NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
3
9. The gate, fenciug and other minor works connected with
the residence of the Deputy Director at Muzaffarpur were
completed during the year.
ORISSA RANGE.
10. On his return from leave, Captain Howard acted as
Deputy Director of the range from the 23rd October 1926 till
21st January 1927 when he died. During this period he
inspected the veterinary dispensaries at Khurda and Angul and
the hospital at Purulia. He was present at the professional
examinations of veterinary assistant surgeons held at Patna in
October 1926. He was on tour for 32 days.
11. Rai Sahib P. N. Das held charge of the range from 1st
April to 22nd October and again from the 24th January 1927 to
the end of the year. He inspected almost all hospitals and
dispensaries in the range more than once and scrutinised the
work of the subordinate staff, visited some important outbreaks,
attended District Board and Development Board meetings and
delivered lectures at selected meetings of the Co-operative
Federation Board,
He was on tour for 144 days and travelled 1,796 miles by
road.
12. The work connected with the construction of buildings
for the range office and laboratory at Cuttack was started during
the year, and it is hoped, will be completed by the end of
September 1927. (The expenditure on this account will, accord-
ing to the revised estimate, amount to Rs. 32,136.)
VETERINARY INSTRUCTION.
Bihar and Orissa Veterinary College.
13. The plans and estimates for the proposed veterinary
college were further scrutinised by Captain Riley and myself.
At the request of the local Government, Mr. J. T. Edwards,
Director of the Imperial Institute of Veterinary Research,
Muktesar, visited Patna and inspected the site of the college.
Some plans were altered while the plan of the laboratory was
redesigned according to his instructions. His Excellency
Sir Henry Wheeler, the late Governor of the province, laid the
foundation stone of the college on the 2nd of April 1927.
14. Including the additional cost of the redesigned labora-
tory the total estimated non-recurring expenditure will amount
to Rs. 6,53,800, against which a provision of Rs. 10,000 for
bricks only was made in the Public Works Department
supplementary budget for the year 1926-27.
4
15. The work on the Phulwari cattle-breeding and dairy
farm near the site of the college, a separate scheme for which
was approved by Government, was started during the year on
receipt of a supplementary grant of Us. 12,290 towards construc-
tion of buildings and Us. 16,657 for establishment, machinery,
etc., required for the purpose. The excavation of the tank and
channels and also the fencing which formed part of the scheme
were finished by the Irrigation Department, the cost being met
from the provision of Rs. 20,000 in the Veterinary budget for
1926-27. In addition there was a provision of Rs. 15,000 in the
Public Works Department budget for collection of bricks. As
some additional buildings such as menials' quarters and also
gates and roads are required to complete the project supplemen-
tary estimates are in course of preparation and will be submitted
to Government when ready.
Training at the Bengal Veterinary College.
16. During the year 19 students joined the college against 17
in 1925-26. Their educational qualifications were satisfactory.
Among those selected, 12 were awarded stipends by local bodies
and 7 joined as private students.
No Government stipend was
available.
17. At the end of the year, there were 66 Bihar and Orissa
students under training compared with 52 in 1925-26. Of this
number, 41 were Hindus, 21 Muhammadans and 4 Indian
Christians.
According to nationality,
40 were Biharis,
13 Bengalis, 8 Oriyas and 5 came from Chota Nagpur.
18. The results of the annual examination in respect of
the Bibar and Orissa students are shown in the following
table:—
Clase.
" A " ... ... ...
" B " ... ... ...
"C " ... ... ...
Total ...
Appeared.
21
15
28
64
Passed.
17
11
17
45
Remarks.
Post-graduate training.
19. Two subordinate officers received post-graduate training
at the Madras Veterinary College, while arrangements were
6
made to depute the special officer, Mr. Muhammad Ismail
Malik, to the Muktesar Research Institute for a six months'
course.
Professional examinations.
20. The half-yearly professional examinations for subordi-
nate officers were held in April and October 1926. Captain
Riley acted as President of the Board and Babu Nilmoni Chattarji
as Secretary. 31 veterinary assistant surgeons including those
who failed in previous examinations appeared, and 13 passed.
Training in England.
21. The first State scholar, Mr. Muhammad Ismail Malik,
after receiving the diploma of the Royal College of Veteri-
nary Surgeons, London, returned in November 1926. Another
candidate was awarded a scholarship and joined the Royal
Veterinary College, London, in October.
22. The cost of training in England amounted to Rs. 3,280,
while Rs. 34,200 was paid as contribution to the Bengal Govern-
ment towards the cost of upkeep of the Bengal Veterinary
College.
TABLE II.
Treatment of disease.
23. The distribution of the outbreaks of the different
contagious livestock diseases is shown in the map attached.
No extensive outbreaks except in the Dinapur and sadr subdivi-
sions of Patna district occurred during the year. As regards
Korth Bihar Range, the Deputy Director remarks as follows :
" Though all the cattle diseases except Anthrax were
reported during the period, the year was still
healthier than the preceding one."
The same remark applies generally in the case of the
Central Range. For the reasons above mentioned, there was a
marked fall in the number of deaths from contagious diseases,
but such fluctuations are generally a prelude to high mortality
later. But even this could be considerably lessened if there
was a much larger staff. The smaller the area each assistant
has to control, the fewer the outbreaks that remain unattended.
As far as this province is concerned, the question of staff is really
one of finance. In spite of the fact that Government gives
liberal assistance to district boards willing to employ touring
assistants, many local bodies still are very slow in making
these appointments. As an instance, the district board,
6
Shahabad has just resolved to abolish two very important posts*
viz. the second touring veterinary assistant surgeons stationed at
Barahpur and Bikramganj, although the district from its situa-
tion and its importance as an agricultural and cattle-breeding tract
should have double the number of such officers to deal with disease
effectively. It is also to be regretted that the Patna and Bhagal-
pur district boards have not yet been able to provide funds
although additional assistants are badly needed. Some radical
change in the method of making these appointments is required.
Boards will not recognise that the raiyat and his interests are
paramount, and that his main industry should be improved
wherever it is possible to do so.
24. Haemorrhagic Septicaemia was reported from all
districts except Angul, and rinderpest from seventeen, the
exceptions being Saran, Cuttack, Puri and Balasore. Although
there has been an appreciable decrease in the number of out-
breaks under all other heads, statistics show that foot and
mouth disease was much more widespread and affected all
districts without exception.
Altogether 5,151 outbreaks were reported, and of these, 4,137
were attended by the staff, compared with 6,408 reported and
4,912 attended in 1925-26. Foot and mouth disease alone was
responsible for 3,287 outbreaks. Including 93,739 cases of this
disease, 111,924 animals were affected out of which 9,179 died,
against 116,872 attacks and 16,275 deaths recorded in the
previous year. The main feature in these outbreaks is that
although the difference in the number reported during the last
two years is 1,257 only, the mortality during the year was lower
by more than seven thousand.
25. The statistics of contagious diseases according to the
area and cattle population of each range are shown in the
following: table :—
Range.
North Bihar
South „ (Control)...
Orissa Range
Total
Area
in
Fq. mile.
20,157
33,844
28,304
83,105
Livestock.
0,820,637
10,474,062
7,803,869
27,007,548*
Numbor of
outbreaks
reported.
693
2,790
1,669
6,161
Number of
outbreaks
attended.
654
8,101
1,322
4,137
Number of
animals
affected.
13.699t
62,841
36,3843
111,024
Number of
deaths
recorded.
1,211
6,696
2,269
9,179
Remarks.
*The figure
are accord*
ing
to
the latest
c e n s u s
figures of
1925.
+ Includes 10,017 coses of foot and moutio diseaso.
Includes 40,929
ditto
ditto.
Includes 32.893
ditto
ditto.
26. Eighty-one chaukidars were reported for failing to
report outbreaks promptly while seventy-two were rewarded.
7
Equine.
27- Glanders.—Eight cases were reported from Champaran
and from Bhagalpur districts. Three died while under test,
four re-acted and were destroyed, and one was discharged.
Necessary measures for the suppression of the outbreaks were
taken under the Glanders and Farcy Act.
28. Surra.—Four
cases of surra reported from Patna?
Palamau and Singhbhum districts were similarly dealt with.
29. Other contagious diseases.—Only four deaths were
recorded and of these three were due to rabies in Muzaffarpur and
Darbhanga and one to tetanus in Patna.
Bovine.
30. 'Rinderpest.—The most pleasing feature of this report is
very low mortality. The figures are the lowest during the last
quinquennium. Except in Dinapur, no large or virulent
outbreak occurred. North Bihar enjoyed considerable immunity
as only 250 deaths were reported, while in the Orissa Range,
only 652 deaths were reported against 2,937 in 1925-26. The
Saran, Cuttack, Puri and Balasore districts were free from
outbreaks throughout the year. As regards the Central Range,
though the mortality was fairly high, the heaviest death rate,
961, was in the Santai Parganas ; in Palamau, Gaya and Patna
districts, the next highest group, 811, 778 and 613 deaths were
reported respectively.
31. Particulars of the outbreaks in respect of each range
as compared with the previous year are shown below :—
Range.
1
North Bihar ...
Central
Orissa
Total
Outbreaks
reported.
2
1926-26
250
1.153
605
1,907
1926-27
74
658
147
879
Outbreaks
attended.
3
1925-20
213
1,091
399
1,783
1926-27
72
647
141
860
Number of animals
affected.
4
1925-26
2.350
16,901
8,102
27,369
1926-27
624
10,505
1,537
12,020
Number of deaths
recorded.
5
1926-26
1,121
0.326
2,937
0,384
1926-27
250
3,772
652
4,074
32. An outbreak of a virulent type occurred in Bankipur
town and Dinapur in September and lasted for two months
in spite of special preventive measures. At Bankipur it affected
the municipal cattle, and those of the Tayler breed particularly
8
while at Dinapur it occurred within the cantonment, which was
declared a " prohibited area " by the military authorities until
the outbreak subsided. Altogether 215 animals died in these
outbreaks out of 513 affected.
33. Foot and mouth disease.—-Foot and mouth disease was
more widespread than in the previous year, and more especially
in the Central Range where 49,929 animals were affected, the
districts of Patna, Gaya, Monghyr and Palamau suffering severely.
In Orissa, 1,154 outbreaks were reported and the districts of
Cuttack, Puri and Ranchi suffered considerably though the death
rate was not abnormal. In North Bihar 10,917 cattle were
affected in 355 outbreaks.
34. 93,739 animals were affected in 3,287 outbreaks and
299 died, compared with 82,459 attacked and 501 deaths
recorded in 1925-26.
2,409 outbreaks were attended by the staff.
35. Haemorrhagic Septicaemia.—This
disease was reported
in all districts except Angul. The death rate was high in
Patna and Gaya in the Central Range, Ranchi and Cuttack
in Orissa and Muzaffarpur in North Bihar. Like rinderpest,
it was not so widespread or virulent as in previous years, as
only 5,182 cattle were affected in 922 outbreaks with 3,706
deaths as compared with 4,988 deaths out of 6,723 attacked in
the year 1925-26. The staff attended 838 outbreaks.
36. Black-quarter.—Outbreak
reports were received from
three districts in North Bihar, viz. Muzaffarpur, Saran and
Champaran where it caused 114 deaths out of a total number
of 117 attacked in 32 outbreaks. It was not reported in the
Central Range while in Orissa only two deaths from it were
recorded in district Balasore. The disease was diagnosed
microscopically.
37. Anthrax.—As
in the previous year, the North Bihar
Range was free from this disease ; it was, however, reported
from Patna, Gaya, Hazaribagh and Palamau in the Central
Range and Cuttack, Balasore, Ranchi, Manbhum and Singh-
bhum in the Orissa Range. 111 animals died out of 252
attacked in 29 outbreaks compared with 125 deaths, 176
attacks and 25 outbreaks reported in 1925-26. All outbreaks
were confirmed by microscopical examination.
38. Other contagious diseases.—273 deaths were recorded
during the year compared with 150 in 1925-26. The number
includes 25 deaths from bovine surra, most of which were
detected in the Central Range. It also includes 11 deaths from
rabies recorded in the North Bihar and 2 in the Central ranges.
9
Canine.
39. Rabies.—94 deaths were reported from rabies against
93 in 1926-26. The highest mortality was in Champaran. These
figures do not represent the actuals and there is reason to believe
that quite a large number of case3 remains unreported owing to
lack of interest on the part of the public. A note on rabies
issued by the department was widely circulated. The question
of introducing the licensing of dogs was also brought forward,
but local bodies have shown no enthusiasm. The destruction of
ownerless dogs is essential for the control of this fatal disease.
TABLE III.
Preventive Inoculation.
40. During the year, 147,731 cattle were protected against
all contagious diseases as compared with 170,153 in 1925-26.
The figures for the ranges are as follows .—
Range.
North Bihar ... ... ...
Central ... ... ...
Orissa
...
...
...
Total ...
1926-27.
47,274
60,047
40,410
147,731
1925-26.
58,555
71,022
40,576
170,153
The details in respect of each district are shown in the table.
41. Rinderpest.—Iuoculation
against rinderpest was carried
out in all districts except Saran, Champaran, Cuttack, Puri and
Balasore.
It was employed in 408 outbreaks, the number protected
by the " serum alone " method being 62,280 compared with
107,541 in 1925-2'$. The largest number (13,732) was in Gaya.
The other districts deserving mention are the Santal Parganas
(9,649), Palamau (6,458) and Manbhum (4,277).
Of the total number, 42,182 cattle were protected in the
Central range against 14,015 and 6,083 in the Orissa and North
Bihar ranges respectively.
166 inoculated animals died of the disease, which represent
a death rate of .3 per cent.
42. Haemorrhacfic Septicaemia.—The total number protected
in all districts except Angul by the " Serum" method was
74,958; in addition, 3 875 cattle were protected with anti-
haemorrhagic septicaemia vaccine in seven districts. There
10
were accordingly 78,833 cattle protected from this very fatal
disease against 59,733 in the year 1925-26 which shows an
increase of 19,100 inoculations under this head.
Only 28 inoculated cattle died, the death rate among the
inoculated being .03 per cent.
43. Anthrax.—3,367 cattle were protected by anti-anthrax
serum in 19 outbreaks in the districts of Gaya, Cuttack,
Hazaribagh, Ranchi, Manbhum and Palamau, as compared
with 1,967 in the previous year. Only 2 inoculated cattle
died against 8 in 1925-26. No outbreaks were reported in the
North Bihar range.
44. Black-quarter.—The
total number of cattle protected
against black quarter was 3,251 as compared with 912 in 1925-
26. The work was undertaken in 19 outbreaks in the districts of
Gaya, Saran, Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Bbagalpur, and Balasore.
In addition to the vaccine two now agents, viz. anti-black quarter
serum and aggressin were also employed during the year.
2,997 cattle were protected in the North Bihar range while
138 and 116 were done in the Central and Orissa ranges
respectively.
There was no death among the inoculated
cattle.
The details of the work done in each district are shown in
the table.
4,5. Supply of sera and vaccines.—The following table
shows the quantities of sera and vaccines dealt with by the
department during the year :—
Serum or vaccine
Anti Rinderpest serum
...
Haemorrhagic septicaemia serum
Auti-Anthrax 'serum
Haemoarrhagio septicaemia vaccine
Black quarter vaccine
...
...
Ditto
nggressin
Ditto
serum
Mallein
Cost of new pint bottles and boxes
Total
Cost per dost.
Rs.
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
...
...
a.
3
6
6
3
3
4
6
7
p.
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
6
Quantity
received.
220. 00
84,000
7,000
13,000
1,000
1,000
80
...
...
Value.
Rs.
41,250
31,500 0
2,625
2,437
...
187
375
23
3,621
82,020
a.
0
0
8
8
0
0
15
6
p.
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
46. Rupees 75,669-0-9 including outstandings of Rs. 64,034
from the previous years were realised from local bodies and
credited to Government. A sum of Rs. 63,176 still remains
11
to be recovered for products received from Muktesar, but this
sum includes the value of 82,770 doses of sera and vaccines
in stock on 31st March 1927. Excluding the stock in hand and
the amount due by the department, the amount payable by local
bodies is Its. 37,087.
Inspite of reminders, many local bodies have not paid the
bills for serum supplied up to the end of February 1927 while
some have not even cleared up their arrears for the year
1925-26.
47. The charge for serum has proved a burden to many
district boards and impeded the natural expansion of the
department in so far as they have not been able to take
additional touring assistants which would otherwise have been
the case.
TABLE IV.
Number of animals treated.
48 The total number of veterinary assistant surgeons on
touring duty was 97 against 90 employed in 1925-26. It
includes those assistants who held charge of the hospitals at
Ranchi, Begusarai, Dinapur and Palamau.
49. In North Bihar, the posts of second touring assistants
sanctiond for the Madhipura, Araria and Begusarai subdivisions
were filled during the year. The Saran district board approved
of the creation of a post of second touring veterinary assistant
surgeon for the Gopalganj subdivision, but the qusstion of the
appointment of another officer of this class for Chapra sadr
which was awaiting the approval of the Board for some time
has been now approved.
50. In the Central range only two posts for Monghyr sadr
and Jamui subdivisions which were noticed in the Government
resolution on the anuual report for 1925-26 were sanctioned and
filled. None of the other posts, viz. one each for the sadr and
Banka subdivisions of Bhagalpur district, one at Barhi in
Hazaribagh and also the touring veterinary assistant surgeon
proposed for Patna City subdivision could be sanctioned as the
local bodies were unable to provide funds.
51. The position with regard to the Orissa range was almost
the same as no fresh appointment was made except at Banki
which being a Government estate, the district board, Cuttack,
agreed only to make a contribution equal to half the pay and
allowances of the assistant and half of the contingent charges.
The district board, Manbhum, have decided to accept another
12
touring veterinary assistant surgeon for the sadr subdivision
from 1st April 1927, while the question of appointment of
a fourth touring veterinary assistaut surgeon by the Singh-
bhum district board remained undecided. In order to give
proper veterinary aid to the outlying parts of Angul district
Government was pleased to sanction the appointment of a second
touring veterinary assistant surgeon for the sadr subdivision
with effect from 1st April 1927.
52. No buildings for the Government dispensaries at
Simdega and Banki were constructed. Plans and estimates are
however in course of preparation and will be submitted when
ready. The quarters for the touring veterinary assistant surgeon
and those for the menial staff attached to the dispensary at
Phulbani were almost completed during the year, but the repairs
of the buildings taken over from the Agriculture Department for
the dispensary at Angul could not be undertaken for want of funds.
53. It is a matter of regret that inspite of the remarks
made in the Annual Report for 1925.26, and the hope expressed
by Government in their resolution reviewing that report, no other
local bodies have accepted additional touring veterinary assistant
surgeons although these officers are the only agents available for
saving livestock from the ravages of contagious diseases. District
boards as a whole are favourable to the expansion of the Depart-
ment but the fact that many members are young and inexperi-
enced in respect of agricultural conditions and especially the
difficulties attending its proper working and the importance of
livestock to the industry, militates against any rapid advance in
the number of the staff employed.
54. 109,187 fresh cases were treated by touring veterinary
assistant surgeons in the mufassal and at headquarters against
80,054 in 1925-26, an increase of 29,133 patients in the year
which is very satisfactory. The number included 1,119 castra-
tions.
Of these including castrations, 27,777 cases were
treated by the staff in North Bihar, -16,301 in the central and
35,109 in the Orissa range as compared with 21,809, 30,045
and 28,200 cases respectively in 1925-26. During the year,
58,170 villages were visited against 4.3,877 in the previous year.
This number includes 23,214 villages visited in North Bihar,
22,259 in the Central and 12,697 in the Orissa range.
TABLE V.
Hospitals.
55. The number of hospitals was increased from 30 to 31 by
the opening of the new hospital at Giridih. The hospital at
13
Cuttack remained closed as the question of funds is still
undecided. The owners of horses and cattle in the town are
sending sick animals to the range office for such treatment and
advice as circumstances will permit. For financial reasons also
the Pari district board and municipality could not see their way
to apply for the post of a stationary assistant although a hospital
was built with provincial funds in 1925-20. The touring veteri-
nary assistant surgeon holds charge of this hospital. The new
hospitals at Ranchi (for which Government made a grant of
Rs. 11,915) and at Purulia are under construction and will bo
completed during 1927-28. A site was selected for a new
hospital at Balasore, but the district hoard is now not in
a position to acquire the land owing to lack of funds. It is pro-
posed to open and maintain a veterinary hospital at Hiranpur,
District Santal Pargauas, jointly with the district road com-
mittee. Government sanctioned a grant of Its. 10,056 towards
construction of new buildings; it was subsequently decided to
purchase the exisisting medical dispensary at Hiranpur from the
road committee with this grant, the committee bearing the cost of
such alterations as are required.
56. 40,336 new patients were treated in the hospitals against
40,831 in 1925-20. Of this number 23,311 were treated in 1 |.
hospitals in North Bihar, 13,504 in 10 of the Central and 9,521
in 7 hospitals of the Orissa range. In addition to these 1,012
castrations were performed in the three ranges compared with
1,100 in 1925-26. Medicines were also supplied for 0,500 cases
not brought to the hospitals.
57. The castrations of animals by the Burdizzo method
was introduced during the year and is being actively carried on.
TABLE VIII.
Breeding operations.
58. The Development Board at a meeting held on the 18th
September 1926 considered a scheme for the breeding of buffaloes
together with a note from the Director of Agriculture in which
he proposed to purchase annually bulls of a superior type from
the Punjab and the Military Dairy Farms and rear them at the
Sipaya farm for distribution later. The points to decide were
whether these bulls and others available for distribution should
in future be kept at the veterinary hospitals or at other suit-
able places, whether they should remain Government property
and whether Goverement should pay for their maintenance and
also whether their distribution should be undertaken by the
Agricultural or by the Veterinary Department. After considera-
tion, the Board concluded that the Agriculture Department