
10. During the year under report seven Veterinary Assistants of the
Province volunteered lor service with Indian Silladar Cavalry Regiments and
the Supply and Transport Corps, and they are now serving under the
military authorities in various stations in India. Mr. R. V. Pillai, a member
of the Bengal Veterinary College, was also permitted during the year
to volunteer for the duty of taking charge of horses which were being
supplied for military purposes from Bombay. His conduct was favourably
reported on. One Veterinary Assistant was deputed to Madras during the
year to undergo a course of training in the treatment of elephants. After
completing his course the Veterinary Assistant joined his appointment under
the Commissioner of the Rajshahi Division for treatment of Government
elephants in the districts of Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling.