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173. Mallein.—During the year 1906-07, 3,753 doses of Mallein were pre-
pared as against 11,276 during the previous year. Last year's balance being
sufficient to meet the demands, the output was in proportion to the requirement.
This material is now very extensively used in the Army Remount Depots and
Imperial Service Troops as well as in Civil Veterinary hospitals. The total issue
during the year being 7,926 doses against 3,583 during 1906-07.
174. Tuberculin.—During the year under report 34 doses of Tuberculin
were prepared. The total issue for the year amounted to 75 doses.
175. Tetanus Anti-Toxin.—In view of the remarks made by the Advisory
Committee on the subject of the preparation of this Anti-toxin, I have gone
into the question of the desirability of preparing this serum in India. From the
available information regarding the prevalence of Tetanus in both animals and
man it appears that there are very few places where its use as a protective could
be justified. It is of very doubtful value as a curative agent for obvious
reasons. It does not retain its properties for very long in India and the experi-
ence of the Medical Profession who have abandoned the preparation of the
Anti-toxin in this country is that it is better to obtain at intervals and maintain
a sufficient supply of it from Europe.
176. The cost of preparation is considerable here, the result not always
good, and the wastage from age of the serum considerable. It would therefore
appear better, should a justifiable demand arise, to adopt the policy of the
Medical Department and to obtain at intervals, and maintain a sufficient supply
of fresh Anti-toxin from Europe.
177. It may be noted that 18,309 c. c. of the Anti-toxin was prepared at
the end of last year and that the demand having been very limited the majority
of the serum was wasted and I have therefore ordered that no more be prepared
for the present.
178. The use of Protective Sera in Native States.—It is a matter for
congratulation that several large Native States are adopting our methods of
dealing with such of the contagious diseases as Rinderpest and Glanders. In
several of the large States the subject of providing a Veterinary Staff for this
purpose has received attention. Mysore, Hyderabad, Jodhpur, Alwar, Indore,
Bhopal, Baroda and Dhar have commenced work and other States are enquir-
ing whether serum will be supplied. The fact that they have been supplied
with 11,450 doses of Anti-Rinderpest Serum and 1,518 doses of Mallein shows
that they are awakening to the importance of dealing with animal plagues and
to the benefits derived from our methods.
179. Specimens examined.—During the year under report, 69 specimens
were submitted to the Laboratory for examination, which were promptly at-
tended to and the persons interested were informed of the results of examination
with the least possible delay.
180. Training of Veterinary Officers and Veterinary Assistants.—For
want of accommodation in the Civil Veterinary Department Officers' Quarters
(as they were occupied by Mr. Cross during the last year) only one officer of the
Army Veterinary Corps attended the course during the months of June to
September 1907. Mr. Gaiger carried on research work at the Laboratory dur-
ing the summer vacations of the Lahore Veterinary College. As the present
staff of the Laboratory is quite insufficient to cope with the work of administra-
tion, sera preparation, research and education, the course for training of Veteri-
nary Officers has been discontinued as a purely educational one. Officers wish-
ing to be engaged in research work will still be deputed to the Laboratory and
afforded all facilities and help. As officers should have already undergone a
Post Graduate course of training before joining the Department and as Military
Veterinary Officers also take the course before coming to India, the present
arrangement by which they will, when available, be able to take up research on
any subject will be very advantageous.
181. During the year under review, 38 Veterinary Assistants were trained
at Muktesar and 46 at Bareilly making a total of 84 against 49, during the
year 1906-07.