NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
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bodies to be always in readiness to meet an emergency of this
character.
41. The attached map shows the general distribution of the
principal contagious diseases in the province.
42. The total number of outbreaks reported during the year
was 5,063 which, compared with the figures of the previous year,
shows an increase of 335 outbreaks. In these outbreaks, out of
a total of 89,198 animals affected, 20,896 died, as compared with
80,067 attacks and 21,684 deaths recorded in 1931-32. The total
number of animals affected includes 46,661 cases of foot and
mouth disease. The increase in the number of outbreaks and
seizures does not necessarily indicate an unhealthier situation as
these figures are dependent on reporting and attendance as well.
During the year under review, greater facilities for enquiry were
afforded to the touring veterinary assistant surgeons in conse-
quence of the opening of field veterinary dispensaries with the
result that they could attend as many as 4,818 outbreaks out of
the total number of 5,063 reported, the percentage of attendance
being more than 95 against 92 of the preceding year.
43. The statistics of contagious diseases according to the area
and cattle population of each range are as shown below :—
Name of range.
1
North Bihar...
Central ...
Orissa ...
Area in
square mile.
2
20,457
33,844
28,864
83,165
Livestock.
3
10,094,441
10,120,105
9,089,537
29,304,083*
Number
of out-
breaks
reported.
4
820
2,617
1,626
5,063
Number
of out-
breaks
attended.
5
807
2,540
1,471
4,818
Number of
animals
affected.
6
10,597(a)
36,041(b)
42,560(c)
89,198 2
Number of
deaths
recorded.
7
2,723
12,692
5,481
20,896(d)
* The figures are according to the census of 1930.
(a) Includes 5,099 cases of foot and mouth disease.
(b) Do. 9,848 ditto.
(c) Do. 31,714 ditto.
(d)
Do.
158 deaths under " Equine " and " others".
44. The above figures show that in spite of an increase in the
total number of outbreaks the number of deaths recorded in them
was less than in the previous year, a position which other things
being the same, should always be the object of the department
to maintain. As was anticipated, the virulence of rinderpest
further declined during the year and was actually the least for the
quinquennium ending with the year under report.
45. Reporting of diseases.—Some remarks were made in
the previous year's report regarding the slackness in the
11
reporting of cattle disease by the chaukidars. The matter being
brought to the notice of the Inspector-General and also District
Superintendents of Police, prompt action was taken by the
authorities concerned. I am grateful to the Inspector-General
for the help given in this respect and it is hoped that the position
will now improve. It is satisfactory to note that reporting through
sources other than the police has also improved to some extent.
46. Altogether 59 chaukidars were either rewarded or
recommended for rewards from the Chaukidari Reward Fund for
good work, and 117 were either punished or recommended for
punishment for neglect of duty.
47. The old Police Manual form no. 11 for recording cattle
epidemics at the thana was still under revision in the Police
Department.
Equine.
48. Glanders and Farcy.—No case was reported under
this head.
49. Dourine.—Dourine was also not reported, as it is non-
existent in the province.
50. Anthrax.—Altogether 5 deaths from equine anthrax were
recorded. The disease reappeared at the Darbhanga Raj stables,
affecting 5 ponies of which 4 died. Samples of grass, water and
grains from the affected areas were sent to the Bihar and Orissa
Veterinary College for bacteriological and biological tests but no
anthrax bacilli were found. The disease has not however recurred
since the preventive measures were taken. One more case of
equine anthrax was reported from Jamshedpur (district Singh-
bhuni), but the animal died before any action could be taken.
51. Surra.—Equine surra was reported in four districts, viz.,
Gaya, Shahabad, Palamau and Sambalpur.
In Gaya, out of 6 cases detected, 2 were cured by naganol
treatment and the remaining 4 being much advanced and
debilitated, were destroyed with the consent of the owners. Out
of 3 cases of this disease detected in Shahabad, 1 expired before
treatment could be adopted, I was cured and the third died.
The only case reported in Palamau also died. In Sambalpur, 4
cases were detected in the Bargarh subdivision and of these, 2 died
and 2 were discharged after treatment with naganol. In addition,
one case of suspected equine anthrax also died in Purnea before
the disease could be confirmed microscopically.
52. Other (Equine) contagious diseases.—Under this head
are shown such diseases of equines as strangles, tetanus, rabies, etc.
(a) Strangles.—20 cases of strangles were brought to notice
during the year in the North Bihar Range, out of which 2 died.
12
(b) Tetanus.—8 deaths from tetanus were reported against
5 in 1931-32. Of these, 3 deaths occurred in Champaran, 2 in
Shahabad and 1 death each in Muzaffarpur, Gaya and Puri.
(c) Rabies.—It is satisfactory to note that no case of rabies
among equines was reported during the year.
Bovine.
53. Rinderpest.—Rinderpest was prevalent in all the
districts of the province except Puri, heavy mortalities being
recorded in the Santal Parganas, Shahabad, Hazaribagh, Ranchi,
Gaya, Bhagalpur and Sambalpur. This disease was responsible
for over 3,300 deaths in the Santal Parganas alone. As already
noted, the most satisfactory condition prevailed in Puri where
no death from rinderpest was recorded, and also in Angul with 44
deaths only. Altogether 15,215 deaths were recorded out of
35,667 attacks, as compared with 16,053 deaths and 38,432
attacks in the year 1931-32. The decrease both in the number
of attacks and deaths is noticeable. Out of 2,478 outbreaks
brought to notice, 2,434 were attended by the staff. Of the total
number of deaths, 1,758 were recorded in North Bihar, 10,038 in
Central and 3,419 in Orissa Range.
54. Foot and Mouth disease.—Foot and mouth disease
affected all the districts without exception, but the district that
suffered most was Sambalpur in which out of 14,747 animals
affected, 111 died either of the disease or its after effects. The whole
of the Bargarh subdivision was badly affected. The district of
Shahabad appears to have suffered least during the year. Con-
sidering the large number of animals that are affected with foot
and mouth disease each year, it is most fortunate that the loss to
livestock from this malady is comparatively insignificant, as only
173 deaths were recorded out of a total number of 46,661 attacks
during the year, showing a percentage of a little over 37 deaths.
55. Hæmorrahagic Septicæmia.—Hæmorrhagic
Septi-
cæmia was also reported in all districts but as the figures indicate,
it was, on the whole, less severe than the previous year, as out of
5,572 animals attacked with the disease, 4,230 deaths were
recorded in 974 outbreaks, compared with 6,451 attacks, 4,954
deaths and 1,097 outbreaks in 1931-32. The heaviest mortality was
recorded in the Gaya district. Of the other districts, the Santal
Parganas and Cuttack also suffered considerably from its attacks.
Happily, however, there was no outbreak demanding special
attention during the year. Of the total number of 974 outbreaks,
951 were attended by the staff.
56. Black Quarter.—Black quarter was reported in 16 out
of 21 districts of the province, the exceptions being Purnea,
Hazaribagh, Balasore, Angul and Ranchi. 475 deaths were
recorded out of 554 animals attacked in 89 outbreaks. Though*
13
the figures show an increased incidence of the disease compared
with the previous year, none of the outbreaks were severe, nor did
they call for special measures. All the 89 outbreaks were attended.
57. Anthrax.—There appears to have been a slight recrude-
scence of this disease during the year, as 12 districts against 9
of the previous year were affected, recording 369 deaths out of
462 attacked in 55 outbreaks. Timely help was given in all the
outbreaks, and the disease was confirmed microscopically in 63
instances. The information relating to these outbreaks was fur-
nished to the Consul General of America, Calcutta, every month.
58. Other Contagious Diseases.—276 deaths were recorded
under this head which includes 55 deaths from bovine surra,
1 death from Johne's Disease, 1 from rabies and 1 from anthrax
in goat The remaining 218 deaths were caused by diseases which
could not be classified.
Others.
59. The number of deaths reported under this head was
much smaller, being only 132 against 549 of the previous year.
There was one important case of an elephant having died from
anthrax at Jamshedpur. The other deaths were of smaller
animals and are detailed as follows :—
(a) Rabies in dogs.—There has again been an increase in
the incidence of canine rabies, altogether 55 deaths having been
reported against 37 in 1931-32. Of these, as many as 28 deaths
occurred in Orissa, 16 in North Bihar and 11 in the Central
Range. In addition, 4 deaths from rabies in jackals were also
reported.
(b) Fowl cholera.—65 deaths from fowl cholera were
brought to notice during the year against 149 in 1931-32.
(c) Ovine anthrax and ovine tetanus.—Two deaths were
reported from ovine anthrax and 5 from ovine tetanus. The
latter included 2 cases of tetanus in goats.
Preventive inoculation.
60. It is gratifying to state that the position regard-
ing protection of cattle by means of sera and vaccines further
improved during the year. Most of the local bodies having
cleared up their previous dues, were able to meet the ordinary
demands of a normal year, such as is under review with the
result that this work could proceed with still greater facility.
During the year as many as 164,232 cattle were protected in
881 outbreaks, as compared with 134,269 done in 767, in
the year 1931-32, which shows an increase of nearly 30,000
inoculations. Credit must be given to the very limited staff
of touring veterinary assistant surgeons who could achieve this
result in spite of restrictions on their touring and also additional
14
work of managing field veterinary dispensaries in their respective
jurisdictions. It is also a pleasing feature to note that relief to
the livestock owners could be given by the staff in 114 more
outbreaks than in the previous year. The number of outbreaks
in which inoculation is performed still forms a very minor part
of the total number of outbreaks attended, and it is hoped that the
staff will be in a position to extend this work profitably to
a greater number in future provided, of course, that money is
available in the district board budget.
Out of the total number inoculated, only 295 animals
succumbed to the attacks which shows a percentage of .11 death,
compared with .27 of the year 1931-32.
61. Details of the work done in each district are shown in
Table III. This table will also show that of the total number,
47,664 inoculations were done in the North Bihar Range, 85,108
in the Central Range and 31,604 in the Orissa Range.
62. Rinderpest.—Protection against rinderpest by the
" serum alone " method of inoculation was undertaken in all
districts of the province except Puri in which the disease was
not reported, the total number of animals thus protected being
106,649 against 87,830 done in the previous year. As usual,
Gaya heads the list with 19,037 inoculations and Monghyr
takes the second place with 11,141. The other districts worth
mentioning are Hazaribagh with 8,609 inoculations, and the Santal
Parganas and Manbhum with 8,185 and 5,264, respectively. The
largest number of 60,317 inoculations by this method were per-
formed in the Central Range against 53,304 in the year 1931-32.
63. " Serum Simultaneous " Inoculation.—Owing to the
difficulties involved in the process of immunizing cattle against
rinderpest by they " serum simultaneous " method, of which mention
was made in the previous year's report, it was found practically
impossible to extend this method of protection in rural areas,
nor was it considered advisable to make further attempt to
this effect in view of another very simple method, viz., that
of vaccination by the '' goat virus alone " which was launched
upon and passing through the experimental stage in this province
and also in some other provinces.
The " serum simultaneous "
method was, however, adopted in the Orissa Range for the dairy
herd of the Tata Iron and Steel Company, Limited, at Jamshedpur.
114 cattle were selected for this operation and they were
immunized without any untoward result, under the personal
supervision of the Assistant Director in charge of the Range.
The company made every arrangement for the operations.
64. Vaccination by " Goat Virus Alone " method.—Of all
the contagious diseases of cattle, rinderpest presents the greatest
difficulties to cope with. As it affects the largest area, so also
15
it carries away the largest number of cattle each year. Till
some years back, the only known method of wide applicability
to protect cattle against the scourge of rinderpest, was the
" serum alone" which was followed persistently in every
province but, in course of time, experience showed that in order
to be effective, cattle must be inoculated with anti-rinderpest
serum at the very start of an outbreak, that the doses of serum
must be regulated according to virulence of the disease, type and
body weight of the animal and that as its immunity does not
last long, re-inoculation must be resorted to when the outbreak
does not subside in due time. Subsequent research conducted
at the Imperial Institute of Veterinary Research, Muktesar, led
to the introduction of the "Serum Simultaneous " method
which, conferring as it does, longer immunity, was adopted in
most of the provinces during the last decade and made some
progress in the Madras Presidency and the Mysore State.
Experience has again proved that though it was a great
improvement on the " Serum alone " method, it was, on account
of the elaborate process requiring time and expense which it
involves, was suited only for adoption among the valuable farm
cattle. For the protection of the mass cattle population in the
country, a much simpler and less expensive course was needed
and the latest development, the goat virus vaccination, is likely
to fill this place. An experiment of this method was carried
out under my orders for the first time in North Bihar at the
Experimental Station attached to the range office where a batch
of nine cattle of different ages was immunized under the
personal supervision of Special Officer, Mr. M. I. Malik with
goat virus which was manufactured locally, and the result was
most satisfactory. Being encouraged at the success, Mr. Malik
subsequently persuaded Mr. Bose, the proprietor of the Kanti
dairy farm, Muzaffarpur, and Raja P. C. Lal Chowdry M.L.C.
of Purnea, to make over some of their animals for the
experiment. A herd of 41 animals of different breeds and ages
belonging to Mr. Bose was thus vaccinated at Kanti with
equally successful results. As this was the first experiment
of its kind outside the range headquarters, Special Officer
Mr. S. K. Sen, with two veterinary inspectors, Babus P. C.
Bhattacharji and A. K. Ghose and a staff veterinary assistant
surgeon, Babu D. D. Dey of the Central Range, was deputed to
Kanti to study the method in detail. The camp was also
visited by me. The Raja Sahib's herd comprising 40 animals
was similarly vaccinated at Purnea. Thanks are due to Mr. Bose
and Raja P. C. Lal Chowdry for placing their animals at the
disposal of the department and also for giving considerable help
to the officers deputed to the camps. To test the length of
immunity conferred by the new method, a mixed lot of six cattle
from the immunized batches at the Experimental Station and
16
the Kanti Dairy Farm was injected with 5.c. c. of Rinderpest
Bull Virus obtained from the Imperial Institute of Veterinary
Research. The animals were then kept under observation at
the Experimental Station, and none contracted the disease. It
was thus observed that the above two batches of cattle were
capable of resisting active virus of the disease even after 39
and 72 days from the dates of immunization. In all 90 animals
(including 9 of the Experimental Station) were immunized in
the North Bihar Range against rinderpest by goat virus alone
method of which six were also tested by Rinderpest Bull Virus
for immunity.
Vaccination by this method was carried out experimentally
at three more centres, viz., of 40 cattle in a village in Gaya
district and 6 and 18 cattle respectively at the Cuttack Laboratory
and at Jamshedpur. The last two batches were also tested
with Rinderpest Bull Virus with excellent results.
Mention has already been made under " Veterinary
Instruction " of equally successful results obtained in vacci-
nating 186 animals of different breeds at the Government
Cattle Farm, Patna, by the same method.
65. From the results so far achieved, there is every
reason to believe that the Goat Virus vaccination will prove
a potent as well as the cheapest substitute for the present day
" serum alone " and " serum simultaneous " methods so far as
protection against rinderpest is concerned. Some preliminaries,
such as testing the susceptibility of different types of animals
in the district will have to be carried out before this opera-
tion can be launched as a prophylactic Until this is done,
it is proposed to push on with the vaccination on an experi-
mental basis along with the other methods now in vogue.
66. Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia.—Protection was given against
hæmorrhagic septicæmia in all the districts except Sambalpur
and in 203 outbreaks either with serum alone, or with serum and
vaccine, the total number of animals thus protected being
45,830 as compared with 42,017 done in the previous year.
As in the case of rinderpest, the largest number, i.e., 8,709
inoculations were performed with the serum in Gaya district.
The total number shown above includes 6,606 head of cattle
which were vaccinated against the disease. Protection by this
method was also given to the Jail and Farm cattle during
the year. Only 15 deaths occurred among the total number
inoculated, the death rate being about 03 as compared with
13 of the previous year.
67. Anthrax.—Altogether 5,188 animals were protected
against bovine anthrax in 28 outbreaks as compared with 1,583
in the year 1931-32 which shows an increase of 3,605 inocula-
tions. Only eight casualties occurred among the inoculated
17
In addition, 72 ponies were protected against equine
anthrax in the outbreak of the Darbhauga Raj stable; one of
the inoculated ponies died.
68. Black Quarter.—Protection was given against this
disease both by serum and aggressin also in 28 outbreaks, the
total number of animals protected during the year being 6,565
against 2,839 done in 17 outbreaks of the previous year. The
largest number, viz. 3,164, was done in the Orissa Range. In
addition to this, 26 sheep were also inoculated in the district
of Singhbhum.
69. Supply of sera and vaccines.—Sera and vaccines to
the value of Rs. 81,712-6-0 including the cost of bottles and
boxes were obtained during the year from the Imperial
Institute of Veterinary Research, Muktesar, and the Branch
Serum Institute, Izatnagar, for supply to the customers
through the different serum depots of the department.
During the year, even still greater supervision was exercised
over the supply and expenditure, and the Range officers were
frequently advised to see that serum or vaccine once issued to a
subordinate is utilized to the best advantage, and as promptly as
possible. The local bodies using the Muktesar products were,
as usual, requested to clear up their outstandings in due time.
Out of a total amount of Rs. 1,34,448-12-6 due to the Muktesar
Institute, a sum of Rs. 95,226-0-9 was recovered from the
customers and credited to Government, leaving Rs. 39,222-11-9
as outstanding on 1st April 1933. The figures were duly verified
by the Accountant-General, Bihar and Orissa.
70. As already stated in a previous paragraph, most of the
district boards have cleared up their old accounts. The
budget provision of the district board, Balasore, proving insuffi-
cient, Government were pleased to sanction a grant of Rs. 497
to the board for extension of the preventive work up to the end
of the year. After payment of this amount, and also a grant
of Rs. 4,899 3-0 paid by Government to the district board, Hazari-
bagb, a sum of Rs. 28,232-4-2 was outstanding against the local
bodies and other customers for all supplies made up to 31st
March 1933.
71. The question of charging fees from owners for inoculation
of their cattle in the district of Muzaffarpur over and above the
budget provision of the district board was further considered by
Government and took a definite shape during the year.
72. Rates of sera and vaccines.—With effect from 1st
April 1933, the Government of India have been pleased to
sanction a reduction in the rates of certain sera and vaccines
including anti-rinderpest serum. In the case of this serum
which is extensively used, the reduction amounts to 50 per cent.
and has been most welcome to the customers, especially to the
3
8 DVS
18
local bodies, who are to foot the bills in this province. It is
hoped that the local bodies will in future utilize this concession
to the best advantage of the cultivators by extending protection
to their cattle. The revised rates include the cost of packing
cases, bottles, crown caps, etc., and in some instances, postage,
which is also an additional concession granted.
Number of animals treated.
73. Owing to the financial stringency which was rendered
more acute during the year under report, none of the local
bodies could apply for the creation of an additional post of
touring veterinary assistant surgeon. It is, however, a matter of
consolation that no further reduction in the staff was effected, the
total number being 136 as it was at the end of the year 1931-32.
It is to be regretted that although the touring veterinary
assistant surgeons are doing excellent work in the interior, the
district board, Alonghyr, further pressed for the abolition of
two second posts, viz , those at Begusarai and Jamui, out of the
limited number of 6 such assistants employed in the district. On
a reference being made to the District Magistrate, this question
has been postponed by the board pending further consideration.
74. Construction of dispensaries.—Owing to financial
stringency again, no construction work could be undertaken by
local bodies under this head.
75. Work of veterinary assistant surgeons-—In spite of the
restrictions placed temporarily on the tournig of veterinary
assistant surgeons, there has been considerable increase in the
number of patients treated, as will appear that during the year
under report, altogether 200,906 patients were treated at
headquarters, at field dispensaries and on tour, showing a total
increase of 55,979 patients over the corresponding figures of the
previous year. The number includes 77,868 castrations performed
as compared with 69,252 done in 1931-32. During the same
period, the touring veterinary assistant surgeons visited 54,551
villages against 57,422 of 1931-32, the decrease being the direct
result of less touring for which restrictions as well as attendance
at field dispensaries are responsible. Difficulty is already being
felt for want of more touring assistants and unless the full touring
of 20 to 25 days a month is restored in near future, the work of
the department will be hampered greatly. The details of the work
according to each range and district are shown in Table IV.
76. Field veterinary dispensaries.—As was anticipated ; these
dispensaries have become very popular for the simple reason
that they have brought the primary activities of the department
face to face to the cultivators, most of whom being poor, are
legitimately entitled to free veterinary treatment and advice.
Though it is the first year of their working, a distinct change in