18

Construction of temporary sheds by the local bodies to accom-
modate some of these institutions in urgent cases commenced
during the year.

91. Work of veterinary assistant surgeons.—Though the
normal activities of the department in the North Bihar Range
were greatly hampered as a result of the earthquake for the last
two and half months, the number of animals treated by veterinary
assistant surgeons on tour, at headquarters, at held veterinary
dispensaries and at such other centres as fairs and shows, farms,
goshalas, etc., rose to 321,644 from 260,906 treated in the year
1932-33. This increase was due mainly to the popularity which
the field veterinary dispensaries have gained within so short
a time. In addition to the above, 35,074 old cases were also
treated by the staff. The total number, 321,644, consists of 85,110
castrations, 48,041 cases treated for contagions diseases and
190,493 treated for non-contagious diseases.

92. During the year, the touring veterinary assistant surgeons
visited altogether 53,604 villages as compared with 54,551 in
1932-33. The decrease noticed here is accounted for by closer
attention paid to the work of the field veterinary dispensaries and
to some extent, by the earthquake.

The details of the work according to each range and each
district are given in Table IV.

93. Field veterinary dispensaries.—There were 138 field
veterinary dispensaries at the beginning of the year. During the
year, 6 new dispensaries were opened while 10 old were closed,
leaving 134 dispensaries at the end of the year. Of these, 53
dispensaries were working in the North Bihar Range, 49 in the
Central Range and 32 in the Orissa Range.

94. The amount of popularity the field veterinary dispen
saries are gaining every day needs but little comment when it is
considered that in only the second year of their formation, 100,730
animals were treated as compared with 76,313 treated in 1932-33.
The opening of these centres at important places has given great
impetus to the working of the department, and I entirely agree
with Major Riley, that unless the touring staff is increased, it
will shortly become very difficult for the department to cope with
the demands of the cultivators. The strain on the present staff has
already reached its climax.

                                    Veterinary hospitals.

95.  Number of hospitals.—There was no change in the
number of veterinary hospitals, the same 33 hospitals continuing
to function as before. The number includes one hospital
administered by the Bettiah Raj and 2 (viz., Dinapur and Jamui)
in charge of touring veterinary assistant surgeons.