(6)
be taken as an indication of the mortality of the different diseases, but can certainly not
be relied upon. Comparative statistics will only become useful when all the obtainable
information is collected by trained Veterinary Assistants, and it is hoped that at no distant
future one or two of the graduates of the Bengal Veterinary Institution will be appointed to
every district—one to be in charge of a dispensary and one to itinerate.
48. During the year information has been collected bearing specially upon animal
diseases which are known to the natives, and the various methods of treatment which they
adopt. This information has been appended (K to L), and will to some extent be found
interesting It will also demonstrate the ignorance of the people who pretend to treat cattle,
and likewise their cruelty in the mode of administering medicine. In several instances tiger's
meat, deer's intestine, snake skin, and live lizards and frogs are given in the hope of
effecting a cure.
49. A perusal of the appendices will prove how very necessary it is to spread sound
veterinary knowledge by means of Veterinary Assistants, but even so, the distribution of this
knowledge can only be a matter of time ; and if young men receive a sound training, say for
at least three years, they will soon make themselves respected, and their services will be
eagerly sought.
50. In Bengal enlightened veterinary knowledge may be said to be nil, and no doubt
much opposition will be encountered on account of vested interests ; but, as has already been
stated, this will only be a matter of time, and a great deal will depend upon the class of
Veterinary Assistant appointed to a district. He must be a young man of respectable family
and good education, and he must be able to adapt his training to the local requirements, and,
above all, be successful with the majority of cases entrusted to his care.
51. In the collection of veterinary information, endeavours have been made to give
the English name of the disease opposite to the various names by which it is known to the
natives. The various prescriptions used have also been given, and it is hoped that after
experimental trial some of the drugs and herbs 'may be found to be beneficial. As far as
possible the botanical names have been given to the vegetable drugs used, but this has
been found extremely difficult, as in different districts the vernacular names become con-
siderably corrupted and frequently unrecognizable.
52. Information has been obtained with regard to the most important cattle fairs
held in Bengal, and such has been tabulated and appended (M). The approximate number
of animals collected, and the date on which the melas commence, together with the duration,
is given, and may ultimately be found of great service.
53. In paragraph 3 of a letter, No. 1436/19-6 dated the 17th September 1895, to the Govern-
ment of Bengal, it is stated.—"That the Government of India agree that some special
assistance from the provincial revenues will be required in Bengal, in order to start the new
scheme, and accept, as a preliminary measure, the proposal that in order to show the way and
induce District Boards and Municipalities to encourage veterinary work, two or three Veterinary
Assistants should be appointed, and veterinary dispensaries established at the head-quarters of
selected districts, the cost being met from the provincial funds; and that, where possible, in
certain wards' estates and districts either at the expense of the State or with public
support."
54. With this object in view, three large towns, viz., Dacca, Bhagalpur, and Bankipur,
have been selected for experiment, and it is hoped that a start will soon be made.
I visited
Dacca in February last, and with the Collector selected two good houses in the Fort for the
accommodation of the dispensary, and residential quarters for the Veterinary Assistant. There
is ample room for the erection of a few stalls for sick animals, if necessary, and the Dacca
District Board look favourably on the proposal to establish a veterinary dispensary in the
town. I propose to proceed shortly to Bankipur and Bhagalpur, in order to consult with
the District Officers with regard to the establishment and location of the dispensary, and
hope soon to have the three establishments in working order. It may be here stated that
until the end of March 1896, there were no Veterinary Assistants available, as the final
examination at the Bengal Veterinary Institution had not been held.
55. The Darjeeling Municipality has employed a graduate from the Lahore Veterinary
College during the past year, but up to the present there has been no dispensary, and his duties
have been principally itinerary. Through the Civil Veterinary Department a dispensary has
been established at Muzaffarpur, and has been taken over by Messrs. Ruxton, Coryton & Co.
Two Veterinary Assistants from Lahore are employed, and up to the present the establishment
has done much useful work, and is in a flourishing condition.
56. For districts in which no available premises have been found, plans for dis-
pensary buildings have been drawn up, which will cost on an average Rs. 2,035. The
primary cost of furniture and instruments will amount to about Rs. 207, and added to this
there will be the pay of the Veterinary Assistant, hospital servant, Veterinary Assistant's
pony allowance, if his services are to be utilized in the district, and an expenditure on
medicines, &c. Comprehensive rules have been drawn up for the satisfactory working of these
Institutions, and the results of the work will greatly depend upon the interest with which the
Committees of these Institutions look after them, and help them in their infancy and growth.
Owners of horses and cattle should be induced to send their sick and lame animals for
treatment, and much good would be done by members of local Societies for the Prevention