NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
33
PART I.-IMPERIAL REPORT.
B.—REVENUE SECTION.
I.—HORSE BREEDING.
Cost of feed and
keep of Government
horse stallions.
136. Table XI will show the feed and keep of Government horse stallions
during the year. The following is a summary by which a comparison can be
drawn between the past three years:—
North-Western
Provinces..
Rajputana
.
.
.
.
North Punjab
.
.
.
.
South Punjab
.
.
.
.
Baluchistan
.
.
.
.
Sind
.
.
.
.
.
Central India
.
.
.
.
Deccan
.
.
.
.
.
Guzerat
.
.
.
.
.
Average cost per stallion.
1896-97.
R
330
292
338
404
474
420
183
484
417
a.
10
2
15
15
6
0
15
0
0
p.
11
7
0
8
2
0
5
0
0
1897-98.
R
364
288
357
358
500
488
295
662
397
a.
6
13
13
12
2
0
12
0
0
p.
1
0
1
3
10
0
3
0
0
1898-99.
R
285
331
314
312
413
299
...
436
335
a.
12
12
15
3
6
10
...
0
0
p.
4
4
7
8
3
6
...
0
0
137. Although of course we have been greatly assisted by the reduction
in the price of grain, still I would call attention to the most satisfactory
reduction in the cost of maintenance during the year. In every case, with the
exception of Rajputana, has there been a considerable fall, and in the case of
Rajputana the rise is due to scarcity, but this is of little moment as only one
stallion is kept in that Province.
138. When we consider that the amount shown includes all charges
connected with construction and repairs of stabling, gear, etc., and when we also
consider the following monthly expenditure, shown as having been incurred
in the various large breeding provinces with which this Department is con-
cerned, the results are to me most satisfactory:—
North-Western Provinces . .
Rajputana . . . .
North Punjab . . .
South Punjab . . .
Baluchistan
.
.
.
Sind
.
.
.
.
.
R
23
27
26
26
34
24
a.
13
10
4
0
7
12
p.
0 per mensem for each stallion.
4
„
„
0
„
„
4
„
„
2
„
„
4
„
„
This will show that each Superintendent has done his utmost to reduce
expenditure.
139. In this office a most careful scrutiny of bills was exercised, and in
addition to this a monthly statement was submitted to me showing the prices
charged for grain in each district of each province; this enabled me to
regulate the feed according to prices prevailing, at the same time guarding the
welfare of the stallions.
140. A corresponding reduction is noticeable in the cost of feed and keep
in both depôts:—
North-Western Provinces
Depôt...
Punjab
.
.
.
.
...
1897-98.
R
364
341
a.
1
4
p.
2
4
1898-99.
R
275
282
a
2
1
p.
1
7
Branded mares
Number present.
141. Table XII will show that the number of branded or certificated
mares at the commencement of the year stood as follows:—
For horse breeding
„ Pony breeding
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
23,467
5,045
142. The number remaining on 31st March 1899 stood as follows:—
For horse breeding
„ pony breeding
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
24,907
5,140
1
38
pleased to say that, during the year it was not found necessary to dismiss a
single one. The following are the cases in which neglect has been proved:—
North-Western Provinces and Oudh .
North Punjab
.
.
.
. .
South Punjab
.
.
.
. .
Baluchistan and Sind .
.
. .
Warned.
6
1
10
2
Fined.
1
...
1
...
Dismissed.
...
...
...
...
TOTAL.
7
1
11
2
The neglect in those cases in which Zilladars were warned was but
trifling; it may therefore be said that their working during the year was
satisfactory.
Castration.
167. Table XIII will show the number of equine stock castrated by
Imperial Salutris. Comparing last year with this we find the following
results:—
North-Western
Provinces.
.
.
.
North
Punjab.
.
.
.
.
.
South
Punjab.
.
.
.
.
.
Baluchistan . . . . . . .
Bombay . . . . . . .
1897-98.
R
477
313
600
294
1,684
87
1898-99.
R
524
246
523
305
1,598
29
168. The falling off in Northern India, representing as it does 86 when
compared with last year, brings 1898-99 up to the average, as last year showed
an increase of 209 over 1896-97.
169. The falling off in Bombay is unaccountable, only 29 colts having
been castrated against 74 last year.
170. Two hundred and eighty-seven colts were castrated in the two pony-
breeding districts of Madras: this is most satisfactory.
171. The number of colts castrated by District Board Salutries was 1,445
against 1,483 last year, showing a falling off of 38 when compared with last
year.
PART I.-IMPERIAL REPORT.
B.—REVENUE SECTION.
II.—MULE BREEDING.
PART I.-IMPERIAL REPORT.
B.—REVENUE SECTION.
III.-HORSE FAIRS AND SHOWS.
Review on Horse
Fairs and Shows of
1898-99.
178. Following the custom which has been adopted during the past few
years, the Horse Fairs and Shows which were held during 1898-99 will be
reviewed alphabetically Province by Province.
179. During the year the following Shows had to be abandoned either
owing to scarcity or plague:—
Ulwar.
Jeypore.
Pokhur.
Bahawalpore.
Malegaon.
Dinanagar.
Ludhianah.
Berakai.
NORTH-WESTERN PROVINCES.
Aligarh Horse
Show.
180. This Show was held from 27th February to 1st March 1899, and
can only be described as having been a miserable failure. Only 339 animals
were present against 622 last year, and of these only 176 belonged to breeders.
The number that competed for prizes showed a falling off of 80 when compared
with the 1898 Show.
181. At first this state of things appeared to be difficult to account for,
but a glance at the surroundings showed that no preparations had been made:
there was no Agricultural Show, no Fair, scarcely a shop was open, and many
of the zemindars informed me that the majority of the breeders did not know
that a Show would be held this year. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, in his report says :—
"It is a matter of very great regret that this Show, which, in previous years, has run the Nauchandi Fair
very close, should have been allowed to fall off to the very serious extent so noticeable this year, and I cannot
help thinking that, had even a small amount of interest been taken in this matter, the Fair would not have suffered
to the extent which it has done. To make a Pair a success, it is absolutely necessary that the convenience and
comforts of the stock owners should be considered. In the present instance this does not appear to have been
done, as there was not even a bazar attached to the Show to enable the zemindars to obtain supplies for them-
selves or their animals."
182. Captain Gough, Army Remount Department, says:—
"The comparison between this Fair this year and last is as bad as it can be. In previous years this Fair
has vied with Meerut in being the best in the North-Western Provinces. The spirit of emulation has not
been maintained. I would suggest a return to the excellent arrangements made hitherto, and that efforts
should be made to encourage the presence of zemindars and others. No such inducement appears to have been
held out in the present instance. 1 have never seen a worse collection of animals at any Fair."
183. That the failure of the Horse Show on this occasion can in no way
be traced to a diminution in horse-breeding in the district is proved by the
fact that in Aligarh alone there are 630 branded mares in the district, of which
354 were covered from 1st April 1898 to 31st January 1899, and that 101
foals have been dropped during that period. Besides these animals, those from
the districts of Bareilly, Shahjehanpore, Etah, Agra, and Muttra districts are
allowed to compete.
184. I have addressed the Local Government on the subject, and trust to
see a return to the old state of affairs.
61
Class.
Gelding, one year old . . . . . .
Mules . . . . . . . .
Pony mares . . . . . . . .
Donkeys . . . . . . . .
Miscellaneous . . . . . . .
TOTAL .
1898-99.
15
3
1
15
75
506
1897-98.
18
1
...
9
55
399
1896-97.
65
5
...
10
8
373
311. Veterinary Captain Maxwell states:—
"It will be seen that there is a marked improvement in the Classes:—
I (a) — Branded mares in foal.
I (b)—Branded mares with foal at foot.
II—Branded fillies under three years of age.
III (a)—Fillies, three years old.
V (a)—Yearling fillies.
"The marked decrease in the two-year old classes of both fillies and geldings was due to the fact that
large numbers of eligible candidates for these classes were purchased by Lahore dealers and sent away from
Quetta before the first advertised day of the Show. Wazir Khan, Alam Shah, and Aslam Khan were all pur-
chasing in Quetta for some days before the Show commenced.
" On the 11th (the show began on the 13th) I heard a large number of horses were being boxed at the station
belonging to the abovementioned dealers, so I went down at once to inspect them. I saw there 50 animals of
which, I believe, at least 40 were locally bred ones, fillies and geldings of under three years of age. This, I
think, explains any deficiency in the filly and gelding classes, and should also be remembered in connection
with the purchases made by the Remount Officer from the Babugarh Depôt."
312. The classes of sires which produced the greater number of prize
winners were as follows:—
Class of Sires.
Nine Thoroughbred English . . .
Four Thoroughbred Australians. . .
Two Half-bred English . . . .
Four Hackneys . . . . . . .
One Roadster . . . . . .
One Three-qaarter bred English . . .
Nine Norfolk Trotters . . . .
Twenty-four Arabs . . . . .
Prizes.
50
9
6
6
5
1
30
56
Average.
5.55
2.25
2.50
1.50
5.00
1.00
3.33
2.33
Veterinary Captain Maxwell states as follows:—
"The superiority of the Thoroughbred English horses is still largely maintained. They are the most
popular sires at present, but judging from some beautiful foals which I saw by Australian horses, I feel con-
vinced the latter will prove invaluable sires in Baluchistan."
313. The following remounts and young stock were purchased:—
Army Remount Department . . . . . . .
5th Bombay Cavalry . . . . . . . . .
6th Bombay Cavalry . . . . . . . . .
19th Bengal Lancers . . . . . . . . .
Zhob Levies . . . . . . . . . .
Police . . . . . . . . . .
11
29
19
18
25
8
The reason that only eleven head of stock were purchased for the Babugarh
Rearing Depôt was, that the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department,
only received intimation that the Remount Agent would attend one day before
the Show commenced; he was therefore unable to acquaint the breeders of the
fact in time to save them from selling to the dealers. The latter were fully
alive to the advantage gained, and as Captain Birdwood, who had purchased in
Quetta for some years past and was well known to all the breeders, had been
transferred to Madras, they (the dealers) let it be widely know that 'Birdwood
Sahib' would not attend the Fair; in this they were undoubtedly correct, and
73
Multan—
13 for Military purposes . . . . . . . .
160 Private . . . . . . . . . .
Quetta—
110 for Military purposes . . . . . . . .
86 Private
. . . . . . . . .
Sib—
41 for Military purposes . . . . . . . .
57 Private
.
. . . . . . . .
Rawalpindi—
Mules.
79 for Military purposes . . . . . . .
1,057 Private . . . . . . . . .
Horses.
17 for Military purposes . . . . . . . .
612 Private . . . . . . . . .
Value.
R
.
3,700
. 13,907
Approximate value
not stated.
Ditto.
Value not stated.
389. A perusal of the above figures will show the great demand that
exists in this country for horses and mules. From them it will be seen that
at seven Fairs alone, from which reliable statistics are available, the large sum
of R4,91,340 changed hands privately, and I would further draw attention to
the large number of mules—1,057—that were sold privately at the Rawalpindi
Fair.
Stallions whose
produce won prizes.
390. Table XVI shows the number of prizes awarded to stock got by differ-
ent classes of stallions, by which it will be seen that the following results
were obtained:—
Thoroughbred English . . . .
Thoroughbred Australian
. . . .
Norfolk Trotters and Haekneys
.
. . .
Arabs
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Number of
stallions
employed.
81
23
146
95
Percentage
of
1st prizes.
155
0.74
0.56
0.42
Percentage of
total
prizes.
7.18
5.60
3.70
3.16
The averages are very similar to those of last year.
391. No account has been taken of stud-breds, country-breds or Persians,
as only seven stallions of these three classes were employed.
PART I.-IMPERIAL REPORT.
B.—REVENUE SECTION.
IV.-INSTRUCTION FARM.
PART I.-IMPERIAL REPORT.
B.—REVENUE SECTION.
V.—BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY.
PART I.-IMPERIAL REPORT.
B.—REVENUE SECTION.
V(a)—EQUINE DISEASES.
92
time being administered by the Lieutenant-Governor of the North-Western
Provinces and Chief Commissioner of Oudh.
416. By a Notification, bearing the same date, His Honour appointed
certain persons, by virtue of their office and others appointed by name on
the recommendation of the District Magistrates, to be Inspectors under
the Act.
417. By a further Notification, bearing the same date, the following
officers were appointed Veterinary Practitioners under the Act for the
purpose of conducting examinations under section 7, and of granting certifi-
cates under section 8, in regard to horses seized within the areas hereinbelow
specified against them:—
Persons.
The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department
.
.
.
The Assistant to the Inspector General,
Civil Veterinary Department
.
.
The Commissioned Officer of the Army
Veterinary Department stationed at
Meerut
.
.
.
.
.
Ditto
ditto
Saharunpur .
.
Ditto
ditto
Muttra . . . .
Ditto
ditto Bareilly
.
Ditto
ditto
Allahabad . . .
Ditto
ditto
Jhansi . . . .
Ditto
ditto
Lucknow . . .
Area.
The whole of the area to which the Act
applies.
The Meerut Division.
Ditto.
The districts of Saharunpur and Dehra
Dun.
The Agra Division.
The Rohilkund and Kumaon Division.
The Benares Division and the districts
of Cawnpore, Fatehpur, Hamirpur and
Allahabad.
Districts of Jhansi, Jalaon and Banda.
The Lucknow and Fyzabad Divisions.
418. The question of the fees payable to Veterinary Officers of the Army
Veterinary Department, when called upon to exercise their powers under the
Act, have received the attention of the Government of India and have been
fixed as follows:—
(a) For an officer called on to attend at any place within the radius
of 5 miles of his Cantonment, the payment by the Municipality,
or local body requiring his services, of a fee of Rs. 16 plus any
expenses incurred in the destruction of any animal, for each
consultation, irrespective of the number of horses examined.
But under this scheme the sum of Rs. 16 will be payable to an
officer for each centre at which he makes an inspection. For
example, should suspicious cases be reported from two or more
serais or stages on a dâk line, a separate fee is admissible for
the examination made at each place.
(b) In the case of an officer who is asked to proceed beyond the 5-
mile limit, the payment by the authority concerned of a similar
fee plus travelling and halting allowances on the scale admis-
sible to Army Veterinary Department Officers when visiting
out-stations in the ordinary course of their Military duties.
419. It will thus be seen that the machinery for the working of the Act
has been perfected during the year under review, and I feel convinced that it
will have the desired effect of lessening the outbreaks of the disease which so
frequently occur in this country. There are, however, certain centres which
should be more carefully inspected than they are at present. The very
careful regulations existing in Bombay for the working of the Act have had,
95
and the number and length of the stages for which they are driven, and giving
the District Magistrate full power to reject any ponies unsuitable for use.
439. I trust that this will have the desired effect of preventing the many
acts of cruelty which I witnessed on this line.
Kathgodam and
Naini Tal Dak Line.
440. This line was inspected by the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, North-Western Provinces and Oudh, and found to be in excellent
order. This line, notwithstanding the precautions adopted, such as boiling of
water, etc., suffers periodically from most severe outbreaks of Surra. I am
therefore pleased to find that only one case occurred during the year under
report.
Simla-Kalka Dak
Line.
441. This line was inspected by the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, South Punjab, and found to be, as usual, in a most efficient state.
The ponies are well selected and well fed. No disease of any kind existed
during the year.
Rawalpindi, Murree
and Kashmir Lines.
442. This line is fairly efficient were it not for the continued appearance
of glanders amongst the ponies. This subject has been fully dealt with under
the head of "Equine Disease". The line is constantly inspected by the
Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North Punjab.
Pathankot. Dharm-
sala and Dunera
Lines.
443. These lines were inspected by the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, South Punjab, who reports them to be efficient. He, however,
brings to notice the necessity for the employment of a Veterinary Assistant in
order to prevent horses being worked when unfit. He brings to notice the fact
of having seen an animal at work with high fever and to have found two horses
with broken legs, one of which had been kept alive in great pain for eight days.
This matter was referred to the Deputy Commissioner, Kangra, with a recom-
mendation that a Veterinary Assistant should be appointed.
Piparia and Pach-
mari Line.
444. I regret to find that this line is without any professional supervision.
During the year it was found necessary to remove the Veterinary Officer from
the Central Provinces to fill a furlough vacancy in Bombay, still I think that
a Veterinary Assistant should be appointed to perform this duty. The District
Superintendent of Police, Hoshangabad, has been appointed an Inspector under
the Glanders and Farcy Act, but professional aid is required.
PART I-IMPERIAL REPORT.
B.—REVENUE SECTION.
VI.-GENERAL.
O
19
PART I.-IMPERIAL REPORT.
B.—REVENUE SECTION.
VI.—GENERAL.
Cost of the Depart-
ment.
445. The cost of the Civil Veterinary Department debited to India Esti-
mates during 1898-99, as shown by Table XXI, amounts to Rs. 5,68,929-11-8.
Of this, the sum of Rs. 5,08,056-8-2 has been accounted for by the Comptroller
of India Treasuries, and the balance, Rs. 60,873-3-6, by the several Account-
ants-General, representing the pay and travelling allowances of the Provincial
Superintendents of this Department.
The cost of the Department during 1897-98 amounted to Rs. 5,66,562-11-11
against Rs. 5,68,929-11-8 in 1898-99, showing an increase of Rs. 2,366-15-9.
446. The prices paid for imported horse and donkey stallions during the
year under review, are as shown below:—
Price of 13 horses imported from
England
.
.
.
.
Price of 11 Catalonian donkey stal-
lions at £85 each . . .
Price of 51 Cyprian donkey stal-
lions at £27 each . . .
TOTAL .
£
3,213
935
1,377
2,312
s.
10
0
0
0
d.
0
0
0
0
at
at
s.
1
1
d.
3¼
3¼
per rupee =
per rupee =
TOTAL .
R
50,573
36,385
86,958
a.
1
9
11
p.
10
2
0
against Rs. 1,02,289-10-5 in 1897-98.
TOURS OF IMPERIAL OFFICERS.
Inspector-General,
Civil Veterinary
Department.
Dates when on
tour.
447. I was on tour from—
1st to 29th April 1898,
15th to 17th May 1898,
1st to 28th July 1898,
29th October 1898 to 31st March 1899,
Distance travelled.
making a total of 214 days, during which time I travelled—
1,557 miles by road.
27,069 miles by rail.
In addition to this, I was employed on duty connected with the purchase
of donkey stallions in Cyprus, which duty occupied a month.
As I have done on former occasions, I purpose entering into the
various duties which occupied my attention during my tour.
Proposed Punjab
Stallion Depot at
Abbottabad.
In April, I visited Abbottabad in connection with the location of the
Punjab Stallion Depôt at that station.
Allotment of stal-
lions, Babugarh.
Thence I proceeded to Babugarh to allot the horse and donkey stallions
that had been received during the year to the various provinces.
Bacteriological
Laboratory,
Muktesar.
I then visited the laboratory at Muktesar, going carefully into the
questions of the buildings required to complete that establishment, so as to
enable me to discuss the matter with the Executive Engineer.
I carefully considered the question of cultivation, to remedy, as far as
possible, the great want which is annually felt by the scarcity of fodder.
O 2
106
for five days, and again in March for three days on duties connected with the
Plague Commission at Agra and the investigation of Sunjar or Mahamari.
Personnel of the
Department.
456. During the year under review, certain changes have taken place
again in the personnel of this Department. The following will show the resigna-
tions and appointments which have occurred:—
Appointments.
Inspector General, Civil Vete-
rinary Department.
Assistant to the Inspector Gene-
ral, Civil Veterinary De-
partment.
Imperial Bacteriologist . .
Assistant Bacteriologist . .
Superintendent, North-Western
Provinces and Oudh.
Ditto
North Punjab .
Ditto
South Punjab .
Ditto Baluchistan and
Sind.
Principal, Lahore Veterinary
College.
Professor
Ditto.
Principal, Bombay Veterinary
College.
Assistant Principal
.
.
Superintendent, C. V. D., Raj-
putana.
Ditto
Bengal . .
Ditto
Bombay . .
Ditto
Madras . .
Ditto
Burma .
.
1st Furlough Officer
. .
2nd Furlough Officor . .
1st April 1898.
Veterinary Colonel A.
E. Queripel.
Veterinary Captain
Gunn.
Dr. Lingard
Veterinary Lieutenant
Walker.
Veterinary Captain
Ringe.
Veterinary Lieutenant
Trydell.
Veterinary Captain
Joslen.
Veterinary Captain
Maxwell.
Veterinary Captain
Pease.
Veterinary Lieutenant
Sullivan.
Veterinary
Major
Mills.
Veterinary Lieutenant
Baldrey.
Veterinary
Captain
Hagger.
Veterinary Captain
Raymond.
Veterinary
Major
Morgan.
Veterinary Lieutenant
Edwards.
Veterinary Captain
Evans.
Veterinary Lieutenan
Farmer.
(Vacant.)
1st April 1800.
Veterinary Colonel A.
E.Queripel.
Veterinary Lieutenant
Holmes.
Captain Rogers, I.M.S.
(officiating).
Veterinary Lieutenant
Walker.
Veterinary
Major
Ringe.
Veterinary Lieutenant
Trydell.
Veterinary Lieutenant
Smith (officiating).
Veterinary Captain
Maxwell.
Veterinary Captain
Joslen (officiating).
Veterinary Lieutenant
Dawson.
Veterinary
Major
Mills.
Veterinary Lieutenant
Farmer (officiating).
Veterinary
Major
Hagger.
Veterinary
Major
Raymond.
Veterinary Lieutenant
Baldrey (officiating).
(Vacant.)
Veterinary Captain
Evans.
Veterinary Lieutenant
Farmer.
Veterinary Lieutenant
Smith.
REMARKS.
Veterinary Captain Gunn as-
sumed charge of the Hissar
Cattle Farm on 1st April 1899.
Dr. Lingard on furlough on
medical certificate.
Assumed charge on 1st April
1898.
Veterinary Captain Joslen, Offi-
ciating Principal,
Lahore
Veterinary College.
Veterinary Captain Pease, on
furlough.
Veterinary Lieutenant Sullivan
reverted to Home Establish-
ment.
Veterinary Lieutenant Baldrey,
officiating for
Veterinary
Major Morgan, on furlough.
Veterinary Major Morgan, on
furlough.
Veterinary Lieutenant Edwards
reverted to Military duty.
Veterinary Lieutenant Holmes
is appointed to Madras, but is
Officiating Assistant to Inspec-
tor General temporarily.
These officers are filling ap-
pointments in place of Vete-
rinary Major Morgan and
Veterinary Captain Pease,
on furlough.
457. From the above it will be seen that there were two reversions
viz.:—
Veterinary Lieutenant Sullivan.
„ „ Edwards.