5
All these dispensaries were inspected at least once during the year and
were found to be doing excellent work. With the exception of Rohtak, each
dispensary has a hospital attached. At Rohtak animals are merely brought
in and treated. A dispensary will shortly be opened in Ludhiána. These
institutions are doing much good work, and they are very useful for the training
of District Veterinary Assistants who are placed in charge in rotation. In addi-
tion to these there are medical stores at Gujránwála, Dera Ismail Khan and
Shahpur.
Work done by subordi-
nate establishment.
10. As regards the work done by the subordinate Veterinary establish-
ment, the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department,
South Punjab, considers that great improvement has taken
place. The Superintendent, North Punjab, does not report so favorably. The
necessity for more continuous and systematic supervision is very strongly felt,
and it is hoped that the arrangements now in contemplation will eventually
supply this. My own opinion is, however, that even with the appointment of a
Senior Veterinary Assistant for each Division matters will not be placed on a
satisfactory basis until a third Veterinary Superintendent is appointed for the
Province whose time will not be entirely taken up with horse-breeding, but who
will be able to devote himself mainly to questions connected with cattle and the
continuous training and supervision of the subordinate Veterinary establishment.
This is a matter of the utmost importance, and in the interest of the Punjab
agriculturists such an appointment should, I think, be made as speedily as may
be found possible.
Castration of colts.
11. There has been a satisfactory increase in the number of castrations
of colts performed during the year, i.e., 1,444, against 1,133
last year. The increase was almost entirely in the South
Punjab where the figures were 643, against 341. In Ferozepore District alone
there were 243, of which 118 were performed by the Veterinary Assistant
in charge of the Jalálábad dispensary. Castration has become very common
in Dera Gházi Khan and is making progress throughout the Province. There
can be no doubt that the gelding of inferior stallions is essential to any improve-
ment in the breed. There were very few casualties.
VI.—TOURING OF SUPERINTENDENTS.
12. A large amount of touring by road and rail was done by both
Superintendents, Civil Veterinary Department.
The Superintendent, Civil
Veterinary Department, South Punjab, visited every stand in his Circle.
Table P., gives full details of Shows and districts visited. Almost the
whole time of the Superintendents was, as usual, taken up with horse-breeding
under the orders of the Inspector-General, Civil Veterinary Department, I
have already noted that, I consider the appointment of a third Superintendent
essential if any attention is to be paid to horned cattle and any supervision
exercised over the subordinate Veterinary establishment. There are already
73 Veterinary Assistants employed in the Province and they only require proper
supervision to be most useful to the people.
VII.—GENERAL.
The cost of the Civil Veterinary Department to Provincial Funds was
Rs. 28,909-11-11, a detail of which will be found in Table Q. Last year the
total cost amounted to Rs. 18,437-10-7.
13. I consider, that both Superintendents have done excellent work
during the year and their reports show that very substantial progress has been
made in horse and pony-breeding by District Boards, and 1 consider the work
done in this direction to be sound and valuable. The progress made is due to
the cordial co-operation of District Officers, District Boards and the Civil
Veterinary Department.