(2)
irrigation is economically worked by means of a hand pump, and requires extremely little
labour. More shrubs have been planted for ornamentation, and all these improvements have
been effected without extra cost to Government.
7. The crush erected last year has proved of great service to the students and attendants
in restraining vicious and dangerous horses. With very little trouble a bad-tempered horse
can be secured, and its feet or any injuries that it may be affected with, safely attended.
Hospital.
8. Hospital practice has been, as in previous years, varied ana instructive to the
students; and considering the difficulties under which they
work, they have been very attentive. During the year they
have had opportunities of thoroughly observing several oases of the most virulent contagious
diseases, viz., glanders, rinderpest, and foot and mouth disease, and they should not have any
difficulty in diagnosing cases of this description.
9. As the students pass out of the Institution, one of their most important duties will be
to thoroughly diagnose oases of contagious disease and prevent its spread, and this advice has
been well impressed upon them. They have also had the advantage of seeing several obstetrio
cases.
10. All animals are examined as to being affected with contagious disease previous to
being admitted into the hospital. This has been considered necessary for the safety of
other patients. Suspected animals are led straight to the isolated wards, where they are
kept segregated until a correct diagnosis can be made.
11. The varied description of the diseases of all domestic animals may be seen in the
appendices (A 1 to D), from which it will be understood that the students have had ample
opportunities of learning the practical portion of their profession. The main difficulty felt
by the students is the fact that the Institution is a long way out of Calcutta. This difficulty
is now about to be removed. Government has generously considered the grievances of the
students, and His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor has sanctioned the erection of a hostel
at a cost of Rs. 25,000 for the sole accommodation of the students of the Bengal Veterinary
Institution.
12. At a meeting of the Committee of Management hold on the 13th November 1895,
it was represented that it was a great hardship for the students who live at a distance from
Belgatchia, and the large majority do, to give proper attention to the practical part of their
course, viz , dressing and attending on patients. Belgatohia certainly has special needs for
a hostel, as it is in an out-of-the-way situation, and the arguments that usually apply to the
establishment of a hostel apply with additional force to the Bengal Veterinary Institution.
It was within the knowledge of one of the members that several candidates for the Institution
were deterred from joining owing to the distance from Calcutta. Even the nearest tramway
terminus was a mile from the school. It was further argued that if a hostel was built it was
probable that more students from the mufassil would present themselves, and no doubt such
would be the case. It is also possible that young men from the mufassil will have a primary
knowledge of the handling of animals, and this will undoubtedly be of great service to them
in their veterinary studies.
Operations.
13. There were 181 operations performed as against 169 in the previous year, and
comprised 32 different classes of operations. Among them
were five amputations of the limbs, all of which were
successful. One amputation case was an old animal, that died from exhaustion on the 23rd
day after the operation. All the second-yoar students were put through a course of operations
on the dead subject, and afterwards each performed at least two operations on the living
animal under supervision. It is gratifying to be able to report that the students showed
nerve and skill in the performance of the several operations entrusted to them.
14. The list of operations, as tabulated in the appendix (E), will show that they have
all been of an instructive and varied nature. Each operator was appointed to entirely look
after his case until its termination. All operations are conducted on the most humane
principles, and every animal previous to being operated upon is put thoroughly under the
influence of ohloroform or some other effective anæsthetic.
Admission of students.
15 Of the 20 students who were promoted from class A to class B, 19 have
continued to attend regularly throughout the year.
Hari
Churn Chatterjee, who did not rejoin the Institution,
passed last on the list at the examination held in March 1895. He had also passed last on the
list at the examination hold in November 1894.
16. Twenty new students joined the Institution on the 23rd June 1895, and all
have regularly attended the course of lectures.
Four of the students who failed to pass the 'promotion examination did not return to
the school, so that the number in each class during the year was 19 and 24 respectively,
making a total of 43.
17. It is anticipated that when the hostel , is |built the number of students will
increase.
18. Considering the long distance that the majority of the students have to come daily,
I am glad to be able to report that the general attendance was good, and the oases entrusted
to their care were well looked after.
Stipends.
19. The 15 Government stipends for class B. were given to the 15 students who
stood highest in the list at the annual examination held
in March 1895 and who held no other scholarship. These
were tonable for one year.