Proceedings of the Hon'ble the Chief Commissioner and Agent to the Governor-General, North-West Frontier
Province, No. 3475, dated 24th August 1906.
READ—
The Report on the working of the Provincial Civil Veterinary Department for the year
ending 31st March 1906.
REMARKS.—Captain Walker held charge of the Civil Veterinary Admin-
istration of the Province throughout the year, and made two extended tours
in connection with the supply of stallions to the non-selected districts and the
conditions of sheep and cattle breeding in Hazara. He also attended the Shows
at Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan.
2. Each of the five districts have now deputed a student to the Lahore
Veterinary College with an endowed scholarship, and it is under contemplation
to propose the despatch of more students next April.
3. There is a marked increase in the mortality from contagious diseases,
outbreaks being reported from all the districts with the exception of Dera
Ismail Khan. Last year, however, was exceptionally healthy, and there is no
doubt but that the special instructions issued in August 1905 resulted in infor-
mation of outbreaks being given by the subordinate Revenue staff to the local
Veterinary Assistants in more cases than was formerly the practice. Lambardars
were made to understand their responsibilities in the matter of reporting the
occurrence of any epidemic disease to the Patwaris, and the necessity for
giving early information of any outbreak was impressed upon all concerned.
There were two cases of glanders during the year. Rinderpest occurred
in Peshawar, Bannu and the Kurram Valley, but there was only one outbreak
of foot-and-mouth disease. In two districts hæmorrhagic septicæmia occur-
red, and black-quarter was reported in Bannu and Hazara, while outbreaks of
anthrax were brought to notice in Peshawar and Hazara. Inoculations against
rinderpest were performed on a large scale, and the popularity of this method
of combating the disease is matter for congratulation. The results of future
inoculation against black-quarter will be watched with interest.
No cases of surra or dourine occurred. Surra and lymphangitis
epizootica were scheduled as diseases under Act XIII of 1899 in the canton-
ment and municipal limits of Peshawar at the close of the year, and rules have
since been notified under Section 14 of the Act for dealing with these diseases.
4. The increase in the work performed by the itinerating Veterinary
Assistants, especially in the Peshawar District, is most satisfactory, and the
Chief Commissioner is glad to learn that these officials have now been properly
equipped with medicines and instruments by the various District Boards, but
the number of Veterinary Assistants is still inadequate for the full require-
ments of the Province, and it is hoped that the standard arrived at, namely one
Assistant for each tahsil, will be shortly reached.
5. The popularity and the success of Veterinary hospitals and dispen-
saries are now placed beyond doubt, and six new dispensaries were opened during
the year. The Chief Commissioner notes with satisfaction that the Local Boards
have responded liberally to the Superintendent's requests for adequate funds to
enable these institutions to be placed on a sound footing, and he trusts that they
will similarly provide funds where necessary for the construction of better
accommodation or of new dispensaries at outlying tahsils in accordance with
the Superintendent's suggestions. It is understood that the question of con-
structing a new hospital at Peshawar is engaging the attention of the Deputy
Commissioner and that funds have been provided for the hospital at Bannu.
6. The provision of stud bulls has not progressed during the year,
and, as pointed out by the Superintendent, the number employed in the
Province—six only—is totally inadequate to requirements. Difficulties, how-
ever, exist both in the matter of funds and also as to the source of supply.