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is not complete, and even when it is accepted by the various Local Gov-
ernments, years will elapse before the full strength of subordinates necessary to
carry out the work connected with cattle disease and breeding, is employed.
The Punjab is the only province in which the subordinate establishment
may be said to be fairly complete, but as will be shown hereafter, the super-
vising staff is insufficient.
On this point the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North
Punjab, states :—
" While acknowledging that an increased amount of work done is shown in the castration
returns and numbers of animals treated, I entirely concur with the remarks of my predecessor, Mr.
Drage, that the subordinate establishment leaves much to be desired. Under existing arrange-
ments much cooking of returns and diaries is possible ; and until increased supervision is observed,
such will continue to be the case."
" While on tour, I inspect books, diaries, prove the assistant's knowledge of the districts, etc.,
as far as possible, but that can only be superficial, and the men are sharp enough to make them-
selves ready for my coming ; boyond this I cannot suggest any further professional test of fitness
for the present. "
The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, South Punjab, states :-
"During the past 12 mouths as much supervision as possible has been exercised in the case of
these men, and there are signs of improvement in some districts; they not only seem to know how
to go about their work better, but at the same time evince more interest, in it. Many of them,
however, have to be kept constantly up to the mark, or they become indifferent. They now, all
of them, send monthly returns, through the Deputy Commissioner, to this office. These show the
tehsil they are posted at, the villages they visit, the class of animals treated, nature of disease,
treatment, and results. Their visits at different villages, etc., are verified by Lamberdars, Zaildars
etc. Last year the Salutris of one district only were sending monthly returns to me, at the time
of Annual Report, since then the form in use in that district has been slightly modified and made
applicable to all districts in this circle.
" During the past year, at my suggestion, the Deputy Commissioners in some Districts have put
the District Board stallions in charge of the Salutris, under supervision of the Tehsildars. Each
Salutri being answerable for any horses of this class standing in his Tehsil. In this way they
are induced to take an interest in District Board horse breeding generally, which is very desirable.
1 hope in time to get this system adopted in every district.
" As regards the number of colts castrated by these men, according to returns there has been
a satisfactory increase. In the Ferozepore district, the number given is 103, in Multan 76, if
castration were carried out in every district to this extent, we should soon make headway. Last
year the total number of horse stock gelded was 208 against 361 this year. Out of this number,
only two deaths are reported from effects of operations.
" In Montgomery nothing has been done, but this is owing to the fact that there are no Dis-
trict Board Salutris. Doubtless, the proposal which is becoming: general in the districts, to pay
Rs. 5 to the owners of animals to have their colts gelt and Re. 1 to each Salutri for every animal
be castrates, will have a beneficial effect."
I fully agree with the above remarks; the form of monthly return which
has been adopted, will be a great check on these men, and it is hoped that the
improvement which is noticeable in their working this year will be increased
year by year. One of the great points to be aimed at is to interest them in
their work, and this can only be done by supervision, which at present is not
forthcoming.
Both Superintendents, Civil Veterinary Department, Punjab, have, at
my instigation, assumed some supervision of these subordinates whilst in the
districts, but their work, connected as it must mainly be, with horse breeding,
prevents their doing much in this way.
What is required in this province is another Veterinary officer who would
take sole charge of the Cattle Branch, and who would supervise the whole of
the district subordinate staff.
To start the work of the Bacteriological Survey, the Assistant to the Ins-
pector-General, Civil Veterinary Department, has commenced with the Punjab,
and has already visited some of the Southern Districts of this province. This
will result in much better working, as he is able to show the men what is
expected of them. It is proposed that during next cold weather, he will con-
tinue performing the same duties, visiting district by district. As this officer
has much experience of this particular province and its subordinates, his views
will be found at the end of the remarks on this subject.
Next in importance to the Punjab, in the number of veterinary subordi-
nates entertained, stand the North-Western Provinces and Oudh, in which
Provinces 15 subordinates are employed.