Proceedings of the Hon'ble the Chief Commissioner and Agent to the Governor-General, North-West
Frontier Province,—No. 1147-Ag., dated 30th August 1916.
READ—
Report on the working of the Civil Veterinary Department for the year ending 31st March 1916.
1. REMARKS.—During the year the operations of the Department were
to some extent hampered by the lack of staff in the subordinate ranks. The
appointment of a separate Superintendent for the North-West Frontier Province,
which was sanctioned last year by the Secretary of State, also remained unfilled,
no suitable candidate being forthcoming in consequence of the War. Two
Veterinary Assistants were withdrawn for military service, one Assistant died
and another absconded, so the comparatively small establishment was short by
four men at the close of the year.
2. A much needed scheme of reorganization of the staff, involving little
extra cost, was, however, worked out, having for the object the abolition of the
posts of the District Itinerating Veterinary Assistants and an addition to the
number of the Inspectors' posts so as to reduce the size of these officers'
circles. The Itinerating subordinates in districts had proved a failure, while the
excessive inspection work and clerical duties thrown on the Inspectors had pre-
vented them from paying a proper amount of attention to their clinical duties.
Only partial effect was given to the scheme during the year in consequence of
the temporary want of personnel mentioned above, but the Chief Commissioner
is assured that its complete introduction will improve the quality of work in
the Department owing to the advancement of the prospects of the Veterinary
Assistants and the better distribution of work generally.
3. In the course of the year two students were deputed to the
Punjab Veterinary College from this Province, namely one from the Peshawar
District, in accordance with the system under which each district provides a
candidate in turn, and one extra man from the Bannu District. The Hazara
student, who was studying at the Veterinary College, passed the final test during
the year, and was appointed Veterinary Assistant in the Province.
4. Last year a considerable fall in the number of cases of contagious
diseases was accompanied by a rise in mortality. During the year under report,
though the cases rose from 14,134 to 22,144, it is noticeable that the number of
fatalities declined from 1,971 to 1,840, pointing to a marked decrease in the
virulence of the epidemics. Special measures to combat the spread of
glanders, lymphangitis epizootica and surra were given careful consideration,
including the issue of a rule prescribing the periodical examination every three
months by Veterinary Assistants of the horses of carriages licensed under the
Stage Carriage Act. The introduction of this rule, however, was abandoned,
as District Officers considered that it would be an inconvenient and unpopular
regulation. Action in this direction, therefore, was limited to the issue of
Departmental orders on the necessity of regular inspections by Veterinary Assist-
ants, and it is to be hoped that these will have the desired effect. The re-
organization of the Veterinary Department, which will involve the posting of an
Inspector with powers under Section 4 of the Glanders and Farcy Act to each
district, should also result in more satisfactory departmental arrangements for
the supervision of such horses and the earlier destruction of those which are
diseased. Apart from the above action, an endeavour was made to secure some
more willing co-operation on the part of the people in their own interests, as the
rates of compensation to be granted for animals suffering from glanders and
other contagious diseases were enhanced, which may make owners less anxious
to conceal cases of disease.
5. Another question which received consideration in connection with
the present system of reporting outbreaks of diseases among animals was the
relative responsibility of the Lambardar and Patwari for these reports. At
present the Lambardar reports to the Patwari, and the latter sends on the report
to the Tahsil Veterinary Assistant on a printed postcard. It has been proposed
by the Superintendent that the Lambardar should be required to report personal-
ly at the tahsil, but it appears undesirable to throw this further burden on the