13

                          II.—OTHER DISEASES.

Treatment of diseases
in villages.—Table IV.

28. During the year under report 35,589 visits were
paid to villages by the district staff
on tour. 2,62,650 animals were treated
and 1,70,424 castrations were performed
as compared with 34,084 villages, 220,039 cases and 143,322
castrations during the previous year. These figures show
that the progress in the field work done by our staff is being
steadily maintained. The castration work is particularly
creditable.

Simple pamphlets for distribution to zamindars explain-
ing the protective measures necessary against parasitic
diseases are in the course of preparation. The Department
is fully aware of the economic loss to the Province caused
by these diseases amongst the villagers' cattle and is gradually
improving its organisation for tackling the problem. The
grazing areas to which large numbers of cattle flock each year
are those situated in low-lying areas where drainage is most
difficult to provide and where the opportunities for parasitic
infestation are particularly favourable. The presence of
these un-controlled grazing areas are of very doubtful value
in the internal economy of the Province—they offer an
inducement to many zamindars to keep an excessive head of
stock not warranted by the amount of fodder available during
the greater part of the year.

                III.—VETERINARY HOSPITALS.

Number of Veterinary
hospitals.—Table V.

29. In the beginning of the year under report there
were 241 veterinary hospitals in the
Province. During the year 17 new
hospitals were started at the following
places :—