NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
4
from 10 districts in the previous year. The number of outbreaks
of this disease was greatest in the districts of Sylhet, Sibsagar,
Lakhimpur and Nowgong.
18. Foot-and-mouth disease.—This
disease was reported
from all the districts except the Lushai Hills, Nowgong, the
Naga Hills and the Sadiya Frontier Tract; and the number of
deaths from this disease was reported to be 2,465 against 3,118
in the previous year.
19. Hæmorrhagic
Septicæmia.—This
disease was reported
from 8 districts and the number of deaths was reported to be
2,078 against 1,932 in the previous year.
20. Black quarter.—The
number of deaths from this
disease was reported to be 7 in 2 districts against 44 in 5 districts
in the previous year.
21. Anthrax.—The
number of deaths from this disease was
reported to be 1,295 from 8 districts against 983 from 9 districts
in the previous year. This disease was microscopically confirmed
in all the districts.
22. Other contagious diseases.—The number of deaths from
other contagious diseases was reported to be 2,480 from 7 districts
against 2,094 from 7 districts in the previous year.
OTHER ANIMALS.
23. Contagious diseases amongst other animals.—The
total
number of deaths under this head was reported to be 3,511 from
11 districts against 2,672 from 10 districts in the previous year.
PREVENTIVE INOCULATIONS.
24. Table III shows the number and the result of prevent-
ive inoculations undertaken in the province during the year
under report.
25. Rinderpest.—Inoculations
against Rinderpest
were
carried out in 312 outbreaks in 13 subdivisions and 2 hill districts
(Khasi and Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills). In these outbreaks
7,752 animals were reported to have died before inoculation.
The number of animals inoculated by the "serum alone method"
was 17,332. The number of deaths amongst the inoculated ani-
mals was reported to be 281.
In the previous year inoculations were carried out in 186
outbreaks in 13 subdivisions and 2 hill districts (Garo Hills and
Naga Hills). In these outbreaks 5,327 animals were reported
to have died before inoculation.
Altogether 12,998 animals
were inoculated by the " serum alone method" of which 393
animals were reported to have died alter inoculation.
5
26. During the year under report the outbreaks of Rinder-
pest were greater than in the previous year. The districts of
Sylhet, Sibsagar, Lakhimpur and Nowgong contributed the
largest number of outbreaks and the greatest number of inocula-
tions. In the previous year Sibsagar, Cachar and Lakhimpur
districts contributed the largest number of outbreaks and the
greatest; number of inoculations.
27. Anthrax.— During the year 70 specimens of suspected
Anthrax were examined microscopically in the laboratory of
which 51 proved to be Anthrax. Inoculations were performed
in 32 outbreaks in 13 subdivisions. In these outbreaks 8 equines,
235 bovines and 16 others were reported to have died before
inoculation. The number of animals inoculated was 227 equines,
1,227 bovines and one other, of which one equine and 3 bovines
were reported to have died after inoculation.
In the previous year inoculations were carried out in ,50
outbreaks in 13 subdivisions. In these outbreaks 7 equines, 208
bovines and 11 others were reported to have died before inocula-
tion. The number of animals inoculated was 193 equines, 1,062
bovines and 107 others, of which only 7 others were reported to
have died after inoculation.
28. The submission of the monthly return of Anthrax
outbreaks to the American Consul General in Calcutta was conti-
nued.
29 Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia.—The diagnosis of this disease
was confirmed in 13 cases. Inoculations were undertaken
in 20 outbreaks in 8 subdivisions. In these outbreaks 329 bovi-
nes and 30 others were reported to have died before inoculation.
The number of animals inoculated was 1,313 bovines and 20
others, of which 2 bovines were reported to have died after inocu-
lation.
In the previous year inoculations were carried out in 19
outbreaks in 7 subdivisions. In these outbreaks 115 bovines
were reported to have died before inoculation. The number of
animals inoculated was 034 bovines, of which 2 bovines were
reported to have died after inoculation.
30. Black quarter.—Two outbreaks of black quarter were
reported during the year under report against none in the pre-
vious year.
31. The total number of outbreaks of all diseases in which
inoculations were carried out during the year under report was
370, in which 8 equines, 8,316 bovines and 46 others were report-
ed to have died before inoculation. The total number of animals
6
inoculated was 227 equines, 19,902 bovines and 21 others, of
which one equine and 286 bovines were reported to have died
after inoculation.
In the previous year inoculations were undertaken in 261
outbreaks, in which 7 equines, 5,650 bovines and 11 others were
reported to have died before inoculation. The total number of
animals inoculated was 193 equines, 14,691 bovines and 107
others of which 395 bovines and 7 others were reported to have
died after inoculation.
32. The submission of the monthly return showing the
prevalence of Rinderpest and other contagious diseases to the
Consul General for Italy in Calcutta was continued.
ITIENRANT VETERINARY ASSISTANT SURGEONS' WORK.
33. Table IV shows the work of the staff, Itinerating and
the Reserve Veterinary Assistant Surgeons during the year.
They visited 11,227 villages, performed 20,987 castrations and
treated 19,892 cases for contagious diseases and 72,342 cases for
non-contagious diseases. In the previous year 10,685 villages
were visited, 17,062 animals were castrated, 16,129 cases were
treated for contagious diseases and 68,911 cases for non-conta-
gious diseases. One hill district dispensary remained temporarily
closed for a short period as no substitute could be arranged.
VETERINARY HOSPITALS AND DISPENSARIES.
34. Table V shows the work of the three Government Vete-
rinary Hospitals at Gauhati, Silchar and Shillong. The total
number of animals treated in the hospitals during the year
under report including both in-patients and out-patients was
5,201 against 4,794 in the previous year. The total number of
cases supplied with medicines for treatment of animals not
brought to the hospitals was 53 against 36 in the previous year.
The distribution of medicines without the cases being seen is
discouraged. Owners are encouraged to bring their animals to
the hospitals for examination and treatment.
35. Gauhati Veterinary Hospital.—During
the year 55 in-
patients and 1,644 out-patients making a total of 1,699 were
treated in this hospital against a total of 1,456 in the previous
year. Under the Cruelty to Animals Act 11 cruelty cases were
treated in the hospital against 39 cruelty cases and 2 maiming
cases in the previous year.
636. Silchar Veterinary Hospital.—During
the year 29 in-
patients and 2,058 out-patients making a total of 2,087 were
treated in this hospital against a total of 2,119 in the previous year.
7
37. Shillong Veterinary Hospital.—During the year 99 in-
patients and 1,325 out-patients making a total of 1,415 were treated
in this hospital against a total of 1,219 in the previous year.
Under the Cruelty to Animals Act one maiming case and 18
curelty cases were treated in this hospital against 33 cruelty
cases and 2 maiming cases in the previous year.
88. During the year under report a sum of Rs. 1,032 was
realised in the veterinary hospitals as hospital fees and credited
to the treasuries against a sum of Rs. 956 in the previous year.
Besides this a sum of Rs. 82-4-0 was realised at headquarters as
cost of treatment for Surra and Piroplasmosis and inoculations
undertaken at the request of the owners in the absence of out-
wreaks and credited to the treasury.
PART III.—BREEDING OPERATIONS.
39. Table VIII shows the number of stud hulls reported to
have been serving in this province during the year under report.
There were 27 bulls at the beginning of the year and the
number at the close of the year was 31.
40. A very small portion is maintained by the Local Bodies.
It is desirable that these bodies would take a forward step to
maintain more bulls for the improvement of breeding of cattle
of the rate-payers.
CATTLE FARMS.
41. There were three cattle breeding farms at work in this
province during the year. They are placed at Upper Shillong,
Sylhet and Khanapara and are under the control and manage-
ment of the Agricultural Department. The farms stock were
inspected when necessary and treatment and inoculations, etc.,
wore undertaken by this Department as occasions arose.
42. Upper Shillong Farm.—The health of the cattle was satis-
factory.
43. Sylhet Farm.—The health of the cattle in general was good.
41. Khanapara Farm.—The health of the cattle on the whole
was not unsatisfactory though the campaign against stomach and
other worms had to bo continued to a smaller degree owing to
the less prevalence of such worms in the stock of the farm.
Johne's disease, in this province, was first detected in a
Sindhi bull in this farm during the year.
CATTLE FAIRS AND SHOWS.
45. Table XIV shows the number of cattle fairs and shows
held in the province during the year. In th se fairs there was
little of importance to record.
8
PART IV.—SUBORDINATE ESTABLISHMENT.
46. Table VII shows the strength of the Subordinate Vete-
rinary staff of this province as it stood on the 31st March
1933. There were 4 Veterinary Inspectors and 57 Veterinary
Assistant Surgeons at the close of the year. No new appoint-
ments were made during the year as the vacancies in the cadre
have been kept in abeyance owing to (he present financial
depression.
47. A brief account of the work performed by the Veterinary
Inspectors is given below : —
(1) Maulavi Azizuddin Sarkar, Veterinary Inspector, held
charge of the Dibrugarh Circle with his headquarters at Dibru-
garh throughout the year. He was on tour for 172 days and
travelled 3,561 miles by rail, 252 miles by steamer and 2,144
miles by road and boat. He visited and re-visited 224 villages
and tea estates in connection with the inspection of the work
of the Veterinary Assistant Surgeons, investigation of diseases,
enquiry into the results of inoculation, demonstration of castra-
tion by Burdizzio's castrator, etc. He inspected the following
dispensaries :—The dispensaries at Tinsukia five times, Nazira,
Jorhat, Majuli, Badlipar and Sadiya four times each, Dibrugarh,
Sibsagar, Mariani, North Lakhimpur and Dhakuakhana thrice
each and Golaghat twice. Ho visited the Goshalas at Nazira and
Dibrugarh, the jail at Dibrugarh and the Jorhat Agricultural Farm
in connection with investigation of cattle diseases, enquiry into
the result of inoculation, and advised treatment. He also in-
spected the Jorhat Municipal bull, the transport bullocks and
elephants of the 2nd Assam Rifles, Sadiya, and the elephants of
the Political Officer, Sadiya, and advised treatment.
(2) Babu (now Rai Sahib) Srish Chandra Ghose, Veterinary
Inspector, held charge of the Silchar Circle with his headquarters
at Silchar throughout the year. He was on tour for 152 days,
and travelled 3,166 miles by rail, 182 miles by steamer and
1,938 miles by road and country boat. He visited and re visited
110 villages and tea estates in connection with the inspection of
the work of Veterinary Assistant Surgeons, investigation of
diseases, etc. He inspected the following hospital and dispen-
saries :—The hospital at Silchar, the dispensaries at Silchar and
Balonghat four times each, Hailakandi, Karimganj, Patharkandi,
Kulaura, Maulvibazar, Sylhet and Habiganj thrice each, Sunam-
ganj and Shaistaganj twice each and Jagannathpur and Aijal
once each. He inspected the Military Transport ponies at Aijal
and conducted testing of pon ies of Assam Rifles for Glan-
ders and Farcy, supervised the work in the Camp Veterinary
9
Hospital opened during the Camp of Exercise of the Surma Valley
Light Horse at Silchar and attended the "virus alone" method
of inoculation against Rinderpest at the Sylhet Government
Cattle Farm.
(3) Babu Hem Chandra Sen, Veterinary Inspector, held
charge of the Gauhati Circle No. I, with his headquarters at
Gauhati throughout the year except the period from the 1st
April 1932 to the 15th May 1932 when he was on leave and
Babu Bhudhar Chandra Chatterjee, Staff Veterinary Assistant
Surgeon, Gauhati, was in charge from the 29th April 1932 to the
15th May 1932. Babu Hem Chandra Sen also held charge of
the Gauhati Circle No. II for the period from the 1st August
1932 to the 30th September 1932 in addition to his own duties.
He was on tour for 161 days and travelled 668 miles by rail, 772
miles by steamer and 1,995 miles by road and boats. He
visited and re-visited 125 villages in connection with inspection
of the work of the Veterinary Assistant Surgeons, investigation
of diseases, etc. He inspected the following hospital and
dispensaries :—The dispensaries at Gauhati four times, Nalbari,
Nowgong, Missa, Behali, Sootea, Tezpur, Mangaldai and Tangla
thrice each, and the hospital at Shillong twice. He inspected
the dairy cattle at Nowgong Jail, ponies of the Political
Officer, Balipara Frontier Tract, elephant of the Assam Rifles
at Lokra, breeding buli of the Nowgong Municipality, and
cattle, goats and poultry of the Upper Shillong and Khanapara
Farms. He gave magic lantern demonstrations in seven places
in his circle. He carried out inoculation against Rinderpest by
serum simultaneous method of inoculation at Shillong and
attended virus alone method of inoculation at the Khanapara
Farm.
(1) Babu Guru Prasanna Sen, Veterinary Inspector, held
charge of Gauhati Circle No. II, with his headquarters at
Gauhati from the beginning of the year up to the 31st July
1932. With effect from the 1st August 1932 he was appointed
temporarily to the post of the Deputy Superintendent, Civil
Veterinary
Department, Assam
and temporarily placed in
charge of the Department. As Veterinary Inspector, Gauhati
Circle No. II, he was on tour for 10 days and travelled
184 miles by rail and 96 miles by road. He visited 4 villages
in connection with the inspection of the work of the Veteri-
nary Assistant Surgeons, investigation of diseases, enquiry into
the result of inoculations and castrations, etc. Ho inspected
the following hospital and dispensaries :—The dispensaries at
Abhoyapuri, Barpeta and Pataeharkuchi and the hospital at
Gauhati once each.
10
His tour was very much curtailed owing to Mr. Harris'
absence from headquarters during the 1st four months of the
year.
Babu Bhudhar Chandra Chatterjee, Staff Veterinary Assist-
ant Surgeon, Gauhati, held charge of the Gauhati Circle
No. II as an officiating Veterinary Inspector from the 1st
October 1932 to the end of the year. During this period he
was on tour for 74 days and travelled 1,160 miles by rail,
252 miles by steamer and 1,020 miles by road and boat. He
visited and re-visited 84 villages in connection with inspection
of the work of the Veterinary Assistant Surgeons, investiga-
tion of diseases, enquiry into the result of inoculation and
castration, etc. He inspected the following hospital and dis-
pensaries :—The hospital at Gauhati and the dispensaries at
Barpeta, Patacharkuchi, Goalpara, Abhoyapuri, Dhubri and
Bilashipara thrice each, and Sukchar twice. He also inspected
and supervised the work of the Staff Veterinary Assistant
Surgeon and Reserve Veterinary Assistant Surgeons at Gauhati.
While at headquarters he worked in the Laboratory and impart-
ed necessary instructions to the Reserve Veterinary Assistant
Surgeons about their work. He visited the Khanapara Cattle
Farm and carried out virus alone method of inoculation against
Rinderpest there.
48. The number of Reserve Veterinary Assistant Surgeons
during the year was 10 as in the previous year. Two were
employed in charge of the Government Veterinary hospitals at
Gauhati and Silchar and the rest were employed on leave
vacancies and on deputation to supplement the local staff during
outbreaks of cattle diseases.
49. The number of Staff Veterinary Assistant Surgeons
employed during the year was 2 as in the previous year, their
headquarters being at Silchar and Gauhati, respectively.
50. The names of the following Veterinary Assistant Sur-
geons are noted for their good and steady work :—
(1) U Nobindro, Staff Veterinary Assistant Surgeon,
Gauhati.
(2) Maulavi Syed Ataul Haque, Veterinary Assistant
Surgeon, Sibsagar.
(8) Babu Dobendra Nath Chatterjee, Veterinary Assist-
ant Surgeon, Kulaura.
(4) Babu Narendra Nath Basu, Veterinary Assistant
Surgeon, Nalbari.
(5) Babu Guru Charau Kar, Veterinary Assistant
Surgeon, Bilashipara.
11
(6) Babu Lalit Mohan Das Gupta, Veterinary Assistant
Surgeon, Sootea.
(7) Babu Hemanta Kumar Nag Chaudhury, Veterinary
Assistant Surgeon, Tezpur.
(8) Srijut Amrit Lal Das, Veterinary Assistant Surgeon,
Barpeta.
(9) Srijut Bhabit Chandra Das, Veterinary Assistant
Surgeon, Dibrugarh.
(10) Srijut Jagadish Prasad Das, Veterinary Assistant
Surgeon, Shillong.
(11) Maulavi Muhammad Brizish Quader, Veterinary
Assistant Surgeon, Nowgong.
PART V.—EXPENDITURE OF THE DEPARTMENT.
51. Table XIV(a) shows the expenditure of the Department.
The total expenditure during the year under report
was
Rs. 1,73,737 including the expenditure incurred by the Local
Boards in connection with Veterinary charges, against
Rs. 1,70,434 in the previous year. There was decrease in expen-
diture under all heads except under the bead—Hospitals and
Dispensaries where there was an increase on account of purchase
of larger quantity of sera and other laboratory products.
52. The Local Boards in Assam incurred the following
expenditure in connection with veterinary charges. These figures
were furnished by the Local Boards :—
Veterinary Instruction ...
Subordinate Establishment ...
Hospitals and Dispensaries ...
Breeding operations ...
Rs.
...
59,990
9,316
237
a.
...
0
0
0
p.
...
0
0
0
The sum of Rs. 237 spent under breeding operations was
spent by the Sibsagar Local Board.
PART V.—GENERAL REMARKS.
53. The general progress in veterinary work was continu-
ed and the standard maintained. Outbreaks of contagious
diseases of animals were greater this year and consequently more
inoculation work was required. As with the advancement of
the Science new things are coming out and more are likely to
come with the work of the Disease Investigation Officer the
present strength of the cadre will have to be increased.
12
54. An adequate supply of serum and other products was
received from the Imperial Institute of Veterinary Research,
Muktesar.
The following table shows the doses of the various sera and
products received during the last five years —
Serum.
1
Anti-Rinderpest ...
Anti-Anthrax ...
...
Anti-Hæmorrhagic
Septi-
cæmia.
Hæmorrhagic
Septicæmia
Vaccine.
Avian Tuberculin ...
1932-35.
2
93,050
...
2,000
100
245
1931-32,
3
62,000
3,000
2,000
...
...
1930-31.
4
1,50,000
2,000
...
...
...
1929-30.
5
1,50,000
3,000
5,000
...
...
1928-29.
6
...
6,000
1,000
...
...
55. The numbers of cruelty and maiming cases examined
and reported on during the year under report and previous three
years were as follows : —
1
Number of cruelty cases examined ...
Number of maiming cases examined ...
Number of attendance at Court to give
evidence
Number of cases convicted...
1932-33.
2
390
142
72
161
1931-32.
3
249
145
94
217
1930-31
4
189
193
115
158
1920-30.
5
308
225
177
295
The remarks of Mr. Harris on this subject in the last year's
report still hold good. It is regretted that little improvement is
shown in the care and welfare of all domestic animals as had been
evidenced from the admission of cases in the dispensaries with
severe wounds showing ill-treatment and neglect. Carelessness and
want of sympathy are the two prime factors responsible for this
state of affairs.
56. During the year under report the Veterinary Assistant
Surgeons observed 549 cases of suspected poisoning amongst
cattle of which 455 died. This year the following circles showed
the largest number, viz., 203 in Habiganj, 150 in Goalpara, 120
in Shaistaganj (in Habiganj subdivision) and 38 in Maulvibazar
13
of which 153 in Habiganj, 120 in Goal para, 120 in Shaistaganj
and 30 in Maulvibazar died. The Veterinary Assistant Surgeons,
Habiganj, Shaistaganj and Maulvibazar suspected the local
chamars and threatened to report against them, and advised the
villagers to slash the skins of the dead cattle and bury them and
not to allow the chamars to take them. No further cases of
poisoning occurred after this action. In the previous year there
were 415 cases of suspected poisoning amongst cattle of which
409 died. The largest numbers were 131 in Habiganj, 90 in
Maulvibazar, 85 in Shaistaganj and 69 in Nalbari all of which
died except one in Nalbari.
57. During the year under report 2 horses, 2 bullocks and
39 dogs were treated successfully with anti-rabic vaccine
supplied from the Pasteur Institute, Shillong. The number
would have been much greater if the vaccine were available free
of cost to the poor cultivators. In the previous year one horse
and 12 dogs were treated with anti-rabic vaccine successfully.
58. In combating Rinderpest, serum simultaneous method
of inoculation could not have been introduced except on Govern-
ment farms. The new method of vaccination called virus alone
method was started during the year as an experimental basis and
the result obtained was promising and the Department wishes to
adopt this method more widely as soon as funds are available for
a separate staff for the purpose. In the meantime the work will
be continued as far as possible with the existing staff when oppor-
tunity occurs. The present procedure of serum alone method of
inoculation combined wi!h infection with saliva and urine will
be continued until the new method can replace if.
59. During the year under report the epidemic of surra was
greater than in the previous year ; and where the owner
consented to pay the cost of medicines and the condition of the
affected animal was not gone too far, the curative treatment was
adopted. The demand of such treatment was greater during the
year which indicates that a time is approaching when a separate
staff for treatment of surra cases may be necessary. The course
of the treatment extends for a month in each case and
consequently it is inconvenient for the Local Board Veterinary
Assistant burgeons to undertake this treatment without
detriment to their other work.
60. The death amongst the fowl from the diseases as
mentioned in the previous year seems to have been much less
this year.
61. The Department continued the treatment of cases of
Anthrax in bovines by intravenous injection of Arsenic with
successful result.