7
There has been a decrease in in-patients in each case owing to the
increased cost of keep which made owners unwilling to leave their animals
in the hospitals which are attached to all the dispensaries except Rohtak,
but the decrease is more than made up for by the increase in out-patients
in all dispensaries except Hoshiárpur, where the decrease is trifling, and
Rohtak, where it was considerable owing to large number of cattle having
been taken away to other districts in search of fodder. I do not think animals
suffering from infectious diseases, such as rinderpest or anthrax, should be
admitted to these hospitals unless there are very complete arrangements
for segregation, as there is a risk of their infecting other cattle, and thus
deterring people from bringing in their animals for treatment. In Amritsar
the cost was defrayed by the Municipal Committee, in Jalálabad by the
Mamdot estate, in all other cases by the District Boards, Veterinary-Captain
Joslen who inspected all the dispensaries in his circle during the year remarks : —
" I visited all these dispensaries and found them doing excellent work, the Rohtak
and Hoshiárpur dispensaries treated less patients this year than last year, but the reasons
given explain the cause of this.
"I would strongly advocate the opening of Veterinary dispensaries in all large
centres of population, they do far more good than itinerant Veterinary Assistants, but
they should be situated in a convenient place. The people as yet will not go long
distances to get sick animals treated, nor will they leave them at dispensaries unless an
operation is necessary, or they happen to be very sick, because while there extra expense
is incurred in providing forage and attendants.
" I cannot speak too highly of these institutions which I consider are doing a
great deal of good."
The present is not a very suitable time to call upon District Boards
which have not yet established these dispensaries to start them, but this should
certainly be kept in view and given effect to as finances allow. The scheme
has now been tested in several districts and been found to yield most hopeful
results. There is no better way of utilising the services of the District
Board Veterinary Assistants who are put in charge of the dispensary in
rotation and thus kept up to their work. Moreover, when the work is thus
concentrated, it can be more easily supervised by the Veterinary Superintendents
even with the present meagre staff, and by the third Superintendent when his
services are obtained. Efforts are now being made to establish dispensaries in
those districts of the North Punjab which have a strong veterinary establish-
ment, and it is to be hoped that as the prejudices of the people against the
treatment in our medical dispensaries have been gradually overcome by the good
results of that treatment being brought home to them, in the same way the
veterinary dispensaries will become both popular and useful, as they already are
in some districts.
Working of the subordi-
nate establishment.
10. As regards the working of the subordinate veterinary establishment,
the Superintendent, South Punjab, remarks: —
" There is not sufficient supervision of Veterinary Assistants, and those who do
supervise them know nothing of the nature of their duties. After leaving the Veteri-
nary College, a Veterinary Assistant is, say, posted to a district, there is no one to
look after him who is able to judge whether he is doing his work satisfactorily or otherwise,
and there is no incentive for him to improve his veterinary knowledge, the result being
that he forgets all he was taught at the College and lapses into native ways."
These remarks which are worthy of the attention of District officers, sum
up the existing situation, and reinforce the argument for more skilled super-
vision. The Superintendent, North Punjab, states that the Veterinary Assistants
are practically uncontrolled and can manipulate their returns with little chance
of being found out. Some work well and do their best, others only tour as much
as they are obliged to and in places which most suit their convenience.
Castration of colts.
11. The number of castrations performed by Veterinary Assistants and
salutries, other than Imperial, was 1,219 against 1,444 last
year. In the South Punjab the number has increased from
643 to 679, in the North Punjab it has fallen from 801 to 540. The greatest de-
crease is in the Siálkot district and is attributed to the fact that many colts have been
Sent away, and also to the fees formerly given in the Siálkot district having been