NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
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the " serum alone " method. The more effective but costly
"serum simultaneous " method was more or less confined to the
Government cattle farms. This in its turn has latterly given
place to the " virus alone " method which combines the advan-
tages of the " serum simultaneous " method with the additional
advantage of cheapness. In view of the debates in the last
March session of the Legislative Council Government are con-
sidering the question of extending the benefit of these new
methods of inoculation to other areas where there is demand for
them, and the Superintendent's proposal for an increase in his
staff is at present under consideration.
3. Efforts to improve the cattle were continued from the
Veterinary side. They must be considered as being supple-
mentary to the measures taken in the Live-stock branch of the
Department of Agriculture. The number of castrations done
during the year was greater than in the preceding year. Govern-
ment share the Superintendent's disappointment for the number
of breeding bulls maintained by local bodies being so small.
The smallness of the number was perhaps due to the fact that
local bodies were not aware that the Agricultural Department
was in a position to supply more bulls. Government have lately
brought to the notice of the local bodies the readiness of the
Agricultural Department to supply bulls.
4. In an agricultural province like Assam where man's
life is so much bound up with that of cattle, it is essential that
people should know more about breeding and taking care of
cattle and further that for cases of illness there should be
adequate facilities available for treatment. The appreciation of
what little is done by the Veterinary staff is encouraging and
should stimulate the staff to further effort. It must be conceded
that the cattle in the province have so far not had their due
share of attention and that the long leeway can only be made up
if the boards seriously consider the question of increasing their
Veterinary staff. Though one board has been unfortunately
compelled to curtail its activities temporarily under pressing
financial necessity, Government hope that even that board will
retrace its steps at the earliest opportunity and join the rest in
extending the beneficent services of Veterinary officers.
5. With the help of the funds provided mainly by the
Imperial Council of Agricultural Research Government have
engaged the services of a qualified Disease Investigating Officer
who will shortly take up a survey of the diseases prevalent among
cattle in Assam and carry out clinical investigations in the
particular areas where chronic disease and degeneration of stock is
met with. Government have also drawn up a scheme on animal
3
nutrition research for the consideration of the Imperial Council
of Agriculture. It provides for research work in regard to
deficiency of nutrients and mineral content in local feed
stuffs and the infestation of animals with internal parasites.
This scheme, if sanctioned, along with the work of the Disease
Investigating Officer should at the end of the experimental
period of five years yield results which will be of use in the
preservation and improvement of cattle.
6. The strength of the staff remained the same as during
1931-32. Though financial conditions remained had and rigid
economy affected the touring of inspecting officers, it is satisfac-
tory to observe that the outturn of work of the Veterinary Assis-
tants was greater than during the previous year. His Excellency
and his Minister have noted with satisfaction the good work done
by officers of the Department. They are indebted to Mr. Harris
and to Mr. Sen who was in charge of the Department for the
greater part of the year, for their efficient administration.
ORDER :—Ordered that the Resolution be published in the
Assam Gazette,
By order of the Government of Assam,
S. P. DESAI,
Officiating Secretary to the Government of Assam
in the Transferred Departments.
A. G. P. (Edn.) No. 11-868-26-0-1983.
REPORT
OF THE
Civil Veterinary Department
Assam
for the year 1933-34
SHILLONG
PRINTED AT THE ASSAM GOVERNMENT PRESS
1934
Price 9d.]
[Price 8 annas.
REPORT
OF THE
Civil Veterinary Department
Assam
for the year 1933-34
PRINTED AT THE ASSAM GOVERNMENT PRESS
1934
Price 9d.]
[Price 8 annas.
Agents for the sale of Books published by the Assam Government
Agents In India.
(1) Messrs.
Thacker, Spink & Co.,
Calcutta.
(a) Messrs. W. Nowman & Co., Calcutta.
(3) Messrs. S. K. Lahiri & Co., Calcutta.
(4) Messrs. K. Cambray & Co., 6 and 8/3,
Hastings Street, Calcutta.
(5) Babu Han Ram Dhar, B.A., Popular
Library, Dacca.
(6) Messrs. D. B. Taraporavala Sons & Co.,
103, Meadow Street, Port, Post Box
No. 187, Bombay.
(7) The Indian School Supply Depot, 309,
How Basar Street, Calcutta.
(8) Messrs. Rai M. C. Sarkar Bahadur &
Sons, 99-2A, Harrison Road, Calcutta,
(9) Messrs. Students N Co., Cooch Bihar.
(10) The City Book Company, Post Box
No. 283, Madras.
(11) The Standard Literature Co., Ltd., 13-1,
Old Court House Street, Calcutta.
(12) The Standard Book Stall. Karachi.
(13) Messrs. Karaandas, Narandas & Sons
of Surat.
(14) The Proprietor, New Kitapkhana, Poons
(15) The Association Press, Calcutta.
(16) Messes. Butterworth & Co. (India), Li-
mited, Hastings Street, Calcutta, Post
Box No. 3.
(17) The Director, The Book Company
Limited, Booksellers and Stationers,
4/4A, College Square, Calcutta.
(18) Messrs. Kamala, Book Depôt, Limited,
Book-sellers and Publishers, 15,
College Square Calcutta.
(19 Messrs. Sampson William & Co.,
127-B, The Mall, Cawnpore.
ASSAM GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS ARE OBTAINABLE IN GREAT BRITAIN DIRECT
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR INDIA OF THROUGH ANY
BOOK-SELLER.
PRINTED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT, ASSAM GOVERNMENT PRESS.
No. R1-1/1810.
FROM
BABU GURU PRASANNA SEN, G. B. V. C.,
OFFG. SUPERINTENDENT, CIVIL VETERINARY
DEPARTMENT, ASSAM.
To
THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF
ASSAM IN THE TRANSFERRED DEPART-
MENTS, SHILLONG.
Dated Gauhati, the 4th July 1934.
SIR,
I HAVE the honour to submit herewith the Annual Adminis-
tration Report of the Civil Veterinary Department, Assam, for
the year 1933-34.
Your obedient servant,
G. P. SEN,
Offg. Superintendent, Civil
Veterinary Department, Assam.
REPORT
OF THE
Civil Veterinary Department,
Assam,
for the year 1933-34
PREFACE.—GENERAL ADMINISTRATION.
I held charge of the Department throughout the year. I
was on tour for 129 days and travelled 5,642 miles by rail, 294
miles by steamer and 949 miles by road and country boat.
2. The following hospitals and dispensaries were inspected
by me during the year :—
The hospitals at Shillong twice and Silchar once and the
dispensaries at Silchar, Hailakandi, Sylhet, Karim-
ganj, Maulvibazar, Habiganj, Sunamganj, Shaistaganj,
Jagannathpur, Patharkandi, Kulaura, Palonghat,
Goalpara, Abhoyapuri, Tezpur, Mangaldai, Tangla,
Behali, Sootea, Nowgong, Misa, Jorhat, Mariani,
Tinsukia and Sadiya once each. Besides this
inspection work I had to supervise the Virus alone
method of inoculation against Rinderpest in some
places in both the valleys.
3. I, as a member, attended the meeting of the Advisory
Beard of the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research at Delhi
held in the month of February 1934.
4. The work and the responsibility of the Superintendent,
Civil Veterinary Department, Assam, have greatly increased in
all directions and consequently it was not possible to inspect all
the hospitals and dispensaries during the year. The expansion
of the work and activities of the Department including supervi-
sion of the work of the Veterinary Investigation Officer indicate
that it is time that the Superintendent be relieved of some of
his routine work by appointment of an officer in the superior
service. The post of Deputy Superintendent of this province
has long been kept in abeyance but as the work and responsibili-
ty of the Superintendent have greatly increased it is now high
time that the post of the Deputy Superintendent be revived to
maintain the efficiency of the Department.
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5. In the laboratory at Gauhati 2,564 specimens of various
kinds were examined microscopically during the year. Of these
78 were diagnosed as Anthrax, 13 as Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia,
49 as Surra and 6 as Johne's disease. The remainder were
examined for other blood, skin and intestinal parasites, etc.
From the Khanapara Government Farm 966 specimens were
examined during the year. In the previous year 1,940 specimens
were examined of which 51 were diagnosed as Anthrax, 13 as
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia, 49 as Surra and 8 as Johne's disease
From the Khanapara Farm 711 specimens were examined.
VETERINARY INVESTIGATION OFFICER.
6. A post of Veterinary Investigation Officer subsidised by
the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research was created for
this province during the year for a period of 5 years and
Mr. P. G. Pande, M.SC., M.R.C.V.S., was appointed to hold it.
According to the terms of the scheme he joined the Imperial
Institute of Veterinary Research at Muktesar on 26th April
1933 for a course of training in different sections of the Institute
for a period of six months. On the completion of the course of
training Mr; Pande joined his duties in this province with
headquarters at Gauhati on the 6th November 1933. The
officer has been placed under the direct control of the Superin-
tendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Assam, and has been
provided with separate office establishment and accommodation
with necessary instruments, appliances, etc. He has begun the
work of investigation in some of the diseases that are very com-
monly seen amongst cattle and ponies.
PART I.—VETERINARY INSTRUCTION.
7. During the year under report there was only one Govern-
ment stipendiary of this province at the Bengal Veterinary
College, Calcutta. He was in class C and passed the final
examination.
8. There was no Local Board stipendiary in the Bengal
Veterinary College from this province during the year.
9. There was one private student from this province at the
Bengal Veterinary College. He was in class C and passed the
final examination.
10. Two new appointments were sanctioned temporarily with
effect from the 1st November 1933 in connection with the work
of Virus alone method of inoculation against Rinderpest and they
were filled up by the two Veterinary Assistant Surgeons with
drawn temporarily from the North Sylhet Local Board.
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11. Three unemployed Veterinary graduates of 1931 were
employed during the year—two in the Department and one as an
assistant (both professional and clerical) to the Veterinary
Investigation Officer, Assam. The only Veterinary graduate of
1932 was employed by the Local Board, Sylhet, during the
year.
12. Post Graduate Training.—Rai
Sahib Srish Chandra
Ghose, Veterinary Inspector, was deputed to the Imperial Insti-
tute of Veterinary Research, Muktesar, for a Post-graduate
Refresher Course, which is primarily intended for the officers of
Provincial and All India Services. He attended the course
satisfactorily and systematically from the 10th April to the 8th
July 1933.
PART II.—TREATMENT OF DISEASES.
13. Table II shows the approximate number of deaths from
contagious diseases reported during the year. Reports have been
received from all the districts except Kamrup and Lakhimpur,
and the figures shown under these two districts are therefore
incomplete.
14. The total mortality reported from contagious diseases
during the year as compared with the previous two years is as
follows :—
—
1
Equines
... ... ...
Bovines ... ... ...
Others
...
... ...
1933-34.
2
183
17,858
1,988
1932-33.
3
577
20,212
8,611
1931-32.
4
863
18,683
2,672
The figures supplied by the district officers were checked by
the Veterinary Assistant Surgeons as far as possible.
FQUINES.
15. Glanders.—No death was reported from this disease
during the year. In the previous year 15 deaths were reported
from this disease in the Lushai Hills.
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16. Epizootic Lymphangitis.—No case of this disease was
reported during the year. None was reported last year also.
17. Anthrax.—The
number of deaths reported from this
disease was 25 from 4 districts. This disease was confirmed by
microscopical examination in all the districts. In the previous
year 50 deaths were reported from 6 districts.
18. Surra.—The number of deaths from this disease was
reported to bo 52 from 4 districts against 87 deaths from 6 districts
in the previous year.
19. Dourine.—No case of this disease was observed during
the year. This disease has not yet been noticed in Assam.
20. Other contagious diseases.—During the year under
report 106 deaths were reported from other contagious diseases
against 425 deaths in the previous year.
BOVINES.
21. Rinderpest.—This disease was prevalent in all the dis-
tricts except the Lushai Hills and the Naga Hills districts. The
number of deaths from this disease was reported to be 12,584
against 11,887 in the previous year. The number of outbreaks
of this disease was great in the districts of Kamrup, Sylhet,
Sibsagar and Darrang.
22. Foot and mouth disease.—This disease was reported from
6 districts and the number of deaths was reported to be 1,499
against 2,465 in 9 districts in the previous year.
23. Haemorrhagic Septicaemia.—This disease was reported
from 7 districts and the number of deaths was reported to be 1,213
against 2,078 in 8 districts in the previous year.
24. Black quarter.—The number of deaths from this disease
was reported to be 17 in one district against 7 in 2 districts in the
previous year.
25. Anthrax.—The number of deaths from this disease was
reported to be 1,119 from 8 districts against 1,295 from the same
number of districts in the previous year.
26. Other contagious diseases.—The number of deaths from
other contagious diseases was reported to be 1,421 from 6 districts
against 2,480 from 7 districts in the previous year.
5
OTHER ANIMALS.
27. Contagious diseases amongst other animals.—The total
number of deaths under this head was reported to be 1,988 from
8 districts against 3,511 from 11 districts in the previous year.
PREVENTIVE INOCULATION
28. Table III shows the number and the result of preventive
inoculations undertaken in the province during the year.
29. Rinderpest.—Inoculations
against Rinderpest were
carried out in 404 outbreaks in 16 subdivisions and 3 Hill districts
(Khasi and Jaintia Hills, Garo Hills and Sadiya Frontier Tract).
In these outbreaks 10,113 animals were reported to have died
before inoculation. The number of animals inoculated by the
serum alone method was 25,937. The number of deaths amongst
the inoculated animals was reported to be 467.
In the previous year inoculations 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 serum alone method was 17,332, of which
281 animals were reported to have died after inoculation.
30. During the year under report the outbreaks of Rinder-
pest were greater than in the previous year. The districts of
Kamrup, Sylhet, Sibsagar and Darrang contributed the large
number of outbreaks and in these places the number of inocula-
tions was greater. In the previous year Sylhet, Sibsagar,
Lakhimpur and Nowgong contributed the larger number of out-
breaks and the greater number of inoculations.
Besides the serum alone method of inoculation against
Rinderpest 52 animals were inoculated against this disease by the
serum simultaneous method, and 2,773 animals by the Virus
alone method, during the year.
31. Anthrax.—During
the year under report 119 specimens
of suspected Anthrax were examined microscopically in the
Laboratory of which 78 proved to be Anthrax. Inoculations
were performed in 53 outbreaks in 12 subdivisions. In these
outbreaks 9 equines, 448 bovines and 5 others were reported to
have died before inoculation. The number of animals inoculated
was 256 equines, 2,510 bovines and 68 others of which only 4
bovines were reported to have died after inoculation.
6
In the previous year inoculations were carried out in 32 out-
breaks in 13 subdivisions. In these outbreaks 8 equines, 235
bovines and 16 others were reported to have died before inocula-
tion. 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.
32. The submission of the monthly return of Anthrax out-
breaks to the American Consul-General in Calcutta was
continued.
33. Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia.—The
diagnosis of this
disease was confirmed in 13 cases. Inoculations were under-
taken in 18 outbreaks in 7 subdivisions. In these outbreaks 196
bovines were reported to have died before inoculation. The
number of animals inoculated was 1,201 bovines of which one
bovine was reported to have died after inoculation.
In the previous year inoculations were carried out in 26
outbreaks in 8 subdivisions. In these outbreaks 329 bovines
and 30 others were reported to have died before inoculation.
The number of animals inoculated was 1,343 bovines and 20
others of which 2 bovines were reported to have died after
inoculation.
34. Black quarter.— One outbreak of black quarter was
reported during the year. In the previous year two outbreaks
of this disease were reported.
35. The total number of outbreaks of all diseases in which
inoculations were carried out during the year under report was
475 in which 9 equines, 10,757 bovines and 5 others were
reported to have died before inoculation. The total number of
animals inoculated was 256 equines, 29,678 bovines and 68
others of which 472 bovines were reported to have died after
inoculation.
In the previous year inoculations were performed in 370
outbreaks in which 8 equines, 8,316 bovines and 46 others were
reported to have died before inoculation. The total number
of animals inoculated was 227 equines, 19,902 bovines and 21
others of which one equine and 286 bovines were reported to
have died after inoculation.
36. 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.
7
ITINERANT VETERINARY ASSISTANT SURGEONS' WORK.
37. Table IV shows the work of the staff, Itinerating
and the Reserve Veterinary Assistant Surgeons during the
year. They visited 11,287 Villages, performed 23,542 castra-
tions and treated 22,851 cases for contagious diseases and 69,520
cases for non-contagious diseases. In the previous year 11,227
Tillages were visited, 20,987 animals were castrated, 19,892
cases were treated for contagious diseases and 72,342 cases for
non-contagious diseases. Three dispensaries remained tempora-
rily closed for short periods as no substitute could be arranged.
VETERINARY HOSPITALS AND DISPENSARIES.
38. Table V shows the work of the three Government
Veterinary Hospitals at Gauhati, Silchar and Shillong. The
total number of animals treated in the hospitals during the
year under report including both in and out-patients was 5,632
against 5,201 in the previous year. The total number of cases
supplied with medicines for treatment of animals not brought
to the hospitals was 136 against 53 in the previous year. The
distribution of medicines to the owners living at a reasonable
distance from the hospital without the cases being seen is
discouraged. Owners are encouraged to bring their animals to
the hospitals for examination and treatment.
39. Gauhati Veterinary Hospital.—During the year under
report 57 in-patients and 1,709 out patients, making a total of
1,766, were treated in this hospital against a total of 1,699 in the
previous year. Under the Cruelty to Animals Act 7 cruelty
cases were treated in the hospital against 11 cruelty cases in
the previous year.
40. Silchar Veterinary Hospital.—During the year 43 in-
patients and 2,144 out-patients, making a total of 2,187, were
treated in this hospital against a total of 2,087 in the previous
year. Under the Cruelty to Animals Act 2 maiming cases and
4 cruelty cases were treated in the hospital against none in the
previous year.
41. Shillong Veterinary Hospital.—During the year 95
in-patients and 1,584 out-patients, making a total of 1,679, were
treated in this hospital against a total of 1,415 in the previous
year. Under the Cruelty to Animals Act one maiming case
and 13 cruelty cases were treated at the hospital against one
maiming case and 18 cruelty cases in the previous year.
8
42. During the year under report a sum of Rs. 1,103-14-0
was realised in the Veterinary Hospitals as hospital fees and
credited to the treasuries against a sum of Rs 1,032 in the
previous year. Besides this a sum of Rs. 443-12-0 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 outbreaks, and credited to the treasury against a sum
of Rs. 82-4-0 in the previous year.
PART III.—BREEDING OPERATIONS.
43. Table VIII shows the number of stud bulls reported by
the district officers to have been serving in this province during
the year.
There were 31 bulls at the beginning of the year and the
number at the close of the year was 53. Besides this a number
of breeding bulls was supplied by the Live stock branch of the
Agricultural Department to some cattle owners, forest reserves.
Societies, etc.
CATTLE FARMS.
44. As in the previous year there were three Government
cattle breeding farms at work in this province during the year.
They are at Upper Shillong, Sylhet and Khanapara, and are
under the control and management of the Agricultural Depart-
ment. The necessary Veterinary help to the Live stock in these
farms was rendered by this department.
45. Upper Shillong Farm.—The health of the cattle was
satisfactory. During the year 39 cattle of this Farm were pro-
tected against Rinderpest by the serum simultaneous method of
inoculation and 21 cattle by the virus alone method.
46. Sylhet Farm.—The health of the cattle of this Farm
was not unsatisfactory. Seventy-eight animals of this Farm
were protected against Rinderpest by the virus alone method.
47. Khanapara Farm.—The health of the cattle of this
Farm was not on the whole unsatisfactory. Further investiga-
tion on Johne's disease in this Farm was carried out. During
the year 303 animals of this Farm were put to test and retest for
Johne's disease of which 21 proved positive for the disease. The
virus alone method of inoculation against Rinderpest was under-
taken in 84 animals of this Farm during the year.
A regular examination of dung of animals was carried out
during the year and showed a decisive fall in the number of
cases of Mecistocirrus Digitatus and other gastric and parasitic
troubles.