NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
9
48 In view of the large number of valuable pedigree stock
that is maintained in each Government Cattle Farm and constant
sickness amongst them it is desirable that the Live-stock Branch
of the Agricultural Department should have at least one Vete-
rinary Officer in each farm under professional control of the
Civil Veterinary Department, Assam.
CATTLE FAIRS AND SHOWS.
49. Table XIV shows the number of cattle fairs and shows
held during the year. There were nothing of much importance
to note in these fairs. In one place a Veterinary stall was
opened by a Veterinary Inspector with the assistance of local
Veterinary Assistant Surgeons where lectures on cattle welfare
were given, Veterinary pamphlets were distributed and demon-
strations with Magic Lanterns were made on various points
relating to cattle diseases and their prevention, etc. The people
showed much interest in these affairs which indicates the useful-
ness of such functions.
PART IV.—SUBORDINATE ESTABLISHMENT.
50. Table VII shows the strength of the subordinate Veteri-
nary staff of this province as it stood on the 31st March 1931.
There were four Veterinary Inspectors and fifty-seven Veterinary
Assistant Surgeons at the close of the year. One Veterinary
Assistant Surgeon died during the year and his place was filled up
by appointment of an unemployed graduate of the Bengal Veteri-
nary College who was a stipendiary of this province.
51. The Local Government sanctioned temporarily the with-
drawal of the two Veterinary Assistant Surgeons lent to the
North Sylhet Local Board with effect fro:n the 1st November
1933 as the Board pressed for their withdrawal for the sake of
economy in Board's expenditure. In place of the two Govern-
ment Veterinary Assistant Surgeons withdrawn, the Board
appointed a Veterinary Assistant Surgeon of their own with
effect from the 1st November 1933. The two Veterinary Assis-
tant Surgeons withdrawn from the North Sylhet Local Board
were, however, appointed in the two new posts of Reserve
Veterinary Assistant Surgeons temporarily sanctioned for work
in connection with the virus alone method of inoculation against
Rinderpest with effect from the 1st November 1933.
62. A brief account of the work performed by the Veteri-
nary Inspectors is given below:—
(1) Maulavi Azizuddin Sarkar, Veterinary Inspector, held
charge of the Dibrugarh Circle with his headquarters at Dibru-
garn throughout the year. He was on tour for 210 days and
10
travelled 3,864 miles by rail, 126 miles by steamer and 2,491
miles by road and boat. He visited and re-visited 384 villages
and tea estates in connection with inspection of the work of
the Veterinary Assistant Surgeons, investigation of diseases,
demonstration of castrations, enquiry into the results of inocula-
tion, castration, treatment of cases, etc. He inspected the
following dispensaries :—The dispensaries at Dibrugarh, Tinsukia,
Mariani, Majuli, Golaghat, Badlipar and North Lakhimpur 4
times each, Sibsagar, Nazira and Sadiya 3 times each, Dhakua-
khana twice and Jorhat 5 times. He visited the Goshalas at
Nazira and Dibrugarh, the jail cattle at Dibrugarh and Jorhat
and the Government Agricultural Farm at Jorhat in connection
with investigation of diseases and advised treatment of cases.
He also inspected the transport bullocks of the 2nd Assam
Rifles at Sadiya and the stud bulls of the Political Department,
Sadiya, Sibsagar Local Board, Jorhat Municipality, Dibrugarh
and Jorhat Jails and the Goshalas at Nazira and Dibrugarh, and
advised treatment in these cases. Under his supervision 36
cattle at Jorhat Agricultural Farm and 438 cattle and 6
buffaloes at Sangsua Tea Estate were vaccinated against Rinder-
pest by the virus alone method.
(2) Rai Sahib Srish Chandra Ghose, Veterinary Inspector,
held charge of the Gauhati Circle No. I, with headquarters at
Gauhati from the 21st July 1933 to the 1st January 1934 and
from the 23rd January 1934 to the end of the year. He was
under Post Graduate Training at the Imperial Institute of
Veterinary Research, Muktesar, from the 1st April 1983 to the
20th July 1933 including journeys and was on leave from the
2nd January 1934 to the 22nd January 1934. On both the
periods this circle remained in charge of the Veterinary Inspector,
Gauhati Circle No. II in addition to his own duties. Rai Sahib
Srish Chandra Ghose was on tour for 108 days and travelled 3,468
miles by rail (including the journey to and from Muktesar), 326
miles by steamer and 1,542 miles by road. He visited and re-
visited 73 villages in connection with the inspection of the work
of the Veterinary Assistant Surgeons, investigation of diseases, etc.
He visited the following Veterinary dispensaries and hospitals:—
The hospital at Shillong and the dispensaries at Gauhati, Nowgong
and Misa thrice each, Nalbari, Tangla, Mangaldai, Tezpur, Sootea
and Behali twice each. He visited the Upper Shillong Govern-
ment Farm, the Government cattle Farm at Khanapara and the
Dairy Cattle in Nowgong Jail. He attended the inoculations of
52 cattle against Rinderpest by the Serum Simnltaneous method
and 501 cattle by the virus alone method in his circle.
11
Babu Bhudkar Chandra Chatterjee, Officiating Veterinary
Inspector, Gauhati Circle No. II, while in charge of Gauhati Circle
No. I in addition to his own duties visited Nowgong and Misa in
connection with outbreaks of Surra and Rinderpest.
Babu Hem Chandra Sen, Veterinary Inspector, held charge
of the Gauhati Circle No I, from the 1st to the 3rd April 1933,
and visited Khanapara Farm twice in testing some cases for
Johne's disease.
(3) Babu Hem Chandra Sen, Veterinary Inspector, held
charge of the Silchar Circle with headquarters at Silchar through-
out the year except the period from 1st to 6th April 1933 when
the circle was without an Inspector. He was on tour for 191
days and travelled 3,179 miles by rail, 416 miles by steamer and
1,603 miles by road and boat. He visited and re-visited 128
villages in connection with the inspection of the work of the
Veterinary Assistant Surgeons, investigation of diseases and
enquiry into thf3 results of inoculation, castrations, etc. He
inspected the following hospital and dispensaries:—The hospital
at Silchar and the dispensaries at Palonghat, Silchar, Hailakandi,
Karimganj, Patharkandi, Sunamganj, Kulaura, Maulvibazar,
Habiganj and Shaistaganj four times each, Jagannathpur and
Sylhet thrice each. He visited the Sylhet cattle Breeding Farm,
the Karimganj Agricultural Farm the Dairy cattle in the Silchar
Jail, the breeding bulls of the Agricultural Department at
Mansurnagar and Chiknagool Tea Estates, the breeding bulls
of the Habiganj Municipality and the Government elephant of
the Subdivisional Officer, Sunamganj and advised treatment
where necessary. He attended the Cattle show organised in con-
nection with the Agricultural Exhibition at Sunamganj and the
Health Exhibition at Sylhet and the Cattle Fair at Katigora. He
also attended the Camp Hospital opened in connection with the
annual camp of exercise of the Surma Valley Light Horse at
Silchar. He gave a magic lantern demonstration at the Sun-
amganj Exhibition. In his circle 1,792 animals were vaccinated
against Rinderpest by the virus alone method during the year in
which he could supervise the work in a few places.
(4) Babu Bhudhar Chandra Chatterjee, Officiating Veterinary
Inspector, held charge of the Gauhati Circle No. II, with
headquarters at Gauhati throughout the year. He was on tour for
110 days and travelled 1,266 miles by rail, 196 miles by
steamer and 1,831 miles by road and boat. He visited and
re-visited 102 villages in connection with the inspection of the
work of the Veterinary Assistant Surgeons, investigation of diseases,
enquiry into the results of inoculations, castrations, etc. He ins-
pected the following hospital and dispensaries :— The hospital at
12
Gauhati and the dispensaries at Goalpara, Bilashipara and Dhubri
four times each, Patacharkuchi and Sukchar thrice each, and Bar-
peta and Abhoyapuri twice each. He visited the Khanapara
Agricultural Farm and carried out testing of the cattle for Johne's
disease. He inspected and supervised the work of the Staff
Veterinary Assistant Surgeon and the Reserve Veterinary Assistant
Surgeons at Gauhati. While at headquarters he worked in the
Laboratory and imparted necessary instructions to the Reserve
Veterinary Assistant Surgeons about their work.
53. The number of Reserve Veterinary Assistant Surgeons
was increased temporarily during the year from 10 to 12.
1 wo posts were sanctioned temporarily with effect from the 1st
November 1933 for work in connection with the virus alone
method of inoculation against Rinderpest. Two Reserve Veter-
inary Assistant Surgeons were as usual employed in charge of
the two hospitals at Gauhati and Silchar and the rest were em-
ployed on leave vacancies and on deputation to supplement the
local staff during outbreaks of cattle disease.
54. The number of Staff Veterinary Assistant Surgeons em-
ployed during the year was 2 as in the previous year, with head-
quarters at Silchar and Gauhati.
55. The names of the following Veterinary Assistant Sur-
geons are noted for their good and steady work : —
(1) Maulavi Dewan Faizuddin Ahmed, Staff Veterinary
Assistant Surgeon, Silchar.
(2) U Nobindro, Staff Veterinary Assistant Surgeon,
Gauhati.
(3) Babu Narendro Nath Basu, Veterinary Assistant
Surgeon, Nalbari.
(4) Babu Annada Mohan Das, Reserve Veteriuary Assis-
tant Surgeon, Silchar.
(5) Babu Manraatha Nath Ghose, Veterinary Assistant
Surgeon, Dibrugarh.
(6) Babu Chinta Haran Das, Veterinary Assistant Surgeon,
Dhubri.
(7) Srijut Sarbeswar Deka, Veterinary Assistant Surgeon,
Jorhat.
(8) Maulavi Sejidur Reza Laskar, Veterinary Assistant
Surgeon, Shaistaganj.
13
(9) Babu Abani Kanta Dutta, Reserve Veterinary Assis-
tant Surgeon, Silchar.
(10) Babu Lalit Mohan Das Gupta, Veterinary Assistant
Surgeon, Sootea.
(11) Srijut Joy Ram Borcloloi, Veterinary Assistant Sur-
geon, Tangla.
(12) Maulavi Fariduddin Ahmed, Veterinary Assistant
Surgeon, Tinsukia.
(18) Babu Debendra Nath Chatterjee, Veterinary Assistant
Surgeon, Kulaura.
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. 1,69,281 including the expenditure incurred
by the Local Boards in connection with Veterinary charges
against Rs. 1,73,737 in the previous year. The sum of Rs. 4,714
shown under head "Central" was incurred for the Veterinary
Investigation Officer, Assam, debitable to the grant of the
Imperial Council of Agricultural Research, against a grant of
Rs. 6,204.
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
...
...
...
...
...
..
...
...
...
...
Rs. a p.
64,597 0 0
10,408 0 0
574 0 0
500 0 0
The sum of Rs. 574 spent under breeding operations was
spent by the Sibsagar, Jorhat and Goalpara Local Boards, and
the sum of Rs. 500 spent under cattle fairs and shows was spent
by the Dhubri Local Board.
PART V.—GENERAL REMARKS.
58. The general progress in professional work was continued
and the standard well maintained. The Department expanded
its activities in new investigations and better methods of pro-
tection of cattle against Rinderpest. The increased activities of
the department in different spheres during this one year indicate
well how the scope of the department can be expanded.
14
59. An adequate supply of serum was received from the
Imperial Institute of Veterinary Research, Muktesar.
The following table shows the doses of the various sera
received during the year under report and previous years : —
Serum.
1
Anti-Rinderpest ... ...
Anti-Anthrax ... ...
Anti-Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia
Black quarter ... ...
1933-34.
2
1,11,750
6,000
...
200
1932-38.
3
93,050
...
2,000
...
1031-St.
4
62,000
3,000
2,000
...
1930-31.
6
1,50,000
2,000
...
...
192930.
6
1,50,000
3,000
5,000
...
60. 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 ... ...
1933-34.
2
173
126
86
143
1932-33.
3
390
142
72
161
1931-32.
4
240
145
94
217
1930-31.
5
189
193
115
158
My remarks of last year on cruelty cases still hold good.
The number though less does not say that the cruelty inflicted
on the animals has in any way decreased. This is however a
matter for the executive authorities to deal with to bring the
culprits to book and to send the cases for treatment to this depart-
ment.
61. During the year under report the Veterinary Assistant
Surgeons observed 500 cases of suspected poisoning amongst
cattle, of which 496 died. Shaistaganj circle showed the largest
number, viz., 224, then came in Nalbari and Maulvibazar with
160 and 50 respectively, of which all died. The poisoning of
cattle which has been observed since a long time, depended on
the relative value of the hides and to a less extent of bones.
There are some selected areas in the province where the nefarious
activity is mostly confined. The persons responsible for this
15
practice sometimes take the advantage of epidemic as was noticed
in Nalbari Circle during the year under report. In the previous
year there were 549 cases of suspected poisoning amongst cattle
of which 455 died. The largest number was 203 in Habiganj,
Goalpara, Shaistnganj and Maulvibazar came next with 150,
120 and 38 cases respectively of which the number of death
reported was 153 in Habiganj, 120 in Goalpara, 120 in Shais-
taganj and 30 in Maulvibazar.
62. During the year under report 1 cow and 36 dogs were
treated successfully with anti-rabic vaccine obtained from the
Pasteur Institute, Shillong. In the previous year 2 horses,
2 bullocks and 89 dogs were treated successfully. This treatment
has found a check owing to the following two reasons, viz ,
(1) so long a great number of dogs used to be treated but lately
the Pasteur Institute, Shillong, has suggested destruction of dogs
bitten by rabid dogs and (2) the price of vaccine for cattle is
prohibitive and the cattle owners with all their intention to
have their animals treated cannot afford to pay the cost of
the vaccine specially because the value of cattle has since fallen
greatly. Unless the vaccine is supplied free to the indigent
owners they will be deprived of the benefit obtainable by this
treatment.
63. The most prominent feature of the Department was the
expansion of the work in the virus alone method of inoculation
against Rinderpest. In the previous year this method was tried
as an experimental measure on a small number of animals in the
Government Farms and in a Tea garden, and the efficacy of the
method so far obtained induced the Government to sanction a
special staff of two Reserve Veterinary Assistant Surgeons
temporarily for one year for the purpose with effect from the 1st
November 1933. With this increased facility the Department
was able to carry out inoculation of 2,773 animals by this method.
It is interesting to note that the result so far obtained is so
promising that the public has already begun to appreciate this
method and the demand was greater than what could be met
with the staff available for the purpose. This indicates as noted
in my report for the year 1932-33 that a separate permanent staff
exclusively for this purpose is an impending necessity. Pending
the creation of this staff the temporary staff as sanctioned by the
Government for one year, I think, shall have to be maintained
still further. Since the close of the year a further advance has
been made in the matter by obtaining a modified Rinderpest
virus locally from affected cattle in a natural outbreak. The
result so far obtained is encouraging and the experiment deserves
further trial.
16
A. scheme for further investigation of efficacy of the virus
alone method of inoculation against Rinderpest on different
breeds of cattle under different environments and conditions was
submitted to the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research.
The Advisory Board of the Council has in its last meeting
acknowledged the importance of this scheme as an All-India
problem and provisionally accepted the scheme, which provides
for the entertainment of four Veterinary Assistant Surgeons for
the purpose to work under the Veterinary Investigation Officer
for three years.
64. The treatment of Surra cases increased considerably. It
is gratifying to note that the public has learnt to appreciate the
curative treatment of Surra so well that many of them agree to
get their ponies treated on advance payment of the cost of
medicine.
65. The treatment of Anthrax cases with arsenic was conti-
nued. Besides this, Anthrax and Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia
cases were also treated with camphor with excellent results.
The treatment with this drug gives a good facility to the cattle
owners as the medicine is available almost everywhere and the
administration is so easy that it can be carried out by the owners
themselves.
66. As reported last year Johne's disease was first detected
in Assam in 1932 in the Government Cattle Farm at Khanapara.
During the year under report more cases were found at the
Khanapara Farm as well as amongst the animals in the Jorhat
Government Cattle Farm and in Nowgong Jail Dairy, where
these animals were caused to migrate from the Khanapara Farm.
It is therefore evident that the Khanapara Farm has become a
nucleus for the disease. The Veterinary Investigation Officer has
been entrusted with further investigation on this disease with
special reference to indigenous cattle, among which so far no
case has been detected.
67. This province offers an excellent field for investigation
into diseases of animals of various kinds specially of parasitic
origin, but so long the Department was handicapped for want of
adequate staff. It is however gratifying to note that a Veterinary
Investigation Officer has been appointed for this province for this
purpose and he has taken up his work since November 1933.
68. It is regrettable to note that at a time when the Depart-
ment has gained much popularity and the demands for service
and its appreciation are greater than ever the North Sylhet Local
Board owing to their adverse financial condition had to suspend
the entertainment of the two Government Veterinary Assistant
17
Surgeons placed under them and appointed a Veterinary Assis-
tant Surgeon of their own. While two Veterinary Assistant
Surgeons were not sufficient for the subdivision covering an
unwieldy jurisdiction with seven thanas where the numerical
strength of live-stock was over 2,00,000, the measure taken by
the Board was undoubtedly a retrograde step, as was apparent
from the complaints received from the rate payers. The result
of this economy in the Board's expenditure will continue to be
a matter of considerable inconvenience and loss to the poor cattle
owners of the Subdivision. The earlier the number of Veterinary
Assistant Surgeons is increased by the Board the better for their
rate payers. It is however gratifying to note that three more
Local Boards have decided to entertain a third Veterinary Assis-
tant Surgeon under each of them ; of these one Board has already
employed a third Veterinary Assistant Surgeon after the close
of the year under report and the other two Boards would give
effect to their decision as soon as funds would permit. Haila-
kandi Local Board still continued to maintain only one Veteri-
nary Assistant Surgeon, while complaints were received from the
cattle owners about the insufficiency of staff.
09. The campaign of castration of weedy bulls was conti-
nued during the year. The total number of castrations rose to
23 873 from 21,272 in the previous year. This shows the grow-
ing popularity of the operation amongst the mass. As this is a
measure towards improvement of live stock of the province
the work would gradually shift to the Live stock Department,
which it is understood has commenced it. This arrangement will
afford the Veterinary Assistant Surgeons of the Department
more time for the treatment of the sick and other departmental
work of scientific interest. To secure the best results it is
desirable that necessary measure be taken for sterilising weedy
bulls before they get matured and for placing good bulls amongst
the herd.
70. The work of all the Veterinary Inspectors was carried
out satisfactorily. This year also due to economy in expenditure
the full number of inspections could not be carried out on all the
dispensaries and hospitals. As a recognition of his good work
Babu Srish Chandra Ghose, Veterinary Inspector, had conferred
upon him the well merited title of Rai Sahib during the year
Under report.
71. During the year under report the Hon'ble the Minister
of Education visited the Veterinary Dispensary at Nalbari.
18
72. Office staff.—Even with the increased volume of work
the staff carried out their duties satisfactorily under the direction
of the Head Clerk Maulavi Muhammad Eunus.
73. The Department wishes to thank the district officers,
Chairmen and members of the Local Boards and private gentle-
men who have taken an interest in Veterinary work and the
general welfare of cattle. It wishes that the people in general
should learn to pay more attention for their live stock which is
the main stay of the agricultural people of the province both for
improvement of the breed as well as for their health.
G. P. SEN,
Officiating Superintendent,
Civil Veterinary Department, Assam.
TABLE
II
19
TABLE II
Showing number of deaths from contagions diseases amongst animals during the year 1933-34.
Province.
1
Cachar ... ... ...
Sylhet ... ... ...
Khasi and Jaintia Hills ... ...
Lushai Hills ... ... ...
Goalpara ... ... ...
Kamrap* ... ... ...
Darrang ... ... ...
Nowgong ... ... ...
Sibsagar ... ... ...
Lakhimpur* ... ... ...
Garo Hills ... ... ...
Naga Hills ... ... ...
Sadiya Frontier Tract
...
...
Total ...
Equines.
Glanders.
2
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Anthrax.
3
2
8
...
...
...
...
5
...
10
...
...
...
...
25
Surra.
4
...
34
...
...
...
...
11
4
3
...
...
...
...
52
Dourine.
5
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Other contagions
diseases.
6
...
...
...
...
3
...
21
...
82
...
...
...
...
106
Total.
7
2
42
...
...
3
...
37
4
95
...
...
...
...
183
Bovines.
Rinderpest.
8
149
3,577
168
...
278
1,497
888
937
2,947
1,563
39
...
641
12,584
Foot-and-
mouth
disease.
9
...
67
40
...
740
60
254
...
337
...
1
...
...
1,499
Hæmorrhagic
Septicæmia.
10
74
503
...
...
125
110
93
...
253
...
55
...
...
1,213
Black quarter.
11
...
...
...
...
...
...
17
...
...
...
...
...
...
17
Anthrax.
12
134
336
...
...
75
90
98
90
281
15
...
...
...
1,119
*The figures against these districts are incomplete as reports from the Deputy Commissioners were not received.
20
Province.
1
Cachar ... ... ...
Sylhet ... ... ...
Khasi and Jaintia Hills ...
Lashai Hills ... ...
Goalpara
Kamrup*
Darrang ... ...
Nowgong ... ...
Sibsagar ... ...
Lakhimpur* ... ...
Garo Hills ... ...
Naga Hills ... ...
Sadiya Frontier Tract ...
Total ...
Bovines—concld.
Other contagious
diseases.
13
61
20
...
...
280
58
307
... 695
...
...
...
...
1,421
Total.
14
418
4,503
208
...
1,498
1,815
1,657
1,027
4,513
1,578
95
...
541
17,853
Other animals.
Rinderpest.
15
...
... 10
...
100
50
38
... 198
...
...
...
...
396
Foot-and-mouth
disease.
16
...
...
...
2
88
...
84
... 155
...
...
...
...
329
Hæmorrhagic
Septicæmia.
17
...
...
...
5
28
87
66
... 128
...
...
...
...
314
Black
quarter.
18
...
...
...
... ...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Anthrax.
19
... 15
...
...
10
...
...
... 17
...
...
...
...
42
Distemper.
20
...
22
10
... 20
...
90
... 37
...
...
...
...
179
Babies.
21
...
10 40
...
10
12
19
7
40
...
...
...
...
138
Other
contagious
diseases.
22
...
21 300
...
126
...
74
... 69
...
...
...
...
590
Total.
23
...
68
360
7
382
149
371
7 644
...
...
...
...
1,988
Grand
total.
24
420
4,613 568
7
1,883 1,964
2,065 1,038
5,252 1,578
95
...
541
20,024
*The figures against those districts are incomplete as reports from the Deputy Commissioners were not received.