NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
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Shahabad and Cuttack, each recording over 2,000 deaths. In
Hazaribagh more than 1,900 deaths were recorded. It is however
worth noticing that only one death was reported in Muzaffarpur.
The total number of deaths reported in each range was 734
in North Bihar, 10,207 in Central and 5,112 in Orissa.
60. In all, 2,428 outbreaks were brought to notice and
out of a total number of 38,432 animals affected, 16,053
died, as compared with 3,493 outbreaks, 64,575 attacks and
28,541 deaths reported in the year 1930-31. 2,350 outbreaks
were attended by the staff.
61. Foot and mouth disease.—Foot and mouth disease was
reported in all districts except Purnea and Angul. 34,531
animals were affected in 1,105 outbreaks recording only 68
deaths, as compared with 42,500, 1,821 and 184, respectively,
reported in 1930-31. The figures are much below the average
of the previous three years in each case.
62. Hæmorrhagic septicæmia.—As
the figures indicate,
the disease was more prevalent than in the previous year.
Altogether 1,097 outbreaks were brought to notice in which out
of a total number of 6,451 animals affected, 4,954 died, against
907 outbreaks, 5,634 attacks and 4,248 deaths reported in 1930-31.
The disease affected all the districts, the death rate being higher
in Patna, Gaya, Santal Parganas, Darbhanga and Muzaffarpur.
Help was given in 1,055 outbreaks.
The disease broke out among the Sipaya farm animals with
some severity but was controlled after re-inoculations and taking
special precautionary measures. Special Officer, Mr. Malik,
attended the outbreak, and I also visited the farm.
63. Black quarter.—Black quarter was still less prevalent'
as only 43 outbreaks were reported during the year, and
out of 229 attacked, 196 animals died, as compared with 58
outbreaks, 310 attacks and 256 deaths recorded in the year
1930-31. All the outbreaks were attended.
64. Anthrax.—-The disease was reported in 9 districts, viz.,
Darbhanga, Gaya, Monghyr, Bhagalpur, Santal Parganas,
Hazaribagh, Palamau, Manbhum and Ranchi, recording 94
deaths out of 131 animals attacked in 22 outbreaks. Compared
with the figures of the previous year which were 219 (deaths),
278 (attacks) and 23 (outbreaks), the disease was apparently on
the decline. It was confirmed microscopically in 20 instances.
Information of these outbreaks was regularly supplied to the
Consul-General of America. Calcutta.
65. Other contagious diseases.—319 were recorded under
this head, of which 182 were unclassified, and the remaining 137
13
consisted of 32 from ephemeral fever, 101 from bovine surra,
1 from bovine piroplasmosis and 3 from bovine rabies.
OTHERS.
66. Altogether 549 deaths were recorded, against 125 in
1930-31, and these were classified as follows :—
Avian fowl cholera.—The number increased from 49 to
126. Greater attention was paid to its cause during the year.
Canine rabies.—There was an appreciable decrease, as only
37 deaths were reported compared with 74 reported in 1930-31.
Feline disease.—A disease broke out among the cats in
Bhagalpur town resulting in 232 deaths. Special Officer,
Mr. S. K. Sen, conducted an enquiry into the disease but its
origin could not be discovered.
Cervine-anthrax.—Anthrax
broke out among the herd of
deer belonging to the Darbhanga Raj at Darbhanga. The
animals being considered wild, inoculation against the disease
was not accepted by the Raj authorities with the result that
150 deer out of a total of 156 were wiped off in about two
months. Moreover, the infection gradually spread to the
stables of the Raj, the grazing ground for the deer being in close
proximity to the stables.
Others.—Only 4 deaths were reported from tetanus.
PREVENTIVE INOCULATION.
67. With regard to the protection given to animals by
means of sera and vaccines the position greatly improved during
the year owing to the fact that no serious and extensive outbreak
occurred, and as the district boards, with the assistance of
Government, were able to clear up the bulk of their outstanding
accounts. The demand for this kind of protection continued
unabated as before, and it is satisfactory to note that as many
as 134,269 cattle could be protected in 767 outbreaks, as com-
pared with 79,641 done in 487 outbreaks in the year 1930-31.
It is also a pleasing feature of these inoculations that the death-
rate among the inoculated on the total number was much lower,
being only 27 per cent against 69 of the previous year.
68. According to the ranges, the inoculation figures were
41,003 for the North Bihar, 66,873 for the Central and 26,393
for the Orissa Range. The details of the work according to each
district and each prophylactic are shown in Table III.
69. Rinderpest.—Protection
against rinderpest by the
" serum alone" method was given in all the districts except
Muzaffarpur and in 535 outbreaks, the total number of animals
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protected being 87,830 as against 58,369 done in 385 outbreaks
in 1930-31. As usual, the district of Gaya headed the list with a
record of 15,440 inoculations. Next to Gaya may be mentioned
Bhagalpur with 10,479 inoculations, Hazaribagh with 9,291, and
Santal Parganas, Champaran and Singhbhum each with over
7,000. The largest number, viz., 53,304 inoculations were carried
out in the Central Range.
70. Serum simultaneous inoculation.—Hitherto protection of
cattle against rinderpest by the " serum simultaneous" method
could only be given on Government farms. During the year
under report, this method was adopted for the first time as an
experimental measure in the rural areas. Three inoculation
camps were erected in Orissa, viz., one under the Kanika
Raj at Kanika, one at Patrapara in Puri and the third at Cuttack
town. Goat virus was produced locally and a total number of
179 animals was immunized at the three camps on the condition
that the cost would be borne entirely by the parties concerned, and
by the municipality of Cuttack. Great difficulties were at first
experienced in convincing people of the utility of this particular
method, especially as their animals would have to be subjected
to an elaborate process to which they were not accustomed, but
thanks to the Raja Bahadur of Kanika, the Subdivisional Officer of
Khurda and Mr. Coles, the Subdivisional Officer of Kendrapara,
those were overcome in the long run through their persuasions.
71. Hæmorrhagic septicæmia.—As this disease was preva-
lent throughout the province, protection either with hæmorrhagic
septicæmia serum or with vaccine was given to cattle in all
districts except Sambalpur where the outbreak had subsided
before inoculation. 37,707 head of cattle were protected with
serum alone in 203 outbreaks during the year, as compared with
13,909 done in 77 outbreaks in 1930-31. The largest number
(8,640) inoculations were performed in Darbhanga district. In
addition, 4,310 head of cattle were protected with vaccine also in
16 districts.
Only 57 among the inoculated animals died of the disease,
the death-rate being a little over 13 per cent against 28 in the
previous year.
According to the arrangements made with the Inspector-
General of Prisons almost all the jail cattle of the province were
vaccinated against hæmorrhagic septicæmia during the year.
It is considered advisable to protect these cattle as a precaution
every year before the monsoon breaks.
72. Anthrax.—1,583 animals were protected against anthrax
in 8 outbreaks as compared with 804 animals in 6 outbreaks in
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the year 1930-31. The number includes 83 ponies which were
inoculated against equine anthrax in two districts, Muzaffarpur
and Darbhanga. The disease did not actually, break out in
Muzaffarpur but 7 in-contact ponies of the Manager, Darbhanga
Raj, which were removed to the Bahwara factory in that district,
were inoculated there. Only 4 of the inoculated animals died.
73. Black quarter.—Protection against black quarter with
serum and aggressin was given to 2,839 cattle in 17 outbreaks
during the year as compared with 5,685 cattle protected in 19
outbreaks in the year preceding. There was only 1 death among
the inoculated animals. The operation was undertaken in 10
districts.
74. Supply of sera and vaccines.—Sera and vaccines valued
at Rs. 58,633-1-0, including the cost of bottles and boxes, were
obtained during the year from the Imperial Institute of Veteri-
nary Research, Muktesar, for supply to the different depots.
During the year very strict supervision was exercised over the
supply and expenditure of sera and vaccines, and instructions were
issued to the range officers to see that the expenditure did not
exceed the budget provision of the district boards without their
consent. The boards were also requested frequently to clear up
their outstanding balances. The net result of these attempts
was satisfactory as will appear that out of a total sum of
Rs. 1,21,112-4-6 due to the Imperial Institute of Veterinary
Research, Muktesar, a sum of Rs. 69,813-6-0 was realized
from the local bodies and other customers and credited to Govern-
ment, leaving Rs. 51,298-14-6 outstanding on 31st March 1932.
75. Most of the district boards recovered their normal
position after the payments made by them during the previous
year, and had less difficulty in meeting the current charges.
Government have been pleased to accept the arrear charges
payable by the district board, Patna, in five equal instal-
ments along with the current charges, thus making it easier for
them to have as many cattle protected as possible until the arrears
were wiped off. Government were also pleased to sanction the
payment of a grant of Rs. 1,670, as a special case, to the district
board, Cuttack, towards meeting their old account and another
grant of Rs. 4,966-3-6 to meet the current charges incurred for
the Hazaribagh district. After all the payments made for the
supplies up to 31st March 1932, a sum of Rs. 34,750 was outstand-
ing against the local bodies and other customers on that date.
76. In spite of instructions to the contrary, the district
board, Balasore, made a resolution charging an inoculation fee
of annas 3 per animal from the owners hut the scheme proved a
complete failure as the people refused to accept inoculations on
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payment. The board ultimately withdrew their orders. The
question of realizing fees for inoculation from persons who are
capable of payment has also been raised by the district board,
Muzaffarpur. It is now under the consideration of Government.
NUMBER OF ANIMALS TREATED.
77. Opening of new dispensaries.—Due
to financial strin-
gency, nothing could be done in respect of creation of new posts
of touring veterinary assistant surgeons ; on the contrary, one
of the six such posts, viz., Ramgarh in the Hazaribagh district,
the entire cost of which was being borne by Government, was
abolished from 1st March 1932, the incumbent of the post being
absorbed in the department.
For the same reason two more
probationary assistant surgeons had to make room for two
permanent assistants (who reverted from the college) with effect
from the above date.
78. The district board, Monghyr, also resolved to abolish
the two posts of second touring veterinary assistant surgeons,
Begusarai and Jamui, and so did the district council, Sambalpur,
with regard to their sadr touring veterinary assistant surgeon.
In both cases the necessity for retention of the posts was
thoroughly explained to the chairmen but it was chiefly through
the intervention of the District Officers that they agreed to re-
consider the matter. The district council have since withdrawn
their resolution but that of the district board, Monghyr, is still
under consideration.
79. From what has been said above, it follows that there
was no change in the number of veterinary assistant surgeons
employed on touring duty up to the end of February, the total
number of such assistants having been again 96 as in the previous
year. It is however satisfactory to note that the district board,
Ranchi was able to remove a long-felt want by having the post
of first touring veterinary assistant surgeon in charge of the
hospital converted into one of stationary veterinary assistant
surgeon with effect from 1st April 1932.
80. Construction of dispensaries.—As in the case of the estab-
lishment, none of the local bodies could launch upon any fresh
project either for construction of new veterinary dispensaries,
or for effecting any material improvement of the existing
institutions.
81. Work of touring veterinary assistant
surgeons.—In
consequence of the retrenchment which took partial effect as
early as December 1931, restrictions had to be placed on the
touring of the veterinary assistant surgeons by reducing the
prescribed number of days to be spent on tour from 20 to 15
17
days a month. They were nevertheless able to treat, both on
tour and at headquarters, as many as 204,927 fresh cases which
shows even a small increase of 63 cases, compared with the
figures of the previous year. The number includes 69,262
castrations, as compared with 67,694 done in 1930-31. An
inevitable result of the restrictions on touring was that the
veterinary assistant surgeons could not visit more than 57,422
villages as against 62,364 visited by them, in 1930-31. The
details of the work in respect of each district are shown in
Table IV.
82. Field veterinary dispensary.—This is a new item of
work which was started towards the close of the year and which
promises to develop rapidly. Up till now there were only two
classes of institution ; one, a hospital in charge of a stationary
veterinary assistant surgeon having permanent accommodation
for the treatment of both in and out patients, and the other, a
regular dispensary at principal stations in charge of a touring
veterinary assistant surgeon for the treatment of out-patients
only. Veterinary hospitals have become very popular wherever
they exist but that is not the case with the veterinary dispen-
saries chiefly for two reasons ; firstly, because they remain
closed during the absence of the assistant while on tour ; and
secondly, when the assistants are at headquarters animals from
the interior cannot be conveniently brought to the dispensary.
Under the new arrangement, the touring veterinary assistant
surgeon opens his dispensary at definite centres, and arranges to
be present there on a fixed date which is generally on the village
market day, so that the villagers know his whereabouts definitely
and bring their animals to him from the surrounding villages. As
a cattle mart is also held at many of these markets, the veterinary
assistant has ample opportunity of offering help to the owners
and finding out diseases amongst the animals. He keeps a stock
of medicines and bandages, etc., generally with the village head-
man if no separate accommodation is provided. This has met
all the purposes of a touring veterinary assistant surgeon, viz.,
treatment of contagious and non-contagions diseases, inoculations
and castrations. Moreover, it happens to be the best medium
for propaganda work. He can give an ocular demonstration of
the scientific methods, especially intra stifle injections for string-
halt in cattle, castration by the Burdizzo method, intravenous
injections of Tartar Emetic for Nazal Granuloma, and also give
lectures on the common diseases and management of cattle to
livestock owners. During March 1932, 41 field veterinary
dispensaries were opened and 1,597 cases were treated. A
separate record of work is being kept of these dispensaries. The
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attached photograph shows how popular these dispensaries have
become within so short a period,
HOSPITALS.
83. Number of hospitals.—The number of veterinary-
hospitals in the province was 33 as in the previous year. Of
these, 3 hospitals, viz., Daltonganj, Dinapore and Ranchi, were
in charge of touring veterinary assistant surgeons. The post at
Ranchi has, however, been made stationary with effect from 1st
April 1932.
84. Construction and repair.—An operation shed was
added by the Cuttack municipality to the veterinary hospital,
Cuttack. The work of construction of the new Purnea veteri-
nary hospital, already undertaken by the Purnea district board,
was completed during the year. It is now furnished with
a set of combined office and dispensary rooms, a cattle shed and
an operation shed and menials' quarters. The veterinary
assistant surgeon's quarters will be taken up by the board as soon
as funds permit. The buildings approved for the new Laheria-
sarai veterinay hospital were under construction during the year.
85. Number of patients treated.—The number of in and
out patients treated at the hospitals was 75,153 as compared
with 70,067 treated in 1930-31 which shows an increase of over
five thousand patients. Out of the total number, 39,205 patients
were treated in the 14 hospitals of the North Bihar, 21,603 in
the 11 hospitals of the Central and 14,345 in the 8 hospitals
of the Orissa Range. In addition to these, 13,499 castrations
were performed by the hospital assistants, and 12,012 cases not
brought to the hospitals, were provided with medicines, against
11,549 and 6,836 respectively, in the year 1930-31. The
details of the work done in each hospital are shown in Table V.
CHAPTER IV.
BREEDING OPERATIONS.
86. Control of livestock improvement.—The Civil Veterinary
Department exercised control over the breeding operations at
the Patna Cattle Farm as before, and also looked after the stud
bulls maintained at the veterinary hospitals.
During the year, the question of distribution of the Patna
farm bulls was considered at a meeting held jointly with the
Director of Agriculture under the presidency of the Hon'ble
Minister of Education and, as a result, Government were pleased
to decide that they had no objection to these bulls being kept in
veterinary hospitals and dispensaries provided it did not involve
any extra expenditure, that in case any extra expenditure was
VETERINARY HOSPITAL, RANCHI.
19
necessary, previous sanction of Government should be obtained
and that any surplus stock remaining should be sold at
reasonable prices at melas and cattle fairs, or to private
purchasers. There appears to be a general reluctance on the
part of the public to take over any bull for breeding purposes
and difficulty wa9 experienced in the disposal of 20 bulls
matured on the farm. Though the district boards were
furnished with particulars of the bulls early in December 1931,
only two boards, Santal Parganas and Balasore, applied for
1 bull each up to the end of the financial year. About the end of
March last, the Corporation of Calcutta applied for 10 bulls
but before any action could be taken on the application, the
question as to whether the bulla from the Patna farm could be
sold to an outside province had to be considered. Government
have since decided that these bulls can be sold to purchasers
outside the province and arrangements are now being made to
advertise the sales of the bulls on a wider scale.
87. Stud bulls.—The year opened with 42 stud bulls, the pro-
perty of Government as well as local bodies, at different veterinary
hospitals. During the year 6 bulls were obtained by the local
bodies, making the total 48. Out of these, 6 bulls were either re-
turned, or transferred, 1 was sent to a goshala and 1 was sold,
leaving 40 bulls at the end of the year, as shown in Table VIII.
88. Castration of scrub bulls.—This work was again carried
on energetically by the staff with the result that 82,751 scrub
bulls were emasculated, showing an increase of 3,508 bulls as
compared with the figures of the previous year. Out of these
34,513 bulls were castrated in the North Bihar, 34,436 in the
Central and 13,802 in the Orissa Range. The department
is thus benefiting the cultivators by eliminating their useless
bulls and bull calves, and thereby materially improving
the breeds of indigenous cattle in the province. The above
figures are already included in Tables IV and V.
CATTLE FARMS.
PATNA CATTLE-BREEDING AND DAIRY FARM.
89. Staff.—The Principal of the Veterinary College super-
vised the work of the above farm in accordance with the terms
of his appointment. The strength of the farm staff remained
unchanged during the year under report except that the post of
the Ford Van driver was temporarily vacant.
90. Livestock.—On the 1st of April 1931, the farm herd
consisted of 130 desi cows, 50 Tharparkar cows, 48 Tharparkar bull
calves, 50 Tharparkar heifer calves, 91 cross-bred bull calves,
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74 cross-bred heifer calves, 17 desi bull calves, 27 desi heifer cal-
ves, 7 Tharparkar bulls, 50 draught bullocks and 1 pony, or a total
of 545 animals. During the year, 41 Tharparkar calves and 89
cross-bred calves were born on the farm and 8 Tharparkar
cows with 7 calves were purchased, raising the total to 690. Out
of this number there were 18 casualties and 156 animals were
sold leaving the total strength of the herd at 516 at the end of
the year. The average number of cows in milk during the year
was 87.
91. Milk and milk products.—The total milk yield during
the year was 257,741 lbs. or an average of 8.7 lbs. per cow per
day against 232,330 lbs. or 7.3 lbs. per cow per day during the
last year. During the years 1929-30 and 1930-31, 10,354 lbs.
and 14,331 lbs. of milk respectively were purchased from outside
during the winter season, to meet the demands of the public, due
to the severe outbreak of foot and mouth disease amongst the
farm herd but, during the year under report, there was no such
need, as special care was taken in order to prevent an outbreak
of the disease.
The total quantity of milk sold during the year was 233,776
lbs. against 219,142 lbs. during the previous year, and 342 lbs. of
cream and 267 lbs. of ghee were also sold during the year. Out
of the balance of 23,965 lbs. of milk, 5,400 lbs. were lost in
pasteurising, measuring and bottling, etc., 6,840 lbs. were
separated for cream and the remaining 11,725 lbs. were fed to
the calves. The loss of milk in pasteurising, bottling, etc., would
appear to be on the large side but every effort is being made to
stop waste. Considering the amount handled, the loss was nob
excessive.
92. Cultivation.—The total area of land cultivated by the
farm was 318 acres, in addition to which 95 bighas were leased
out at a rental of Rs. 1,385-6-0. Of this amount, a sum of
Rs. 1,144-2-0 was realized during the year and credited to
Government. The balance, Rs. 241-4-0, could not be realized-
during the year but the tenants have promised to pay the amount
at an early date.
The land revenue has gone down owing to the construction
of the camp jail in plot no. 8 as a result of which the farm had
to cultivate some land which was leased out to the public in the
previous years. The tenants also were not willing to take the
land on the western side of the jail due to the close proximity
of the jail.
93. Crops such as maize, juar, oats, khesari, gram and paddy
were grown on the farm. The total outturn of the monsoon and
rabi crops was 46,059 maunds including green fodder and bhusa
(chaff) to the value of Rs. 14,705-6-0 shown in statement B,