18

The rules relating to private practice are given below:—

(a)  Assistants, whether on tour or in charge of camp or town
dispensaries, may charge fees for visits paid to animals not
used for agriculture or for any trade or industry, provided
they are owned by persons paying land revenue to the extent
of Rs. 500 a year or upwards, or income-tax.

(b)  No charge may be made for conveyance, except by Assistants
in charge of town dispensaries, in respect of visits paid to
animals outside the limits of the town, Municipality or Civil
Station, unless suitable conveyance is provided,

(c) Private practice may only be undertaken in spare time and must
not be allowed to interfere with official work.

(d) Cases brought to Assistants at their Dispensaries, whether town
or camp, or to themselves at any place which they are halting
at, or passing through, are not to be considered as subjects
for private practice, whether for an operation or for treat-
ment.

(e) Any touring Assistant who halts for undue periods or journeys
unnecessarily, merely for the sake of private practice, renders
himself liable to punishment.

(f) Assistants in charge of town dispensaries are not bound to visit
animals which are entitled to free treatment, unless they are
unable to be moved, or are believed to be suffering from a
contagious disease.

(g) The maximum fees are as follows:—

For visits ...

Rs. 2 for the first.

Re. 1 for every subsequent visit.

For castration ...

Rs. 10.

Other major operations ...

Rs. 5.

Minor operations ...

Re. 1.

For dogs and other small animals, half the above fees may be
charged.

Fees for operations do not include subsequent treatment, which
the Assistant is permitted to charge for separately.

(h) Assistants are not entitled to give opinions as to soundness: but
this does not prevent them from stating what disease or
injury an animal is suffering from, with reference to sub-
sequent treatment, or to show incapacity for work; such an
opinion will be charged for as ordinary treatment.

(i) The cost of medicines used in private practice is separately
recoverable, and should be credited to the Dispensary Fund.

(j) Any attempt on the part of an Assistant to charge fees for
attendance on agricultural cattle renders him liable to
dismissal.