8
men treated and castrated 32,653 cases in 8,575 villages. The increase of cases
treated is mainly attributable to the greater prevalence of Foot-and-
mouth disease during the year under report. A smaller number of villages was
visited, as inoculations took up a good deal of time of many of the men and
necessitated longer halts in villages. Inoculated animals are not included in the
number of animals treated. It has been definitely decided that itinerating work
in the ordinary sense will be performed in future by one man only in each District.
The other men will remain in stationary charge of their respective Dispensaries
unless epidemic disease breaks out in their circles. The system of reporting
contagious disease not yet having been finally settled the new system is not
likely to come into force for some months.
(3).—Veterinary Hospitals and Dispensaries.
Veterinary Hospitals.—
Table V.
50. There were 17 Veterinary Hospitals at work in the Province at the
end of the year or an increase of 5 on the previous year.
The new ones were opened at Gurdaspur, Jullundur, Jhelum,
Sargodha and Rawalpindi. The Hospital at Murree was open from the 1st May
to the 15th October. Most of the Hospitals show an increase in the number of
patients treated over last year. The total number treated was 41,431 against
26,528 in the previous year, whch is a considerable relative increase.
Buildings.
51. A new building will probably be provided at Ambala during the cur-
rent year. It is urgently required; the present place
being very unsatisfactory. A new Veterinary Hospital is
also urgently required at Amritsar, A site has been selected, and it is to be
hoped that work on it will shortly be commenced. The Simla Veterinary
Hospital was removed during the year to the new building. It has been well
equipped and provided with the necessary menial staff, including a farrier. It
is proposed to increase the accommodation by building a separate forge and
operation shed. This will allow of the present forge being turned into two loose
boxes, which are urgently required. New Hospitals are being provided, and will
shortly be opened at Delhi, Karnal, Jhang and Campbellpur.
Veterinary Dispensaries.—
Table V.
52. There were 74 Veterinary Dispensaries in the Province. They
were in charge of itinerating men and were open about 10
days in each month. Very useful work was done at them:
33,501 patients were treated against 27,610 at the same number in the previous
year. Under the new system it is hoped that it will be possible to keep these
Institutions open continuously and, in that case, I anticipate that they will be
very popular, and that a very large number of patients will attend them.
Accommodation and equip-
ment.
53. Many of the Dispensaries are at present accommodated in hired and
temporary quarters, but permanent buildings are gradually
being provided. With the help of the liberal grant given
by Government to District Boards for veterinary improvements, it has been
possible to equip the Veterinary Hospitals and Dispensaries properly with
medicines and instruments. District Boards have, in many cases, supplemented
the grant from their own resources, and in a year or two, when the present
construction programme is completed, these Institutions will be well accommo-
dated, mostly in buildings on the standard plan, and their equipment will be
sufficient for all ordinary requirements.
Income and expenditure
at Veterinary Hospitals.—
Table VI.
54. The income and expenditure at Veterinary Hospitals are shown in
Table VI from information received from Districts.
Rs. 4,146 were realised from fees against Rs. 3,604 in the
previous year. The income of the Veterinary Hospital at
Simla amounted to Rs. 2,299, made up of Rs. 1,870 for treatment and medicine,
and Rs. 429 from the shoeing forge attached to the Institution. In addition,
a sum of Rs. 465 was due to the Hospital, but unrealised, at the close of the year
under report. The expenditure amounted to Rs. 1,896, exclusive of the pay of the
Veterinary Assistant in charge, which came to Rs. 555. Including his pay this
shows a loss of Rs. 152 on the year's working, but it is more than covered by the
outstandings. It is understood that the Deputy Commissioner of Simla is taking
measures to recover the debts to the Hospital. Moreover, in the year under
report, a considerable initial outlay on instruments, obtained from England, was
necessary, which will not be a recurring charge.