20

Plans and estimates amounting Rs. 27,000 for the laboratory have been
-submitted to Government and their administrative sanction is awaited.

The Colic box sanctioned by the Board of Revenue at a cost of Rs. 1,300 is
nearing completion.

13.   Office establishment—Owing to the increase of work in the office, it was
found that an additional clerk as accountant was necessary. Sanction for this
appointment was obtained and it has been filled by a man on probation.

14.   College staff.—The staff has worked well during the year.

                                                                              D. A. D. AITCHISON,

                                                                 Principal, Madras Veterinary College.

                             Resolution—No. 212, dated 28th July 1913.

The Board begs to submit to Government the reports of the Superintendent,
Civil Veterinary Department, and the Principal, Madras Veterinary College, on the
work of the executive and educational branches of the Civil Veterinary Department,
respectively, for the year 1912-13.

2.   Staff.—Mr. Aitchison continued to be in charge of the college throughout the
year. Mr. Ware held charge of the office of the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, for a little over six months, as he was on combined leave from 7th
April to 4th October 1912 when Mr. P. J. Kerr acted for him. Touring and inspec-
tion by these two officers as well as by the Deputy Superintendent were satisfactory.

3.   The Madras Veterinary College.—The total strength of the three classes in
the college at the end of December 1912 was 49, and of these more than 50 per cent.
were Brahmans. Fourteen students graduated from the college during the year, the
percentage of successful candidates at the final examination being 73.6 against 76.4
during 1911-12. In the first and second year classes, the percentage of passes was
higher than in the previous year. The results were, as observed by the Board of
Examiners, satisfactory. The Board notes with pleasure that the men selected for
class A in January 1913 were all passed candidates, two of them being graduates; and
the almost unbroken improvement in the results obtained by all the classes during
1911 and 1912 is creditable to the Principal and staff of the college.

4.   Veterinary hospitals.—In August 1912 the Court of Wards opened a new
hospital at Parlakimedi the management of which passed into the hands of the
zamindar when the estate was handed over to him. There was no other change either
in the number or management of the existing hospitals. So far as statistics go, they
show particularly good work in the hospitals at Trichinopoly, Coimbatore and Bellary,
while the work turned out at the Sivaganga and Vellore hospitals continued to
be very small. The discontinuance of the practice of levying fees for the treatment
of agricultural stock and jutka ponies at the last-mentioned hospital is likely to make
it more popular. A certain falling-off in attendance is noticed at the Vizianagram,
Tanjore and Cocanada hospitals. This has been explained by the Superintendent in
the case of Vizianagram and Tanjore. The total figure for the Presidency shows an
increase from 20,252 in 1911-12 to 21,205 in the year under report. The Super-
intendent explained in the previous year's report why a comparison with the
attendance of years before 1911-12 would be misleading. Estimates have been
sanctioned for the construction of buildings for the hospitals to be opened at Amala-
puram, Calicut, Erode and Cuddalore; they are pending with the Public Works
Department. A revised estimate which has been received for the Nellore hospital has
been returned to the Collector for further information. Plans and estimates have
been called for in respect of the proposed hospitals at Nandyal, Madanapalle and
Mangalore, the sites having been approved by the Board. The selection of a site for
the hospital at Hindupur is under correspondence. In April 1912 the Collector was
requested to send the plans and estimates for this institution and he reported recently
that they are under preparation. It is hoped that during the current year some of
the new hospitals will be opened.

5. Diseases.—Table XV shows an increase in the mortality of cattle, but the
only specified disease which showed an increase is malignant sore-throat; and if the
figures relating to "other (non-contagious) causes," "snake bite," " wild animals"