(2)
time of an outbreak of any disease whether contagious or non-contagious, and
as regards the measures which should be adopted to check the further spread
of disease amongst equines or bovines, etc., etc. Such propaganda work will,
it is hoped, bear good results.
The work done by the staffs at Veterinary Hospitals as well as on tour
was checked.
As usual, during the course of his tours, the Superintendent interviewed
the Revenue Commissioner, Deputy Commissioners, Political Agents and other
District Officers and leading Zamindars regarding matters of veterinary
interest.
The Superintendent acted as a Member of the Judging Committee at the
Peshawar Horse Show and Cattle Fair. The Kohat, Haripur and Bannu Horse
Shows and Cattle Fairs were not held during the year under report. The
Superintendent was unable to attend the Dera Ismail Khan Horse Show and
Cattle Fair on account of his absence at Pusa (Bihar) to attend the meeting of
the Board of Agriculture. A report on the Peshawar Fair was sent to the
Deputy Commissioner as usual.
One Arab stallion was purchased from Bombay for the Bannu District
Board and one for Parachinar, Kurram Agency. Two donkey stallions were
also selected and purchased from Hissar for the Bannu District".
Five buffalo-bulls were purchased for the Bannu District, while 2
Dhanni bulls were purchased from the Dhanni tract for the Dera Ismail Khan
District Board. Also 3 more buffalo-bulls for Hazara and 7 for the
Peshawar District.
The Superintendent attended the meeting of the Board of Agriculture
held at Pusa in the month of February. Among other veterinary matters
discussed, the subject of cattle-breeding was an important item.
PART II.—TREATMENT OF DISEASES.
SECTION 1.— CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.
Mortality.—Table V.
5. During the year under report 10,660 cases of contagious diseases
were reported, of which 3,106 proved
fatal as against 4,332 cases and 1,067
deaths last year. Like the last year, most of these deaths were due to Rinderpest
and Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia, and many animals would have been saved had
Patwaris sent in reports of outbreaks at once. With a view to ensuring that
Patwaris shall be more prompt in sending in reports of outbreaks of contagious
diseases to the nearest Veterinary Hospital it is suggested that a reward be
given to men who display promptness in the matter of sending in reports. The
Punjab Government has recently sanctioned a sum of Rs. 6,000 to be spent in
this manner, and similar action in the North-West Frontier Province would, no
doubt, have beneficial results towards the check and cure of contagious diseases.
Legislation to prevent the movement of diseased cattle is urgently
necessary. There is at present no law which restricts such movement of diseased
cattle. In framing such law, the difficulties which Government might have
to face from certain classes of men, whose work is nothing but to agitate, is
fully realized, but surely it is time that certain regulations were made to
prevent cattle suffering from contagious diseases from being taken to healthy
areas and thus spreading disease.
No cattle from outside the Province should be allowed to enter the
North-West Frontier Province unless it is first certified by the Veterinary
Officer in charge of the circle that there is no contagious disease existing in the
area from which the animals come and vice versâ. Even then there should be
quarantine restrictions or, what one might call, detention camps.
When disease appears in any district or tahsil it should be notified
officially in the Government Gazette and notices put up in different places in
the town or city for information of those concerned, prohibiting the movement
of animals to or from an infected place or area.