8
72. In the interests of the young stock, it was decided to abolish the Dairy
as the loss to young growing stock was not compensated for by the small pro-
fits derived from the sale of milk and butter.
73. The Committee made further suggestions with regard to the cultiva-
tion which have been accepted and put into working order. A thoroughly
trained practical agriculturist, Mr. Bhimbai, has been appointed and with the
help of Mr. Mollison, Inspector General of Agriculture in India, trust that
more successful results will be obtained.
74. Seventeen bulls were supplied to the districts and 94 bullocks issued
for Siege Train purposes. This small number is due to the famine of 1897-
1898.
75. The total number of mules on the Farm on 31st March 1902 was 204.
During March, 16 were cast and sold as being too small and not likely to grow
into Ordnance mules. The remainder are thriving and doing well.
76. A more liberal policy with regard to feeding the stock, has been
adopted, and I think, with very few exceptions; the young stock now coming
on will grow to the standard required either for Military purposes or district
bulls.
V.-BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY.
77. The control of the Muktesar Laboratory was transferred to this
Department from the Indian Medical Service, on the 8th October 1901.
78. During the past year, further investigations have been carried out in
the following diseases:—Rinderpest, Anthrax, Lymphangitis Epizootica, Surra,
Strangles, Paralysis and Influenza.
79. Rinderpest.—Exhaustive experiments have been carried out with a
view of determining the best method of producing a serum in the shortest
possible time and possessing the highest protective value.
80. Experiments were carried out at Cawnpore, Poona and Nagpur to
ascertain the strength of the doses of anti-rinderpest serum prepared at
Muktesar which may be most economically used in order to protect the various
breeds of cattle. These, so far, have been very satisfactory and will be conti-
nued in other parts of India during the coming cold weather.
81. Experiments were also undertaken to prove whether sera will retain
their initial protective power in the plains when exposed to high temperatures
and were deposited for varying periods in Jacobabad, Madras and Rangoon.
The samples of sera deposited at Jacobabad lost in protective power to the
extent of 40 to 66.6 per cent. in comparison to the standardized dose registered
when issued, and in Madras to the extent of 55 per cent. In Burma they
retained their protective power.
82. Full details of these experiments are given in the Annual Report of
the Imperial Bacteriologist and are of immense importance when dealing with
rinderpest.
83. Depôts for storing serum were established at Calcutta, Lahore, Ajmer
and Ahmednagar and 40,000 c.c. were equally divided between the 4 places.
Lahore and Ajmer, owing to their high temperatures, are unsuitable for storing
sera and unless we can make arrangements for refrigerators during the hot
months, will have to be abandoned as Depôts.
84. A reference to Table XX will show that during the past 12 months,
3,92,246 c.c. of anti-rinderpest serum has been prepared and 3,54,591 c.c. were
issued. The Government of India have approved of the scheme for increasing
the output of anti-rinderpest serum in addition to that of anthrax and other
protective sera, and it is proposed to prepare a minimum of 100,000 doses
annually. The machinery and establishment for this purpose has been sanc-
tioned, and I trust to be able to get it into working order with as little delay as
possible.
85. Anthrax.—The total amount of anti-anthrax serum manufactured
during the year was 11,891 c.c, of which 5,117 c.c. was issued to the various
Superintendents and utilized with the most successful results.
86. Locust disease Fungus.—As no orders were issued by Government to
the contrary, 245 tubes were despatched to various stations throughout India,