NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
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16. The Assistant Director, Babu Nilmoni Chattarji, went
through a special course of training for six months at the Im-
perial Institute of Veterinary Research, Muktesar, and returned
to duty in December 1924. His work was well spoken of by the
Director of the institute. Two officers of the subordinate service,
viz., the laboratory assistant, Patna, and the inspector, Patna
circle, also received instruction at the above institute for two
and six months respectively; while a veterinary assistant surgeon
attended the post-graduate training class at the Madras Veterinary
College for nine months.
As already stated, Capt. Riley was deputed to the institute
for one month and two days.
17. Eight veterinary assistant surgeons passed at the half-
yearly professional examinations during the year, and were duly
promoted to higher grades.
TABLE II.
TREATMENT OF DISEASE,
18. The attached map shows the distribution of contagious
livestock diseases in the province. From a reference, it will
appear that diseases were reported in all districts, but as in the
previous year, the outbreaks generally were not very severe
except in Patna, Bhagalpur, Purnea, Cuttack, Puri, Angul,
Ranchi and Palamau. The mortality was high in Gaya,
Shahabad, Santal Parganas, Monghyr and Hazaribagh, but
the outbreaks were sporadic and did not call for extra assis-
tance. Foot and mouth disease was, as usual, widespread. In
Patna, Darbhanga, Cuttack, Balasore and Puri, hæmorrhagic
septicæmia was the cause of considerable loss. Parasitic diseases
were very prevalent on account of the long rainy season, and
in consequence large numbers of animals died in the Patna and
Bhagalpur divisions.
19. Six thousand, five hundred and eighteen outbreaks were
reported during the year, as compared with 5,712 in 1923-24
and 6,452 in 1922-23. The increase is due mainly to foot and
mouth disease of which there were 78,725 cases. Including
the above, 121,066 animals were affected, and of these 20,445
died, against 122,896 attacks and 20,267 deaths recorded in the
previous year. Four thousand, eight hundred and seventy-
seven outbreaks were attended, against 4,249 in the previous
year.
6
20. There is still urgent need for additional touring assistants
in all districts, and it is satisfactory to be able to note, that
many district boards took advantage of the terms offered by
Government under the scheme for the extension of the subordi-
nate veterinary service, with the result that eight new posts
were sanctioned.
EQUINE.
21. Glanders—One case occurred at the Sonepur fair in
Saran district and was destroyed after the necessary tests.
22. Anthrax.—One death was reported in Cuttack.
23. Surra,—Twenty-five deaths were recorded under this
head. A severe outbreak occurred at Jamshedpur where 22 valu-
able animals died. Capt. Howard with a special staff made an
exhaustive examination of all animals in the station and necessary
preventive measures were adopted. Pour affected animals were
injected with a new drug " Bayer 205 " with most satisfactory
results. This appears to be the most effective remedy hitherto
placed on the market, and in future, stocks will be kept for treat-
ment of cases of this disease. The remaining cases occurred in
Champaran, Santal Parganas and Hazaribagh.
21. Other contagious diseases.—Only five deaths were
reported, but these were unimportant.
BOVINE.
25. Rinderpest.—Rinderpest
was reported in all districts
except Cuttack ; Gaya recorded, as in 1923-24, the highest morta-
lity with 1,942 deaths, while only one death was brought to notice
in Puri. The other districts where heavy losses resulted, are
Shahabad, Purnea, Angul and Ranchi.
26. A widespread outbreak occurred in Palamau affecting
124 villages, the infection in most cases being introduced by
cattle purchased from the Feudatory States. 1,406 cattle were
affected, of which 470 died. The disease subsided after 3,878
inoculations had been performed. In Angul it was of a very
virulent character as 923 deaths were reported during the course
of the outbreak. 5,247 cattle were protected after which the
disease was brought under control. The touring assistants
attended 134 and 103 outbreaks in Ranchi and Sambalpur
districts, and protected 4,684 and 3,020 cattle respectively by
serum inoculation.
7
27. Thirty-four thousand, one hundred and ninety-three
cattle were affected in 2,230 outbreaks, and of this number, 13,473
died in comparison with 37,642 attacks, and 14,574 deaths in the
year 1923-24. One thousand, nine hundred and seventy-five
outbreaks were attended.
28. Foot and Mouth disease.—Judging from the number of
outbreaks, it appears that this disease was as widespread as in
1923-24. Though it was more in evidence in the Orissa districts
there has been an appreciable decrease in the number of
attacks and deaths in this area, as will appear from the fact
that 48,953 animals were affected with 318 deaths, compared
with 66,696 attacks and 477 deaths in the previous year.
Altogether 78,725 animals were affected in 2,847 out-
breaks and out of these, 570 died, as compared with 78.433
attacks and 875 deaths in the year 192 5-24. One thousand, six
hundred and ninety outbreaks were attended by the staff.
29. Hemorrhagic Septicæmia.—This disease was reported
in all districts except Palamau and caused severe mortality in
Patna, Cuttack and Ranchi.
Out of 919 deaths reported in Patna, 441 occurred in Bihar
subdivision in 123 outbreaks. The disease subsided after 2,068
cattle were inoculated.
30. In North Bihar, the highest mortality was recorded in
Darbhanga district where the disease was reported from many
different localities throughout the year. Five thousand, nine
hundred and fifteen deaths occurred out of 7,911 animals attacked
in 1,409 outbreaks, as compared with 4,820 deaths among 6,463
animals affected in the year 1923-24. One thousand, one hundred
and eighty outbreaks were attended.
31. Black-Quarter.—Black-quarter
was reported from five
districts, viz., Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Angul, Puri and
Sambalpur, the highest mortality being recorded in Muzaffarpur
where 33 animals succumbed. Eighty-one deaths occurred out
of 97 affected in 18 outbreaks compared, with 176 deaths in
1923-24. The disease was diagnosed microscopically.
32. Anthrax.—Anthrax
was reported in 6 districts, viz.,
Shahabad, Monghyr, Santal Parganas, Cuttack, Hazaribagh and
Singhbhum, against 8 districts, in the previous year. One
hundred and forty animals were attacked in 14 outbreaks, and
out of these, 117 died as compared with 99 deaths in 1923-24.
The disease was diagnosed microscopically.
8
33. Other contagious diseases.—Two hundred and eighty-
nine deaths were recorded under this head, against 82 in the year
1923-24. The number includes 58 deaths from surra, 8 from
rabies; seventy-six animals are reported to have died from para-
sitic diarrhoea but special enquiries show that the mortality was
very heavy, running into many hundreds, Research into para-
sitic diarrhoea is urgently required.
34. Six cases of surra occurred among buffaloes in Purulia
but as the animals were in very low condition and died shortly
after discovery, no treatment could be adopted. One death
occurred at Saranda, district Singhbhum, which was attended
by the veterinary assistant employed by the Bengal Timber
Company.
CANINE.
35. Rabies.—Sixty-four
deaths from rabies were brought to
notice during the year against 62 in 1923-24. A pamphlet on
this disease is in preparation. This disease is absolutely fatal to
all animals and to man when once the clinical symptoms appear.
Inspite of this well-recognized fact, no organized attempt has
been made to keep down the main source of the infecting agent,
the pariah dog. Public bodies which refuse to take the proper,
recognized, precautions against the spread of this dreadful
disease to human beings, assume grave responsibility.
TABLE III.
PREVENTIVE INOCULATION.
36. Preventive inoculation against the contagious diseases
was as vigorously carried out as the staff at the disposal of the
department would permit, and inspite of opposition in certain
areas, it was able to protect 160,257 animals as compared with
145,593 in 1923-24, and 159,325 in 1922-23.
Fifty-four
thousand five hundred and ninety-eight were protected in North
Bihar, and 38,207 in the Orissa Range showing an increase of
9,590 and 2,351 respectively, as compared with the figures for
the previous year. In the Central Range 67,452 cattle were inocu-
lated. In respect of inoculations carried out in Orissa, the
Deputy Director notes :—
" The outstanding feature of the year is the great advance
made in public confidence in the efficiency of veterinary work
and particularly of inoculation. The task of allaying traditional
9
suspicion about inoculation has been a very up-hill task, but it
is a matter of congratulation that the veterinary assistant
surgeons have been able to change the public attitude consider-
ably. Not only is inoculation more often taken without demur
but assistance is more spontaneously sought for by the villagers
in many places.''
Details of the work carried out in each district are shown in
Table III.
37. Rinderpest.—Inoculations
against this disease were per-
formed in all districts except Cuttack and Puri which were
particularly free from this disease, the total number of cattle
protected by the "serum alone " method being 106,368 in 764
outbreaks. The largest number 19,898, were protected in
Gaya, while 9,851 and 7,973 were done respectively in Hazari-
bagh and Purnea.
Pour hundred inoculated animals died
against 459 in 1923-24, the death rate being about "4. The
high mortality of 112 cattle amongst those immunized in Angul
was due to a very virulent type of the disease and to re-
infection after the period of immunity had passed although
sufficiently large doses had been. used. Another and probably
the most potent cause of the high death rate was the poor
condition of the cattle after two seasons of drought. This
outbreak exemplifies the necessity of having a larger reserve
staff available.
38. Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia.-—Inoculations
against this
disease were carried out in all districts except Angul, Palamau
and Singhbhum. 51,471 cattle were protected by the " serum
alone " method in 308 outbreaks as compared with 33,937 in 239
outbreaks in 1923-24. The largest number (11,380) of inocula-
tions were performed in Darbhanga where this disease was
prevalent throughout the year. One thousand and forty-one
animals were protected by vaccine in Shahabad, Cuttack,
Balasoro and Ranchi. Only 39 inoculated animals died, the
death rate being 07.
39. Anthrax.—One thousand, one hundred and seventy-four-
cattle were protected by serum in five districts, against 1,461 in
1923-24. Twenty-two inoculated animals died.
40. Blade-quarter.—Two hundred and three animals were
protected by vaccine in Champaran and Muzaffarpur, against five
in 1923-24. One death occurred after inoculation.
10
41. 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.
1
Anti-rinderpest serum
Hae-septicæmia serum
Hae-septicæmia vaccine
Anti-anthrax serum
Black-quarter vaccine
Tuberculin
Total
Cost per dose.
2
Rs.
0
0
0
0
0
0
...
a.
3
6
3
6
3
7
p.
0
0
0
0
0
6
Quantity
receive!.
3
313,000
76,000
3,700
5 000
4,000
100
401,800
Value.
4
Rs.
58,687
28,500
693
1,875
750
46
90,553
a.
8
0
12
0
0
14
2
p.
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Rs. 94,806-5-0 including outstandings of Rs. 60,913-15-4
from the previous year were realized from local bodies and cre-
dited to Government. A sum of Us. 56,660-12-4 still remains to
be recovered for products received from Muktesar, but this sum
includes the value of 82,250 doses of sera and vaccines in stock
on 31st March 1925.
42. The question whether the charge for sera and vaccines
should be made provincial was considered by the Development
Board; it was decided that the existing arrangement should
continue for the present. Government has however agreed to
help the poorer district boards when special circumstances
warrant such action. In accordance with this decision a special
grant of Rs. 5,760 was made to the Champaran District Board,
TABLE IV.
NUMBER OP ANIMALS TKEATED.
43. Eighty veterinary assistant surgeons were employed on
touring duty during the year against 74 in 1923-24. This
number includes the assistant surgeons in charge of the
hospitals at Ranchi, Palamau and Begusarai, but excludes the
11
officer in charge of the hospital at Dumka where a stationary-
assistant has now been appointed. In accordance with the
scheme for the extension of the subordinate veterinary service
8 posts of second touring veterinary assistants were sanctioned;
those at Soro (Balasore), Dhanbad, Chaibassa, Madhubani (Dar-
bhanga) and Pakur (Government) being filled, while the remain-
ing,
viz., Jahanabad, Sitamarhi and Chatra remained
vacant. Assistants for the new subdivision of Latehar, for Sira-
dega and for Bihar and Patna Sadr, were also sanctioned from
April, 1925. The post of third touring assistant for Gaya Sadr
which was sanctioned in 1923-24 was filled.
44. Though the scheme recently sanctioned offers greater
facilities to local bodies for the employment of additional touring
veterinary assistants, a large number of district boards have not
yet been able to take full advantage of it on financial grounds,
one of the reasons being the cost of serum which in some
instances has proved a heavy drain on their resources. Govern-
ment have so far given relief to the boards to the extent of half
the average cost of pay and allowances in the case of each touring
assistant surgeon, but the boards are required to bear all the other
expenses which includes, in addition to pay and allowances of the
assistant, the cost of buildings, instruments, drugs, furniture, pay
of menials, etc., and the cost of serum. In spite of these difficul-
ties the scheme has been accepted willingly as eight new posts
were sanctioned out of ten provided for in the budget. It is hoped
that those district boards which failed to set aside
funds in 1925-28
will see their way to take advantage of Government's offer at the
earliest opportunity, as it is only by the appointment of touring
officers that contagious diseases can be effectively kept under
control, and that the greatest number of livestock owners can be
reached.
45. The proposal for the appointment of a second touring
assistant for Bargarh Government estate with Padampur as head-
quarters was not approved, but the posts at Pakur and Simdega
at full cost to Government were sanctioned. The district boards
of Bhagalpur and Monghyr have agreed to appoint assistants for
the sadr subdivision, but the local bodies in Manbhum and Puri
were unable to provide any funds for similar appointments,
although they are very badly needed.
46. Seventy thousand, eight hundred and ninety-three fresh
cases including castrations were treated by the touring assis-
tants in the mufassal and at headquarters as compared with
12
63,330 in 1923-24. Of these, 17,832 and 29,973 cases including
castrations were treated by the staff in the North Bihar and
Orissa Range respectively. The increase in the total number of
cases was due partly to the increase in staff and partly to foot
and mouth disease. Thirty-five thousand, five hundred and
eighty-one villages were visited against 32,935 in 1923-24. This
number includes 14,840 villages Visited by the staff in North
Bihar and 8,812 in Orissa, compared with 13,931 and 8,472,
respectively in 1923-24.
TABLE V.
HOSPITALS.
47. The number of hospitals increased from 27 to 29 by the
opening of new buildings at Madhubani and Bagaha in North
Bihar. The hospitals at Ranchi, Palamau, Begusarai and
Dinapur remained in charge of touring veterinary assistant
surgeons as already noted. A veterinary assistant for the
Begusarai hospital has not yet been sanctioned. Propo-
sals for the opening of other hospitals in the North Bihar Range
did not materialise owing to financial difficulties of the local
bodies concerned. In Orissa owing to an unfortunate
dispute between the Cuttack District Board and Muni-
cipality, the hospital had to close down to the great incon-
venience of the people. Government were appealed to for aid
but refused to take over the management. A grant of Rs. 12,000
was made by Government towards the building of a veterinary
hospital at Puri. The work is in progress and will be completed
early in 1925-26. A grant of Rs. 11,915 has also been sanc-
tioned for the reconstruction of the veterinary hospital at Ranchi
on condition that the balance of Rs. 5,957 is raised by the
district board by public subscriptions. This amount could not
be collected but the Board have agreed to meet it jointly with
the municipality from their budget for 1926-27.
48. Thirty-six thousand, one hundred and seventeen fresh
patients were treated against 30,280 in 1923-24. In addition,
1,061 castrations were performed and medicines were supplied
for 6,199 cases not brought to the hospitals.
13
TABLE VIII.
BREEDING OPERATIONS.
49. It is pleasant to be able to state that interest in the im-
provement of cattle is being shown by all local bodies and to
meet the wishes of the people, a committee was formed which
will go into this question, and obtain locally the opinions of the
persons most interested in the industry. There is not the least
doubt in my mind that there is a great future for it in this
province, for the market exists and the demand for good bullocks
and more especially for milch cows is rapidly increasing in
Bengal, and for the latter class in Calcutta, and in the industrial
areas. About four thousand, five hundred maunds of milk
are required daily in Calcutta alone, and the amount necessary
to meet requirements in other industrial areas is also very large—
about 8,000 cows are exported from Shahabad for this purpose
and of course are lost to the province for ever. That is very
serious from the cattle improvement point of view. There
appears to be no sound reason whatever why there should not be
a reversal of this state of affairs, that is, the milk should be
supplied and the cows retained for the improvement of the local
breed. Under existing conditions it would take many years to
effect improvement when there is such a serious drain on the avail-
able supply of good cows, because naturally only the best are
bought for export; by keeping them in the province, the problem
would be considerably easier of solution and results be obtained
very much earlier.
50. The establishment of Government farms in Patna and
Shahabad districts and of co-operative dairies under competent
management appears to be the best and most economical methods
of accomplishing the desired improvement in Bihar, and the same
remarks apply to Orissa where the cattle are in as great or even
greater need of attention. If energetic measures are taken for
improvement and development, success is assured but to achieve
this, considerable sums will be needed.
51. In order to stimulate interest in dairying and cattle breed-
ing a lecture was delivered at Patna by Mr. Smith, the Imperial
Dairy Expert under the presidency of His Excellency the
Governor. The meeting was largely attended by the public.
It is hoped that similar meetings will be arranged for during
the coming year, and at times when it will be possible to get the
member of the council to be present.
52. Forty-four stud bulls are maintained in the districts
against fifty-two in 1923-24. Two new bulls were purchased,
while eight died. The details are shown in the table.
14
TABLE IX.
CATTLE FARMS.
63. Bettiah Raj Cattle Farm.—The herd consists of selected
cows from the local breed, heifers from Sipaya and stud bulls
from the Punjab.
At the end of the year the strength of the herd consisted
of 1 stud bull, 25 cows, 18 bull calves, 29 herifer calves and
3 buffalo bulls, or a total of 76 animals against 103, in 1923-24.
During the year 19 calves were born (7 bulls and 12 heifers);
9 animals died of hæmiorrhagic septicæmia ; 3 heifers were
brought into the herd ; 41 animals were rejected and sold ; and
3 farm bred bulls and 5 buffalo bulls were distributed for
breeding purposes in the estate.
54. The up-keep of the farm cost Rs. 13,189 against Rs. 15,894
in the previous year. Receipts from the sale of animals amounted
to Rs. 1,115 against Rs. 1,060 in 1923-24.
55. Government Cattle Farm, Sipaya.—There were 198 ani
mals on the 1st April 1924. At the close of the year the herd con"
6istod of 1 Montgomery bull, 1 cross bred bull, 25 cows, 42 bull
calves, 35 cow calves, 6 buffalo calves and 59 working bullocks
or a total of 169 animals.
56. The up-keep of the farm amounted to Rs. 23,543, and the
receipts from the different heads were Rs. 15,648 against
Rs. 23,277 and Rs.9,377 respectively, in 1923-24.
57. It is proposed to start a cattle breeding and dairy farm at
Phulwari near Patna, in conjunction with the new veterinary
college.
TABLES X, Xl and XII.
(BLANK.)
TABLES XIII AND XIV.
FAIRS AND SHOWS.
68. All important fairs and shows were attended either by the
Deputy Directors, or by the subordinate staff ; one elephant was
purchased at the Sonepur fair for the Madras Police Department.
74,903 cattle were booked from different stations under the
15
Samastipur and Sonepur District Traffic Offices to different;
places in Bengal and Assam, via Katihar, Barauni Junction and
Sonepur during the year. These figures give a very good
indication of the place which the bullocks bred in this province
occupies in agricultural development in those provinces, and of
the need for meeting the demand for better cattle by the
establishment of breeding farms, and of Government fostering
the industry by every means in its power.
PROVINCIAL ESTABLISHMENT.
59. Rai Sahib P. N. Das acted as Assistant Director at Patna
until the 22nd March when he took over charge of the Orissa
Range. He inspected soma hospitals and dispensaries, attended
several meetings of the Divisional Development Board and
District Boards. He discharged his duties efficiently and energe-
tically.
60. Babu Nilmoni Chattarji, Assistant Director, North Bihar
Range, was deputed to Muktesar for a special course of training
for six months, and on his return was granted leave for four
month3 and nine days from the 2nd January 1925. No substi-
tute was appointed in his place. His work while at Muktesar
was commented on favourably by the Director of the Institute.
TABLE VII.
SUBORDINATE ESTABLISHMENT.
61. The number of inspectors remained the same as in
the previous year, i.e., four each in the North Bihar and
Central ranges, and three in the Orissa Range. They were
employed principally on inspection duty, and attending out-
breaks and fairs and shows. Six were on leave for different
periods.
62. Of the staff assistants, Maulavi Muhammad Quasim died;
he was a promising officer ; another assistant, Babu D. Sahany,
resigned and a third, Babu J. N. Mukharji was appointed
laboratory assistant at Cuttack.
63 Three staff and five reserve assistant surgeons were
attached to the range offices on 31st March 1925.
64 The staff employed in districts on the 1st April 1924,
consisted of 101 veterinary assistant surgeons including the assis-
tant employed by the Bettiah Raj. Six new graduates of the
Bengal Veterinary College joined, three were recruited from