NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
4
15. Surra —The number of deaths from this disease was
reported to be 70 in 5 districts against 34 reported from 6 dis-
tricts in the previous year.
16. Dourine.—As previously reported this province is free
from this disease.
17. Anthrax.—The number of deaths reported from this dis-
ease was 28 from 6 districts against 19 deaths from 5 districts in
the previous year. The disease was confirmed by microscopical
examination in all cases.
18. Other diseases.—During the year under report 153 deaths
were reported from other diseases.
19. Other causes.—The number of deaths under this head
was reported to be 250.
BOVINES (CATTLE AND BUFFALOES).
20. Rinderpest.—This disease was prevalent in all the dis-
tricts except the Naga Hills, the Lushai Hills and the Sadiya
Frontier Tract, and the districts of Lakhimpur, Sylhet, Cachar,
Sibsagar, Goalpara and Nowgong suffered heavily. The total
number of deaths from this disease was reported to be 22,019.
21. Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia.—This disease was reported from
8 districts and the number of deaths was reported to be 2,129.
22. Foot and Mouth disease.—This disease was reported from
all the districts except the Lushai Hills and the Sadiya Frontier
Tract and the number of deaths was reported to be 1,201.
23. Black-quarter.—The number of deaths from this disease
was 23 from 5 districts.
24. Anthrax.—This disease was reported from 8 districts and
the number of deaths was reported to be 1,407.
25. Surra.—No case of death was reported from this disease
during the year.
26. Other diseases.—The number of deaths from other disea-
ses was reported to be 3,714.
27. Other causes.—The number of deaths under this head
was reported to be 6,854.
OTHER ANIMALS (SHEEP, GOATS, DOGS).
28. Anthrax.—The disease was responsible for 9 deaths in
two districts.
29. Sheep pox,—It was reported from one district with a
mortality of 7.
5
30. Pleuro Pneumonia.—No death was reported from this
disease.
31. Foot and Mouth disease.—This disease was reported from
4 districts with a mortality of 66.
32. Scab.—This disease was reported from 5 districts only
with a mortality of 83.
33. Rabies.—Two hundred and sixty deaths were reported
from 10 districts.
34. Other diseases.—The number of deaths from other dis-
eases was reported to be 1,281.
35. Other causes.—The number of deaths from other causes
was reported to be 2,076.
36. It should be noted here that the return of mortality
under the head "Camels" is blank as the province does not
possess this animal.
PREVENTIVE INOCULATION.
37. Table III shows the number and result of preventive
inoculations undertaken in the province. The form of this
Table has been revised and the revised form has been adopted
from this report. In this Table inoculations by all methods
including Goat Tissue Vaccine method have been shown.
38. Rinderpest.—Inoculations
against Rinderpest were
undertaken in 649 outbreaks in 9 districts. In these outbreaks
13,632 animals were reported to have died uninoculated. The
total number of animals inoculated was 1,14,608 of which
1,11,859 were done by Goat Tissue Vaccine method, 2,713 by
serum alone method and 36 by Serum Simultaneous method.
The number of deaths amongst the inoculated animals was
reported to be 1,377. The result of the Goat Tissue Vaccine
method of preventive inoculation had been a striking success—
the death rate amongst the vaccinated animals was only negligi-
ble 1.1 per cent.
In the previous year inoculations were performed in 287
outbreaks. In these outbreaks 8,245 animal were reported to
have died before inoculation. The number of animals inocula-
ted was 23,459 by serum alone method and 70,081 by Goat
Tissue Vaccine method. The number of deaths amongst the
inoculated animals was reported to be 454.
39. The year under report was a bad year for the cattle.
The outbreaks of Rinderpest were prevalent almost all over the
province and more severely in the districts of Lakhimpur, Sylhet,
Cachar, Sibsagar, Goalpara and Nowgong.
6
40. Anthrax.—The diagnosis of this disease was confirmed
by microscopical examination in 64 cases. Inoculations were
carried out in 54 outbreaks in 8 districts. In these outbreaks
396 bovines, 5 equines and 20 others were reported to have
died before inoculation.
The number of animals inoculated
was 3,321 bovines, 214 equines and 271 others of which 7
bovines were reported to have died after inoculation.
In the previous year inoculations were carried out in 45 out-
breaks. In these outbreaks 9 equines, 319 bovines and 7 others
were reported to have died before inoculation. The number of
animals inoculated was 190 equines, 2,234 bovines and 65 others
of which 11 bovines were reported to have died after inocula-
tion.
41. The submission of the monthly return of Anthrax out-
breaks to the American Consul General in Calcutta was conti-
nued.
42. Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia.—The diagnosis of this disease was
confirmed microscopically in 29 cases. Inoculations were under-
taken in 49 outbreaks in 4 districts. In these outbreaks 224
bovines were reported to have died before inoculation. The
number of animals inoculated was 1,506 of which only 2 bovines
were reported to have died after inoculation.
In the previous year inoculations were carried out in 25
outbreaks. In these outbreaks 248 bovines were reported to
have died before inoculation. The number of animals inocula-
ted was 1,722 bovines of which one bovine was reported to
have died after inoculation.
ITINERANT VETERINARY ASSISTANT SURGEONS'
WORK.
43. Table IV shows the work of the staff.
Itinerating
and Reserve Veterinary Assistant Surgeons during the year
under report. They visited 13,134 villages, performed 28,229
castrations and treated 25,850 animals for contagious diseases
and 94,760 for non-contagious diseases.
In the previous year 11,761 villages were visited, 25,334
animals were castrated, 22,304 cases were treated for contagious
diseases and 90,376 cases were treated for non-contagious
diseases.
Four Veterinary dispensaries remained closed temporarily
for short periods as no substitute could be arranged on account of
engagement of Reserve Veterinary Assistant Surgeons on epide-
mic duty.
7
VETERINARY HOSPITALS AND DISPENSARIES.
44. Table V shows the work of the three Government Vete-
rinary Hospitals in the province, viz., 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 6,094 against 5,862 of the previous year. The total number
of cases supplied with medicines for treatment of animals not
brought to the hospitals was 209 against 14 in the previous year.
A sum of Rs. 1,102-8-0 was realised as hospital receipts against
Rs. 1,217-12-0 of the previous year. This amount does not
include Rs. 230-0-0 received as cost of certain special treatment.
45. Gauhati Veterinary Hospital.—During the year under
report 65 in-patients and 1,913 out-patients making a total of
1,978 were treated against a total of 1,859 in the previous year.
Under the Cruelty to Animals Act 11 cruelty cases were treated
in the hospital against 20 cruelty cases in the previous year.
This hospital again showed the highest receipts.
46. Silchar Veterinary Hospital.—In this hospital 76 in-patients
and 2,203 out-patients making a total of 2,279 were treated
against 2,270 in the previous year. As in the previous year no
animal was presented in the hospital under the Cruelty to
Animals Act.
47. Shillong Veterinary Hospital.—In this hospital 119 in-
patients and 1,718 out-patients making a total of 1,837 were
treated against 1,733 in the previous year. Under the Cruelty
to Animals Act 15 cruelty cases were treated in the hospital
against 16 cruelty cases in the previous year.
PART III.—BREEDING OPERATIONS
48. Table VIII shows the number of stud bulls reported to
be serving in the province during the year.
There were 93 bulls at the beginning of the year and the
number at the close of the year was 115.
CATTLE FAIRS AND SHOWS.
49. Table XIV shows the number of cattle fairs and shows
held during the year under report as reported by the Deputy
Commissioners. Where possible a Veterinary stall was opened
and specimens, models, charts, diagrams, etc., of interest were
exhibited and lectures on the general welfare of cattle and pre-
vention of contagious diseases were given.
8
PART IV.—SUBORDINATE ESTABLISHMENT.
50. The total strength of the Subordinate Veterinary staff
of this province as it stood on the 31st March 1937 was 4 Veteri-
nary Inspectors, 1 Johne's Disease Officer (temporary) and 60
Veterinary Assistant Surgeons including 2 temporary Veterinary
Assistant Surgeons sanctioned for the work in connection with
Goat-Tissue virus inoculations. A post of Johne's Disease
Officer in the rank and scale of pay of Veterinary Inspector was
sanctioned during the year temporarily for two years with effect
from the 7th June 1936 in connection with Johne's disease work.
51. The Circles of the Veterinary Inspectors of this province
were readjusted and renamed with effect from the 1st March
1937 as follows :—
Veterinary Inspector, Surma Valley Circle, in charge of
the Veterinary Assistant Surgeons in the districts of
Sylhet, Cachar and the Lushai Hills with headquarters
at Silchar.
Veterinary Inspector, Upper Assam Circle, in charge of
the Veterinary Assistant Surgeons in the districts of
Lakhimpur, Sibsagar and the Sadiya Frontier Tract
with headquarters at Jorhat.
Veterinary Inspector, Central Assam Circle, in charge of
the Veterinary Assistant Surgeons at Goalpara, Gauhati,
Nowgong, Marigaon, Misa, Tezpur, Sootea, Behali,
Kohima and Shillong with headquarters at Gauhati.
Veterinary Inspector, Lower Assam Circle, in charge of
the Veterinary Assistant Surgeons at Tangla, Mangal-
dai, Nalbari, Patacharkuchi, Barpeta, Abhoyapuri,
Bilashipara, Dhubri, Sukchar and Tura with headquar-
ters at Dhubri.
52. A brief account of the work performed by the Veteri-
nary Inspectors is given below :—
(1) Babu Hem Chandra Sen, Veterinary Inspector, held
charge of the Surma Valley Circle throughout the year. He
was on tour for 204 days and travelled 2,537 miles by rail, 170
miles by steamer and 1,704 miles by road and boat. He visited
and revisited 122 villages and Tea Estates in connection with
the inspection of the work of the Veterinary Assistant Surgeons,
investigation of diseases, enquiry into the result of inoculations,
castrations etc. He had to visit Lushai Hills twice in connection
with the testing of the ponies of the 1st Assam Rifles and Civil
Transport for Glanders.
9
The following hospitals and dispensaries were inspected by
him :—The Veterinary Hospital at Silchar, the Veterinary
dispensaries at Silchar, Palonghat, Hailakandi, Karimganj,
Patharkandi, Kulaura, Maulvibazar, Shaistaganj, Habiganj
Sunamganj and Jagannathpur four times each, North Sylhet,
Local Board dispensary three times and the Veterinary dispen-
sary at Aijal twice. He also inspected the work of the Station-
ary Veterinary Assistant Surgeon, Sylhet Farm, twice. He
inspected the cattle of the Government Farms at Sylhet, Habiganj
and Karimganj and Jail dairy cattle at Sylhet and Silchar. He
also inspected the breeding bulls of the Municipal Boards at
Habiganj, Hailakandi and Karimganj. He attended the Agri-
cultural, Industrial and Health Exhibition at Habiganj, and
supervised the work of the Camp Veterinary Hospital opened at
Silchar in connection with Camp of Exercise of the Surma
Valley Light Horse.
(2) Maulavi Azizuddin Sarkar, Veterinary Inspector, held
charge of the Upper Assam Circle throughout the year. He was
on tour for 233 days and travelled 1,612 miles by rail and 4,566
miles by road and boat. He visited and revisited 358 villages
and Tea Estates in connection with inspection of the work of the
Veterinary Assistant Surgeons, investigation of epidemics, enquiry
into the result of inoculations, supervision of vaccination by Goat
Tissue Vaccine, etc. He inspected the following dispensaries :—
The dispensaries at Tinsukia and Jorhat 5 times each, Dibrugarh,
Sibsagar, Mariani and Golaghat 4 times each, North Lakhim-
pur, Nazira, Majuli and Badlipar thrice each and Sadiya and
Dhakuakhana once each. He visited the Goshalas at Nazira and
Dibrugarh and inspected the cattle of the Agricultural Farm at
Jorhat and Jail Dairy at Jorhat and Dibrugarh. He inspected
the stud bulls of the North Lakhimpur, Golaghat, Jorhat and
Sibsagar Local Boards and Government elephant at North
Lakhimpur.
(3) Babu Bhudhar Chandra Chatterjee as Veterinary Ins-
pector held charge of the Gauhati Circle No. II (now Central
Assam Circle) from the 1st April, 1936, to the 6th June 1936.
During this period he was on tour for 31 days and travelled 426
miles by rail and 178 miles by road, and visited 23 villages.
He visited the Gauripur Goshala and tested 12 cattle of the
Livestock Department and 5 local cattle with Avian Tuberculin.
He was appointed as Johne's Disease Officer, Assam, with
effect from the 7th June 1936 and worked as such up to the
end of the year. As Johne's Disease Officer he was on tour
for 176 days and travelled 3,632 miles by rail, 223 miles by
steamer and 1,287 miles by road and boat. He had to visit
10
several scattered localities all over the province in connection
with the Johne's disease work and carried out tests mainly in
different rural areas and also in the Government Farms which
however were mainly taken up by the Veterinary Investigation
Officer. In this connection he made six hundred and ninety-
seven tests. At headquarters he had to devote time in the
Laboratory when the Laboratory Veterinary Assistant Surgeon
alone could not cope with the work.
(4) Maulavi Fariduddin Ahmed, Officiating Veterinary Ins-
pector, held charge of the Gauhati Circle No. I from the 1st
April, 1936, to the 28th February, 1937, and Lower Assam Circle
from the 1st March, 1937, to the 31st March 1937. He was on
tour for 141 days and travelled 1,944 miles by rail, 454 miles
by steamer and 1,586 miles by road and boat. He visited and
revisited 140 villages and Tea Estates in connection with the
inspection of the work of the Veterinary Assistant Surgeons,
investigation of diseases, enquiry into the result of inoculations,
etc. He inspected the following hospital and dispensaries.
The dispensaries at Nalbari and Mangaldai four times each,
Gauhati, Tangla, Tezpur, Sootea, Behali, Nowgong, Misa,
Marigaon thrice each and hospital at Shillong and dispensaries
at Kohima, Patacharkuchi and Abhoyapuri once each. He
visited Habaipur Grazing Reserve and carried out Goat Tissue
Virus inoculation against Rinderpest. He visited the flood-
affected places in the Nowgong district in June 1936 and orga-
nised and supervised Veterinary relief work there. He attended
the cattle and Agricultural Exhibition held at Gauripur and
Agricultural and Industrial Mela at Kokrajhar. He inspected
the animals of the Gauhati Jail Dairy, Tezpur Jail Dairy, Tezpur
Mental Hospital Dairy and Nowgong Jail Dairy. He inspected
the Government breeding bulls at Nalbari, Mangaldai and
Palashbari.
(5) Babu Annada Mohan Das, Officiating Veterinary In-
spector, held charge of the Gauhati Circle No. II from the 7th
June, 1936, to the 28th February, 1937 and Central Assam Circle
from 1st to the 31st March 1937. He was on tour for 100 days
and travelled 1,784 miles by rail, 286 miles by steamer and
1,381 miles by road and boat. He visited and revisited 68
villages in connection with the inspection of work of the Veteri-
nary Assistant Surgeons, investigation of diseases, enquiry into
the result of inoculation etc. He inspected the following hospi-
tals and dispensaries :—The hospital at Gauhati and dispensaries
at Barpeta, Goalpara, Bilashipara and Dhubri four times each,
Abhoyapuri three times, Patacharkuchi and Sukchar twice each
and the hospital at Shillong once.
11
53. There were 8 Reserve Veterinary Assistant Surgeons
and 2 temporary Veterinary Assistant Surgeons during the year.
Their services were fully utilised in leave vacancies and in sup-
plementing district Veterinary Assistant Surgeons in combating
outbreaks of cattle diseases. In fact the demand of extra help
was so great and constant that it was not always possible to
meet it with the Reserve Officers at the disposal of this Depart-
ment. This again points to the necessity of increasing the
Veterinary Staff maintained by the Local Boards in this pro-
vince.
54. There were two Staff Veterinary Assistant Surgeons as
usual one with headquarters at Gauhati and one at Silchar.
Their services were particularly utilised for special work the
demand for which was great.
THE SCIENTIFIC AND OTHER IMPORTANT WORK
CARRIED OUT DURING THE YEAR.
55. The following scientific work of importance was dealt
with by this Department during the year under report besides
the ordinary professional work of routine nature :—
(1) Goat Tissue Virus inoculation as a protective against
Rinderpest in different topographical centres.
(2) Investigation into incidence of Johne's disease and
the value of mineral feed in Johne's disease was
continued. Detection of Johne's disease in goats
which was confirmed by the Imperial Veterinary
Research Institute, Muktesar; this is as far known
the first instance of the incidence of Johne's disease
in goats in India.
(3) Investigation into Grass poisoning of cattle.
(4) Further investigation on Stephano-filariasis in cattle.
(5) Further investigation on acute Amphistomiasis in
cattle.
(6) Further investigation on Kumri in horses and also its
relation to Osteoporosis.
(7) Theilariasis in cattle.
(8) Bovine Contagious Pleuro-Pneumonia.
(9) Contagious Bovine abortion.
(10) Ranikhet disease in fowls.
(11) Pyo-Pneumonia in calves.
(12) Chronic form of Rinderpest in cattle.
(13) A disease simulating Rinderpest in sheep.
12
PART V.—EXPENDITURE OF THE DEPARTMENT,
56. Table XIV(a) shows the expenditure of the Depart-
ment. The total expenditure during the year under report
was Rs. 1,83,894 including the expenditure incurred by the
Local Boards in connection with Veterinary Charges against
Rs. 1,83,097 in the preceding year. The sum of Rs. 8,795
shown under the head "Central" was incurred for the Veteri-
nary Investigation Officer, Assam, debitable to the grant of the
Imperial Council of Agricultural Research.
57. 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
......
Cattle Fairs and Shows ......
Total...
Rs.
...
60,662
12,064
659
200
73,585
a.
0
0
0
0
0
p.
0
0
0
0
0
PART V.—GENERAL REMARKS.
58. The department is glad to be able to present a report
of another year's useful work. It has not only maintained the
good work of the last year but made a considerable advance.
In fact the volume of service rendered and efficiency and
economy secured during the year under report is a land-mark
in the history of the Civil Veterinary Department, Assam.
Never in its history during the last thirty years professional
achievement culminated in such a substantial and permanent
economy nor such a voluminous service done. Thus there is
not only an increase in the number of animals treated and
emasculated over that of any of the previous years but an
unprecedented large number of animals had been protected
mainly against Rinderpest—the chief cattle plague in Assam.
The volume of service done has already outgrown the present
strength of the department and such a record service would
have never been possible but for the loyal service by the Vete-
rinary Assistant Surgeons and Veterinary Inspectors who form
the backbone of the department.
13
59. The department is now in a position to confirm its
report of the last year that the Goat Tissue Vaccine inoculation
in actual seat of epidemic of Rinderpest has now passed its
experimental stage in respect of plains cattle of Assam. It is
indeed a great relief to all concerned. The success of the
method solves a triangular problem—problem to the stock-
owners, to the department and to the Government. It gives a
lasting immunity to the stock to great benefit of the owners,
saves the department from the expensive but unavoidable
repetition of serum inoculation of transient protective value and
the Government Exchequer from the burden of purchasing more
costly serum in very large quantity. Epidemics of Rinderpest
were so bad and intensive this year that prophylactic treatment
of one lakh, fourteen thousand, six hundred and eight
animals against the disease had to be undertaken of which one
lakh, eleven thousand, eight hundred and fifty-nine were done
with the Goat Tissue Vaccine. But for the introduction and
success of the Goat Tissue Vaccine method of inoculation in
the actual seat of epidemics it would have been imperative for
the Government to purchase nearly twenty-two and half lakhs
C. C. of Anti-Rinderpest Serum at a cost of little over forty-two
thousand rupees as opposed to about nine hundred rupees spent
for the Goat Tissue Vaccine. In other words a net saving of
forty-one thousand rupees has been effected. The budget grant
of Rs. 18,000 provided to meet the cost not only of Rinderpest
Serum but for all kind of sera, vaccines and biological products
would have been far exceeded. The department has therefore
in these days of paucity of funds good reasons to feel gratified
that by virtue of this technical achievement instead of asking
for a heavy supplementary grant it was able to make a good
saving and surrendered Rs. 11,000 even after meeting unpro-
vided additional expenditure such as entertainment of the
Johne's Disease Officer and his establishment securing at the
same time better efficiency of service and a lasting and recurrent
economy amounting to several thousand rupees annually.
60. Another success of considerable importance is the
detection for the first time in this province of Contagious Abor-
tion in cattle and Doyles Disease in fowls. Contagious Bovine
Abortion though not fatal causes considerable economic loss
and has a distinct bearing on the Public Health. So its detec-
tion has a far-reaching value. As regards Doyles Disease it
may be said without any exaggeration that loss of poultry had
been so alarmingly heavy during the recent years that it has
become a problem to the veterinary profession and breeders
alike. The department can at least now claim to have been