NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
6
28. The outbreaks in other districts deserving mention are
those in the Colgong thana of the Bhagalpur district; and in
Jamui subdivision of the Monghyr district. Although outbreaks
occurred in the North Bihar and Orissa Banges, they do not need
special notice.
29. Altogether 37,642 cattle were affected in 2,459 outbreaks*
and of these-14,574 died, as compared with 54,617 attacks and
22,365 deaths in the year 1922-23.
30. Foot-and-mouth disease.—This disease continued to
be as widespread as in the previous year. Seventy-eight
thousand four hundred and thirty-three animals were attacked
in 1,959 outbreaks, and out of these 875 died, against
75,224 attacks and 480 deaths in the year 1922-23. Judging
from the number of deaths, the disease appears to have been
unusually severe. Patna alone contributed 362 deaths, Cuttack
351 deaths and Puri 101. In the case of the Orissa districts,
more supervision will probably reveal the fact that these deaths
are, in reality, due to rinderpest.
31. Hemorrhagic Septiccemia.—Hgemorrhagic septicaemia
was more evenly distributed than rinderpest, and affected all
the districts. It appears to have been mora virulent in Orissa
and Chota Nagpur than in the northern and central areas.
Ranchi, Cuttack and Puri recorded 647, 638 and 620 deaths
respectively. Six thousand four hundred and sixty-three animals
were affected in 1,226 outbreaks, and of these 4,820 died, as com-
pared with 10,092 attacks and 7,444 deaths in the year 1922-23.
32. Black-quarter.—Black-quarter appeared in 9 districts,
viz., Saran, Ohamparan, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Santal Parga-
nas,' Cuttack, Puri, Sambalpur and Hazaribagh, against 4 in
1922-23. One hundred and seventy-six deaths were recorded in
39 outbreaks, the total number of cattle affected being 212 only.
The disease was diagnosed microscopically in 10 instances.
33. Anthrax.—Anthrax was reported from 8 districts, viz.,
Shahabad, Champaran, Monghyr, Bhagalpur, Santal Parganas,
Sambalpur, Ranchi and Palamau, against the same number of
districts in the previous year. Twenty-nine outbreaks came
under observation. In these 146 animals were affected and 99
died as compared with 219 attacks and 138 deaths in the previous
year'. The disease was diagnosed microscopically on 17 occasions*
This includes one case in North Bihar.
34. Surra.—A severe outbreak of surra appeared among
cattle in some villages in the Nawatpur thana of the Dinapur
subdivision. Thirty-six were affected, out of which thirty-one.
died, rive injected with tartar emetic recovered.
7
35. Other contagious diseases.—Twenty-two deaths were
recorded under this head, including 10 from fowl cholera.
CANINE.
36. Rabies,—Sixty-two deaths from rabies in dogs were
reported during the year against 45 in 1922-23. But this is very
much below the real figures, as the reporting of rabid animals is
not compulsory.
TABLE III.
PREVENTIVE INOCULATION.
37. Details of inoculations performed against the contagious
diseases are shown in Table III. This work was carried on with
great energy in the North Bihar Range, where 45,008 cattle were
protected in 259 outbreaks. In the Orissa Range, during the
five months—November to March—13,498 inoculations were
performed. This is satisfactory, and it is hoped that the number
protected will be further increased when the people are made
aware that a veterinary staff is available to help them. Addi-
tional assistants and supervising staff are urgently required in
this backward area.
38. The total number of inoculations carried out during the
year was 145,593 against 159,325 in 1922-23 and 123,387 in
1921-22. The decrease is attributable to a healthier year, as
indicated by the smaller number of reports received, and also to
climatic conditions which were more favourable. Opposition
is still met with in some districts, more especially in Patna,
Bhagalpur and Darbhanga.
39. Rinderpest.—Inoculations against rinderpest were
performed in all districts, except Cuttack and Balasore, the total
number protected by the " serum alone " method being 107,681,
as compared with 113,190 in the previous year. The largest
number, i.e., 18,235 inoculations were carried out in Gaya,
Champaran occupying second place with 17,257 inoculations,
while 9,775 were done in Hazaribagh. Four hundred and fifty-
nine inoculated cattle died, against 573 in the year 1922-23, the
death rate among the inoculated being about 4 per cent.
40. Mcemorrhagic Septicemia.—Inoculation against this
disease by the " serum alone " method was carried out in all
districts. Altogether 33,937 animals were protected in 239
8
outbreaks as compared with 42,729 in the year 1922-23, the largest
number 5,486 being done in Champaran, while 4,911 and 4,465
were immunized in Bhagalpur and Manbhum respectively. Only
8 inoculated cattle died. Forty-five cattle were protected against
this disease by vaccine in Shahabad.
41. Anthrax.—One thousand four hundred and sixty-one
cattle were - protected by the serum in seven districts, against
1,206 in the year 1922-23. Only six inoculated cattle died.
42. Black-quarter.—Vaccination against black-quarter was
undertaken in five districts, viz., Saran, Champaran, Muzaf-
farpur, Cuttack and Puri, the total number of animals protected
by this method being 2,460 in 41 outbreaks, as compared with
2,200 in the previous year. Six deaths occurred among the
inoculated cattle.
43. Supply of serum and vaccine.—The following table
shows the quantity of serum and vaccine dealt with by the
department during the year, and its value at Muktesar rates :—
Serial
No.
1
1
2
3
4
6
6
7
Serum of vaccune.
2
Anti-rincerpeat sorum
...
Hoemorrhagio Septicemia urum
Anti-Anthrax serum
Hemorrhagic Septicemia vaccine
Black quarter vaccine
Mallein...
...
...
Tuberculin
...
...
Total
Cost per
dose.
3
Kb.
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
a.
3
6
6
3
3
7
7
P.
0
0
0
0
0
6
6
Quantity
received
4
425,000
40,000
2,000
1,000
2,000
10
16
470,026
Value.
5
Rs.
70,687
16.000
750
187
376
4
7
96,012
a. p.
8 0
0 0
0 0
8 0
0 0
11 0
8 0
3 0
Rs. 78,103-6-0, including outstandings of Es. 43,005-2-4
from the previous year, were realized from local bed'es and
credited to Government. A sum of Rs. 60/J13-15-A still remains
9
to be recovered for products received from the Muktesar labora-
tory during the period under report. This figure includes also
the value of 116,440 doses in hand on 31st March 1924.
44. The attention of Government is drawn to the large
balances outstanding at the end of the period now under report,
and the preceding year. District boards budget a certain sum
as being sufficient to cover the cost of the average amount of
serum used. When, however, a widespread outbreak occurs
their funds are not sufficiently elastic to meet this extra expen-
diture, and so it cannot be met. Tbe expansion of the subordi-
nate staff also throws additional financial responsibilities on
these local bodies, with the result that considerable sums must
be set aside to meet the cost of the extra serum which the addi-
tional staff requires. In some cases district boards have directed
veterinary assistant surgeons not to order extra serum without
permission, thereby causing considerable delay, and loss to cattle
owners who are, after all, the persons who keep the boards going.
45. Suppression of contagious diseases should be a provincial
charge. There appears to be no solid reasons why one district
should spend considerable sums in suppressing outbreaks when
others on the border may not have to pay out a farthing. For
example, Champaran, which has a very small income from road
cess and other sources, spent Rs. 12,760 on sera, a sum which it
can ill-afford to spare from its roads and other public works.
The same remarks apply to Purnea, Ranchi, Palamau and the
Orissa districts.
46. Government should meet the cost, as is done in Madras,
the Punjab, the Central Provinces, the United Provinces and
Bombay, and to this end proposals are being placed before the
Development Board for opinion. The cost during 1925-20 is
estimated to be about one lakh of rupees.
TABLE IV.
NUMBER OF ANIMALS TREATED.
47. Including the veterinary assistant surgeons in charge
of the hospitals at Ranchi, Palamau, Dumka and Begusarai,
seventy-four assistants were employed on touring duty against
seventy in 1922-23. Five new posts were created, viz., at Khagaria
for the north Gangetic area of the sadr subdivision of Monghyr,
at Warisaliganj in Nawada subdivision, at Gaya sadr (second
additional), and at Ramgarh and Dhanwar in Hazaribagh. Of
these, the posts at Khagaria, Ramgarh and Dhanwar were
10
filled during the year, and the others in 1924-25. The district
boards bear the full cost of these assistants. The district board of
Balasore propose employing an additional touring assistant for
the sadr subdivision with headquarters at Soro. The district
board, Cuttack, have also agreed to bear half the cost of establish-
ment and contingencies of an assistant for the Government estate,
Banki, provided the remaining expenses are met by Govern-
ment; but the proposal was not approved by the Board of
Revenue for want of funds in the Government Estates Improve-
ment budget. This post is an important one and should be
sanctioned as soon as funds permit. A second touring assistant
for Bargarh with headquarters at Padampur is also necessary,
as this part of the subdivision lies on the borders of the Central
Provinces and is a constant source of infection. As the Road
Committee, Santal Parganas, was unable to provide funds for
additional touring assistants, Government have agreed to bear
the full cost of an assistant for the Pakaur subdivision. The
post will be sanctioned from the 1st April 1924. Additional assist-
ants are urgently required for the sadr subdivision of Patna; the
sadr and Banka subdivisions of Bhagalpur ; the Jamui subdivision
of Monghyr ; Manbhum sadr; Simdega in Ranchi, and for
Puri sadr.
48. It is satisfactory to be able to record that the scheme for
the extension of the subordinate veterinary service referred
to in the annual report for 1922-23 has now been introduced.
This is a very great advance for the Department, as it shows
that the efforts made in the past, in spite of much opposition,
have been appreciated, and that the future is for the present
assured. The scheme will mean that there will now be
two touring veterinary assistant surgeons in each subdivision
instead of one, and that in consequence greater attention
will be given to the reporting and treatment of disease.
By the scheme the number of touring veterinary assistant
surgeons will be raised from 63 to 126. Local bodies will
have to pay half the cost of pay and allowances of each assistant
at the existing rates of contribution. Those bodies which have
already employed more than one touring assistant at full cost for
a subdivision will be given remission of half the contribution in
respect of the second assistant. Ten additional posts have been
provided for in the budget for the year 1924-25. It is hoped
that the local bodies which have not yet been able to appoint
additional staff for want of encouragement, will now find it
easier to do so. It is a duty they owe the raiyat, who is the
source from which all revenues spring.
11
49. Sixty-three thousand three hundred and thirty fresh
cases including castrations were treated by veterinary assistant
surgeons on tour and at headquarters, as compared with 81,818 in
the year 1922-23. Of these, 16,378 were treated by the staff in
North Bihar and 29,714 in the Orissa Range. Foot and mouth
disease was responsible for the large increase in the latter. The total
decrease of 18,488 cases is mainly attributable to the satisfactory
climatic conditions prevailing throughout the period, and to
a smaller number of foot-and-mouth disease cases. Thirty-two
thousand nine hundred and thirty-five villages were visited
against 25,730 in 1922-23.
TABLE V.
HOSPITALS.
50. A new hospital at Samastipur was opened, bringing the
total number to 27 against 26 in the previous year. The new
hospitals built at Dumka and Chaibassa remained in charge
of the local touring assistants. A stationary assistant
for the former with the necessary menial staff has recently been
sanctioned at full cost to Government, as it is not possible for the
Road Committee to contribute towards its maintenance. The
post will be filled during 1924-25. No proposal has yet been
received from the Singhbhum district board for a stationary
veterinary assistant for Chaibassa. During the year, the Dinapur
hospital was completed and made over, but the Patna district
board has not yet applied for sanction for the post of stationary
assistant. This district board has had several schemes for building
hospitals under consideration, but up to date it has not been
found possible to start them for want of funds.
51. In North Bihar, the question of appointing a stationary
assistant for the Begusarai hospital, and also of opening a hospital
at Bagaha is under consideration. The new hospital at Madhu-
bani has not yet been completed. At Gopalgunj a site was
selected, but the proposal for building a hospital did not
materialize owing to lack of funds.
52. In Orissa, owing to the inability of the district board to
meet the entire cost, Government have sanctioned a grant of
Rs. 12,000 towards the cost of constructing a new hospital at
Puri. An estimate amounting to Rs. 17,079 has been approved,
and it is expected the work will be completed during 1924-25.
Owing to an unfortunate misunderstanding over the payment of
contributions by the Cuttack municipality to the district board,
12
the latter decided to close the hospital at Cuttack with effect
from the 1st March 1921. The matter was referred to Government
for decision, but no orders have yet been issued. This is one of
the oldest institutions in the province and is very popular among
the residents of the town.
53. Thirty thousand two hundred and eighty fresh patients
were treated against 80,410 in 1922-23. Of these 14,774 were
attended in North Bihar, and 8,495 at seven hospitals in Orissa.
The remainder were treated in the central range.
54. Nine hundred and nine castrations were performed, and
3,979 cases not brought to the hospitals, were supplied with
medicines, as compared with 676 and 6,663 respectively in
1922-23.
TABLE VIII.
BREEDING OPERATIONS.
55. Breeding operations having been transferred to the
Agriculture Department, this subject needs no special comment
in the present report. Fifty-two stud bulls were maintained in
the districts against 55 in 1922-23, three having died—one at
Patna hospital, and two at Arrah as a result of the floods.
TABLE IX.
CATTLE FARMS.
56. Bettiah Raj cattle farm.—The herd consists of selected
cows from the local breed, heifers from Sepaya and stud bulls
imported from the Punjab.
57. At the end of the year, the strength of the herd consisted
of 2 stud bulls, 25 cows, 37 bull calves, 32 heifer calves and 7
buffalo bulls, or a total of 103 animals.
53. During the year 35 calves were born, 6 animals died of
non-infectious disease, 5 heifers were taken to the cow herd, 3
farm bred bulls were distributed to tenants, and 57 animals were
rejected and sold.
59. The upkeep of the farm cost Bs. 15,894 against
Bs. 17,384 in the previous year.
60. Government cattle farm, Sepaya.—The herd numbered
201 animals on the 1st April 1923. During the year 3 pedigree
buffalo bull calves were purchased. Two old deshi stud bulls
13
were sent to the Mohant of Kumbhia; 2 animals died of
hemorrhagic septicaemia, and 2 of black-quarter after
vaccination. There were therefore 198 animals at the close
of the year consisting of 1 bull, 4 buffalo bulls, 71 bullocks,
27 cows, 64 male calves and 31 female calves.
61. Efforts are being directed towards collecting a number
of deshi Montgomery crosses which will form the basis on which
future work will be developed at Sepaya.
62. The upkeep of the farm amounted to Us. 23,277 against
Us. 32,458 in the previous year. Receipts from different heads
amounted to Rs. 9,377 against Rs. 8,259 during 1922-23.
TABLES X, XI AND XII.
(BLANK.)
TABLES XIII AND XIV.
FAIRS AND SHOWS.
63. The particulars of the principal fairs and shows are
given in the above tables. At the Sonepur fair, an elephant at
a cost of Rs. 4,150 was purchased for the Madras police. The
Deputy Director, North Bihar Range, and myself visited this
fair. The former also visited the Sitamarhi fair in connection
with the purchase of bullocks for the Purnea demonstration
farm. Rai Sahib P. N. Das visited the Bihta show. The other
important fairs and shows wore attended by the inspectors and
local veterinary assistant surgeons. The price of cattle, especi-
ally milch cows and work bullocks, still continues high. Twenty
thousand three hundred and thirteen cattle were booked by the
Bengal and North-Western Railway to different stations in
Eastern Bengal and Assam, during the year.
PROVINCIAL ESTABLISHMENT.
64. Assistant Director, Rai Sahib P. N. Das, resumed his
duties on 31st December 1923, after finishing his course at the
Muktesar laboratory, and went on leave for one month and a half
from the 2nd January 1924. No substitute was appointed in his
place. The post of Assistant Director, North Bihar Range, was
sanctioned permanently from the 1st September 1923, Babu
Nilraani Chattarji being confirmed from the same date. It is
proposed to depute this officer to Muktesar for a special course
14
of training early in the year] 924-25. During the period he was
in charge, the Rai Sahib carried out his duties with his usual
zeal and thoroughness.
TABLE VII.
SUBORDINATE ESTABLISHMENT.
65. The number of veterinary inspectors was raised from
10 to 11, by the appointment of one additional inspector for
the North Bihar Range where there are now four inspectors, the
Central and Orissa Ranges having four and three respectively.
Staff veterinary assistant, Babu R. K. Ram, was appointed
a fourth grade inspector on Rs. 100 per mensem.
66. The six staff assistants were allotted at the rate of two
to each range while the 12 posts of reserve assistants were
distributed at 4 to each range. Five staff assistants were
employed during the year and four veterinary assistant surgeons
were on the reserve list on 31st March 1924.
67. As regards the staff employed in districts, there were
98 veterinary assistant surgeons on the roll on 1st April
1923 including the assistant employed by the Bettiah Raj.
During the year 12 new graduates joined the department
making the total number 110. Out of these, five were appointed
to the staff, four acted as leave reserve, one was on deputation
as Khedda officer in Angul, two were dismissed and one removed.
There were accordingly 97 assistants employed in the districts
at the end of the year Of these, 23 including the Bettiah
Raj assistant were employed in hospitals, and 74 on touring
duty.
68. On 31st March 1924, the subordinate staff of the North
Bihar Range consisted of 4 inspectors, 2 staff, 2 reserve and
32 district veterinary assistant surgeons (10 in charge of hospitals
and 22 touring). One laboratory assistant was appointed from
the 1st May 1923. The Orissa Range opened with a subordinate
staff of 32 officers consisting of 3 inspectors, 2 staff, 2 reserve
and 25 district veterinary assistant surgeons of whom 5 were in
charge of hospitals and 20 were on touring duty. A laboratory
assistant will soon be appointed to this range.
69. The following officers are commended for good work :—
CENTRAL RANGE.
Veterinary inspectors.—Babus N. N. Ghose, S. R. Bagchi
and R. K. Ram.
15
Hospital veterinary assistant surgeons.—Bab us G. K. Sinha,
M. S. Mohan Raj, Maulavis Muhanimad Azam and A. U
Ahmad.
Touring veterinary assistant surgeons.—Babus M. Ram,
J. K. Singh, N. D. Singh, J. Ekka, D. Prasad, N. 0. Roy and
Maulavi S. A. Quadir.
NORTH BIHAR RANGE.
Veterinary inspectors.—Babus M. Agnihotri and P. G.
Bhattacharji.
Hospital veterinary assistant surgeons.—Babus P. C. Das ,
B. B. Mitter (Bettiah Raj) and J. N. Bose.
Touring veterinary assistant surgeoni.—Babus S. D. Singh,
R. P. Singh, D. D. Gupta, B. Prasad (I), R. S. Prasad, S. D.
Narain, L. K. Acharya and Maulavi S. B. Ahmad.
ORISSA RANGE.
Veterinary inspectors.—Babus B. L. Suv and J. L. Bose.
Hospital veterinary assistant surgeons.—Babu I. B. Ghcse
and Maulavi M. Khan.
Touring veterinary assistant surgeons.—Babus C. Misra,
S. B. Lal, K. Mohan and P. C. Kunar.
RESEARCH WORK.
70. The work of the laboratory is steadily advancing and is
proving of considerable value to the staff, although it is still
difficult to get the rank and file to realize the importance of using
such modern methods for the diagnosis of disease. Seven hundred
and ninety-three specimens including smears of blood, pus, faeces,
skin, scraping, etc., were received and examined against 568
in 1922-23. The following diseases were diagnosed—Anthrax
16, hæmorrhagic septicsemia 38, trypanosomiasis 9, piroplas-
mosis 4, black-quarter 7, fowl cholera 7, mange 5, miscellaneous
1. In addition, 50 post-mortem specimens were also reported
on. Intravenous injections of tartar emetic were used in the
treatment of live cattle suffering from surra with satisfactory
results.
71. Investigations into nasal granuloma in cattle were carried
out in Arrah and at Patna. This is a widespread disease in
certain areas, and though not directly responsible for the death
16
of many cattle, it is the cause of serious financial loss, owing to
its effects on their usefulness. Some cases were sent
the
laboratory at Muktesar at the request of the Director, who also
was good enough to visit Patna in March last, in connection with
this and other diseases. Experiments are now being carried out
both at Muktesar and at the veterinary hospital, Patna, into the
aetiology-and treatment of the disease. So far tartar emetic
gives the most satisfactory results.
72. Two hundred and fifty-three specimens were examined at
the Muzaffarpur laboratory, positive results being shown in 44 ins-
tances. Seventy-seven post-mortem specimens were also examined
and preserved in the museum. This is a satisfactory record.
73. A laboratory will be opened for the Orissa Kange at
Cuttack on the 1st April.
GENERAL REMARKS.
74. The draft of the new manual has now gone through the
press and is waiting for the final approval of Government.
75. No subject of very great interest came to notice during
the year. One event however happened, which is of considerable
importance to the department and that is, the voting of funds to
increase the personnel in the districts. This will have far-reach-
ing effects on the efficiency of the officers, as it will reduce the
area under the control of each veterinary assistant and so
bring him into more intimate contact with the rural population.
In this respect Bihar and Orissa is more far-sighted than
Great Britain; for the British Parliament, declined to furnish
funds to bring to a conclusion important experiments which
were being conducted in respect of the cause of foot and
mouth disease and the methods by which it so mysteriously
spreads to widely separated areas. As a result, the present
epidemic between August 1923 and April 1924 has cost the
Government over £3,000,000 or Rs. 450,00,000 and it is not
yet under control. This huge expenditure is a signal warning
of the necessity of providing in time for an efficient staff and the
means of carrying out research. It is one of the ways by which
the raiyat can be directly benefited from the taxes he pays.
To members of the Legislative Council who may read this report,
the thanks of the department are offered. At the same time it is
hoped that they will keep in mind that funds must be provided
each year to meet expansion which should proceed, not with a
rush, but steadily, and in proportion as the scientific help given