9
Preventive inoculation.
21. One thousand eight hundred and ninety-nine vaccinations were per-
formed in 48 villages against 2,606 vaccinations in 16
villages in the previous year. Since December, by the order
of the Inspector-General, Civil Veterinary Department, vaccination with pillules
as supplied from the Imperial Laboratory has been discontinued owing to some
fatal accidents which occurred in the North Punjab Circle.
Anthrax.—Table II.
22. Anthrax was reported from 6 districts with 55 deaths against 688
deaths last year. The decrease in the number of deaths
goes to confirm Major Walker's conviction mentioned in
paragraph 51 of last year's report. In all cases now where anthrax is reported,
blood smears are sent to the Superintendent in charge of the circle for verifica-
tion.
Other contagious disease.
—Table II.
23. There were only 358 deaths from other contagious diseases among
bovines against 8,895 last year. With better climatic
conditions, gillar or parasitic disease was much less in
evidence.
SECTION 1. (c).—CONTAGIOUS DISEASE : OTHER ANIMALS.
Contagious disease:
Other animals.—Table II.
24. There were in all 8,853 deaths from contagious diseases among
other animals against 14,781 last year. The decrease is
due to the healthier season.
SECTION 2.—OTHER DISEASE.
Treatment of disease in
villages.—Table IV.
25. During the year, 12,155 villages were visited by veterinary assist-
ants on tour and 97,275 animals were treated. Last year,
9,366 villages were visited and 50,150 animals treated.
This shows a satisfactory advance.
SECTION 3.—VETERINARY HOSPITALS.
Veterinary hospitals —
Table V.
26. During the year under report, there were 94 veterinary hospitals
in the Province, and the total number of cases treated
was 199,066. Last year, the number of cases was 144,882
in 86 hospitals. This represents a substantial increase and indicates the growing
popularity of these institutions. The average daily attendance at each hospital
works out at 12.95 and the average daily admittance of fresh cases at 5.8.
These figures would certainly increase very considerably if many of the
hospitals had not to be closed during the temporary absence of the veterinary
assistant to attend outbreaks of disease. The best solution of this difficulty is to
provide 2 veterinary assistants for each tahsil and while one would take charge of
the hospital the other would tour and attend to the outbreaks. But, in the mean-
time, good compounders are very useful and, if freely employed, the temporary
absence of the veterinary assistant will not be felt so much. It is fatal to close
hospitals, and complaints have been received from district officers and many
private persons on this subject which is no doubt a weak point in the system.
Buildings.
27. The work of providing suitable buildings is progressing satisfac-
torily. At the close of the year, there were 94 hospitals,
of which 59 have been constructed on standard plans, and
the rest are accommodated in other buildings. Buildings on standard plans will
of course be provided in time as funds permit. A new hospital at Amritsar has
long been anticipated but has not been started yet. This Municipality is very
much behind the times in this respect.
The Sargodha veterinary
hospital.
28. The Sargodha veterinary hospital was transferred to the Army
Remount Department which has established its headquarters
at Sargodha and is in the best position to control the local
veterinary hospital. Contagious bovine diseases in this tract are still dealt with
by the Civil Veterinary Department and we have opened a new hospital at
Sahiwal in place of that which was formerly at Sargodha.
New dog kennels at Simla.
29. The construction of new dog kennels at the Simla veterinary hospital
was sanctioned by Government at a cost of Rs. 3,113 during
the year, and these are approaching completion. The
position and buildings of the Murree veterinary hospital are still very unsatis-