44
the 26th May 1910, has been greatly retarded by the unfavourable financial
situation. So far the following dispensaries have been constructed:—
1st Class.
(1) Karachi.
(2) Sujawal.
(3) Hyderabad.
(4) Hala.
(5) Larkana.
(6) Shikarpur.
(7) Jacobabad.
(8) Naushahro Feroz.
(9) Mirpur Khas.
2nd Class.
(10) Tatta.
(11) Matli
(12) Dadu.
Ten dispensaries remain to be constructed including buildings at the
district head-quarters at Sukkur and Nawabshah. Type designs for Veterinary
Dispensaries suitable for Sind were drawn up during the year by the Chief
Engineer in consultation with the Veterinary Department and have been
sanctioned by the Commissioner. These standard plans will facilitate future
constructional work.
Annual Mortality Statistics.
6. The total mortality recorded from contagious and infectious diseases
rose from 2,560 cases in 1914-15 to 4,003 during the
year under review; the increase being entirely
accounted for by an epidemic of parasitic gastritis in sheep in the Larkana and
Upper Sind Frontier districts which claimed 1,757 victims. Among equines
there was a considerable decrease in the figures of death from Surra, the
number being only 8 against 163 in the previous year. This is attributed to the
absence of biting-flies from the Surra zones owing to the low inundation.
Two hundred and twenty cattle were lost through rinderpest, all in the Hyder-
abad District, against 200 in 1914-15; 327 from foot and mouth disease (which
broke out in the winter) against 46 in the previous year; and 835 from
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia against 1,407. Fluke disease which was not reported
in the previous year caused 334 deaths, chiefly amongst cattle in the Karachi
District.
Inoculations.
7. The drop from 2,984 to 2,268 in the figures of inoculations against
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia is explained as being due
to the fact that the disease was less prevalent; 569
animals were inoculated against rinderpest and 179 sheep against anthrax.
Professional work.
8. The number of cases treated at Veterinary Dispensaries remained
practically stationary at 15,662, but there was a very
encouraging advance in the number of animals dealt
with by veterinary officers on tour, the figures rising from 2,554 to 8,570 and
the number of villages visited from 938 to 1,652.
Expenditure.
9. The total expenditure on the department fell from approximately
Rs. 91,000 to Rs. 83,000, the principal decrease being
under the head of "Hospitals and Dispensaries",
which fell from Rs. 50,117 to Rs. 38,364 owing to the curtailment of the
construction programme.
Salient features.
10. A cattle show, organised by the District Local Board at Karachi in
January 1916, was honoured by the presence of His
Excellency Lord Willingdon, Governor of Bombay,
who has manifested his keen interest in Sindhi cattle by establishing a herd at
Ganeshkhind, Poona, and who gave most valuable advice to the cattle-owners
of Karáchi. The Show attracted renewed attention to the necessity of preserv-
ing this high-class stock; and Seth Chellaram Dallumal, a public-spirited
citizen of Karáchi, presented a donation of Rs. 15,000 towards the cost of
establishing a cattle farm. The Veterinary Department, in consultation with
the Collector of Karáchi and President of the District Local Board, are preparing
the scheme. The chief objects of the form will be to secure the maintenance
in the breeding tract of pure herds of Karáchi cattle and to assist the breeders
to extend and improve their present operations. The Army Remount Depart-
ment, the Civil Veterinary Department and the District Local Boards of the