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ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
CIVIL VETERINARY DEPARTMENT
BIHAR AND ORISSA
FOR THE YEAR
1932-33.
CHAPTER I.
General Administration.
I HELD charge of the department and exercised immediate
supervision over the work of the Central Range throughout the
year.
2. As Director of Veterinary Services of the province,
I also held administrative charge of the Bihar and Orissa
Veterinary College which included the control of the Government
Cattle Farm, Patna. The work of the department increased
during the year owing to the appointment of the Veterinary-
Disease Investigation Officer.
3. I was confirmed in my present post with effect from the
24th November 1932.
4. During the year, I visited 12 districts and inspected
43 veterinary hospitals and dispensaries. Unlike the previous
year, I concentrated my visits on particular institutions which
required greater attention than the others; and managed to
inspect such outlying dispensaries as Gumla, Simdega, Bagaha,
Kissenganj, Islampur, Sehra, etc. In addition, I visited some
such important centres as Phulwari, Bikram, Tatanagar,
Topcehanchi, etc., either in connection with the field veterinary
dispensaries or to give professional advice. While on inspection
duty at Cattack, I paid a visit to the Range office. At the
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North Bihar Range Laboratory, Muzaffarpur, I saw the experi-
mental animals which were undergoing the new method of
goat virus inoculations against rinderpest.
5. At the request of the Police Department, I examined the
horses of the Mounted Military Police at Arrah for easting.
6. As a member of the Advisory Board of the Imperial
Council of Agricultural Research, I attended both the meetings
of the Board held at Simla and New Delhi. A very important
meeting of the Animal Husbandry Wing of the Board of Agri-
culture and Animal Husbandry was organized during the year at
Delhi following closely upon the sitting of the Advisory Board.
I attended that meeting also being nominated as a representative
of the Government of Bihar and Orissa. While there, I joined
in the deliberation of a committee of experts under the Board
which considered the question of an All-India curriculum for
the Indian Veterinary Colleges. I also acted as a member of
the Bihar and Orissa Agricultural Research Committee and of
the re-constituted Provincial Agricultural Association.
As usual, I attended the annual Camp of Exercise of the
Bihar Light Horse at Muzaffarpur, and also Sonepur fair.
7. In March last, I acted as a member of the Board of
Examiners at the annual examinations of the Bihar and Orissa
Veterinary College. Being appointed a member of the Board
of Examiners of the Bengal Veterinary College, I acted as an
external examiner at the annual examinations of that college;
and also as President and the Senior Member of the Bihar and
Orissa Veterinary Examination Board for the half-yearly
professional examinations of the subordinate staff held in April
and October 1932. The stipendiary students of the province
seeking admission to the Bihar and Orissa Veterinary College
were also interviewed by me.
8. In addition to the above and the ordinary office routine
at headquarters, I paid one official visit to the Bihar and Orissa
Veterinary College, some informal visits to the college hospital
and the local veterinary hospital at Bankipur and also visited
the Patna Cattle Breeding Farm frequently.
9. During the year, I travelled 2,609 miles by road in addi-
tion to the journeys performed by rail and spent 132 days on tour.
10. Special Officer, Mr. S. K. Sen, m.k,c,v,s., remained
attached to the office of the Director up to the 7th May 1932
after which he relieved Assistant Director, Babu Nilmoni
Chattarji as Special Officer in charge of the Central Range.
The latter officer proceeded to Cuttack being appointed to hold
charge of the Orissa Range vice Assistant Director Rai Sahib
P. N. Das, who retired from the 15th May 1932,
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11. During the short period of one month, and seven days,
Mr. Sen, as an officer under training, inspected two veterinary-
dispensaries, Nawada and Warisaliganj, visited 8 police-stations
and 10 villages. He also acted as an examiner at the half-yearly
professional examination of subordinate veterinary officers. He
spent 7 days on tour and travelled 272 miles by road.
North Bihar Range.
12. Special Officer, Mr. M. I. Malik, m.r.c.v s., held charge
of the North Bihar Range throughout the year. During the
period, he spent 150 days on tour, travelled 3,646 miles by road
in addition to railway journeys, inspected 30 permanent veterinary
hospitals and dispensaries out of 43, and 28 field veterinary
dispensaries out of 68 opened in the range. He also inspected
the offices of 3 veterinary inspectors out of 4 in the range, visited
the Government Cattle Farms, Pusa and Sipaya, as well as the
important horse and cattle fairs and shows ; he acted as an
examiner at the annual and diploma examinations of the Bihar
and Orissa Veterinary College and also at the half-yearly profes-
sional examination of the subordinate veterinary officers held at
Patna in October 1932. He, further, supervised the inoculation
of the Darbhanga Raj horses against anthrax, attended an
informal meeting of veterinary officers at Patna, the meetings of
the Divisional Development Boards, Bhagalpur and Tirhut
Divisions held at Kisbanganj and Sewan and a special meeting
of the veterinary dispensary committee under the district board,
Monghyr. Mr. Malik was also elected President of the Develop-
ment Board meeting at Sewan and a member of the Council of
Rural Economy formed at Muzaffarpur.
Central Range.
13. Assistant Director, Babu Nilmoni Chattarji while in
charge of the range from 1st April to 7th May 1932, acted as
the Secretary and an examiner at the first half-yearly professional
examination of the subordinate veterinary officers, and also as
a member of the Selection Board for appointment of officers to
the Provincial Veterinary Service.
14. Special Officer, Mr. S. K. Sen held charge of the Range
from 8th May till the end of the year. During this period, he
inspected 44 permanent veterinary hospitals and dispensaries out
of a total of 51, the offices of 3 veterinary inspectors out of 5,
and also visited 26 field veterinary dispensaries out of 49 opened
in the range. While touring in the interior, he visited 81 police-
stations and 220 villages where enquiries were made by him into
the existence of cattle disease and work of the subordinate staff.
15. In addition to the above, Mr. Sen also inspected the
Mounted Military Police horses at Arrah twice, the Agricul-
tural Farm herd at Gaya, the Government cattle at Buxar and
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Hazaribagh Central Jails, the animals of the Hazaribagh
Reformatory School and of the Police Training College at
Hazaribagh, and the Conservancy animals at Sahibgunge and
Giridih. He also attended the Co-operative Federation Congress at
Monghyr, the Goat Virus Vaccination Camp at Kanti (Muzaffar-
pur) and Jahanabad (Gaya), Sonepur Fair, the Bihar and Orissa
S. P. C. A. Cattle Show at Patna, a special meeting of the veteri-
nary committee under the district board at Monghyr and also the
Provincial Industrial Exhibition at Patna where he supervised
the propaganda work of the department. He also acted as
a member and Secretary to the Bihar and Orissa Veterinary
Examination Board held in April and October 1932, as a judge at
the Cattle Show in Barahpur Fair which was organized by Mr. Jag-
mohan, i.c.s., the Subdivisional Officer of Buxar, and delivered
lectures to the cadets of the Hazaribagh Police Training College on
common contagious diseases and general management of cattle.
Orissa Range.
16. During the short period of incumbency of 1 month
and 14 days, Rai Sahib P. N. Das inspected 7 veterinary
hospitals and dispensaries, acted as an examiner at the annual
examinations of the Bihar and Orissa Veterinary College and
attended the meeting of gazetted officers held at Patna in April
1932. He spent 19 days on tour and travelled 611 miles by road.
17. Assistant Director, Babu Nilmoni Chattarji since
taking over charge of the range on 15th May 1932, inspected 19
permanent veterinary hospitals and dispensaries, besides visiting
18 field veterinary dispensaries out of a total number of 36
opened during the year, checked the work of the subordinate
staff in 280 villages, supervised the immunization of dairy
cattle of the Tata Iron and Steel Company, Limited, at Jamshed-
pur against rinderpest by the " Serum Simultaneous " method and
tested the efficacy of Goat virus vaccination on some animals
at the same place and at the Cuttack laboratory, inspected the
conservancy cattle of Puri municipality and the Jail cattle
at Puri, enquired into the general condition of the Government
elephants at Purnagarh in Angul and the Agricultural Farm
cattle at Cuttack. In addition Babu Nilmoni Chattarji also
personally attended an outbreak of equine surra at Padampur
(district Sambalpur) and an Exhibition of the Ravenshaw
College and a cattle show at Cuttack, In the course of his tour,
he further visited the meat markets, the cattle pounds and the
dairy farm under the Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee.
He was on tour for 100 days and travelled 3,199 miles by road
in addition to the railway journeys.
Veterinary Disease Investigation Officer.
18. In pursuance of the general scheme for the appoint-
ment of Veterinary Disease Investigation Officers, the Imperial
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Council of Agricultural Research was pleased to allot a sum
of Rs. 50,000 to Bihar and Orissa extending over a period of
five years for investigation of obscure diseases in the province.
It is satisfactory to note that the earliest possible opportunity
was taken of the grant by appointing a highly-qualified officer,
viz. Mr. Lakshmi Sahai, M.SC, M.R.C.V.S., to the post with
effect from the 2nd May 1932. The officer has been placed
under the direct control of the Director of Veterinary Services
and provided with a separate office establishment and accom-
modation in a part of the Director's office at the Secretariat.
19. According to the terms of the scheme, Mr. Sahai joined
the Imperial Institute of Veterinary Research at Muktesar for
a course of training in different sections of the institute for six
months. He returned from Muktesar on the 1st of November
1932 and shortly after, started investigations into two most
important diseases of the programme, viz. Johne's Disease and
Tuberculosis with special reference to their incidence in different
parts of the province. With this object in view, he visited the
Government Cattle Farm, Kanke once, and Sipaya twice during
the year, and carried out the double-intradermal tuberculin test
of both the herds and recommended certain control measures.
While at headquarters, besides doing office work, he worked at
the Veterinary College Laboratory on materials collected from
different places. He was on tour for 57 days.
CHAPTER II.
VETERINARY INSTRUCTION.
Bihar and Orissa Veterinary College.
20. The Bihar and Orissa Veterinary College entered upon
its 3rd session on the 1st July 1932. There was no change in the
superior personnel, Mr. R. T. Davis, I.V.S, continuing to hold
charge of the college as Principal. He also supervised the work
of the Manager, Government Cattle Farm, Patna, and the staff.
21. In addition to his ordinary duties, Mr. Davis also acted
as Secretary to the Governing Body of the College, a member
of the Board of Examiners for the session 1932-33, an external
examiner at the annual and diploma examinations of the Bengal
Veterinary College, Calcutta, and as a member of the Bihar
and Orissa Agricultural Research Committee.
22. The term of three years' contract of Dr. A. C. Chaudhuri,
Professor of Hygiene and Dietetics, having come to an end,
his appointment was extended temporarily for a period of
two years more from the 1st April 1933. There was no change
in the subordinate professional staff except that the three posts
of assistants to the Professors which were retrenched temporarily
from 1st March 1932, remained vacant throughout the year.
The details of the staff employed are shown in Table VII(A).
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23. Students.—Owing to the general economic depression
and dearth of vacancies in the department, admission of stu-
dents to the diploma course was not as satisfactory as in the
previous two years. Moreover, the regulations under which
the district boards can now grant only one scholarship each
year to a student at a particular institution, and also the condi-
tion that the aborigines of Chota Nagpur and the Sanfal Parganas
district on Government stipends are required to pay the tuition
fee like other students at the Bihar and Orissa Veterinary
College, appear to have adversely affected the number of the
stipendiaries, both district board and Government. Only 10 new
students including two State scholars from Hyderabad (Deccan)
and 2 private students (one from the United Provinces and one
from Burma) joined the College. This, together with the 36 old
students, made the total number on the roll 46 at the beginning
of the session, but as out of this number, 2 students left during
the 1st term, the total at the end of the session was 44. Their
distribution according to the provinces or States was as follows :—
Bihar and Orissa 29 ; United Provinces (Government) 6
United Provinces (private) 1 ; Hyderabad State scholars 7 ;
Central Provinces (private) 1.
Amongst these, 23 were Hindus, 15 Muhammadans and
6 Indian Christians ; while 7 were under-graduates, 86 matri-
culates or of equivalent qualification, and 1 non-matric from the
old batch brought from the Bengal Veterinary College.
24. Stipends.—Out of a total of 44 students, there were 6
private including 2 from outside the province, while 38 students
held stipends as follows :—
Bihar and Orissa Government 4, Hyderabad State 7, United
Provinces Government 6, Bihar and Orissa District Board 20
and Bettiah Raj 1.
25. Examinations.—The results of the Annual and Diploma
Examinations for the session 1932-33, which were conducted as
usual by a Board of Examiners, were considered satisfactory, as
34 out of 44 students came out successful, the percentage of
passes being 75 per cent in the first year, 72 per cent in the
second year and 83 per cent in the final year class. Moreover,
out of 15 students who took their diplomas, 2 gained distinction
in Veterinary Medicine. Thirteen graduates including the two
who gained distinction, joined for. the first time, and have had
their complete course of training at this college since 1930, In
pursuance of the recommendation of the Board of Examiners for
the last session, Government were pleased to abolish the dual
system of marking and to fix a uniform percentage of pass marks,
viz. 45, in each subject in each class. Government were also
pleased, in modification of the existing rule, to accord their sanc-
tion as an experimental measure to the consolidated tuition fee
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of Rs. 50 being realized in five equal instalments from students
of the first year class instead of in two instalments from the
next session. This will, it is hoped, remove the pecuniary diffi-
culties generally experienced by candidates.
26. Post-graduate course.—The post-graduate class was
started from the 1st July and completed on the 23rd December
1932. Both the theoretical lectures and practical training of
this course were conducted satisfactorily by the Professors.
Seven students including 4 officers from the department joined
the class and 6 were awarded certificates of proficiency at the
end of the course. One private student died while on leave.
27. Hostels.—Out of the total number, 49 students lived in
the two hostels attached to the College. Their general health
was satisfactory. Dr. A. C. Choudhuri, B.SC, Ph.D. (Edin),
was appointed warden for the new session and took over charge
from his predecessor, Mr. S. I. H. Akbari, from the 4th July 1932.
23. Hygiene Laboratory.—The work on water and gas
installations in the Hygiene Laboratory which was sanctioned at
a cost of Rs. 408 was completed by the Public Health (Engin-
eering) Department towards the close of the year. Dr. A. C.
Choudhuri, the Professor of Hygiene, who was in charge of the
laboratory, tested 1,049 samples of milk. Both ordinary and
post-graduate students received practical training in milk
inspection at the laboratory and the Government Cattle Farm,
Patna, while demonstrations on meat inspection were given at
the slaughter-houses and the meat market of Dinapur.
29. Veterinary hospital.—Mr. G. N. Roy Chowdhury, the
Professor in charge, supervised the work of the hospital. During
the year 2,665 patients were treated, compared with 2,290 in the
year 1931-32. The number included 302 in-patients, 51 cruelty
cases, 379 operations and 1,512 intravenous injections. In addi-
tion to the above, 133 castrations were performed, and 132
pathological specimens were sent to the laboratory for examina-
tion. Experimental treatment was also carried out at the hospital
on Bursatee and Kumri by salts of Tartar Emetic with results
which were not discouraging. Treatment of non-sweating among
4 valuable polo ponies was done satisfactorily by the oral adminis-
tration of dessicated gland substances, also of a few cases of
obstinate lameness due to chronic sprain with thickened tendons,
by injection of Theosinamine et-Sodi-Salicylate with good
results.
30. During the year, the hospital was declared by Govern-
ment as an infirmary under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Act of 1890 and instructions were given to the trying magistrates
of Bankipur and Dinapur to send cases to the hospital for
treatment.
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31. Shoeing Forge.—259 horses were shod at the shoeing
forge attached to the hospital against 178 in the preceding year
which shows an increase of 81 horses.
32. Breeding Bull.—A stud bull from the Government
Cattle Farm, Patna, was placed temporarily at the hospital for
free service to cows belonging to the public and advantage was
taken of same by people of the neighbouring villages. Arrange-
ments have since been made for the permanent keeping of a stud
bull at the hospital.
33. Research Laboratory.—Research work on nasal gran-
uloma, kumri and other diseases was continued during the year
under the guidance of Mr. P. G. Malkani, the Research Officer,
who visited Bikramgunge, Purulia, Jamshedpur, Balasore, Puri
and Cuttack in connection with his investigations. He also
visited Bhowra (Manbhum) to see a kumri case at the request
and expense of Mr.Mackie.
34. A tuberculin test was carried out by the laboratory staff
on 23 cows and 35 buffaloes belonging to the contractor of the
Royal Berkshire Regiment, Dinapur, at the special request of
the Military authority.
35. Goat Virus inoculation at Government Cattle Farm,
Patna.—Under instructions of the Director of Veterinary
Services, inoculation against rinderpest by the" Goat Virus
Alone" method was undertaken by the laboratory first as an
experimental measure on selected farm animals and then
extended to other animals. Altogether 183 cattle of the Farm
and three locally purchased, including cross-breds, were
immunized by this method.
36. Routine laboratory work.—3,525 specimens including
blood smears, pus, fæces, urine, etc., received from the districts,
college hospital and farm were examined and diseases were
diagnosed in 577 cases.
37. General remarks : Governing Body.—Three meetings
of the Governing Body were convened during the year.
Diploma and prize distribution.—The function was held on
the 5th April 1933. Mr. A. P. Middleton, I.C.S., Commissioner of
the Patna Division, presided and gave away the prizes and
diplomas.
Visits.—During the year, the college was visited by Diwan
Bahadur Sir Vijaya Raghavachariya, Vice-Chairman of the
Imperial Council of Agricultural Research, while Colonel
A. Olver, C.B., C.M.G., F.B.C.V.S., the Animal Husbandry Expert
to the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research paid another
visit to the college.
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Professional Examination and Training.
38. Bihar and Orissa Veterinary Examination Board.—
The half-yearly professional examinations of the subordinate
officers were conducted as usual in April and October 1932.
I acted as President and Senior Examiner, while Messrs.
M. I. Malik, S. K. Sen and N. Chattarji either as examiner, or
Secretary as well as examiner of the Board. Twenty-seven
veterinary assistant surgeons appeared at the examinations, and
out of them 14 passed, the percentage of passes being about B2.
The names of the successful candidates were duly published in
the Gazette.
39. Training at Muktesar.—As
previously arranged,
Veterinary Disease Investigation Officer, Mr. Lakshmi Sahai, on
his appointment to the post, joined the Imperial Institute of
Veterinary Research, Muktesar, for a special course of training
for six months. While there, he worked in different sections of
the institute and returned to Patna in the first week of Novem-
ber 1932, after completing the course.
CHAPTER III.
Treatment of disease.
40. As in the previous year, contagious livestock diseases were
prevalent throughout the province. It is, however, satisfactory
to note that due mainly to the efforts of the staff, except
in the two districts of Ranchi and Sambalpur, none of the
outbreaks assumed a widespread form. Ranchi and Sambalpur
suffered considerably during the year from attacks of
different contagious diseases as the local authorities were
unable to provide sufficient funds for preventive inoculations.
So far as the records go, rinderpest, hæmorrhagic septicæmia
and foot and mouth disease were more or less general, and the
first two diseases caused heavy mortalities wherever they
occurred. As regards the other contagious diseases commonly
met with, Black-quarter and Anthrax were reported in 15 and
12 districts respectively. In spite of the extreme
financial
difficulties which the department as well as the local bodies had
to face, the general health of cattle during the year was, On
the whole, satisfactory, and it was especially so in Orissa, where
Cuttack and Puri districts showed considerable improvement in
their health and Angul maintained its comparative freedom
from the infection of rinderpest. The comparative improvement
of the condition prevailing in Orissa proper is, however, an
uncertain quality as a greater part of this area being subject to
inundation, contagious diseases may reappear at any time
during or immediately after the rains, in a virulent form should
there be a flood. It, therefore, appears incumbent on the local
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