NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
7
30. Altogether 14,623 cattle were affected in 1,148 out-
breaks and out of these 6,405 died, against 12,626 attacks
in 879 outbreaks and 4,674 deaths during the year 1926-27.
31. Particulars of the outbreaks of rinderpest in respect of
each range as compared with the previous year are shown
below:—
Range.
1
North Bihar ...
Central
Orissa
Total ...
Outbreak reported.
1926-27
2
74
653
147
879
1927-28.
3
86
704
354
1,143
Outbreak attended.
1926-27.
4
72
617
141
860
1927-28.
6
86
677
318
1,080
Number of animals
affected.
1926-27.
6
624
10,565
1.637
12,626
1927-28.
7
706
10,482
3.436
14,623
Number of deaths
recorded.
1926-27.
8
360
3,772
663
4,674
1927-28.
9
367
4,468
1,670
6,405.
32. Foot and mouth disease.—Foot and mouth disease was
very widespread during the year specially in the Orissa range
where 138,647 animals were affected in 3,893 outbreaks, the
districts of Angul and Sambalpur suffering mostly. In the
Central range 33,033 cattle were affected in 1,199 outbreaks,
while in North Bihar 4,068 cattle, in 181 outbreaks. Altogether
175,748 animals were affected in 5,373 outbreaks resulting in
378 deaths compared with 93.739 attacks and 299 deaths in
1926-27.
33. Hemorrhagic
Septicaemia.—Like
the previous year,
this disease was reported in all districts except Angul, and the
death rate was higher than in the year 1926-27. The districts
that suffered most were Patna, Gaya, Santal Parganas, Saran,
Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga and Singhbhum, resulting
in 6,389 deaths out of 8,322 seizures in 1,689 outbreaks as compar-
ed with 3,706 deaths out of 5,182 seizures in 922 outbreaks of
the previous year. 1,516 outbreaks were attended by the staff.
In Muzaffarpur, a special staff had to be employed for attending
108 outbreaks.
34. Black quarter—Black
quarter was repeated in Saran,
Champaran, Muzaffarpur. Darbhanga, Bhagalpur, Shahabad and
Hazaribagh, with 673 deaths out of 794 seizures in 226 outbreaks
as compared with 116 deaths out of 119 attacked in 33 outbreaks
in 1926-27. The disease was diagnosed microscopically.
8
35. Anthrax,—Unlike the previous year, this disease was
reported in all districts with the exception of Saran, Muzaffarpur,
Monghyr (Begusarai and Khagaria), Purneah in the North Bihar
and Angul and Puri in the Orissa range with 406 deaths out of
588 seizures in 63 outbreaks as compared with 111 deaths out of
252 seizures in 29 outbreaks reported in 1926-27. All outbreaks
were confirmed by miscroscopical examination.
36. Other contagions diseases.—439 deaths were recorded
during the year against 273 in 1926-27. The figure includes 1
death from anthrax in an elephant and 11 deaths from fowl
cholera. It also includes 1 death from rabies in a jackal.
37. Canine.—59 deaths were reported from rabies against
97 in 1926-27. The highest mortality, viz : 11 deaths, were
recorded in Manbhum. The remarks regarding the control of
this fatal disease recorded in the previous year's report still
hold good.
TABLE III.
PREVENTIVE INOCULATION.
38. It is satisfactory to be able to record that the number
of inoculations increased considerably during the year as will
appear from the fact that 245,532 cattle were protected as
compared with 147,731 in 1926-27. In North Bihar, the number
has more than doubled. This increase was due to its increased
popularity and it indicates the marked effect the range has
produced within the seven years of its existence. Previously it
should be remembered that inoculation could be performed only
with the greatest possible difficulty in this area. The figures
for the other two ranges also compare favourably, although
considering the staff employed the Central range should have
done better. So long as this range is not separated, conditions
will not change to any appreciable extent. The figures for the
ranges are compared as follows :—
North Bihar
Central
Orissa
Range.
.... .... ....
... . .. ...
... ... ...
Total ...
1927-28.
107,187
87,148
51,197
245,582
1926-27.
47,2.74
60,047
40,410
147,731
9
39. The details in respect of each district are shown in
table III.
40. Rinderpest.—Inoculations
against
rinderpest were
carried out in all districts except Cuttack and Balasore.
Inoculations by " serum alone " method was employed in
587 outbreaks, the total number protected being 92,182 compared
with 62,280 in 1926-27 which shows an increase of about thirty
thousand inoculations. Due to an extensive outbreak, the largest
number (17,582) was done in Shahabad. The other districts
which deserve mention are Gaya (10,794), Santal Parganas (9,075),
Manbhum (8,686), Champaran ;6,908), Hazaribagh (6,507) and
Singhbhum (5,722).
41. In some districts of the Orissa range particularly in
Angul, though the outbreaks were of sporadic nature, inoculations
had to be performed in a large number of cases.
42. Of the total number, 50,195 cattle were protected in the
Central range against 14,122 and 27,865 in the North Bihar
and Orissa ranges respectively. The need for protection against
rinderpest in the Central range was greater than for any other
disease.
43. 338 inoculated animals died of the disease which
represent a death rate of 3 per cent.
41. Hemorrhagic Septicaemia.—As the section " Treatment
of disease " shows, this rapidly fatal disease was more prevalent
than in the year 1926-27. It was therefore necessary to give
protection in a larger number of instances and in all districts
except Angul, the total number thus protected being 110,189 in
544 outbreaks; in addition, 9,914 cattle were also inoculated with
anti-haemorrhagic septicaemia vaccine in twelve districts : or
altogether 120,103 cattle were protected compared with 78,833
in 19:26-27, i.e. an increase of 41,270 inoculations.
The work was extensively carried on in the North Bihar
range where 66,708 cattle were protected against 29,392 in the
Central range and 14,089 in the Orissa range.
45. Only 63 cattle died, the death rate among the inoculated
being 05 per cent.
46. Anthrax.—12,116 cattle were protected by anti-anthrax
serum in 66 outbreaks in 13 districts, the largest number (2,636)
being in Cuttack, as compared with 3,367, or about four times the
number done in the previous year. Only 10 inoculated animals
10
died as against two in 1926-27. No outbreak was reported except
in Charaparan and North Bhagalpur of the North Bihar range.
The disease was absent in this range in the preceding year.
47. Black-quarter.—The total number of cattle protected
against this disease was 21,131 as compared with 3,251 in
1926-27. Almost all the outbreaks were reported and inocula-
tions were performed in all of them in the North Bihar range by
all the fotest methods, viz. "serum alone", " serum simultaneous"
aggressin and vaccine. Out of the above number 20,542 cattle
were protected in the North Bihar range while 589 only were
done in the Central range. No outbreak was reported in the
Orissa range. No death occurred among the inoculated cattle.
48. Supply of sera and vaccines —The following table
shows the quantities of sera and vaccines dealt with by the
department during the year :—
Name of serum or vaccine.
1. Antirinderpest serum
2. Hsemorrhagic septicaemia serum
3. Anti-anthrax serum
4, Hemorrhagic septicaemia vaccine
5. Black quarter aggressin
6. Black quarter serum
Cost of bottles and boxes
Total
Cost per dose.
Rs.
0
0
0
0
0
0
...
a.
3
6
0
3
4
6
p.
0
0
0
0
0
0
Quantities received,
320,000
137,000
14,000
13,000
15,000
16,000
...
Value.
Rs.
60,000
51,376
5,200
1,125
3,750
6,000
5,912
1,33,412
a.
0
0
0
0
0
0
15
15
p.
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Rupees 77,477-5-0 includiug oustandings of Us. 53,425-5-10
from the previous years were realized from local bodies and
credited to Government, A sum of Rs. 1,09,360-15-10 still
remains to be recovered for the products received from the
Imperial Institute of Veterinary Research, Muktesar, but
this sum includes Rs. 19,036-14-9 being the value of sera and
vaccines in stock on 31st March 1928. Excluding the stock in
hand and the amount due by the department, the amount payable
by local bodies is Rs. 66,748-6-9.
11
49. In spite of repeated reminders issued local bodies have
in many cases failed to meet the entire cost of serum supplied
while some of them have approached Government for redemp-
tion which has resulted in heavy outstanding at the close of the
year. Some kind of decision should be arrived at in this
connection, and it is satisfactory to note that it is now under the
consideration of Government. Their decision is being anxiously
awaited.
TABLE IV.
NUMBER OF ANIMALS TREATED.
50. The total number of veterinary assistant surgeons on
touring duty was 92 against 97 employed in 1926-27. It includes
those assistants who held charge of the hospitals at Ranchi,
Begusarai, Dinapur and Palamau.
51. In North Bihar two new posts of second touring
assistant surgeons for the Gopalganj and Samastipur subdivisions
were filled during the year. The post of 2nd touring assistant
surgeon for the Begusarai subdivision, which was created last
year, was converted into one of hospital assistant surgeon. The
question of construction of small veterinary dispensaries in
outlying stations of Purneah district is now under the considera-
tion of the district board.
52. In the Central range, only one post of third touring
assistant surgeon for Aurangabad subdivision was sanctioned but
could not be filled as the district board was unable to meet the
expenditure for want of budget provision. A proposal for the
creation of a post of touring assistant surgeon by Government
for the long neglected Jamtara subdivision of the Santal
Parganas district is now under consideration. None of the posts
mentioned in previous year's report viz. at Bhagalpur, Banka,
Barhi (Hazaribagh) and Patna City could be created owing to
shortage of funds at the disposal of the local bodies concerned.
53. In Orissa range, the post of 2nd touring assistant
surgeon for the Angul sadr subdivision, which was created last
year, was filled. During the year two additional posts, one for
Bhadrak and another for Manbhum sadr subdivision, were
sanctioned; but owing to shortage of officers only the latter
post could be filled.
54. The quarters for the touring assistant surgeon and
the menial staff of the Phulbani veterinary dispensary were
completed during the year, while the proposal for the construction
12
of quarters for the second touring assistant surgeon of Angul
was submitted to Government for approval. The position with
regard to the construction of Government dispensaries at Simdega
and Banki has not much improved ; plans and estimates for the
former have just been received, while steps are being taken to
acquire the land selected for the latter dispensary.
55. The same remarks as were made by Mr. Quinlan in
paragraph 53 of previous year's report regarding extension of
veterinary relief by the local bodies to livestock owners still hold
good, as will appear from statements made in the preceding
paragraphs. The district board of Shahabad, instead of creating
an additional post of touring assistant surgeon which is urgently
required for the Bhabua subdivision, decided to abolish two such
posts for the Sadr and Sasaram subdivisions with a view to
retrenching expenditure. This action on the part of the board
was however not approved by Government. A similar resolution
was also adopted by the district board, Moughyr, in respect of
the second touring veterinary assistant surgeons employed in
Begusarai and Jamui subdivisions. It was subsequently
withdrawn when their request to convert one of the two touring
assistants at Begusarai was acceded to.
56. During the year under report 167,518 fresh cases were
treated by touring veterinary assistant surgeons in the districts
and at headquarters including 6,256 castrations as against 109,187
in the previous year, 'The increase of 58,331 patients during
the year is very satisfactory, and it is evident that veterinary aid
is now being appreciated by the public. Of the total number
including castrations, 32,151 cases were treated by the staff in
North Bihar, 61,973 in Central and 73,391- in Orissa range, as
against 27,777, 46,301 and 35,109 cases respectively in the year
1926-27, the increase in Orissa range being largely due to foot
and mouth disease. There has also been a marked improvement
in the number of visits of the touring staff as 63,973 villages
were visited by them during the year against 58,170, the
figures according to ranges being 26,933 for North Bihar, 24,373
for Central and 12,667 for Orissa range compared with 23,214,
22,259 and 12,697, respectively in the previous year.
TABLE V.
HOSPITALS.
57. The number of hospitals including those in charge of
the touring veterinary assistant surgeons was 31 as shown in the
report for 1926-27. The hospital at Cuttack remained closed
13
throughout the year, but the district board and the municipality,
Cuttack, have since decided to reopen it in a building on the
local Khasmahal land after slight alterations; proposals for the
transfer of the land including the building have been submitted
for approval. It is now expected that this hospital will be
reopened next year. A stationary veterinary assistant surgeon
for the new hospital at Puri, to be maintained jointly by the
district board and the Puri municipality, was sanctioned during
the year, but the post could not be filled. The new buildings
for the hospitals at Ranchi and Purulia were completed but
construction of the hospital at Balasore, for which a site has
already been selected, could not be taken in hand as the district
board was unable to provide funds. During the year sites for
the construction of two new hospitals at Laheriasarai and
Purnea were also selected and plans and estimates are in course
of preparation. The work connected with the conversion of the
human dispensary at Hiranpur into a Government veterinary
hospital is still in progress and it is hoped that the hospital will
be opened early in 1929-30. One of the two posts of touring
veterinary assistant surgeons of Begusarai subdivision was
converted into that of a hospital assistant surgeon.
58. The attitude of the district board, Patna, towards this
department is not very encouraging as in spite of the urgent
necessity impressed upon them by Government for the creation
of a post of stationary veterinary assistant surgeon for Dinapur
no action appears to have been taken by them. Moreover, the
board is about to retransfer the Bankipur veterinary hospital to
the Patna municipality, which means that they are not disposed
to maintain even a single hospital in the district.
59. The total number of patients treated at the veterinary
hospitals during the year under report was 51,505 against 46,336
in 1926-27. Out of these, 25,553 were treated in 14 hospitals in
the North Bihar, 14,717 in 10 of the Central and 11,235 in
7 hospitals of the Orissa range. In addition to these, 1,675
castrations were performed in the three ranges compared with
1,612 in 1926-27. Medicines were also supplied for 14,969 cases
not brought to the hospitals against 6,506 cases of the previous
year.
60. Castration of bull calves by the Burdizzo method was
encouraged to a greater extent with the result that out of the
total number of 7,931 castrations performed both by the touring
and stationary staff as shown in tables IV and V, 3,280 were
done by this method. This operation is rapidly replacing the
older methods as it finds favour with the cultivator wherever it is
demonstrated.
14
TABLE VIII.
BREEDING OPERATIONS.
6.1. Buffalo breeding.—The policy for the distribution of
buffalo bulls was further considered at a meeting of the
Development Board held on the 7th February 1928. From the
replies of the local bodies who were consulted, it appeared that
only one board, viz. Muzaffarpur, was willing to purchase three
bulls and to maintain 30 others if supplied free of cost; while six
other district boards, viz. Patna, Shahabad, Saran, Champaran,
Santal Parganas and Palamau, were prepared to maintain or to
make over to private persons for maintenance 32 bulls on the
same condition. As both the Director of Agriculture and the
Director, Civil Veterinary Department, were of opinion that
the greatest chance of success would be secured by concentrating
on selected areas only in the first instance, it was agreed
that efforts should be concentrated upon the Darbhanga-
Muzaffarpur area where the importance of pedigree buffalo
bulls was realized and where there was less likelihood of the
bulls being neglected. It was accordingly decided that 33
young bulls (3 years old) should be purchased from the Punjab at
a price of about Rs. 100 each to meet the requirements of the
Muzaffarpur district board, the Darbhanga district board having
already purchased 6 breeding bulls. The object of distributing
bulls in a limited area is to ascertain the effect of such distribu-
tion by the time bulls would be ready for distribution from the
Sepaya herd in three or four years time. It was further deci-
ded that if funds were available for purchasing a larger number
the other boards, particularly of North Bihar, might also be
supplied with bulls, but the main efforts should be directed to
the selected area only as indicated above.
62. Stud bulls.—On the 1st April 1927, there were 59 stud
bulls (including five the property of Government) at different
veterinary hospitals in the province. To this number, 10 new
bulls, including a stray one taken over by the Palamau district
board, were added. As eleven casualties occurred during the
year, the number on 31st March 1928 was 58, i.e. one less
than the preceding year. Details as to their distribution are
shown in the table.
63. The Royal Commission on Agriculture visited Patna
in November 1927 and took evidence. Their report which has
since been published deals at length with the question of
improvement of livestock. Their recommendations on this
subject will come up for the consideration of Government in
due course.
15
TABLE IX.
CATTLE FARMS.
64. Patna Cattle breeding and Dairy Farm.—The
Fatna
farm which was started in October 1926 made considerable
progress during the year under report.
65. Government was pleased to sanction temporarily the
appointment of a European manager on Rs. 500 per month which
was filled by Mr. A. H. Spearman from 5th September 1927. The
present term of his appoint ment is for one year only, but it is
open to extension to three years provided his work proves satisfac-
tory. This appointment was made on the recommendation of the
Selection Board in accordance with the terms of the scheme
approved by Government and was necessary at the outset to
make the farm a success.
As it was necessary to purchase a large number of cows,
bulls and bullocks for the farm, a temporary post of livestock
inspector on Rs. 200 per mensem was created for one year and
Babu N. N. Ghose was appointed to it on being relieved of his
duties in connection with the farm by Mr. Spearman. It is pro-
posed to place this officer under Mr. Spearman for training dur-
ing 1928-29 and also to send him to Bangalore, Anand and Kar-
nal to qualify himself for the permanent post of manager.
66. The staff employed on the farm on the 31st March
1128 consisted of one European manager, one temporary live-
stock inspector, one staff veterinary assistant surgeon deputed
from the department, one agricultural overseer deputed by the
Agriculture Department, one 'slerk, one milk writer and stare-
keeper, one machine-man, one sardar, two chaukidars, two office
peons and one servant in addition to other contingent menials.
67. The following livestock were purchased during the
year to bring the total strength of the herd to 377 animals,
including calves :—
Tharparkar cows ... ... ...
Desi cows ... ... ...
Tharparkar bull ... ... ...
Pony ... ... ...
52
87
2
1
One Tharparkar bull was sold to the Panta district board
at Rs. 350, while one Tharparkar cow, two Desi cows, one plough
bullock and 12 calves died during the year, leaving the herd at
361 animals as shown in the table.
16
68. The dairy continued to supply milk to the residents of
the New Capital and also undertook to supply it to the General
Hospital from 1st March 1928. The average number of cows
in milk per day during the year was 43, and the total milk
yield was 92,835 lbs, or an average of 6.7 lbs. per cow per day. Of
the above, 73,037 lbs. of milk was sold and the balance was fed
to the claves. Income from the sale of milk amounted to
Rs. 7,303.
69. The total area brought under cultivation during the
year was 259 acres, of which 180 was leased on batai system
and the remainder was cultivated by the farm agency. Crops
such as jowar, gram, oats, khesari and kulthi were sown and
harvested. In addition, 5,000 maunds of silage was made during
October and November and stocked in silo-pits for use in the
dry season.
70. No spring crops could be sown as the irrigation chan-
nels constructed by the Irrigation Department proved too large
and consequently unsuitable for pump irrigation. This was a
great drawback as the milch cattle require succulent fodder at
all times in order to give the best results; Government however
have been pleased to sanction the remodelling of the channels
and the construction of 3 regulators for distribution of water at a
cost of Rs. 1,212. It is hoped that there will be no further
trouble on this account.
71. With the exception of the Farm Manager's quarters, the
Public Works Department completed all the buildings which were
sanctioned originally along with the scheme for the farm.
Good progress was also made on additional buildings, e.g. bhusa
shed, silo-pits etc., which were subsequently sanctioned.
72. Government was pleased to sanction the construction of
additional quarters for milk writer, machine-man, etc. at a cost
Rs. 24,389, as the presence of these men was constantly required
on the farm. Sanction was also given to the construction of a
bull shed with compound wall at Rs. 8,470, of which the detailed
plans are now under revision. A pucca road was also sanctioned
at a cost of Rs. 11,978 and gates and culverts at Rs. 4,275 to be
done departmentally.
73. As regards water-supply, provision was made for an
open well with necessary equipment at Rs. 4,439, but on further
consideration and discussion with the Agricultural Engineer it
was decided to have a tube well instead. Accordingly a 5" tube
well capable of discharging 6,600 gallons of water per hour was
sunk by the Agricultural Engineer on the farm and the total
17
cost including testing charges, price of tanks, pump and pipes
amounted to Rs. 4,507 only. It has been decided to use a
Worthington pump on this well.
74. The erection of the dairy plant was practically com-
pleted during the year by the Indian General Trading Co.,
Bombay, but the plant could not be tested for want of water--
supply.
Construction of drainage on the farm is an urgent necessity
and it is hoped that the Public Health Department will be in
a position to remove the inconvenience in the near future.
75. The total revenue of the farm amounted to Its. 9,485
including Rs. 1143 from rent of trees and land ; while the total
expenditure was Rs. 1,22,469 as shown in the table. It
includes the initial cost of machinery, livestock etc., but not
the buildings.
SlPAYA FARM.
76. Details as to the working of this farm are not given as
it is under the control of the Director of Agriculture, Bihar and
Orissa, and it does not appear necessary to deal with it in this
report any further.
TABLES X, XI AND XII.
(Blank.)
TABLES XIII AND XIV.
Fairs and shows.
77. All the fairs and shows were attended by the subordinate
staff concerned. The Sita narhi and Sonepur fairs were visited
by the Deputy Director. Mr. D. Quinlan also visited the Sonepur
fair.
The total number of cattle booked to 'different places from
stations under the Sonepur and Samastipur districts of the
Bengal and North-Western Railway is 52,182.
The particulars of the important horse and cattle fairs and
shows are given in the tables.
PROVINCIAL ESTABLISHMENT.
78. Owing to shortage of officers in the superior cadre,
Rai Sahib Priya Nath Das, Assistant Director, Central Range,
held charge of the Orissa Range throughout the year, while