32     THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY [IV, I.

shown them that the probability of receiving the animal back in a healthy condition
was remote. On this account, the Punjab Government, at the instance of the
Veterinary Department of the province undertook to feed all equines free of cost
while undergoing treatment; this has cost the Government an increasing amount
each year, the total from 1926 being about Rs. 37,000. The object of this suggestion
was to demonstrate to owners that if the animals were well fed while undergoing
treatment, the chances of recovery were very high, and it was decided that the feed-
ing should continue for 4 or 5 years, after which the concession should be gradually
withdrawn.

Until 1926, Surra treatment was to a great extent confined to the Sohawa labo-
ratory, but on account of the present treatment, and the inability of zamindars to
send their animals so great a distance, Surra centres attached to the hospitals were
opened in suitable areas throughout the province. The Veterinary Assistants at
these centres were specially trained for this work and the equines brought to these
hospitals for treatment for surra were fed free of charge.

The success of this procedure has been phenomenal, and has resulted in the
zamindars and breeders having great confidence in the hospitals and treatment.
This is demonstrated by the fact that at one centre, Sheikhupura, the zamindars,
instead of looking upon their animals as lost as in former times, are now buying
better class horses and mares and have applied for a District Board stallion for
breeding purposes. This instance is typical of others. The extent to which the
confidence of the zamindar has been gained by the success of the treatment is
illustrated by the numbers admitted for treatment yearly since the opening of
the Surra centres :—

Whilst the results of the treatment itself have been very gratifying, more has
been accomplished in that the owners have seen that under favourable conditions
and given good food, their animals are almost certain of recovery provided they
are placed under treatment reasonably early. This has resulted in a continually
diminishing number being maintained by Government, and it is hoped that during
the course of another year or two the burden of feeding them will be lifted, the
only ones remaining being those of very poor owners and those brought from a
long distance, which would preclude the possibility of repeated visits.