Resolution on the Report of the Civil Veterinary Department,
Assam.
Extract from the Proceedings of the Chief Commissioner of Assam in the Revenue
Department, No. 3320R., dated the 24th August 1918.
READ—
The Report of the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Assam, on the administration
of the Civil Veterinary Department, Assam, for the year 1917-18, and the review thereon
of the Director, Department of Land Records and Agriculture, Assam.
RESOLUTION.
THE staff of the department was strengthened during the year by the
addition of 4 new assistants and at the close of the year the staff available for local
service consisted of 3 Inspectors and 36 Assistants. Five Veterinary Assistants were
on deputation to military duty, and there are 20 stipendiaries in the Bengal Veterinary
College.
2. The number of deaths from contagious disease reported was 60,710, an
increase of nearly 13,000 over the numbers of the preceding year and more than
double those of 1913-14, since when the deaths reported have increased year by year.
The increase is attributable largely -to improved reporting, but there was a quite
exceptional epidemic of rinderpest during the year in Goalpara. This single epide-
mic is said to have caused 14,294 deaths. Unfortunately in very few instances were
reports of the outbreaks in that district received in time for preventive inoculation to
be undertaken. The special attention of the veterinary and district officers is being
drawn to this failure of 1he system of reporting. In the province as a whole there was
a satisfactory increase in the number of inoculations against rinderpest, anthrax,
and hæmorrhagic septicæmia. The number rose from 36,016 to 45,704, and among
the 38,295 animals inoculated for rinderpest, only 346 or 9 per cent. died.
3. The number of villages visited and of anirrals treated by assistants on tour
shows a decrease, of which no explanation has been furnished. The Chief Commis-
sioner desires that in future explanations may be given of such important variations
in figures.
4. The question of the improvement of local breeds of cattle engaged the attention
of the Chief Commissioner, and the Government of Bengal have been asked whether
they will be able to supply this Administration with a few bulls for breeding purposes
from the Rangpur Farm in Bengal.
5. The Superintendent has drawn attention to the importance, when circum"
stances permit, of sending a number of Veterinary Assistants to the Veterinary College
for a course of post-graduate training. The Chief Commissioner recognises that such
a course of training is very desirable in the case of assistants who, owing to the
isolation of their stations or for other reasons, are unable to keep their professional
knowledge up to date. In order to give effect to the Superintendent's suggestion,
a definite scheme should be submitted by the Director of Land Records and Agricul-
t ure.
6. Mr. McSwiney has commented on the small number of volunteers for military
duty, and the Chief Commissioner regrets to notice that recently, when there was a
call for Veterinary Assistants for service overseas and elsewhere, none of the assistants
in Assam were willing to offer their services on the conditions prescribed by the
Government of India.
7. The Chief Commissioner is pleased to note the names of the officers of the
Department who have been commended for good work and his thanks are due to
Mr, Harris for his most efficient and capable administration.