NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
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the existing system is already noticed in that there is no moving
about on the part of a touring veterinary assistant surgeon
looking for a diseased animal but that his movements being
already known to the villagers, they gather round his field
dispensary with their sick animals for treatment. The change
has therefore conferred the double advantage, viz., an advantage
on the cultivator of securing the services of the veterinary
assistant surgeon until his bullock is cured, and also an
advantage on the assistant of seeing through the full course of
treatment adopted by him for a village animal which he could
rarely have done during his ordinary tours in the past. In spite
of the shortage of staff and the restrictions on touring, as many
as 138 field veterinary dispensaries were maintained at the end
of the year, and of these, 55 were opened in the North Bihar,
49 in the Central and the remaining 34 in the Orissa Range, the
number of cases treated at these dispensaries being 76,313 ;
according to ranges, they were 23,719, 34,504 and 18,060, respec-
tively. These cases are included in the figures shown in Table IV.
77. The opening of the field veterinary dispensaries has
more than anything else shown to what enormous extent the
usefulness of the Civil Veterinary Department can be carried for
the benefit of the cultivators, the very class of people on whom
depends the national wealth of the country, without any appre-
ciable additional expenditure. Their work in this province has,
within the span of one year, been so keenly appreciated that it
now leaves no room to go back on the moving-about system
which has so long been followed. The only course open now is
to go ahead and develop the work by paying more regular visits
to the existing centres, and if possible, by opening additional
dispensaries at other important centres. At present, though the
number is less than two per assistant, being single-handed it has
become extremely difficult for him to keep to his programme of
attendances, as he is often engaged in outbreaks in other parts and
has also to manage the headquarters dispensaries. To meet these
shortcomings, all that is necessary is to appoint an additional
touring staff, say, 2 per district, even on less emoluments, who
would act as relieving assistants in times of outbreaks, etc.
Veterinary hospitals.
78. Number of hospitals.—The number of veterinary
hospitals remained the same, i.e., 33 as in the previous year. The
Ranchi hospital is no longer in charge of a touring assistant,
the post having already been converted into a stationary one
from 1st April 1932. As there was no accommodation for treat-
ment of in-patients at Daltonganj, this dispensary has not been
shown under Table V, but Jamui (Monghyr) which was built
20
for a hospital, has taken its place. Dinapur still continues to be
in charge of a touring veterinary assistant surgeon.
79. Construction and repair.—The hospital buildings under
construction at Purnea were completed during the year and the
hospital was removed to the new buildings. Structural altera-
tions have been carried out at the Cuttack Veterinary Hospital.
These have proved to be useful additions. The only other
improvement made was an additional room attached to the
godown of the veterinary hospital, Purulia, for the use of the
hospital peon.
80. Number of patients treated.—Altogether 63,273 in
and out-patients were treated at the veterinary hospitals as
compared with 75,163 treated in 1931-32 showing an increase of
8,120 patients. Out of the total number, 41,855 patients were
treated in the 14 hospitals of North Bihar, 26,810 in the
11 hospitals of the Central and 14,608 in the 8 hospitals of the
Orissa Range. In addition to these, 16,568 castrations were
performed by the hospital assistants and also 14,648 cases
not brought to the hospitals, were supplied with medicines, as
compared with 13,499 and 12,012 respectively in the year
1931-32. Balasore, though listed as a hospital, remained vacant
as before.
CHAPTER IV.
Breeding operations.
81. Control of livestock improvement.—There was no
change in the policy so far as the control of livestock improve-
ment was concerned. The Civil Veterinary Department as
before controlled the breeding operations at the Patna Cattle
Breeding Farm and also looked after the stud bulls kept at the
veterinary hospitals.
82. An important decision was arrived at by Government
regarding the distribution of surplus bulls bred on the Patna
Farm according to which these bulls can now be distributed to
the district boards only free of charge and the minimum price
of a bull to be sold to other local bodies or persons within the
province was fixed at Rs. 50. Up to 31st March 1933, 8 bulls
were distributed free to the following district boards :—
Gaya (1 Tharparkar, 1 cross-bred); Muzaffarpur (1 Tharpar-
kar, 1 cross-bred); Balasore (1 Tharparkar, 1 cross-bred); Purnea
(1 Tharparkar) and Deputy Commissioner, Angul (1 Tharparkar,
as a special case); and the Director of Agriculture was informed.
In addition, 11 bulls were sold to different bodies.
83. Stud bulls.—The number of stud bulls maintained at
different veterinary hospitals was 38 on 1st April 1932 excluding
2 bulls of the Agriculture Department. During the year, 9 bulls
were obtained, either free from the Patna Farm or by purchase,
21
making the total number 47. Out of these, 7 casualties occurred
owing to death, transfer or return, leaving 40 as balance at the
end of the year. Except 2 bulls which belonged to Government,
all others were the property of local bodies.
84. Castration of scrub bulls.—The work of elimination of
useless scrub bulls by castration was pursued even with greater
energy as the number castrated rose to 88,469 from 77,278 in
1931-32, an increase of 11,191 bulls. Out of this number,
36,863 bulls were castrated in the North Bihar, 37,077 in the
Central and 14,529 in the Orissa Range. In addition, 203 equines
and 6,754 other animals were also castrated by the staff, making
the total number 94,426 as compared with 82,751 done in the
previous year. The figures are already included in Tables IV
and V.
Cattle Farm.
Patna Cattle Breeding and Dairy Farm.
85. Staff.—The Principal of the Bihar and Orissa Veterinary
College supervised the work of the farm in accordance with the
terms of his appointment. The strength of the farm staff during
the year remained the same as in 1931-32 except that the posts
of the Ford Van Driver and the Oil Engine and Tractor Driver
were temporarily vacant.
86. Livestock.—On the 1st of April 1932, the farm herd
consisted of 117 desi cows, 54 Tharparkar cows, 56 Tharparkar
bull calves and 72 Tharparkar heifer calves, 101 cross-bred bull
calves, 58 cross-bred heifer calves, 1 desi bull calf, 50 draught
bullocks, 6 Tharparkar bulls and 1 pony, or a total of 516
animals. The above figures were subsequently revised, and on
actual counting it was found that there were 116 desi cows,
54 Tharparkar cows, 49 Tharparkar bull calves, 73 Tharparkar
heifer calves, 110 cross-bred bull calves, 51 cross-bred heifer
calves, 8 desi bull calves, 1 desi heifer calf, 50 draught
bullocks, 6 Tharparkar bulls and 1 pony, or a total of 519
animals. During the year 22 Tharparkar bull calves and 29
Tharparkar heifer calves, 51 cross-bred bull calves and 44 cross-
bred heifer calves were born on the farm raising the total to 665.
Out of this number, there were 6 casualties, 94 animals were
sold, 5 Tharparkar and 3 cross-bred bulls were distributed free
to some district boards in the province, leaving the total strength
of the herd at 557 at the end of the year as per Statement A.
The average number of cows in milk during the year was 90.
It will be seen from Statement A that 11 Tharparkar heifers
of which 3 came with their mothers and 8 born at the
farm were drafted into the herd. They are still in milk and
their average daily milk yield is about 10 lbs. per head. It is
expected that they will give more milk in their 2nd, 3rd and
4th calving.
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87. 186 animals were protected against rinderpest by Goat
Virus inoculation which was carried out with the assistance of
the Veterinary College staff. The animals of the farm were also
protected against hæmorrhagie septicæmia and black quarter as
usual. The health of the animals was good throughout the year.
88. Supply of breeding bulls.—As most of the district
boards in the province were not in a position to purchase bulls
due to financial stringencies Government were pleased to approve
of free distribution of surplus bulls to district boards only, and
accordingly five Tharparkar and three cross-bred bulls worth
Rs. 1,600 were distributed.
The farm also sold one Tharparkar bull to the district board
of Gaya. Besides, seven Tharparkar and three cross-bred bulls
were sold to the Corporation of Calcutta at Rs. 150 each with
the sanction of Government.
89. Milk and milk products.—The total yield during the
year was 279,094 lbs. or an average of 8.7 lbs. per cow per day
against 257,741 lbs. during the previous year, or an increase of
21,353 lbs. during the year under report. The total quantity of
milk sold during the year was 238,072 lbs. against 233,776 lbs. in
the year 1931-32 and 536 lbs. of cream and 245 lbs. of ghee
were also sold during the year. Out of the balance of 41,022 lbs.
of milk 7,920 lbs. were lost in pasteurising, measuring and
bottling, etc., 25,902 lbs. were separated for cream and ghee and
the remaining 7,200 lbs. were fed to the calves.
90. Cultivation.—The total area of land cultivated by the
farm was 313 acres in addition to which 147 bighas 14 cottahs
and 7½ dhurs were leased out at a rental of Rs. 1,546-12-0. Out
of this amount, a sum of Rs. 1,392-2-6 was realized during the
year and credited to Government. The balance Rs. 154-9-6
could not be realized during the year but the tenants promised
to pay the amount at an early date. It has since been realized
and credited to Government.
91. Crops such as maize, juar, oats, khesari and gram, etc.,
were grown on the farm. The total outturn of monsoon and
rabi crops was 78,467 maunds 26 seers including green fodder
and bhusa (chaff) to the value of Rs. 23,928-12-6 as per state-
ment B, while the expenditure on cultivation during the year
was Rs. 13,190. The Burseem fodder crop grown for the first
time on the farm during the year under the orders of the Director
of Veterinary Services, Bihar and Orissa, was found to be
a profitable fodder as it increases the milk yield of the cows to
a great extent.
92. Buildings.—The Public Works Department carried out
some petty repairs during the year. The stanchions required to
complete the cow-shed extensions have not yet been provided. The
Public Works Department have however now taken up the work
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93. Revenue and Expenditure.—The total revenue of the
farm amounted to Rs. 54,573-3-0 including Rs. 23,928-12-6 (the
estimated receipts) on account of fodder produced, while the
total expenditure was Rs. 16,940-6-0 excluding the payments
made by the Public Works Department for buildings. The
details are shown in Table IX.
Owing to want of budget provision, no more pure-bred
Tharparkar cows could be purchased during the year by way of
replacing the present mixed herd of the farm.
Horse Breeding.
94. No horse or pony stallion is maintained in the province.
Fairs and Shows.
95. As usual, all the important horse and cattle fairs held
in the province were attended by the staff. Of these, the
Sonepur, Sitamarhi and Khagra fairs were also visited by Special
Officer, Mr. Malik. More attention was paid during the year
to propaganda work attended with demonstration and lantern
lectures wherever possible, at the fairs which were generally
appreciated. As in the previous year, Sonepur presented a lively
scene of interest as it was again visited by His Excellency the
Governor of the Province. The annual camp of the department
was held at this fair attended by 7 veterinary assistant surgeons
and 1 inspector who looked after the sanitary arrangements made
for the animals and treated the sick ones at the camp veterinary
dispensary. 1 also paid a visit to Sonepur. Mr. Malik purchased
a fine Bhutia pony at Sonepur for the Raj Kishore of Ratu who
expressed his thanks for the purchase made.
96. At the 22 principal fairs and shows of which details are
given in Tables XIII and XIV, 244,893 animals of all classes
were presented for sale which shows a slight increase in the total
number of animals as compared with the previous year's figures.
The prices of the animals appear to have gone down considerably.
97. 4,472 animals consisting of bullocks, cows and buffaloes
were booked to the various places from stations on Sonepur district
of the Bengal and North-Western Railway against 6,912 of the
previous year. These figures only gi e a rough idea of transport
of cattle by rail in the northern part of the province.
CHAPTER V.
Provincial Establishment.
98. With the retirement of Assistant Director, Rai Sahib
P. N. Das, the department lost the guidance of one of its
oldest officers. He began his career as a veterinary assistant in
Bengal in 1900 and gradually rose to the position of an Assistant
Director in charge of a range. His services were recognised by
Government by conferring on him the title of Rai Sahib, he being
the only recipient of this honour up to the present.
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Babu Nilmoni Chattarji relieved Rai Sahib P. N. Das at
Assistant Director in charge of the Orissa Range on the afternoon
of 14th May 1932. He received full powers of administration
of a Deputy Director and was granted a special pay of Rs. 100
per mensem so long as he remained in charge of the range. In
consequence of his transfer to Cuttack, Special Officer, Mr. S. K.
Sen was placed in partial charge of the Central Range from the
8th May 1932 and vested with all the powers which Babu
Nilmoni Chattarji exercised before.
CHAPTER VI.
Subordinate Establishment.
99. The strength of the inspecting staff consisted in 13
veterinary inspectors as in the year 1931-32, each being in charge
of a circle, T'here was no important change in their personnel
except that Babu J. L. Bose was granted two months' leave, while
inspector Babu A. C. Rautra was deputed to the post-graduate
training at the Bihar and Orissa Velerinary College for six
months from 1st July 1932. During the absence of these officers
their charges were held by the inspectors of the Chaibassa and
Puri circles respectively in addition to their own duties.
Among the veterinary assistant surgeons, 3 assistants, viz.,
Babus S. D. Narayan (staff), L. K. Acharya and Maulavi S. A.
Quadir were also deputed to the post-graduate course.
100. It is regretted that the department lost the services of
one senior veterinary assistant surgeon by the untimely death of
Babu B. C. Lal, and of another promising Uriya assistant, Babu
B. Panda of Sambalpur who died of rabies.
Only one new veterinary graduate out of the lot on the
waiting list could be absorbed in the department. At the end of
the year, the strength of the subordinate staff consisted of 13
veterinary inspectors, 2 laboratory assistants, 6 staff and 12
reserve veterinary assistant surgeons and 126 veterinary assistant
surgeons employed in the districts (viz., 31 stationary and 95
touring), the details of which are shown in Table VII.
101. According to each range, the staff was distributed as
follows:—
Range.
North Bihar...
Central
Orissa ...
Total ...
Veterinary
inspector.
4
5
4
13
Laboratory
assistant.
1
...
1
2
Staff vete-
rinary
assistant
surgeon.
2
2
2
6
Reserve
veterinary
assistant
surgeon.
4
4
4
12
Hospital
veterinary
assistant
surgeon.
14*
9
8†
31
Touring
veterinary
assistant
surgeon.
29
41
25
95
* Including the veterinary assistant surgeon under the Bettiah Raj.
† Excluding Balasore.
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CHAPTER VII.
Laboratories.
102. Under the existing arrangement, all laboratory work
for the Central Range is carried out at the Bihar and Orissa
Veterinary College Laboratory, whereas the other two ranges
have got their own laboratories and staff to do this work.
During the year, 8,058 smears including blood, fæces, pus, urine
and other body juices were received and examined at the college
and range laboratories with the result that diseases were diagnosed
in 1,285 instances as follows :—
Anthrax 31, Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia 27, Black Quarter 21,
Trypanosomiasis 40, Piroplasmosis 5, Fowl Cholera 14, Mange 29,
Johne's Disease 6, Strangles 35, Theilariasis 87, Coccidiosis 146,
Cestode 6, Eosinophilia 17, Actinomycosis 8, Streptococcæ
infection 7, Albuminuria and kidney affections 4, Anæmia 50,
Ascariasis 62, Strongylosis 97, Leucocytosis 22, Filariasis
(bovine) 2, Ankylostomiasis 84, Nematode infection 229,
Staphylococcus infection 35, Mixed infection (strepto : and
staphy :) 27, Malignant (Edema 1, Epizootic Lymphangitis 1,
Trematode 1, Fibroma 1, Sarcoma 1 and miscellaneous diseases
189.
103. In addition to the above, 56 pathological specimens
from the Central Range and 84 from Orissa were sent to the
college laboratory for examination. A few more such specimens
were also sent to the college by the staff in the North Bihar
Range.
Investigation of diseases.
104. North Bihar Range.—In this range, 31 cases of nasal
granuloma, 6 cases (ponies) of Bursattee sore, 6 of tumours in
cattle, 33 cases of skin affection, 12 cases of broken-horn in
cattle, 1,709 cases of Stringhalt, 2 cases of equine anthrax, 3 of
ulcers in cattle, 1 of canine piroplasmosis and 8 rinderpest cases
were treated experimentally by different methods with more or less
satisfactory results. Besides these, enquiries were also made by the
subordinate staff into the existence of tuberculosis and bovine con-
tagious abortion but no case of either was detected during the
year.
105. Central Range.—In the Central Range, as many as 668
cases of rinderpest were treated with Lugol's solution and the
result was encouraging, especially when the treatment was adopted
in earlier stages. 90 per cent were reported to have been cured.
In addition, 14 cases of broken-horn, 13 of Bursattee, 61 of
skin diseases and 826 of stringhalt were treated either with
encouraging or satisfactory results.
8 DVS
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106. The disease, nasal granuloma, being widely prevalent;
in this range, 12,915 animals affected with it were treated
mostly in the districts of Arrah, Gaya and Patna. The treat-
ment adopted was intravenous injection of an aquous solution of
Pot. Ant. Tart, 3 to 6 injections being found necessary to effect
a cure.
107. Orissa Range.—Diseases such as Bursattee, folicular
mange, skin affections, mammitis, debility, tumour, rinderpest,
hæmorrhagic septicæmia, distemper, surra and ankylostomiasis
were also treated experimentally both at the Cuttack laboratory and
by the district staff with satisfactory results in most of the cases.
108. Work of the Disease Investigation Officer.—During
the short period of five months, work was carried out by the
Veterinary Disease Investigation Officer on Johne's disease and
tuberculosis with special reference to the incidence of these two
important diseases in the different parts of the province.
Operations were carried out on two big Government herds,.
viz., those at Sipaya and Kanke, the former being mainly a
buffalo herd with a total strength at the time of the test of 185,
and the latter, a bovine herd with a strength of 341. Both
the herds were tested by the double-intradermal tuberculin
test, the total number of animals tested at Sipaya being 143
and at Kanke 297. The existence of Johne's disease which
had long been suspected to exist in these two herds was
confirmed with an incidence of 5.4 in the case of the Sipaya
and 1.6 in the case of the Kanke herd. Besides, tuberculosis
which had hitherto been unsuspected was also shown to exist.
This finding is rather interesting as it has generally been believed
that tuberculosis is of very rare occurrence in this country.
Investigation has, however, shown that it is not so very rare
after all, and this finding is supported by the work of other
workere in this country. Appropriate measures have been
taken to deal with the herds and it is proposed to retest them
again after an interval of six months.
CHAPTER VIII.
Expenditure.
109. The total expenditure of the department amounted to
Rs. 6,51,822-7-8 as compared with Rs. 6,71,912-1 1-4 of the
year 1931-32. Out of this, a sum of Rs. 3,90,576-6-3 was spent
from the Provincial Revenues and Rs. 2,61,246-1-5 from the
Local Fund budget, against Rs. 4,26,096-11-4 and Rs. 2,46,846-0-0
respectively 9pent from the same two sources in the previous
year. The decrease under the head " Provincial " was due to
retrenchment, 10 per cent cut in pay and stricter economy
observed by the department.
Compared with the total
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Provincial Revenues, the expenditure incurred by Government
for the department amounted to 78 per cent*. The total
receipts of the department amounted to Rs. 1,24,043.
CHAPTER IX.
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
110. The term of the deputation to foreign service of
Cruelty Inspector, Babu S. B. Sahai under the Patna City
Municipality having come to an end, Government were pleased to
sanction another extension of the term for three years from 1st
April 1933 subject to the condition that the officer would
revert to the department whenever required, on promotion or
otherwise. This inspector prosecuted 499 cases of cruelty out of
which conviction was secured in 455 cases (including some old
cases) and fines to the extent of Rs. 2,613-12-0 were realised
during the year. The amount of the fine was almost the same as
in the previous year, and the inspector appears to have maintained
his efficiency.
111. The Bihar and Orissa S. P. C. A.—The Society has
appointed 5 inspectors under the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals Act and extended operations to 19 municipalities up
to the end of the year. During the year, 820 prosecutions
were instituted resulting in 758 convictions, and a sum of
Rs. 5,097-8-9 was realized as fines. A new water trough was
erected at Mahendru Ghat (Bankipur) and another for use on the
Khagole Road in the Patna New Capital area was in course of
construction. The Society's financial condition being deplorable,
Hon'ble Ministers were pleased to sanction a grant of Rs. 1,200 to
its fund to tide over the difficulty. Government were further
pleased to declare that the fines realized under the Cruelty
to Animals Act should in future be credited in full to the
Society.
The Society held its annual general meeting in February
1933, which was presided over by Lady Sifton. She made
a special appeal to improve the financial position. Under the
auspices of the Central Society, the 3rd Animal Show
was held at the Bankipur lawn on 14th February 1933,
under the presidency of Lady Sifton who gave away the prizes
amounting to Rs. 279. His Excellency the Governor attended the
show besides many other distinguished personages.
112. Including the work done by the veterinary assistant
surgeons and others in the districts, altogether 1,974 cases were
either prosecuted, or sent up for trial under the Act and
out of them, convictions were secured in 1,706 cases, as compared
with 1,361 cases and 1,190 convictions in the year 1931-32.
* According to revised estimates.