7
Specimens of blood sucking flies and ticks have been collected and
forwarded to Pusa.
The usual maps showing the. distribution of epidemic disease were
prepared and submitted to the Inspector-General, Civil Veterinary Depart-
ment. These are to be discontinued in future.
It is almost impossible to expect any original investigation work from
the superior staff, as their time is more than fully occupied by routine. The
need for it is not lost sight of, however, and, if relief in routine work is
brought about, much can be done. A certain amount has been accomplished
under difficulties, and has been or will be published separately.
(2) OTHER DISEASE.
Treatment of disease in
villages—table IV.
14. The number of cases treated and castrated by veterinary assistants
on tour was 59,428, of which 46,285 were bovines,
against 63,343 last year. The total under this head de-
pends on the incidence of foot-and-mouth disease. This is well shown by the
fact that in the year under report, which was very free from foot-and-mouth
disease, the number of contagious cases treated was 25,986 against 48,035 in
the previous year. Inoculated cases are not included in the figures of animals
treated in this province.
On the other hand, the number of non-contagious cases treated was
32,383 against 24,101.
Castrations rose from 644 to 1,059 in the year under report, and it is
gratifying to see that there was a considerable increase under the head of
bovines. This is creditable to the itinerating veterinary staff.
Men in charge of veterinary hospitals only go out when required or
when epidemic disease occurs. There is no doubt that there is an increasing
demand for their services, which denotes growing confidence in their treatment.
They are easily found when required, have well equipped hospitals to indent on,
and obtain daily experience of every day practice.
Expansion on the present lines is indicated to allow of villages at con-
siderable distances from veterinary hospitals obtaining equivalent advantages
to those near by.
(3) VETERINARY HOSPITALS.
Veterinary
hospitals—
table V.
15. At the close of the year under report there were 109 veterinary
hospitals in the province, being an increase of 7 over the
previous year. The total number of patients treated was
241,291 against 222,729 in the previous year. The popularity of the institutions
was well maintained. Records are kept of the comparative attendance of
animals the property of agriculturists and non-agriculturists, and they show
that the former class takes full advantage of the hospitals. That out of 241,291
animals treated 118,349 were bovines is strong evidence of this.
Next year every tahsil in the province will have been provided with a
well-equipped veterinary hospital in charge of a stationary veterinary assistant.
In 1902 there were only eight, and one of those was a private one. The Chief
Superintendent and the Superintendent, South Punjab, inspected 36 hospitals
each and the Superintendent, North Punjab, 15.
Buildings.
16. Satisfactory progress has been made in the provision of suitable
accommodation. No less than 79 veterinary hospitals are
on approved plans.
The remainder are accommodated in other buildings, and where these are
unsatisfactory new places are being rapidly provided. New buildings at
Amritsar, Sialkot and Murree are urgently required.
The construction of animal hospitals is worthy of the attention of the
charitable.
Income and expenditure—
table VI.
17. A revised form of table VI has been drafted, but, as sanction to its
adoption has not yet been received, the receipts and ex-
penditure of the hospitals are shown in the usual form as
received from districts. Rupees 16,308 were realised in fees against Rs. 13,875