NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
7
Other Diseases.
Rabies.—During year under review, 34 cattle were treated against rabies.
Domesticated animals bitten by rabid dog or jackal will develop symptoms
of Rabies unless they are treated with Anti-Rabic Vaccine as in human
cases. Cultivators economically strained cannot afford the cost of treat-
ment. As such Directorate become handicapped to take up the treatment
cases of rabies free of cost, the demand for which is considerable.
Treatment of contagious and non-contagious diseases on tour (Table IV).
During the year under report Itinerant Staff visited 16,376 villages in
course of their tours and treated 25,000 domesticated animals for contagious
diseases and 1,07,290 new cases for non-contagious diseases as against 8,528
villages, 22,674 for contagious diseases and 43,545 for non-contagious
diseases respectively during the six months of the previous year. They
castrated 363 heads of cattle during their tour. Itinerant - Veterinary
Assistant Surgeons as usual were supplied with common drugs for the
treatment of domesticated animals of agriculturists for ordinary ailments,
wounds and accidents free of cost.
Hospitals and Dispensaries.
There are only 28 veterinary hospitals and dispensaries operating in the
province out of which 24 are under contributory basis of either the district
boards or municipalities, 1 under the management of Cooch-Behar State
and 3 under the direct control of the Directorate. The condition of the
hospitals and dispensaries under contributory system is far from satisfactory.
The supply of medicine if fully made by the local authorities is too in-
sufficient to meet the demand of the cattle owners. Moreover, the conditions
of the hospital accommodation are gradually deteriorating due to un-
sympathetic attention of the local authorities towards them.
Table V will show in details the work done by these institutions during
the year under report.
The following is the summary of the work :—
No. of in-patients treated ... ...
No. of out-patients treated ... ...
No. of cases not brought to hospitals but supplied with
medicine ... ...
Total number of castration performed in the hospitals ...
1,175
88,467
17,800
1,936
Breeding Operation.
The officers of the Civil Veterinary Department always rendered full co-
operation and assistance to the officers of the Live Stock Department in this
matter. As in previous years breeding operations and other subjects
relating to the improvement of the Live Stock were under the control of
Live Stock Section of the Directorate of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry
and Fisheries.
Development Projects.
Only one development project was under operation, viz.—Better facilities
of veterinary aid in Calcutta and suburbs. There was only one hospital at
Broad Street previously. During the year under report 2 more hospitals
at Howrah and Behala were started functioning from the fag end of the
year.
8
The expenditure on the scheme for the period under report was
Rs. 16,560-0-0. These hospitals rendered efficient service in the localities
where they were established.
3,738 out-patients and 57 in-patients were treated in these hospitals
during the year. Moreover, 277 cases were supplied with medicine which
were not brought to the hospitals. Fees realised from these hospitals
amounted to Rs. 495-0-0.
General Remarks.
After partition of Bengal, this is the first comprehensive Annual Report
for the year 1948-49. Comparative figures where necessary have not been
possible to be furnished as the full report for the year 1947-48 could not be
compiled for non-availability of records after partition.
It is a matter of great satisfaction that the Collectors and Subdivisional
Officers took keen interest in veterinary matters, especially in the control of
epidemic diseases. Veterinary staff as a whole were enthusiastic and active
to perform their duties. It is not possible to single out individuals who did
best, but it will be failing in duty if it is not said that the whole technical
and clerical staff acquitted themselves well.
P. C. BANERJEE,
Assistant Director of Veterinary Services, West Bengal.
ANNEXURE I.
Veterinary Investigation Officer, West Bengal
SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT FOR THE YEAR
1ST APRIL 1948 TO 31ST MARCH 1949.
PART I—Summary of the Report.
Section A—Introduction.
Period.—The scheme under 50 : 50 basis with the Imperial Council of
Agricultural Research and Provincial Government was commenced on the
15th December 1932 and is due to end on the 31st March 1950.
Finance.—The total amounts sanctioned for the scheme since its incep-
tion to the 31st March 1949—
(a) By the Council—Rs. 4,745-4.
(b) By the Provincial Government—Rs. 1,581-12.
Expenditure.—The expenditure incurred on the scheme since its incep-
tion up to the close of the year under report—
(a) By the Council—Rs. 4,745-4.
(b) By the Provincial Government—Rs. 1,581-12.
Staff.—One Veterinary Investigation Officer in the scale of Rs. 350—25 —
G00.
One Typist-Clerk on a fixed pay of Rs. 50.
Object.—The objective of the scheme is investigation of the more
important diseases of domestic animals in West Bengal with a view to
evolving effective control measures in the field.
Section B—Technical Programme.
The following programme wa3 approved, rule Imperial Council of
Agricultural Research letter No. F.35(7)/48-A.H., dated New Delhi, the
29th January 1949 : —
1. Nasal Granuloma.—(i) General clinical survey of the Province to
determine the incidence of the affection in the different districts.
(ii) Microscopical examination of nasal discharge particularly to deter-
mine the comparative incidence of (a) Nasal Schistosomiasis and (b)
Rhinosporidiasis.
(iii) Controlled field experiments to effect control and eradication of
Nasal Schistosomiasis in a few selected villages by treating the affected
animals, adopting suitable measures for keeping down the snail population,
suitably treating the drinking water, etc.
(iv) Determination of common snail vectors of Schistosoma nasalis in
West Bengal.
2. Rinderpest.—Determination of differences in susceptibility
to
Rinderpest of cattle and buffaloes in different regions of the Province by
making necessary observations during routine vaccination operations
conducted by the department, and, where necessary, by specially arranged
tests.
10
3. Tuberculin testing.
4. Miscellaneous observations.
Section C—Results.
(1) NASAL GRANULOMA.
(i) Incidence, etc.—The
disease was reported from throughout the
Province excepting Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong. The disease
seemed to be unaffected with soil conditions. Its prevalence was equally
noted from the marshy lands of the deltaic region, alluvial and semi-alluvial
soil in the Gangetic belt, the saline and sandy tracts bordering the sea coast
and the laterite zones in the West Bengal-Bihar border.
Regarding seasonal variation, larger number of cases were reported
during the winter months November-January. The causes of high
percentage of occurrence during November-January and the comparative
reduction in the remaining period is described in the main progress report.
The percentage of clinical manifestation of the disease on the total cattle
population in any given locality varied from 0.7 per cent. to 60 per cent.
(ii) Examination
of Nasal discharge,
etc.—Presence
of Schistosoma
Ova from nasal discharge was demonstrated in 175 out of 18G clinically
affected cases. The remaining 11 cases showed presence of Rhinosporidia
seeberi spores and sporangia in all stages of development.
Presence of Schistosoma Ova was, however, demonstrated among 80
per cent. apparently healthy animals including cattle and also buffaloes
where no clinical symptoms were present. It is significant to note that
buffaloes, which do not seem to manifest the characteristic granulomatous
growth, while examined of the nasal discharge in the endemic zones showed
presence of Ova of Nasal Schistosomas.
Presence of Schistosoma Ova from the nasal discharge of goats has also
been recorded and which did not seem to manifest clinical symptoms.
Presence of protozoan organisms, Nyctotherus fava was also demonstrated
in the nasal discharge of two clinically affected bullocks.
(iii) Treatment,
etc.—The
classical treatment with Tartar emetic
1 .5 grs. for every 100 lbs. body weight given intravenously, was tolerated.
The difficulty, however, was in the repeated injections, as in many cases,
the owners failed to return. In cases where full course of treatment was
adopted, noticeable disappearance of the growth was observed. Reports of
recurrence on the second year was also received.
Intra-muscular injection of Sodium Antimony Tartarate at the dose rate
of 1 gr. Sod. Ant. Tart. plus 2 grs. each of Calcium Gluconate and Boric
Acid, added in 4 c.c. of distilled water per 100 lbs. body weight, was
tolerated without showing local suppuration. Results are under observa-
tion.
Antimosan and Anthiomaline, whenever available, were preferred to
Tartar emetic because of easier technique and lesser toxicity and found
very efficacious.
Campaign against mass treatment of soil, tanks and ponds, etc., for
eradication of snails was deferred.
(iv Snail vectors, etc.—Feeding experiments are held up.
12
(3) TUBERCULIN TEST.
Fifty-five animals at an organised farm, were tested for T.B. by double
Intradermal method. Results were negative.
(4) MISCELLANEOUS.
(1) Helminthiasis.—An
outbreak of Amphistomiasis among cattle in the
Malda district resulting in 80 deaths in 2 epidemics was reported. Treatment
with Copper Sulphate 15 grs. to a pint was ineffective.
Mortality among sheep and goats caused by par-amphistomiasis was
successfully controlled with Hexachloroethane given per os at the dose rate
of 5 drachms for adults and half the quantity to young in two equal parts
for two days and found well tolerated. More than 200 sheep died during
the investigational period but in the latter part about 245 affected and
in-contact animals were treated and cured.
(2) Contagious Bovine Abortion.—The
disease was reported from a
Pinjrapole Society near Calcutta. Nearly 40 cases of abortion of matured
calves were recorded from April to October. The general hygienic condition
of the Pinjrapole was much below standard. In another organised farm
where the abortion rate rose to 35 .7 per cent. during the year 1935-36 was
gradually reduced by adopting rigid measures of sanitation, isolation camp
and maternity ward, till the last year, when only three cases were reported
by further introducing a system of limitation on indiscriminate additions.
(3) Calf Mortality.—Mortality
of young calves within 3 months age
and averaging 40-50 per month was recorded in another Pinjrapole Society.
Deaths were mostly found to be due to starvation. "Churn" brand mineral
powder prepared by the Indian Chemical Industries and given regularly in
the feed of pregnant cows and also to the young calves, reduced the mortality
to 5-7 per month.
Section D—Remarks of the Advisory Board.
Annual Report of the Disease Investigation
Officer's Scheme, West Bengal.
for 1947-48.
"The summary report of the scheme mentioned above was adopted by
the Animal Diseases and Pests Committee at its meeting held in October
1948. Copies of the detailed report were received too late for consideration
by the Committee."
ANNEXURE II.
Scheme for the Investigation of Poultry Diseases in
West Bengal
PART I.
SUMMARY OF THE SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR
1ST APRIL 1948 TO 31ST MARCH 1949.
Section A—Introduction.
Period.—The scheme under 50 : 50 basis with the Indian Council of
Agricultural Research and Provincial Government commenced on the 27th
April 1942 and is due to end on the 31st March 1950.
Finance.—The total amount sanctioned for the scheme since inception to
31st March 1949—
(a) By the Council—Rs. 1,303-5.
(b) By the Provincial Government—Rs. 434-7.
Expenditure.—The expenditure incurred on the scheme since inception
up to close of the year under report—
(a) By the Council—Rs. 1,303-5.
(6) By the Provincial Government—Rs. 434-7.
Staff.—One Assistant Disease Investigation Officer (Poultry) in the
scale of Rs. 150—25/1—200—25/2—300—50/2—650.
Note.—The pay scale though sanctioned by Government since the 1st April 1947 remained
inoperative ; whereas, the old scale, Rs. 110-200 continued.
One Laboratory Assistant in the scale of Rs. 30—2/2—50.
Note.—The post continued to remain vacant since inception from the 1st April 1947.
Object.—Survey and Investigation of important diseases of poultry that
cause great economic loss, with the ultimate object of evolving suitable
measures for their control in the field.
Section B—Technical Programme.
The following technical programme was approved subject to certain
general recommendations in respect of Ranikhet disease, Fowl Pox, etc., as
per Indian Council of Agricultural Research letter No. F.35(18)47-3.H.,
dated the 26th February 1948 : —
1. Survey of prevailing poultry diseases.—(i) Continued visit to
bustees for collection of relevant data on. feeding, management, housing,
age-group, season, variation, intensity of affection in the case of known
classical diseases or the hitherto unrecognised in the Province;
(ii) visits to municipal markets of Calcutta and examination of diseased
birds and cadavers, supplemented by biological and other laboratory tests.
2. Survey of duck diseases.—(i) Continued visit to rural areas for
collecting information on the prevalence of duck diseases; (ii) clinical and
post-mortem examination supplemented by usual laboratory examination and
confirmatory biological and bacteriological tests.
14
3. Ranikhet diseases.—The disease will be studied more carefully in an
"experimental" village near Calcutta and periodical (quarterly) observa-
tions will be made on (a) susceptibility, (b) age-category, (c) mortality,
(d) recovery of immune birds, etc.
Prophylactic Vaccination will be undertaken and its reaction and period
of immunity, etc., will be recorded. The diseases will also be studied in a
"Control" village without adopting any preventive inoculation but depend-
ing entirely on sanitary measures.
4. Tuberculosis in fowls.—Survey of incidence will be continued by
tuberculin tests in (a) villages, (b) organised farms, and (c) markets.
5. Nutritional Survey.—The subject will be pursued according to and
in co-operation with directions of the Animal Nutrition Section, Indian
Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar.
6. Helminthiasis and other Parasites.—The subject will continue to be
studied from materials obtained in post-mortem examination of cadavers.
Drugs, patent or otherwise, of known therapeutic value will be tried to find
out respective efficacy.
Section C—Results.
While the details are described in the main progress report, a synopsis
given below will indicate the broader features : —
Synopsis.
(1) Number of reports received during the year—67.
(2) Number of reports of Ranikhet disease—16.
(3) Number of mass inoculation centre against Ranikhet disease—13.
(4) Total number of inoculation against R.D.—17,056.
(5) Number of reports of Fowl Pox—9.
(6) Number of mass inoculation centre against Fowl Pox—5.
(7) Total number of inoculation against Fowl Pox—16,559.
(8) Number of reports from suspected Fowl Cholera—8.
(9) Number of mass inoculation centre against Fowl Cholera—1.
(10) Total number of inoculation against Fowl Cholera—4,173.
(11) Grand total of inoculations against contagious disease—37,788.
(12) Number of reports of Trichomonad infection—6.
(13) Number of reports of Coccidiosis—5.
(14) Number of reports of Helminthiasis—7.
(15) Number of report of nutritional deficiency—1.
(16) Number of reports undiagnosed—8.
16
Section D—Remarks of the Advisory Board.
Progress report of the Assistant Disease Investigation
Officer
(Poultry)
Scheme, West Bengal, for 1947-48.
The abovementioned report was adopted by the Animal Diseases and
Pests Committee of the Council at its meeting held in October 1948, with
the following remarks : —
"the bringing of material from municipal markets for the survey of
poultry diseases should not be left to the laboratory assistant but
should be done by the Assistant Disease Investigation Officer
himself."
*****
It may, however, be pointed out that the Diseases and Pests Committee
of the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research recommended in their
letter No. F.33(18)/45-A.H., dated New Delhi, the 12th September 1946,
"As a means of assisting the enquiry into the problem of poultry mortality
in India, the Committee suggested that investigations may be made in
important centres like Calcutta, Bombay and Madras to which large number
of live poultry are brought and when mortality is sometimes high. If, as
it seems, the Assistant Disease Investigation Officer himself is unable to
collect the dead birds from the market and ascertain their source and other
details, he should be provided with a Laboratory Assistant for the purpose".
Other remarks were noted.
S. K. BHADURY,
Assistant Disease Investigation
Officer
(Poultry),
West
Bengal.
CALCUTTA,
The 28th May 1849.
ANNEXURE III.
Scheme for Investigation of Helminthic Diseases in West Bengal
SUMMARY OF THE 8EC0ND ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR
FROM 1ST APRIL 1948 TO 318T MARCH 1949.
Section A—Introduction.
Period.—The scheme under 50 : 50 basis with the Indian Council of
Agricultural Research and Provincial Government commenced on the 19th
March 1947 and terminated on 3lst March 1949. A fresh proposal for
extension of the scheme for another year under 50 : 50 basis with the
Indian Council of Agricultural Research and the Provincial Government
has been recommended and is under consideration.
Finance.—The total amounts sanctioned for the scheme since Its incep-
tion up to the 31st March 1949—
(a) By the Council—Rs. 2,975.
(b) By the Provincial Government—Rs. 2,975.
Expenditure.—The expenditure incurred on the scheme since its incep-
tion up to the close of the year under report—
(a) By the Council—Rs. 2,474-2.
(b) By the Provincial Government—Rs. 824-11.
Staff.—One Assistant Disease Investigation Officer (Helminthiasis), in
the scale of Rs. 150—25—200—25/2—300—50/2—650 with the initial pay
at Rs. 200.
Note.—In absence of Gazette notification of my name to the post, I continued to
receive my substantive pay.
Object.—Investigation of such helminthic diseases in livestock that cause
great economic loss with a view to evolving effective measures for their
control in the Province of West Bengal.
Section B—Technical Programme.
1. Eurytrema pancreaticum.—(i) General survey in the Darjeeling
district to determine the extent of infestation in slaughtered animals. (ii)
Similar examination in other districts for presence of such infestation.
(iii)
Search for intermediate host and study of developmental stages and life-
cycle of the parasite.
2. Stephanofilaria assamensis.—(i) Search for a vector by dissection of
different types of flies and mosquitoes feeding on and biting cattle and to
determine a possible vector. (ii) Feeding experiments with such flies. (iii)
Study of developmental stages and life-cycle of the parasite in the vector.
(iv) Miscellaneous biological and clinical observations.
Section C—Results.
1. Eurytrema pancreaticum.—This item of work could not be fully
undertaken beyond preliminary collection of literature and relevant data.
Some specimen parasites were obtained from the Director of Veterinary
Services, Kualalumpur, Federation of Malaya. A general survey on the
presence of parasites was, however, made at Calcutta Slaughter House and
Asansol. From the post-mortem examination of 30 cattle at Tangra
Slaughter House, Calcutta, and 200 animals at the Municipal Slaughter
House, Asansol, the presence of the parasite was not detected.
18
2. Stephanofilaria assamensis.—Routine dissection of different types of
flies feeding on the sores of naturally infected Humpsore cases admitted in
the cattle ward of the Bengal Veterinary College, Belgachia, Calcutta, from
Express Dairy Farm, Behala, local Khattals and Veterinary Hospital,
Jalpaiguri, was carried out.
Microfilariae of the adult parasites were recovered from the guts of 5
musca flies out of total number of 300 flies dissected. Gravid female flies of
musca and stomoxys variety feeding on Humpsore cases were collected by
fly net and set free in Barrauds cages for breeding purposes in order to obtain
flies free from infection. This experiment started only in the latter part
of the year under report. Due to the intense heat at the time, most flies
died in the cage, with the exception of very few which survived and multi-
plied new progeny. These flies were fed on several Humpsore cases for
varying period of 1-2 hours with the result that on dissection only in two
out of 30 flies, the microfilariae could be revealed from their stomach.
The study of developmental changes of the microfilaria within the system
of flies is under progress by feeding the flies on the sores and on detection
of microfilaria the flies will be preserved for histopathological examination.
In almost all the cases of Humpsore, microfilaria of Stephanofilaria
assamensis was detected in wet smears after curetting the sore. It was
observed that in every sample during the day time, the number of micro-
filariae was less only 1 or 2 in each field but towards the evening the number
was appreciably larger almost teeming with parasites in every field.
Stained specimen of smears from the sores revealed microfilariae of
Stephanofilaria assamensis in large numbers. Adult female parasites were
recovered from the peripheral region of the sores.
Histopathological examination of the sore revealed degeneration of the
tissues, the detailed features of which are described in the Main Progress
Report.
Section D—Remarks of the Advisory Board for the year 1947-48.
(i) Little work has been done. It is essential that a qualified helmintho-
logist should be appointed and the person selected should work in collabora-
tion with the Indian Veterinary Research Institute otherwise there was no
justification for continuing the scheme.
(ii) Subject to appointment of a qualified helminthologist the work
assigned to this centre should be the life history of Eurytrema pancreaticum
and Stephanofilaria assamensis.
S. C. ROY, B.SC., G.B.V.C., P.G. (I.V.R.I.),
Assistant Disease Investigation
Officer
(Helminthiasis.),
West Bengal.
CALCUTTA,
The 12th July 1949.
Table II
20
TABLE
Statement showing the number of deaths from contagious diseases and
Province.
1
West Bengal ..
Equine.
Glanders.
2
18
Surra.
3
1
Dourine.
4
..
Anthrax.
5
..
Contagious Parasitic and
other diseases
6
26
Total.
7
40
Other causes.
8
111
Cattle.
Rinderpest.
9
1,246
Haemorrhagic
Septicaemia.
10
951
Foot and mouth disease.
11
164
Black quarter.
12
99
Anthrax.
13
222
Surra.
14
81
Contagious Parasitic and
other diseases.
15
1,400
Total.
16
4,118
Other causes.
17
601
Buffaloes.
Rinderpest.
18
286
Haemorrhagic
Septicaemia.
19
78
Foot and mouth disease.
20
68
Black quarter.
21
2
Anthrax.
22
..
Surra.
23
17
Contagious Parasitic and
other diseases.
24
202
Total.
25
638
Other causes.
26
136
21
II.
other causes among animals during the year 1948-49.
Province.
1
West Bengal ..
Sheep.
Anthrax.
27
..
Snoop Pox.
28
..
Pleuro Pneumonia.
29
..
Foot and mouth disease.
30
..
Scab.
31
..
Contagious Parasitic and
other disease.
32
15
Total.
33
15
Other causes.
34
240
Goats.
Anthrax.
35
..
Sheep Pox.
36
29
Pleuro Pneumonia.
37
27
Foot and mouth disease.
38
2
Scab.
39
..
Contagious Parasitic and
other diseases.
40
144
Total.
41
202
Other causes.
42
178
Dogs.
Rabies.
43
24
Contagious Parasitic and
other diseases.
44
65
Total.
45
89
Other causes.
46
82
Pigs.
Verminous Bronchitis.
47
2
Total deaths of animals.
48
6,099
Birds.
Fowl pox.
49
118
Ranikhet.
50
345
Fowl cholera.
51
119
Contagious Parasitic and
ether diseases.
52
317
Other causes.
53
..
Total deaths of birds.
54
899
Grand total of contagious
diseases.
55
5 998
Grand total of other
causes.
56
1,352
Remarks.
57
..