NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
Annual report of the Civil Veterinary Department,
United Provinces, for the year 1936-37
CHAPTER I
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
1. Mr. T. J. Egan, I.V.S., held charge of the department up to
19th March, 1937, after which date he proceeded on leave out of India
for eight months. I took over charge as officiating Director, Veter-
inary Services, in the afternoon on 19th March, 1937.
2. Mr. T. J. Egan remained on tour for 264 days visiting 78 vet-
erinary hospitals and dispensaries and 13 stallion stands in 33 districts.
He attended meetings of the Advisory Board of the Imperial Council
of Agricultural Research at Simla in July, 1936, and at Delhi in Jan-
uary, 1937. He visited Poona and Bombay to purchase horse stallions
for the improvement of horse breeding in the United Provinces. He
visited Rampur State in connexion with the newly organized veterinary
department, made a survey of the different types of cattle, and advised
the authorities on the general improvement of livestock in the State.
He visited the Imperial Verterinary Research Institute, Muktesar, the
Mission Poultry Farm, Etah and Government Cattle Farms at Madhuri-
kund, district Muttra, Hempur, district Naini Tal, and Manjhra, district
Kheri. Frequent visits were paid to the Stallion Depot, Moradabad. He
visited the Tarai and Bhabar Government Estates, and advised the
authorities about a better veterinary organization for the improvement
of livestock. He carried out a tour in the Garhwal District and in the
districts of the Bundelkhand Division, to make a survey of the sheep
industry in these areas. He organized one-day horse shows at stallion
stands in the Saharanpur, Bareilly, Budaun and Moradabad Districts
to encourage horse breeding, and distributed prizes to the progeny of
Government stallions.
3. The touring and inspection work performed by the Circle Super-
intendents of the department is shown in the following statement:—
Circle Superintendents
Mr. T. S. Davies, Superintendent, Agra (1st and 2nd
April, 1936 and from 7th July, 1936 to 17th March,
1937).
Mr. Mohammad Tahir Mirza, officiating Superinten-
dent, Agra (from 3rd April to 6th July, 1936).
Sardar Sahib S. Udam Singh, officiating Superinten-
dent, Agra (from 18th to 31st March, 1937).
Mr. S. M. Baza Husain, Superintendent, Lucknow
(from 1st April to 15th September, 1936).
Number
of days
on tour
105
51
7
86
Number of
veterinary
dispen-
saries
inspected
38
24
..
34
Number of
stallion
stands
inspected
8
..
..
8
( 2 )
Circle Superintendents
Sardar Sahib S. Udam Singh, officiating Superinten-
dent, Lucknow (from 16th September, 1936 to
11th January, 1937).
Khan Sahib Chaudhry Ghulam Qadir, Superintendent,
Lucknow, (from 12th January to 31st March, 1937).
Khan Sahib Chaudhry Ghulam Qadir Superintendent,
Allahabad (from 1st April to 31st August,
1936, and from 1st to 4th January, 1937).
Mr. Mohammad Tahir Mirza, officiating Superinten-
dent, Allahabad (from
1st September
to
31st December, 1936, and from 5th January to
31st March, 1937).
Number
of days
on tour
55
43
74
104
Number of
veterinary
dispen-
saries
inspected
15
15
28
39
Number
of stallion
stands
5
4
4
6
No Circle Superintendent held charge of his respective circle for the
full year. I proceeded on deputation to the Imperial Veterinary
Research Institute, Muktesar, for a post-graduate course for about
three months; and in March, 1937, was appointed as officiating
Director, Veterinary Services.
Mr. S. M. Raza Husain, Superintendent, Lucknow Circle, retired on
superannuation pension on 16th September, 1936; and Khan Sahib
Chaudhry Ghulam Qadir was on four months' leave from 1st September
to 31st December, 1936. In these vacancies Veterinary Inspectors
Mr. Mohammad Tahir Mirza and Sardar Sahib S. Udam Singh were
promoted as officiating Superintendents.
4. On the retirement of Mr. S. M. Raza Husain, Superintendent,
Lucknow Circle, on 16th September, 1936, Mr. H. B. Shahi was
appointed as Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, United
Provinces, but continued to work as Veterinary Investigation Officer.
He spent 165 days on tour, and visited 19 districts in the provinces. He
worked on the following diseases:—
(1) Rinderpest—Its control by Goat Tissue Vaccine, and
computation of minimum doses of ordinary anti-rinderpest serum.
(2) Bovine Trypanosomiasis.
(3) Joint Ill in goats and goat pox, and an obscure disease
in goats belonging to the Etah Mission Goat Farm.
(4) Otorrhoea in buffaloes.
(5) Pasteurellosis and foot-and-mouth infection in pigs.
(6) Sterility in cows.
He acted as Secretary to the United Provinces Poultry Association
Committee appointed by the Local Government to examine the work-
ing of the Poultry Association; attended the Second Animal Husbandry
Wing meeting held at Madras in December, 1936; and held charge of the
Veterinary Section of the United Provinces Agricultural and Industrial
Exhibition, Lucknow, in collaboration with Sardar Sahib S. Udam
Singh.
( 3 )
CHAPTER II
TREATMENT OF DISEASES
Contagious Diseases
Mortality—Table II.
5. Livestock epidemics were more severe during the year, the
reported mortality was 56,779 as against 29,332 in
the previous year—Rinderpest and Haemorrhagic
Septicaemia being chiefly responsible for the increase.
(a) Equine
Table II.
6. The death roll under this head was 959 as compared with 262
in the previous year.
Glanders.
Thirty-six cases of glanders were detected in the districts of Saharan-
pur, Bijnor, Cawnpore, Benares, Gorakhpur,
Naini Tal and Garhwal. These animals were
destroyed, and necessary precautionary measures taken under the
Glanders and Farcy Act.
Surra (equines and
camels)
Progress was maintained in the treatment of this disease during
the year under review, 2,059 cases were treated as
compared with 1,349 in the last year, and 329 in
1934-35.
The details are as follows:—
Name of district
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Dehra Dun .. ..
Saharanpur .. ..
Muzaffarnagar .. ..
Meerut .. ..
Bulandshahr .. ..
Muttra .. ..
Aligarh .. ..
Agra .. ..
Name of treatment
centre
Dehra Dun .. ..
Saiyah .. ..
Saharanpur .. ..
Muzaffarnagar ..
Shamli .. ..
Jansath .. ..
Meerut .. ..
Ghaziabad .. ..
Hapur .. ..
Bulandshahr .. ..
Sikandarabad .. ..
Khurja .. ..
Kosi Kalan .. ..
Aligarh .. ..
Agra .. ..
Number of cases
treated
5
13
136
397
272
258
19
51
25
17
11
5
2
334
8
( 4 )
Name of district
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
Mainpuri .. ..
Etawah .. ..
Gorakhpur .. ..
Etah .. ..
Cawnpore .. ..
Bareilly .. ..
Moradabad .. ..
Garhwal .. ..
Naini Tal .. ..
Banda .. ..
Fatehpur .. ..
Mirzapur .. ..
Bahraich .. ..
Partabgarh .. ..
Name of treatment
centre
Shikohabad .. ..
Etawah .. ..
Takha .. ..
Phaphund .. ..
Campierganj .. ..
Jalesar .. ..
Etah .. ..
Cawnpore
Juhi .. ..
Bareilly .. ..
Baheri .. ..
Moradabad .. ..
Dogadda .. ..
Haldwani .. ..
Ramnagar .. ..
Kitcha .. ..
Kashipur .. ..
Baberu and Karwi ..
Fatehpur .. ..
Bindki .. ..
Robertsganj .. ..
Nanpara .. ..
Baiti .. ..
Total ..
Number of cases
treated
188
28
3
1
1
4
8
1
1
3
23
14
30
82
77
6
15
3
1
1
2
5
9
2,059
The disease was reported from 22 districts as against 15 districts
in the previous year, which shows its widespread distribution in the
provinces.
It is gratifying to note that stock owners are taking an increasing
interest in the treatment offered, and are realizing the benefits that can
be obtained from it for their animals.
Anthrax.
Two cases of this disease were reported from the Bulandshahr
District, and one from the Bahraich District.
( 5 )
Other
contagious
diseases.
Ninety-two deaths from other infections were reported during
the year as against 72 in the previous year,
these included piroplasmosis, strangles, tetanus
and parasitic diseases.
Other causes.
Deaths due to causes other than from contagious diseases numbered
273. It is the first time that mortality under
this head has been recorded.
(6) Bovine
Rinderpest—Table II.
7. The mortality reported from this disease was 20,901 against
18,517 in the preceding year. Every district
in the province was affected, the mortality was
highest in the districts of Mirzapur and Hardoi with 1,136 and 1,770
deaths respectively.
Anti-rinderpest
in-
oculations—Table III.
8. Inoculation against rinderpest was undertaken in 1,259
outbreaks during the year as against 1,128 in
the last year. The number of inoculations
performed was as follows :—
(1) Serum alone inoculations ..
(2) Tissue virus inoculations ..
(3) Serum simultaneous inoculations
..
..
..
Total
.. 9,054
.. 202,148
.. 532
211,734
The tissue virus method of inoculation has made further progress
during the year, the figures being 202,148 as against 134,555 in the
last year, and the use of serum was confined to those outbreaks where
severe reactions were expected.
Haemorrhagic Septi-
caemia—Tables II and
III.
9. Twelve thousand two hundred and forty-eight deaths were
reported to have occurred from this disease as
compared with 6,315 in the preceding year. The
disease was prevalent throughout the province
with the exception of the Garhwal District. The highest mortality was
reported from the Budaun and Hardoi Districts with 1,025 deaths each.
The number of inoculations carried out was as follows:—
(1) By serum alone ..
(2) By vaccine ..
.. ..
.. ..
Total
.. 105,079
.. 47,091
.. 152,170
Foot-and-mouth
disease—Table II.
10. This disease was reported from 35 districts with a mortality
of 605 as compared with 1,240 in the preceding
year. Curative methods and hygienic measures
were adopted with beneficial results.
Blackquarter—Tables
II and III.
11. The reported mortality was 639 as compared with 139 in the
previous year, and the number of inoculations
increased to 9,068 as against 1,975.
( 6 )
Anthrax—Tables II
and III.
12. This disease appeared in 16 districts and the reported mor-
tality was 351. Four thousand six hundred
and twenty-eight inoculations were carried out
as against 2.176 in the preceding year.
Surra—Table II.
13. Two hundred deaths were reported from this disease in eight
districts. The reports show that the incidence of
bovine surra is more prevalent than has hitherto
been suspected. Treatment was carried out where possible with fairly
satisfactory results.
Other
contagious
diseases—Table II.
14. Four hundred and eighty-two animals were reported to have
died as against 264 in the previous year. This
head includes liver fluke, pleuro-pneumonia, etc.
Other causes—Table
II.
15. Deaths due to causes, other than from contagious diseases,
numbered 15,486. It is the first time that
mortality under this head has been recorded.
(c) Other Animals
Table II.
16. Two thousand two hundred and thirty-nine deaths occurred
from contagious diseases amongst animals, other
than equines and bovines, as against 2,285 in the
previous year as per details below:—
(1) Sheep ..
(2) Goats ..
(3) Dogs ..
(4) Camels ..
.. ..
.. ..
.. ..
.. ..
Total
.. 700
.. 603
.. 854
.. 82
2,239
Deaths due to causes other than from contagious diseases numbered
2,669.
CHAPTER III
NON-CONTAGIOUS DISEASES
Table V.
17. The number of cases treated at the veterinary hospitals and
dispensaries during the year was 461,368 as
compared with 432,611 in the preceding year.
Medicines were supplied for 85,204 cases not brought to hospitals as
against 71,780 in the last year.
Tables IV and V.
18. The cases treated by veterinary assistant surgeons while on
tour numbered 81,837. Ninety-nine thousand
five hundred and seventy-one castrations were
performed as compared with 92,360 in the preceding year.
Cattle poisoning.
19. Five cases of cattle poisoning were reported from the districts
of Saharanpur, Agra, Bareilly, Etawah and
Cawnpore.
(7)
CHAPTER IV
VETERINARY HOSPITALS AND DISPENSARIES
Veterinary hospitals
and
dispensaries—
Table V.
20. At the commencement of the year there were 180 veterinary
hospitals and dispensaries. During the year a,
new hospital was opened at Bidhuna, district
Etawah, and a dispensary at Dhaurahra, district
Kheri, where previously veterinary assistant surgeons were employed
on itinerating duty. The total number at the close of the year was
182.
Grants-in-aid for con-
struction of veterinary
hospitals.
21. Owing to financial stringency, no contribution was made to
local boards for the construction or improve-
ment of veterinary hospital buildings.
CHAPTER V
LABORATORY AND EXPERIMENTAL WORK
Laboratory work.
22. One thousand six hundred and sixty-three smears were micros-
copically examined at the headquarters and circle
laboratories during the year as compared with
745 last year. The materials were from bacteriological and pathologi-
cal cases, and helminthological and entomological specimens. A
brief summary of the results is shown below:—
Laboratory
Lucknow
Agra
Allahabad
.. .. .. ..
.. .. .. ..
.. .. .. ..
Total ..
Positive
222
51
77
350
Negative
1,045
181
87
1,313
Total
1,267
232
164
1,663
Some interesting specimens and parasites received have been pre-
served in the laboratory museums. Histopathological materials were
sent for examination to the Imperial Veterinary Research Institute,
Muktesar.
Anti-rabic treatment.
23. Seventeen in-contact cases were dealt with at the Isolation
Wards, Lucknow, and 12 cases were given anti-
rabic treatment. Five cases were kept under
observation, all of which developed symptoms of rabies and died.
Experiments
and
investigation on disea-
ses.
24. During the year the Etah Goat Breeding Farm had two serious
outbreaks of disease resulting in heavy losses
among the goats.
( 8 )
In June a virulent form of goat-pox occurred in the herd. Post-
mortem examination revealed generalized pleurisy and consolidation
of a major portion of the lung parenchyma, and copious amounts of
sero-fibrinous exudate in the thoracic cavity. Transmission experi-
ments conducted at the farm and at the Imperial Veterinary Research
Institute, Muktesar, confirmed the diagnosis. In the absence of a
suitable vaccine or other biological product, control measures were
limited to segregation and systematic treatment of the affected animals.
The knowledge gained from this outbreak has been of great value
as it was thought that goat-pox was a mild disease. A similar type
of outbreak was recorded in the Agra District and the preparation
of a suitable vaccine appears necessary.
Later in the year an obscure infection occurred in the Jamnapari
herd which caused heavy losses. Work in this connexion was done
in collaboration with the Imperial Veterinary Research Institute.
The most prominent symptom was a severe form of diarrhoea result-
ing in emaciation, the animals were disinclined to move and had a
tendency to lie down with heads bent towards the flanks. The course
of the disease was varied and quite a large number of deaths occurred
within 24 hours after the onset of diarrhoea. Others died in from 3
to 10 days, and chronic cases lived for 20 or 25 days, and some sur-
vived. About 25 per cent. of the total seizures manifested the chronic
form of the disease. Post-mortem lesions were confined to the aboma-
sum, duodenum and large intestines. Treatment did not give any
satisfactory results.
In the early stages of the outbreak measures were taken to eliminate
rinderpest and the herd was dealt with by the serum simultaneous
method; but this did not help. It was also thought a food poisoning
might be responsible. Grain and fodder samples were sent to the
Chemical Examiner to Government and the Chemistry Department,
Allahabad University, for examination of organic and inorganic poisons
and group alkaloids of toxic significance. The findings were not
helpful.
Transmission experiments were also conducted at the farm with
blood and faeces collected from affected cases without result.
A report from the Imperial Veterinary Research Institute, Muktesar,
on histopathological examinations and transmission experiments in-
dicated that the disease was caused primarily by a filterable virus,
and secondarily complicated by the massive parasitic infection existing
among the goats.
An analogous infection in sheep bearing a close clinical resemblance
to that observed in the goats at Etah was encountered in the Etawah
District. Enquiry revealed that the disease had accounted for enor-
mous losses in many flocks. Certain cases were kept under observation
and a few were subjected to post-mortem examination. The report
on the examination of morbid material, forwarded to Muktesar, is
awaited.
( 9 )
An outbreak responsible for heavy mortality in pigs was investigated
at Keventer's Farm, Aligarh. Observations revealed that about two-
thirds of the whole stock was harbouring an acute form of foot-and-
mouth infection. Many of the affected and in-contact individuals
registered a temperature between 104 to 106.° The losses were parti-
cularly heavy in young stock, no deaths being reported in pigs, over
two years in age. Post-mortem observations suggested the possibility
of a concurrent infection and the examination of morbid material,
forwarded to Muktesar, revealed that "Pasteurella" infection was
operating simultaneously with the apparent foot-and-mouth infection.
Experiments designed to compute the minimum doses of ordinary
anti-rinderpest serum to be administered simultaneously with Goat
Tissue Vaccine for protecting buffaloes against severe reaction were
carried out in some districts. The available experimental evidence
indicates that—
(1) The smallest protective dose of serum should not be less
than 20 c.c.
(2) A dose of 4 to 6 c.c. per 100 lb. body weight is sufficient
to control the severity of reaction in animals of all ages.
(3) Administration of serum at the rate of 6 to 8 c.c. per 100 lb.
body weight (with a minimum of 40 c.c. per animal) is sufficient
to counteract the adverse effect of Tissue Vaccine on milk
yield. This dose is also effective in warding off the danger of
abortion.
(4) In some animals reaction may appear later, though a
majority manifests it between the 4th and 8th day.
Intensive investigation on Horn Cancer could not be prosecuted
during the year due to pre-occupation with the disease in goats and
sheep. Some cases were, however, examined and material was forward-
ed to Muktesar for examination. Features of squamous cell carcinoma
were noticed in almost all the cases examined, though the lesions in
one bull simulated the picture of carcinoma of the adrenal cortex.
Two outbreaks of spirochaetosis in poultry were detected and
treated successfully with "Soamin."
Forty cows were tested at Bhadri, district Partabgarh, for the
detection of Tuberculosis and Johne's disease. Only one gave a
positive reaction for Johne's disease and the rest proved negative for
these infections.
Outbreaks of Bovine Trypanosomiasis, which were often confused
with those of Haemorrhagic Septicaemia and Anthrax, were investiga-
ted and confirmed in several districts. Many smears obtained from
buffaloes and cattle revealed a protozoan parasite indistinguishable
from "Trypanosome Evansi." Blood obtained from affected bovines
produced identical infection in experimentally inoculated rabbits.
The heavy mortality and the severity of infection appear to be co-
related with the heavy monsoon experienced all over the province
in the year. The symptoms noticed in the affected cattle are different
from those observed in equines. The mortality ranges up to 90 per
( 10 )
cent. and in animals exhibiting the acute symptoms it is seldom possible
to adopt suitable treatment measures as the disease runs a very short
course. Some acute cases were treated with different strengths of
Naganol and 1 per cent. Tartar Emetic solution. Naganol has not
proved so effective as in camels and horses and only 50 per cent. of the
treated cases recovered.
The treatment of surra in equines and camels with a combination
of Naganol and Tartar Emetic was continued during the year with
fairly satisfactory results.
With a view to economize in the treatment a trial was made with
injections of Tartar Emetic alone. This did not yield satisfactory
results due to the rapid trypanocidal action of the drug.
25. Two thousand two hundred and thirty-two cases were
treated at the Research Station Hospital, Lucknow, as against 1,024
cases last year. A sum of Rs. 892-8-0 was realized towards treatment
charges. Some of the cases treated were of special interest.
CHAPTER VI
BREEDING OPERATIONS
(i) Horse Stallions
Table X.
26. The year commenced with 54 stallions on the roll for horse
breeding in the non-selected districts of the
province. Four stallions were purchased during
the year, two were destroyed, three died and one was sold being unfit
for further stud work. The number of stallions at the close of the
year was 52.
Table XI.
27. Forty-eight stallions were actually employed at stud during
the year and the covering operations performed
by them numbered 1,616.
28. Three new stallion stands were opened during the year at
Paintipur, district Fyzabad, Partabgarh, and Rampura Estate, district
Jalaun. Two stallion stands at Kosi Kalan and Mahaban in the
Muttra District were closed during the year, and a new stand was
opened at village Jachonda in this district. Proposals for opening new
stands in the Bijnor and Unao Districts are under consideration, and
it is hoped these will be started in the near future.
29. The progeny of Government stallions continues to show
improvement, and some good stock were exhibited at the United
Provinces Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition and other horse
shows in districts.
Stallion depot.
30. The Stallion Depot at Moradabad was very useful during
the year as a place of rest and treatment for
stallions that came in from the districts. Newly
purchased stallions were trained there before being sent to the districts.
( 11 )
(ii) Donkey Stallions
Table X.
31. There were 10 jacks on the roll at the beginning of the year;
one died leaving 9 at the close of the year.
Table XI.
32. Nine donkeys were actually employed at work during the
year and covered 260 mares.
CHAPTER VII
FAIRS AND SHOWS
Fairs and shows.
33. Twenty-nine important horse and cattle fairs and shows were
held in the province during the year, and these
were attended by the officers and subordinate
staff of the department.
The Superintendent, Agra Circle, attended the fairs and shows
held at Batesar, district Agra, Etawah, Bulandshahr and Etah, and
acted as a member of the judging committees, and supervised the
work of the subordinate staff. He also organized one day horse shows
at Mahaban and Kosi Kalan in Muttra District, Etah and Mainpuri,
distributed prizes to the progeny of the departmental stallions, and
delivered lectures on the advantages of keeping good mares for breeding
purposes.
The Superintendent, Lucknow Circle, attended the United Provinces
Industrial and Agricultural Exhibition, Lucknow, Qasimpur Exhibition
in Budaun District, Makanpur Fair in Cawnpore District and Bhaur-
eshwar Fair in Rai Bareli District. He also organized one-day horse
shows in certain districts of his jurisdiction for the advancement of
horse breeding. The most successful were those at Qasimpur, Aonla
and Khander.
The Superintendent, Allahabad Circle, attended Debi Paran Fair,
district Gonda, Dadri Fair, district Ballia, Dewa Fair, district Bara
Banki and Babuganj Fair, district Partabgarh. He supervised the
veterinary arrangements, delivered lectures and acted as a member of
the judging committees of the last three fairs.
The staff made necessary arrangements for the treatment of sick
animals at fairs and for guarding against outbreak of contagious
diseases. The present arrangements made by local bodies are not
sufficiently complete or effective to enable the staff to deal properly with
disease and its control at these fairs, which are important foci of dis-
ease and its spread. It is hoped that the draft rules, which have been
submitted to Government for approval, will enable the department to
deal more effectively with this problem in the future.
Veterinary exhibits.
34. Veterinary exhibits were displayed at horse and cattle fairs at
Batesar, district Agra, Dewa, district Bara Banki,
Haldwani, district Naini Tal, Bhaureshwar Fair,
district Rae Bareili, Misrikh Paikarma Fair, district Sitapur, Rural
Development Exhibitions and Fairs at Unao and Nenanjat, district
Agra, and the United Provinces Industrial and Agricultural Exhibition,
Lucknow.