9

169,385 patients during the year, the corresponding figures for the two
previous years being 16,514 villages and 126,661 animals and 15,429
villages and 100,830 animals, respectively. These figures speak for
themselves and no comment is necessary.

33.    The number of cases brought to the headquarters of the Itiner-
ant Veterinary Assistant Surgeons for treatment also shows a satisfac-
tory increase as compared with the figures of the previous year. This
increase, which is taking place year after year, shows the urgent neces-
sity of starting more dispensaries and it is hoped local bodies will realise
the importance of this matter and try to work up to the programme
of a dispensary in each district and subdivisional headquarters with a
Veterinary Assistant Surgeon in charge.

                                     Hospitals and Dispensaries.

34.     Table V shows the working of the hospitals and dispensaries
in this Province.

35.     The number of such institutions in 1926-27 was 45. No new
hospital or dispensary was opened during the year.

36.    The total number of animals treated both as in- and out-patients
was 71,159 and 21,290 cases were supplied with medicines as against
56,184 and 13,127 cases, respectively, in the previous year. The
increase, which is satisfactory, is evidence of the fact that the useful-
ness of these institutions is being fully appreciated by the public.

37.    The construction of buildings for the Noakhali Veterinary
Dispensary was completed during the year and the dispensary was
opened by the then Hon'ble Minister in charge in July 1927.

38.     The Noakhali Board have completed the land acquisition pro-
ceedings for the Veterinary Dispensary at Hatiya and a sum of
Rs. 6,000 has been set apart for the construction of necessary buildings
at that station.

39.     The Chittagong District Board have provided funds for the
construction of a waiting shed for patients at the Cox's Bazar Dispensary
and have also sanctioned the cost to provide for the corrugated iron
roofing of the dispensary and quarters. Negotiations for acquiring
land for the Veterinary Dispensary at Satkania are also in progress.

40.     The Dacca District Board have acquired a plot of land near
the Chashara railway station at Narainganj for the construction of the
Local Board office and the Veterinary Dispensary.

41.     The Faridpur District Board have provided funds for the con-
struction of a serum cellar at Faridpur. They have also constructed a
Veterinary Dispensary at Gopalganj. The construction of quarters for
the Veterinary Assistant Surgeon there is now in progress.

42.     The Mymensingh District Board have taken up the construction
of a serum cellar at the Sadar Dispensary. The question of water-
supply at the Sarishabari Veterinary Dispensary is, however, pending
for a long time but nothing has yet been done to remove the grievance.

43.     It is satisfactory to note that the District Board of Pabna have
at last found it possible to allot a sum of Rs. 12,000 for the construction
of a Veterinary Hospital and quarters for the Veterinary Assistant
Surgeon at Pabna. This scheme was pending for twelve years for want
of funds.