11
Training in inoculation.
70. During the year, 16 veterinary assistants were
sent to Muktsar or Bareilly (U. P.) for training in inocula-
tion work.
Part V.—Expenditure of the Department.
Expenditure. Table XIV A.
71. The figures in Table XIV. A have been supplied by the Account-
ant-General, Punjab. The total expenditure from Imperial,
Provincial and Local Funds amounts to Rs. 3,21,201, com-
pared with Rs. 3,33,328 in the preceding year. There is an apparent slight
decrease, but no comparison can be made between the two statements, as the
figures for 1906-07 were obtained by excerption from the departmental accounts
and the classification adopted was somewhat different. The distribution of
last year's expenditure is as follows:—Imperial, Rs. 58,341; Provincial
Rs. 1,57,128; Local, Rs. 1,05,732.
Part VI.—General Remarks.
The Punjab Veterinary
College.
Remarks of the Director
of Agriculture.
72. The results of the annual examination of the Punjab Veterinary
College are not as good as in 1906-07, the percentage of
total passes having fallen from 87 to 75 per cent. But of
the 63 failures, 34 were in one subject only. The number
of admissions to the College has unavoidably been very large
in recent years, so as to meet the pressing demand for veterinary assistants;
this being the only Veterinary College in Northern India, But there is a limit
beyord which it is not safe to go, and this limit is reached when there are signs
of diminishing efficiency in the teaching, the falling off being probably ascrib-
able as much to the larger proportion of students of inferior ability as to the
difficulty of giving individual attention. It is satisfactory that the admissions
in April, 1908, have been reduced to 71. This is however still too large a number.
As above.
73. The receipts continue to show a steady increase, the figures for this
year, Rs. 13,718-13-6, comparing with Rs. 5,195-2-0 four
years ago. Very useful work has been done in the segregation
ward and in the laboratory, as well as in training transport dressers and farriers.
The proposed additions to buildings are urgently needed as explained by Captain
Smith, but their execution must perforce stand over until funds are available.
Captain Smith and his staff have had a year of very hard work. They have
certainly been unfortunate in being handicapped by the unwieldly size of the classes,
and I endorse the view of the examiners that the year's results have been satis-
factory.
The Civil Veterinary
Department Remarks of
the Director of Agriculture.
74. The year being dry and healthy, there were fewer outbreaks of
contagious diseases, a reduced mortality and a decrease in
the number of inoculations against rinderpest. It is satis-
factory to notice the attention given to the supervision of
inoculation work in the field, and the local investigation of disease. It is a matter
for regret that the serum against "hæmorrhagic septicæmia" has turned out
to be valueless. The success achieved with rinderpest serum has done more than
anything else to popularise the work of the department in most districts, and
what is most needed is the discovery of protective sera against the other serious
diseases to which cattle are liable. I have been glad to hear from some Deputy
Commissioners in the course of my tours that the rural population are beginning
to show confidence in the treatment afforded at veterinary hospitals. The hos-
pitals at district headquarters are all doing well.
The proposed rules for compounders have been circulated to Commissioners
and Deputy Commissioners for opinion, and are under consideration. Captain
Walker is, I think, right in his view that two veterinary assistants will ulti-
mately be required in each tahsil, but it is premature to discuss this matter now.
We should first recruit the staff which has already been sanctioned and then
see if the results obtained justify a further expansion.