NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
137
Tuberculosis.—Fifteen bovines at Dhonavur of Nangu-
neri taluk were tested with tuberculin by subcutaneous method
and ten among them were tested again by double intradermal
method. The animals proved negative to tuberculosis.
Bovine lymphangitis.—Eleven bovines were treated with
bovine lymphangitis vaccine—four by the Touring Veterinary
Assistant Surgeon, Periyakulam, six at the Veterinary Dis-
pensary, Periyakulam, and one at the Veterinary Hospital,
Veerakeralampudur—obtained from the Madras Veterinary
College. All of them were cured as a result of the treatment.
Nasal granuloma.—Six cases were treated at the Veteri-
nary Dispensary, Periyakulam, with injections of antimonium
tartaratum.
Demodex folliculorum.—Two dogs which were suffering
from follicular mange were treated successfully at the Veteri-
nary Dispensary, Virudhunagar, and cured with the applica-
tion of lotio-calcii sulphuris and injection of sodium cacodylate.
Trypanosomiasis.—A case of surra in a horse was confirm-
ed microscopically and the same was destroyed under the
Glanders and Farcy Act. Compensation was paid to the
owner towards the loss of the animal.
Other contagious diseases.—Of the four reports received,
one was glanders and another pseudo-fowl pest. In one of
the remaining two outbreaks attended, the disease subsided
before attendance and the other was not attended to, as the
progress report showed subsidence of the disease.
Glanders.—In an outbreak of glanders among ponies in
Pannaipuram village, Periyakulam taluk, Madura district,
32 ponies were tested with Mallein, of which four proved
positive, eight doubtful and the rest negative for glanders.
The four animals declared positive for glanders were des-
troyed under the Act, and the negative cases were handed
over to the owners. No compensation was paid to the owners
for the loss of their animals. The owners of the eight doubt-
ful cases absconded with their animals for some time. How-
ever, these doubtful cases were captured subsequently and
retested with the results that they were found negative for
glanders.
Pseudo fowl pest.—This disease among fowls prevailed at
Kodaikanal throughout the year. There was also an outbreak
in Palamcottah of Tinnevelly district. In all 90 fowls were
protected with vaccine obtained from the Madras Veterinary
College, of which 60 were at Palamcottah and 30 at Kodai-
kanal. Of the 30 fowls protected with Madras Veterinary
18
138
College vaccine at Kodaikanal, it is said that only four of the
vaccined fowls did not get the infection, while the fowls pro-
tected at Palamcottah were reported to be keeping good
health and that they did not get the infection.
In addition, the Veterinary Assistant Surgeon in charge,
Veterinary Dispensary, Kodaikanal, protected 88 country
fowls with vaccine prepared by Dr. Turkhud of Kodaikanal
in doses of 1 to 2 c.c. according to size of the bird and it is
said that 56 were successfully protected. Three injections
were given when the poultry was exposed to the infection.
The same vaccine used a year back was not successful. The
high percentage of success seen this year may perhaps be
due to the low vitality of the vaccine owing to the long inter-
val between the preparation and actual use.
Rabies.—The brains of seven dogs, one jackal and one
other animal suspected for rabies were sent to the Pasteur
Institute, Coonoor, for microscopical examination and all of
them proved positive. The brain of a dog sent from the
Veterinary Dispensary, Ramnad, to the Pasteur Institute was
not examined as the brain was in a putrid condition. Confir-
mation was not sought for in 20 dogs and three other animals
suspected for rabies. Seven dogs were given anti-rabic
treatment—one at Madura city, one at Dindigul and five at
Kodaikanal.
Kumri.—Two cases were diagnosed as such—one at the
Veterinary Dispensary, Ramnad, and another at the Veteri-
nary Hospital, Tinnevelly.
Other non-contagious diseases.—Five miscellaneous re-
ports were received by the staff and all of them were attended
to. In two of these reports the disease subsided before atten-
dance.
IV.—MISCELLANEOUS.
Criminal poisoning.—Five post-mortem examinations
were conducted in cases suspected for criminal poisoning on
lawful requisition from the police. Arsenic was detected by
the Chemical Examiner in all the five cases. Of these five
cases, one ended in conviction, two were pending trial and
two were acquitted for want of evidence.
Malicious injury.—Six post-mortem examinations were
conducted by the staff. In addition, 22 wound certificates
were also issued. Of the above cases, six ended in convic-
tion, four were pending trial, three were compromised, six were
either withdrawn or referred for want of evidence, and the
results in the nine cases have not been communicated yet.
139
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.—
Twenty-three certificates were issued in respect of animals
unfit for work, 18 at the request of the police, three at the
request of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Ani-
mals and two at the request of the magistrate.
In all, 306 animals were remanded to the infirmaries for
treatment during the year.
Bacteriological work.—One hundred and seventy speci-
mens were examined by me, of which 66 were positive and
104 negative.
An Ayrshire breeding bull stationed at Kodaikanal died
of Theileriasis during the year 1929-30 and it was suggested
by Dr. D. A. Turkhud of Kodaikanal that before stationing
another bull steps should be taken to investigate whether (1)
the cattle in Kodaikanal taluk were not carriers of Theileriasis
and (2) whether the ticks found in that locality were uninfect-
ed. In this connexion I examined 140 blood smears taken
from calves and adult cattle, both indigenous and cross bred.
In 37 per cent of these animals the parasites of Theileria
mutans were detected. The animals that revealed the para-
sites in their blood neither exhibited any apparent signs of ill-
health nor any rise of temperature. This finding is quite in
accordance with that previously recorded by workers in
India that cattle do harbour Theileria mutans and it is only
when associated with intercurrent affections that the resusci-
tation of the parasites with attendant pathogenic symptoms
arise. The percentage of infection in the blood corpuscles
of the animals that revealed the parasites was only very very
low inasmuch as the parasites could in most cases be dis-
covered only after prolonged search. Having regard to the
fact that there was an outbreak of Theileriasis among ani-
mals in Hosur Cattle Farm and that no extra precautions
were taken in importing any cattle of foreign blood into the
farm subsequently, I do not think any material harm will be
done in stationing a pure bred or cross bred bull at Kodai-
kanal.
One hundred and six specimens were submitted by the
staff to the Principal, Madras Veterinary College, of which
63 proved positive and the rest negative. In addition, 208
specimens were examined at the Headquarter Hospitals at
Madura and Tinnevelly, of which 54 were positive and the rest
negative.
Fairs.—Twenty-four annual cattle fairs were held in
this circle during the year under report. One Veterinary
Assistant Surgeon was deputed for duty at each of the above
140
fairs. The provisions of the Cattle Disease Act of 1866 were
enforced in all the fairs excepting the one held at Sembatti
village from 4th July 1930 to 6th July 1930. Twenty-one
weekly cattle fairs were also attended to by the staff. No
pony fair was held during the year.
Cases of unusual interest.—In Madura town young bull-
calves between the age of six months and one year generally
suffer from the retention of urine and rupture of the bladder
due to urethral calculi. Samples of urine, calculi, etc., were
sent to the Director, Nutritional Research, Pasteur Institute,
Coonoor, and the results have not been communicated yet.
2. Two cows suffering from mammitis were admitted to
the Veterinary Dispensary, Madura City. Auto-vaccine pre-
pared and sent from the Madras Veterinary College was in-
jected. In another bullock suffering from chronic Ottorrhœa,
auto-vaccine obtained from the College was given. The ani-
mals were completely cured.
3. Agalactia.—At the Veterinary Dispensary, Periyakulam,
a cow admitted for Agalactia was given two intravenous injec-
tions of Trypan blue in doses of 12 and 15 grains at an inter-
val of ten days and there was 50 per cent increase in the milk
secretion and the condition of the animal also improved.
Two dogs and one calf were treated at the Veterinary Dis-
pensary, Kodaikanal, for leeches in the nostrils—two in each
case.
4. One kid was brought to the Veterinary Dispensary,
Ramnad, for treatment of choking with an arecanut. Oesopha-
gatomy was performed and the nut removed and the wound
healed by first intention.
5. A few cases of cancer horn were admitted to the Veteri-
nary Hospital, Veerakeralampudur. They were treated suc-
cessfully with dehydrated magnesium sulphate well triturated
in glycerine and applied in a gauze. The wounds were pre-
viously washed with .005 per cent of solution of hydrochloric
acid in water. It is said that the results are very encouraging
and that the cases were cured within a month. This treat-
ment will be carefully observed in future cases.
6. Hydrocephalus in a new-born calf.—A cow gave birth
to a young calf which in addition to its normal head had
another undeveloped head of the same size as the head—both
being connected at the frontal sinus. This came to the Veteri-
nary Dispensary, Madura City. When operated upon, this
mass contained sero-sanguinous fluid and the wound was
sutured and dressed anteseptically. The calf did not thrive
well but died on the third day after the operation.
141
V.—MUNICIPAL.
The animals belonging to the municipal conservancy depot
at Tuticorin were inspected by the Veterinary Assistant Sur-
geon in charge, Veterinary Dispensary, Tuticorin, and advice
given whenever necessary.
Monthly cattle mortality statements.—The municipalities
at Palamcottah, Tinnevelly, Virudhunagar, Sivakasi, Periya-
kulam, Bodinayakkanur, Madura, Dindigul, Palni and Kodai
kanal which have adopted by-laws relating to the control of
contagious diseases in animals forward the monthly cattle
mortality statements to this office. They are also prompt in
reporting outbreaks of contagious diseases to the Veterinary
Assistant Surgeons concerned.
Meat inspection.—The Madura municipality continued to
have a whole-time Veterinary Assistant Surgeon for meat ins-
pection work. The municipalities at Dindigul, Kodaikanal and
Tuticorin and the Union Boards at Rajapalaiyam and Deva-
kottai utilized the services of the Veterinary Assistant Surgeons
for meat inspection work. For the Union Board slaughter-
house at Sivaganga, sheep and goats were examined by the
Veterinary Assistant Surgeon in charge, Veterinary Hospital,
Sivaganga, without any remuneration. From 21st December
1930 the same has been done by the Sanitary Inspector ap-
pointed for the purpose.
Lethal chambers.—The Lethal chamber at Kodaikanal
was functioning throughout the year and the Veterinary As-
sistant Surgeon in charge, Veterinary Dispensary, Kodaikanal,
performed the periodical inspection of the same once in
three months. The Lethal chamber at Periyakulam was work-
ing during the early part of the year and the Veterinary As-
sistant Surgeon in charge, Veterinary Dispensary, Periyaku-
lam, performed the first inspection. Subsequently the inspec-
tion of the same was being done by the Municipal Health
Officer. No other Lethal chambers were functioning in this
circle.
VI.—GENERAL REMARKS.
Financial effects of the introduction of the revised scale
of fees.—The amounts collected at the veterinary institutions
at Madura and Tinnevelly in the year 1930-31 are less than
those collected during the year 1929-30. The well-to-do
people of these towns hesitate to bring their animals for treat-
ment for fear of being charged. The ryots of mufassal
stations such as Rajapalaiyam treat the levy of fees with great
apathy.
142
Visiting Committees.—Advisory Committees were formed
during the previous year to visit certain veterinary institutions
where the attendance is small and to offer advice regarding
the lines on which the work of the institutions could be im-
proved. Action is being taken on any pertinent remarks
recorded by them.
Demonstration and propaganda.—The staff paid a great
amount of attention towards demonstration and propaganda.
For this purpose, large annual cattle fairs which are generally
foci of diseases and which make the greatest appeal to the culti-
vator in the exhibition of livestock were selected for the
purpose. The Touring Veterinary Assistant Surgeons deputed
for duty at cattle fairs, therefore did propaganda work in all
the cattle fairs held during the year.
Magic lantern lectures were arranged; charts of scientific
interest were exhibited; leaflets on different kinds of cattle
diseases were distributed free to the ryots; and veterinary
instruments, sera, etc., were also exhibited. Sick animals
were treated and the Burdizzo method of castration was
demonstrated. The advantages of the serum simultaneous
method of inoculation against rinderpest and other preventive
measures were explained to the ryots. The itinerating staff
also utilized the Agricultural Exhibition vans for the purposes
of demonstration and propaganda.
The Touring Veterinary Assistant Surgeon, Srivilliputtur,
attended the Summer School opened at Perumalpatti, a hamlet
within the municipal limits of Srivilliputtur, and gave lectures
at times, on veterinary matters. The Touring Veterinary
Assistant Surgeon, Paramakudi, gave two lectures—one on the
diseases communicable from animals to man and the other
on animal husbandry. The former was delivered by him
during the Health week celebration at Paramakudi and the
latter at Partibanur village of Paramakudi taluk. Consequent
on the appointment of a rural supervisor by the Ramnad Dis-
trict Board in connexion with the rural reconstruction scheme,
the Touring Veterinary Assistant Surgeons of Ramnad district
were working in close touch with the rural supervisor.
The Touring Veterinary Assistant Surgeon, Madura, gave
a lecture on veterinary matters to the students of the Agricul-
tural School at Usilampatti. The Touring Veterinary Assistant
Surgeon, Periyakulam, and the Veterinary Assistant Surgeon
in charge, Veterinary Dispensary, Kodaikanal, attended
the Missionary Conference held at Kodaikanal. The Touring
Veterinary Assistant Surgeon, Palni, arranged for a lecture
and magic lantern demonstration at the Athoor cattle fair.
Plate No. 5.—ANIMAL SHOW, KODAIKANAI.
143
The Touring Veterinary Assistant Surgeons of Tinnevelly,
Koilpatti and Nanguneri divisions, conducted propaganda work
in annual cattle fairs in their respective jurisdictions, and the
Touring Veterinary Assistant Surgeons at Paramakudi and
Ambasamudram also conducted propaganda work in weekly
cattle fairs in their respective divisions. The Veterinary
Assistant Surgeon in charge, Veterinary Dispensary, Dindi-
gul, attended the weekly cattle markets at Dindigul and spoke
to the ryots on the advantages of veterinary aid.
During Panguni festival at Virudhunagar which attracted
ryots from all the adjoining villages the Veterinary Assistant
Surgeon in charge, Veterinary Dispensary, Virudhunagar,
carried on propaganda work by distributing various leaflets
on veterinary matters. Every effort was made to popularize
the importance and benefit of veterinary aid.
Government livestock.—The Government livestock at the
Agricultural Farm at Koilpatti were inspected by the Touring
Veterinary Assistant Surgeon, Koilpatti. A Kangayan-breed-
ing bull is stationed at the Veterinary Hospital (Thallakulam),
Madura, under the management of the Veterinary Assistant
Surgeon in charge. It has served 70 cows during the year.
Village officers.—The executive staff had to complain
against three village munsifs for slackness in reporting out-
breaks of contagious diseases.
Office staff.—The work of the office staff was satisfactory.
A. RAMACHANDRA AYYAR,
District Veterinary Officer, Madura.
145
made out against the Veterinary Assistant Surgeon and a
detailed report was duly sent to the Collector.
6. Whenever on an interior tour, I either made it a
routine to speak to the boys and teachers at village schools
myself, on animals in health and in disease, or, made the
Touring Veterinary Assistant Surgeons speak to them. In this
way, a certain amount of propaganda work has always been
undertaken by me in my interior tours.
7. I selected a building for the location of the Veterinary
Dispensary, Kollegal, and sites for the construction of per-
manent buildings for the veterinary institutions at Gobichetti-
palaiyam and Dharapuram.
8. While at headquarters, I visited the Veterinary Hos-
pital almost daily and the Veterinary Hospital attached to the
Agricultural College frequently and rendered such profes
sional help to the Veterinary Assistant Surgeons as was
necessary from time to time.
9. I was a presiding officer in one of the polling stations
at Coimbatore for the Madras Legislative Council elections.
10. During the year, I was also the Honorary Veterinary
Surgeon of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Ani-
mals, Coimbatore.
11. At the request of the Municipal Chairman, Coimba-
tore, I examined a few bullocks of the municipality and
declared them to be unfit for further service either or.
account of old age or disease and recommended their sale or
destruction.
12. During the year, under instructions from the Director
of Veterinary Services, I selected a pair of Kangayam bul-
locks (big variety) at the Pattagar's farm at Palayakottai for
the Government Mental Hospital, Madras.
13. The District Veterinary office was inspected by the
Director of Veterinary Services, Madras.
II.—EXECUTIVE STAFF.
14. At the close of the year, there were 19 Veterinary
Assistant Surgeons including one probationer, viz., 11 in
charge of veterinary institutions including one second Veteri-
nary Assistant Surgeon at the Veterinary Hospital, Coimba-
tore, and seven in charge of touring billets and one on leave.
During the year, two Veterinary Assistant Surgeons were
selected from this circle for the post graduate training at the
Madras Veterinary College.
19
146
(a) Hospitals and Dispensaries.
15. There were ten veterinary institutions in this circle at
the end of the year. This number includes the one opened at
Kollegal in January 1931.
16. A comparison of the figures of work done in all the
veterinary institutions in this circle during the year with those
of the preceding year reveals a considerable increase of work
as will be seen in the table furnished infra.
Year.
1929-30
..
..
..
1930-31
..
..
..
The increase of work done ..
Cases
treated.
16,790
18,167
1,377
Cases
castrated.
279
368
89
17. There is a fall in the daily average attendance at the
dispensary at Nathakadayur and the same is attributed to the
large number of animals mostly belonging to the Pattagar of
Palayakottai having been at work during the season immedi-
ately after the rains in those parts this year. The very slight
fall of figures at Coonoor and Ootacamund calls for no spe-
cial remarks.
18. There were many interesting cases at some of the
hospitals in this circle during the year. The following are
some of them.
(1) A ease of cystic calculus in a dog successfully ope-
rated on and discharged cured by Veterinary Assistant Sur-
geon R. Swaminatha Ayyar in charge Veterinary Hospital,
Ootacamund. The stone weighed four ounces on removal
and was about two inches in diameter.
(2) A case of caesarean section in a cat in which the
cat and one of the kittens inside which was removed alive,
were discharged in perfect health after a week, at the Veteri-
nary Hospital, Ootacamund, by Veterinary Assistant Surgeon
R. Swaminatha Ayyar.
(3) A case of extensive nasal growth and diseased su-
perior turbinals in a bullock successfully operated on and
discharged cured at the Veterinary Dispensary, Pollachi, by
Veterinary Assistant Surgeon S. N. Tammayya, much to the
satisfaction of the owner, an illiterate ryot. The growths re-
moved were in volume two pounds bottleful.
Plate
No.
6.—A
VIEW OF THE VETERINARY HOSPITAL, AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, COIMBATORE
147
(4) A case of cæsarean section in a cow at the Veteri-
nary Dispensary, Gobichettipalayam, by Veterinary Assistant
Surgeon K. S. Bhuvarahachari. In this case the mutilated
foetus was successfully removed and the cow was doing quite
well till the third day much to the satisfaction of the illiterate
owner though the fact that it was brought in a cart from a
village a few miles off with the foetus mutilated was much
against a favourable prognosis of the case.
(5) A case of cæsarean section in a goat at the Veteri-
nary Dispensary, Dharapuram, by Veterinary Assistant Sur-
geon M. R. Subrahmaniya Sastri. This was a case of extra
uterine pregnancy and it was successfully operated on and
the she-goat was discharged cured.
(6) Three cases of epistaxis in bullocks were treated
successfully with the internal administration daily for a few
days of liquor calcis two ounces and spts. ætheris nitrosi one
ounce and one pint of water.
19. Only 848 cases have been remanded to the various
institutions for treatment under the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals Act during the year as against 1,175 remands of last
year. The District Magistrate, Coimbatore, has been request-
ed to instruct the convicting magistrates under his control to
remand to veterinary infirmaries animals that require care
and treatment, instead of fining the owners of animals for
cruelty and letting them off.
20. Buildings.—The quarters which was in building for
the District Veterinary Officer's residence in the Red Fields
was completed and the same was occupied by me on the fore-
noon of second February 1931. Some improvements which
are very essential for my quarters have been suggested and
are under correspondence.
21. The following were completed at the Veterinary Hos-
pital, Ootacamund :—
(1) Drainage works to the Veterinary Assistant Sur-
geon's quarters.
(2) Extension of the verandah and providing it with
glazed partitions at the Veterinary Assistant Surgeon's quar-
ters.
(3) Provision of coir matting to the quarters of the
compounder.
(4) Provision of skylights to the operation shed and to
the quarters of the Veterinary Assistant Surgeon.
148
(5) Provision of electric lights to the hospital and to the
quarters of the Veterinary Assistant Surgeon.
22. A store room and a compound wall on the northern
side were constructed at the Veterinary Hospital, Tiruppur.
23. The cattle wards at the Veterinary Hospitals at Coim-
batore and Erode have been extended.
24. A post-mortem shed is in building at the Veterinary
Hospital, Coimbatore, and is nearing completion.
25. The site for the construction of permanent buildings
at Dharapuram has been acquired during the year; and the
same has been taken charge of by the Veterinary Assistant
Surgeon in charge, Veterinary Dispensary, Dharapuram. The
necessary plans and estimates have been called for from the
Public Works Department for the construction of dispensary
buildings thereon.
26. The question of acquiring the site selected for per-
manent buildings at Gobichettipalayam has been dropped at
present. Arrangements are being made to rent the plot of
ground adjacent to the veterinary dispensary building with
the view to increasing the space in the compound.
(b) Itinerating staff.
27. No new touring billet was opened during the year and
there have been seven touring billets in the circle as in the
previous year, and the Veterinary Assistant Surgeon in charge
Veterinary. Dispensary, Nathakadayur, continued to treat
cases at the Kangayam Cattle Fair every Monday in addition
to his dispensary work.
28. A comparative statement of cases treated and castra-
tions performed by the touring staff is given below:—
Year.
1929-30 ..
1930-31 ..
Cases treated.
Contagious
diseases.
1,826
578
Non-contagious
diseases.
1,110
1,479
Castrations.
253
687
There has been a decrease in the number of contagious
cases treated by 1,253 owing apparently to the smaller num-
ber of outbreaks of contagious diseases received during the
year.