60
small hardy bullocks of Sind which are capable of standing extremes of
temperature and a rough life are suitable and sufficient in numbers for present
requirements. Visits to many villages showed there is growing stock from all
ages, whilst there are cows enough to continue their production. Although the
condition of the cows leaves much to be desired they apparently manage to
perform what is chiefly required of them.
15. It should not be concluded that because serious epidemics occur here
and there from time to time that it follows they must be continually ripe all
over Sind. I do not accept statements that diseases are serious unless it is
reported by some responsible people who have actually witnessed them. Each
Mukhtiárkar and Tápadár I have met has been requested by me to give earnest
attention to the state of cattle, etc., and to bring outbreaks to notice immediately
they occur.
16. I am by no means in a position to yet say definitely whether the
Province is, generally speaking, a healthy country for animals which one
Collector has declared it to be, but as far as my short experience goes and from
what I have gathered I am inclined to agree with him. That the country
contains every ill the flesh of stock is heir to I am pretty well convinced, but
they do not occur to such an extent as to cause shortage; if they do the informa-
tion is not forthcoming, nor have complaints been made that I am aware of. (It
has been argued that villagers try to hide disease from the authorities hence many
outbreaks are never brought to light. Serious epidemics should be difficult to
hide.)
17. Three of the Collectors who have been good enough to furnish me
with their opinions on the note referred to above are in general agreement with
the statements I have made therein; and the weekly season reports continue to
show that the state and the health of the cattle are satisfactory.
18. Under the circumstances it does not appear necessary to raise
a very strong subordinate Veterinary Department in the Province, so that
Mr. Hewlett's carefully and considerately drawn up scheme will answer admir-
ably for the present and near future. When it has been established we shall
get more exact information on all points which will be a guide to see whether
the Department should be added to or otherwise.
19. I think it is essential in order to carry out his scheme that youth
should be annually selected from the Province for training at one of the
Veterinary Colleges, owing to the difficulty there is to recruit graduates from
the Presidency Proper except at abnormal rates of pay. I suggested this many
months ago, but as yet they have not been found.*
20. My Head Clerk Ganda Mall Soori has been under me on and off for
the past eleven years and as usual with him he has worked hard and possesses
the quality of being reliable and accurate. He is a very deserving officer.
21. The usual Tables are herewith enclosed.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
A. S. TRYDELL, I. C. V. D., Major,
Superintendent,
Indian Civil Veterinary Department,
Sind, Baluchistan and Rájputána.
* In the meantime Baluchistan has secured three candidates who have gone to the Punjab
Veterinary College, and who on qualifying will serve the Government for not less than three years,
on a salary commencing at Rs, 30 per month. They have not been attracted by a settled subordinate
Department, the starting of which is to be discussed shortly.