NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
PART I.—IMPERIAL REPORT
B.- REVENUE SECTION.
VI.—GENERAL.
Cost of the De-
partment.
256. The cost of the Civil Veterinary Department debited to India Estimates
during 1894-95, as shown by the Comptroller of India Treasuries (vide Table
XXI, page lxxiii) is Rs. 3,63,867-7-9. The Budget grant for the year
under review was Rs. 3,60,160, and the expenditure during 1893-94 was
Rs. 3,25,769-10-1. It will thus be seen that whilst the cost of 1894-95 was
Rs. 38,097-13-8 in excess of the previous year, the sanctioned Budget grant
was exceeded by only Rs. 3,707-7-9.
This is mainly to be accounted for by the increase of pay due to promo-
tion of officers, and the annual increments of salary of the subordinate estab-
lishment.
257. The prices paid for imported horse and donkey stallions during the
year under review are as shown below :—
Price of 44 horse stallions imported from England, £10,810 at 1s.
3¼d. per rupee
...
...
Price of 47 Italian donkey stallions
... £2,820
Price of 10 Cyprian donkey stallious ... £190, £3,010 at
1s.
3¼d.
per rupee
...
...
...
...
Price of 5 Somali donkey stallions
...
...
...
Price of 5 Zanzibar donkey stallions ... ... ...
TOTAL RUPEES ...
Rs.
1,70,124
47,370
200
2,206
2,19,901
As.
9
7
0
8
9
P.
5
10
0
0
3
Tours of Offi-
cers of Civil
Veterinary De-
partment.
253. The present Inspector-General, Civil Veterinary Department (Veteri-
nary-Lieutenant-Colonel Queripel), joined the Department on 28th May 1894
In August he visited the districts of Umballa, Kurnal, and Delhi, to con-
fer with the Deputy Commissioners of these districts on matters connected with
horse breeding. He then proceeded to the Depôt at Babugarh on inspection
duty; here, after inspecting the farm, he reduced the area under cultivation
in order to lessen the plough and irrigation work which had to be performed
by the farm mares ; this was rendered necessary owing to their emaciated condi-
tion. He also visited the Rardhana stand in the Meerut district to investigate
on the spot various charges brought against the Darindah and Zilladar. These
having been fully substantiated, the stand was broken up and the Zilladar was
dismissed. On 18th August 1894, the Inspector-General returned to Simla.
In October, he attended the Quetta horse show and afterwards visited the
Native States of Bahawalpore, Kapurthala, Maler Kotla, Patiala, Jhind, and
Nabha.
In November, he visited the States of Ulwar, Jeypore, and Jodhpur, and
inspected the Ajmere Veterinary School, proceeding thence to Ahmednagar to
attend the horse show. The Bacteriological Laboratory was inspected at Poona
and the Director, Land Records, Bombay, was consulted with reference to
a number of matters affecting the Department in that Presidency. Bombay
was next visited, with a view of purchasing District Board and Imperial stal-
lions. During his stay in Bombayl the Inspector-General, Civil Veterinary
Department, enquired into the working of the Glanders and Farcy Act, which
was found to be carried out in a most unsatisfactory manner, and conferred
with the Commissioner of Police on the subject. The Bombay Veterinary Col-
lege and Lazaretto were inspected.
73
Special Judging
Committees.
364. The recommendation which has so frequently been made by this
Department to the effect that special Judging Committees should be appointed to
visit the different horse shows and fairs in the North-Western Provinces, and
Punjab, has been given effect to during the year, and it is hoped that they will
assemble during the coming cold season. Provision has been made for judging
of stock to be carried out by these Committees at the following shows:—
NORTH-WESTERN
PROVINCES
Aligarh.
Bulandshahr.
Muzaffarnagar.
Meerut.
PUNJAB.
Jhelum.
Jallalabad.
Kurnal.
Umballa.
Rawalpindi.
Multan.
Dera Ghazi Khan.
Gujrat.
Lahore.
Jhang.
DERA ISMAIL KHAN.
Arrangements have been made for the appointment of 4 officers, represen-
tatives of the different Mounted branches of the service, viz.—
One Officer—Royal Artillery.
„
British Cavalry.
„
Native Cavalry.
One Veterinary Officer.
With a strong Committee as we may expect, it is hoped that much useful
information will be obtained.
The appointment of these Commitees will in no way interfere with the
management of the show. They will, as it were, assist the Deputy Commis-
sioners or Collectors who, ex-officio, will be Presidents of all Committees as
they have hitherto been.
Alteration
in
Horse
Show
Rules.
265. During the year, the following additions and alterations in the rules for
the guidance of Judging Committees at horse shows were proposed and receiv-
ed the sanction of the Government of India.
In order to ensure that mares possessing any hereditary unsoundness should
not be awarded prizes, the following was added:—
" Should any branded mares or fillies be affected with any unsoundness which may be consi-
dered hereditary, they will be debarred from, the receipt of any prizes."
Hitherto, owners of stock from branded mares by sires which have been
approved by the officers of the Civil Veterinary Department, the property of
District Boards, &c., were permitted to enter such stock in competition for
Government prizes.
As, however, it is not intended that branded mares should be covered by
District Board stallions, which, as a rule, are ponies or galloways intended to
serve good under-sized mares, but should be served by Government stallions, it
was decided to expunge the existing rule and to substitute the following.
" In such districts where stallions have been provided by District Boards and Courts of Wards,
or are kept by Native gentlemen and such stallions have been approved by officers of the Civil
Veterinary Department, prizes shall be awarded from funds subscribed either by District Board
Provincial, or other sources other than Imperial, that funds be allotted to the following classes:
"Mares in foal to such stallions.
"Mares with foal at foot by such stallions.
"Young stock by such stallions.
"The ages of the latter class to be left to the discretion of the Judging Committee so as to
best suit each particular district."
80
majority of the mares inspected were either in foal or had foals at foot. I was
further informed that those seen on my visit in no way represented the actual
number of good mares in the State.
The State possesses a stud at Kot Kapura which I inspected in company
with His Highness the Rajah of Faridkote. I strongly recommended its aboli-
tion, consisting as it does of very old worn out mares which are only an ex-
pense to the State.
Four stallions are kept by the State to cover the zemindari mares, but
with one exception they are unfitted for stud work.
In lieu of the stud, I recommended that His Highness should place good
stallions at the disposal of his subjects and should purchase the young stock,
running it on one of the "Birs;" this would ensure the State being supplied
with a good class of horse fit for its requirements.
A start has been made by the State purchasing a good Arab stallion and
a donkey, and I trust to see this vastly extended as I feel that, situated as it
is close to some of the best horse-breeding centres in the Punjab and possess-
ing as it does within its boundaries a very great number of excellent mares,
it could at least provide work for 6 stallions with profit to itself and with great
advantage to its zemindars.
Having now completed the review shewing the progress made towards the
development of horse and mule breeding in the Native States whose terri-
tories lie in the Punjab, I think that the assistance given by the various Chiefs
must be looked upon with satisfaction. It is only natural to expect that per-
fect order cannot be produced from chaos in one visit, and I feel that time
alone will bring the system to anything like the perfection which it has reach-
ed in the different districts of the Punjab.
Three points I shall continue to impress upon the Chiefs, viz.:—
The abolition of home studs These generally are so badly supervised
that no success can be expected.
The supply of good stallions for the use of mares, the property of the
zemindars.
In lieu of home studs, that it will be advisable to purchase the produce of
the stallions supplied by the State, and to rear it in the run now reserved for
the State.
I feel confident that if these recommendations are gradually adopted, not
only will the various States be able to produce remounts in sufficient numbers
to supply their own wants, but that many will ultimately find their way into
the ranks of the Native Cavalry.
WESTERN STATES OF RAJPUTANA
282. I purpose now to review the horse breeding operations in the Western
States of Rajputana which I was able to visit during my tour ; these comprised
Ulwar, Jeypore, and Jodhpur.
Ulwar.
382. This State is far in advance of any other visited by me, as far as any
practical results can be anticipated from horse breeding.
The stallions employed consisted of :—
1
1
2
1
1
1
Thoroughbred English.
Norfolk Trotter.
Arabs.
Persian.
Kathiawar.
Arab Pony.
81
Four of the above are getting old and the Persian is a coarse horse
unfitted for stud purposes. At my recommendation, 4 new stallions were
purchased, viz., 2 Arabs and 2 Thoroughbred Australians. The latter were—
These horses should prove of great value to the stud.
Mares.—I inspected 118 belonging to the stud, many of these were mares
of great promise, but I was pleased to find that many undersized animals
were being weeded out, and being relegated for mule breeding. It has been
decided to increase the number of mares employed, and amongst the late
purchases were 8 grand Guriani mares which, with the good stallions pro-
vided, should produce excellent remounts.
In addition to the stud mares, the State Authorities were good enough to
collect some mares from each tehsil, in order to give me some idea of the class
of mares existing in the State. The majority of mares were such that if mated
with good Arabs would produce excellent remounts. The zemindars are so
alive to the necessity of obtaining better stallions than are provided by the
State, that they take their mares to be covered by Government stallions in the
Rohtak and Delhi districts.
The present system of State aid is that of posting one or two stallions with
each of the 12 regiments of Cavalry located in different parts of the district,
but I was informed that they are either country-breds or Kathiawars.
Gradually I hope to see these replaced by good Arabs.
Young Stock.—Too much praise cannot be given to the arrangements for
rearing the young stock derived, both from the State stud and from mares
belonging to the State's Cavalry. Brought up in paddocks entirely on the
liberty system, these cannot but produce a number of remounts.
I inspected 106 colts and 117 fillies, my inspection proved conclusively
that whilst many of the stallions employed in the district must be excellent,
still, that there are many that should be got rid of.
Mule breeding.—The smaller mares of the stud, unfitted for horse breed-
ing, are being covered by donkeys. When mule-breeding is once fairly started
in the stud, I trust to see the industry extended amongst the zemindars, as
91
and so on, almost every horse that comes into depôt has lost weight, showing that he has been
neglected whilst away. Only the initial outlay would be so great, I would recommend that darindahs
should be done away with altogether and a system adopted the same as that which appears to
work so well in the Punjab."
It is to be hoped that the stringent measures adopted will be the means
of checking these irregularities. Another system which has hitherto been
allowed to exist and which is found to work very badly will be discontinued.
I allude to that in which, when a darindah dies, the stand is allowed to remain
in the hands of his widow, or his son who may be a minor; it is found that
in both these cases no supervision whatever is exercised over the stand.
This Department is deeply indebted to many of the Collectors of the
North-Western Provinces for the great assistance afforded to it by them,
but it was found that others did not take sufficient interest in the matter
and especially failed to impress upon the District officials the necessity of
taking every opportunity of inspecting the stands when they were in camp.
On representations being made to the Government of these provinces, a
circular has been issued by the Chief Secretary to all Commissioners; the
following being an extract :—
"I am therefore to request that Collectors, Assistant Collectors, Police Officers, and Tahsil-
dars may not fail to inspect stands of stallions during their tours, or to record in the inspection
book any remarks which they may consider necessary, as to the condition of the stallions, the condi-
tion of the stable, the quantity and quality of the food, &c."
This will, I feel, prevent many of the abuses which have hitherto existed.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA.
ANNUAL ADMINISTRATION REPORT
OF THE
CIVIL VETERINARY DEPARTMENT IN INDIA
FOR THE OFFICIAL YEAR
1894-95
PART II.—PROVINCIAL REPORT.
I.—HORSE BREEDING.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA.
ANNUAL ADMINISTRATION REPORT
OF THE
CIVIL VETERINARY DEPARTMENT IN INDIA
FOR THE OFFICIAL YEAR
1894-95.
PART II.—PROVINCIAL REPORT.
I.—HORSE BREEDING.
Horse and Pony
stallions
be-
longing to Dis-
trict Boards, &c.
301. Table A. (page lxxvii) will show the number of district horse and
pony stallions at the commencement of the year, the increase and decrease
during the year, and the balance remaining on 31st March 1895.
The number employed on 1st April 1894 was 100, 70 were added and 26
struck off, leaving a balance of 144 on 31st March 1895.
The increase representing, as it does, 44, is most satisfactory. This
increase is mainly due to the fact that 49 are employed in North-Western Pro-
vinces against 30 last year. The Punjab also shows a satisfactory increase;
the numbers being 80 employed this year against 66 last year.
Casualties.
302. The death-rate, as shown in Table B (page lxxviii), is satisfactory.
Two horses and 3 ponies died or were destroyed.
Sales
303. Table C (page lxxix) will show that 9 horses or ponies were sold.
Demand
for
stallions.
304. The demand for Provincial and District Board stallions continues in the
North-Western Provinces. 37 being still required. The Superintendent, Civil
Veterinary Department, North Punjab, is of opinion that 10 more stallions
could be employed with advantage in his Division ; no doubt these will be ap-
plied for as District Boards are in a position to entertain them.
The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, South Punjab, consi-
ders that 14 more District Board stallions are necessary; no doubt, these will
be employed as funds are available.
Number of stal-
lions at stud
work and num-
ber of mares
covered.
305. Table D (page lxxx) will show that 120 stallions were employed at
stud work. These covered 5,212 against 2,290 last year, giving an average of
43.43 per stallion employed. The average result of previous year's coverings
per stallion employed is 10.97. This in no way represents the actual percen-
tage ; if, as has already been shown, the zilladars are neglectful in the case of
reporting produce by Imperial stallions, much more so will they be when Dis-
trict Board stallions are concerned.
In addition to the above stallions maintained by District Boards, one has
been entertained by the Municipality of Beawar, Ajmere-Merwara, and it is
hoped that the districts of Arrah, Saran and Champaran in Bengal will short-
ly entertain one each.
96
Cost of feed and
keep, and how
defrayed.
306. The average cost of feed and keep of district horse and pony stallions
during 1894-95 was as follows (vide Table E, page lxxxiv):—
North Western Provinces and Oudh ...
North Punjab ...
South Punjab ...
Derajat ...
Berar ...
Burma
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Horse.
Rs.
...
227
232
182
...
A.
8
12
0
.
P.
10
6
0
..
219-8-5.
Pony.
Rs.
204
166
152
256
314
A.
12
8
11
13
15
P.
7
0
11
3
0
There is a material reduction in the cost of feed and keep in North-Western
Provinces when compared with last year, and slight reduction in other Pro-
vinces. The more economy that can be exercised in this matter, the more
inclined will the District Boards be to employ these stallions.
Mares unbrand-
ed or branded
for
district
horse breeding.
307. Table F (page lxxxvi) shows the number of mares available for horse
or pony breeding by District Board stallions. Much improvement is noticeable
in the registration of mares for this purpose; for, whereas last year the total
shown was 28,225, this year we have evidence of 51,375 being present. This is
mainly due to the more perfect registration of mares in the Punjab.
I cannot close my remarks on the subject of horse and pony breeding, as
assisted by District Boards, without thanking the various bodies that have so
generously come forward. Too much importance cannot be placed on this
most useful adjunct to horse breeding. I have had an opportunity of seeing,
whilst visiting the various horse shows and fairs, the young stock got by the
stallions maintained by District Boards, and can safely predict that in a few
years, the result will be that the number of mares available for Imperial stallions
will be greatly increased.
Produce.
308. From Table D (page lxxx) it will be seen that 1,090 foals are reported
to have been dropped as the result of previous year's coverings, giving an aver-
age of 10.97 per stallion employed.
PART II—PROVINCIAL REPORT.
II.—MULE BREEDING.
PART II.—PROVINCIAL REPORT.
II.—MULE BREEDING.
Donkey
stal-
lions belonging
to District
Boards, &c.
309. Mule breeding by District Board Agency has made no progress during
the year under review. Only 9 donkeys are thus maintained although others
are maintained by Courts of Wards.
Whilst District Boards assist this Department by maintaining pony stal-
lions to cover small mares below the height required for service by Imperial
stallions, it is not considered advisable to urge them to maintain donkey stal-
lions, as in all the best mule breeding districts it is found that private indi-
viduals maintain indigenous donkeys well calculated to get good transport
mules. These persons charge the small fee.of 8 annas for each mare covered.
Number of
pony mares co-
vered.
310. Table J (page lxxxix) will show that 253 mares were covered by
District Board donkey stallions against 175 last year.
Cost of feed and
keep of district
donkey
stal-
lions.
311. Table K (page xcv) will show the cost of feed and keep of donkey
stallions.
Produce.
312. Twenty-five foals are reported to have been dropped, but no proper
return is kept by the District authorities.
Demand for
donkey
stal-
lions.
313. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North-Western-
Provinces and Oudh, states that 13 applications remain uncomplied with.
The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North Punjab, states :—
" There is no question that sufficient employment could be found for many donkey stallions in
my Circle, the supply of Imperial donkeys being inadequate to the demand."
The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, South Punjab, reports
that 3 or 4 more are required in his Division. This officer concludes his re-
marks as follows:—
" During the past year, great difficulty has been experienced in obtaining donkey sires. I
do not consider it advisable for District Boards to invest in European donkeys, and at present the
supply of country-bred donkeys, fitted for breeding: purposes, is limited."
Colts castrated
by Veterinary
Assistants and
Salutris
paid
from
local
funds.
314. Table L (page xcvi) will show the number of colts castrated by Veteri-
nary Assistants and Salutris paid by District Boards, &c. It will be seen that
1,390 colts were operated on, this is more than double the number of operations
last year. The increase is mainly due to the better working of District Board
Salutris in the Punjab, in which province the increase is most satisfactory.
If we add the number castrated by Veterinary Assistants paid from Im-
perial funds to those castrated by Veterinary Assistants paid by District
Boards, we find that 3,221 colts were operated on during the year under re-
view ; an increase of 1,024 over last year.
Of the total of 3,221 colts castrated, only 12 deaths took place, giving a
percentage of 0.37 deaths. This must be considered highly satisfactory, especi-
ally when it is considered that Veterinary Assistants are unable to remain in
the villages to look after the colts subsequent to the operation, and that they
are frequently neglected by their owners.
PART II.—PROVINCIAL REPORT.
III.-EQUINE DISEASE.
106
Cavalry Regiments and Mountain Batteries by the Adjutant General in India,
to the following effect:—
" With a view to check the introduction and spread of contagious and
infectious diseases amongst Government animals, the Commander-in-Chief
directs that when horses or mules are purchased at horse fairs and shows,
they must not be despatched to their destination until they have been
medically inspected by the Veterinary Officer on duty at such fairs or
shows."
I regret to find that although this circular was issued with a view
of protecting the corps concerned, no applications were received from
Purchasing Officers by the various Superintendents, Civil Veterinary Depart-
ment, attending the horse fairs and shows for the examination of batches of
remounts.
This is the more to be regretted as it is well known that Northern horses
are frequently affected with glanders, and a great number of these horses
were purchased at the Quetta show. Veterinary Captain Maxwell attend-
ed this show,
At Sonepore a case of glanders occurred during the time the fair
was held. Veterinary Captain Gunn attended this fair.
All officers attending the Gujrat show were informed that one of the
Government stallions had been destroyed for glanders a short time previously.
Veterinary-Lieutenant Turnbull attended this show.
In last year's report it was stated that cases had occurred in which
hardships had been inflicted on owners whose animals had been destroyed
for glanders and who were in poor circumstances, inasmuch as although
their animals were destroyed to prevent the extension of the disease, still
they were compelled to dispose of the carcass at their own expense. The
cost frequently amounting as it did to Rs. 6 was more than they could
afford. I am pleased to find that His Honor the Lieutenant-Governor of
the Punjab, in which province the Act extends to all districts, has ruled,
after consulting all Municipalities, District Boards, etc., that the expenditure
incurred is to be recovered from the Board or Committee concerned.
PART II.—PROVINCIAL REPORT.
IV.-CATTLE DISEASE—INVESTIGATION AND PREVENTION.
PART II.—PROVINCIAL REPORT.
V.—CATTLE BREEDING, &c.