9
itinerates in each district and the remainder visit outbreaks of epidemic disease
only when called upon. The number of animals treated in villages depends
mainly on the incidence of foot and mouth disease during the year as nearly all
the cases treated on tour by the men who are normally stationary come under
this category.
SECTION 3.-VETERINARY HOSPITALS.
Veterinary hospitals, Ta-
ble V.
55. During the year under report, there were 86 veterinary hospitals
in the province, and the total number of cases treated in
them amounted to 144,882. Last year, the number of cases
was 96,630 in 77 hospitals. This is a very satisfactory increase and demonstrates
the popularity of these institutions. The average daily attendance at each
hospital works out at 9.8 and the average daily admittance of fresh cases at 4.6.
These figures would certainly be larger if many of the smaller hospitals had not
to be closed during the temporary absence of the veterinary assistants in charge.
As there was an abnormal amount of epidemic disease during the year veterinary
hospitals had to be left more than they would be ordinarily and the attendance
was consequently less. Where intelligent compounders are employed the
temporary absence of the veterinary assistant is not felt so much.
Buildings.
56. The work of providing suitable accommodation is progressing satis-
factorily. Out of 86 veterinary hospitals, 54 are built
according to the standard plan, though 9 of these are incom-
plete. Of the remainder, 7 are accommodated in suitable buildings and the others
are in temporary quarters. With the help of the Government grant, supplemented
in some cases from local funds, it is hoped that suitable accommodation will in time
be provided for all. The veterinary hospital at Amritsar is very unsatisfactorily
accommodated, and although a scheme for a new hospital was started some years
ago and plans have been drawn up, no progress has been made. A new hospital is
required at Murree also and, as the present one is very profitable, the Municipal-
ity might be expected to provide a suitable place.
Income and expenditure
at veterinary hospitals,
Table VI.
57. The income and expenditure in the respective districts of the veteri-
nary hospitals is shown in Table VI. Rupees 12,444 were
realised from fees against Rs. 7,198 in the previous year.
The fees in the district veterinary hospitals are very small
and are only levied from income tax-payers.
Simla Veterinary Hos-
pital.
58. The statement of the receipts and expenditure of the veterinary hos-
pital at Simla received from the Municipal Committee shows
that the institution pays its way satisfactorily with a mar-
gin of profit. The receipts, excluding the balance carried from last year, amount
to Rs. 5,905 and the total expenditure to Rs. 3,093. This leaves a balance of
Rs. 2,812 to be credited to provincial funds or Rs. 1,266 more than is required to
cover the salary of the verterinary assistant and the interest on the capital cost
of the buildings. Some more dog kennels are required at this institution and
when the plans, which are awaited from the Executive Engineer, are received
sanction will be applied for. The cost of their construction will be justified no
doubt by the increased income that they will bring in.
Part III—Breeding operations.
SECTION I.— BOVINES.
Stnd bulls, Table VIII.
59. At the close of the year under report, there were 437 stud bulls at
work in the districts, against 379 at the end of the pre-
vious year. This is very satisfactory increase. There were
117 additions and 59 casualties. All the animals are the property of local bodies.