( 4 )
The equine population in the six glanders districts has been estimated at
10,985. Two thousand nine hundred and twenty-four stables were inspected;
glanders was detected in 58.
The total number of horses admitted into the Contagious Diseases Hospital
was 120. Of these, 72 were fully developed cases of glanders, 3 proved to
be cases of Epizootic Lymphangitis, 2, which died in the hospital, were found to
be suffering from other diseases not coming under the Act, 35 were discharged
as free from glanders and eight were under observation.
From April to October, during which period the Remount Dep6t remained
closed, 1,400 horses were inspected by the glanders staff on boardship in the
Hooghly and none showed clinical symptions of the disease.
Anti-rinderpest inoculation in Calcutta has been added to the work of the
glanders staff.
13. The Public Works Department work on the college buildings.—During
the year under report no new work has been started. Only those works which
were commenced at the end of last year have been completed.
They
are:—(1) New Hostel for 156 students, (2) Post-mortem room, (3) Hospital
Surgeon's quarters, (4) Quarters for married and unmarried overseers,
(5) Filling in of a tank, and (6) Extension of the laboratory with a room for
photo-micrography and a dark room. I am given to understand that little or
no money at all will be available next year for college improvements.
14. Table I shows the main results of the college during the year.
II.—TREATMENT OF DISEASES.
15. (1) Contagious Diseases, etc.—Table II shows the number of deaths
from contagious diseases amongst animals during the year under report.
(a) Equines.—There were 259 deaths from glanders and farcy reported
by District Officers. A serious outbreak occurred in Champaran, affecting the
stables of two planters. It was fortunately stamped out before it had spread
further. A number of the horses of the Motihari troops, Bihar Light Horse,
likely to be in contact with the affected animals, were tested with mallein, and
found free from the disease. Altogether seven horses were destroyed during
the outbreak, and for these, compensation will be given by Government. The
proposal to extend the Glanders and Farcy Act to the whole of Bengal, and
to grant compensation for animals destroyed is under the consideration of
Government. No cases of surra were reported from the districts.
(b) Bovines.—Rinderpest and foot-and-mouth diseases were the principal
contagious diseases reported. Outbreaks of the former occurred in the districts
of Darjeeling, Hooghly, Sonthal Parganas, 24-Parganas, Angul, Burdwan,
Saran, Muzaffarpur, Hazaribagh and Bambalpur. Temporary veterinary aid
was given by deputing Staff Veterinary Assistants to inoculate cattle with
serum, and to give advice as to the preventive measures to be adopted.
Timely and reliable information of the existence of outbreaks is still
difficult to obtain, but with the advent of two Veterinary Assistants in each
subdivision and the co-operation of members of the Agricultural Associations,
much may be done to lessen the mortality and the number of outbreaks.
(c) Preventive inoculations.—Table III shows the result of preventive
inoculation from contagious diseases. The cultivators of North Bhagalpur
are still objecting to the use of serum to any extent. The Inspector-General,
Civil Veterinary Department, has given sanction to the Provincial Super-
intendents, to use their discretion, as to the amount of serum to be injected
during each outbreak. This is important and should lead to excellent
results.
Eight Veterinary Assistants were trained at Muktessar and Bareilly in
inoculation methods by the Imperial Bacteriologist.
16. (2) Other Diseases.—Table IV gives the number of animals treated
and castrated by Veterinary Assistants on tour during the year. This shows
an increase of 20,685 cases over the previous year which is satisfactory.
17. (3) Tables V and VI show the working of hospitals and dispensaries.
One dispensary at Arrah was opened and two at Chapra and Bhagalpur are
under construction, and should be ready early next year. The donor of the
latter, Babu Ramoni Mohun Singh, deserves praise for his public spirit. The
hospital has been equipped with every surgical apparatus and has cost over