20
Shikárpur (Itinerating).
77. Veterinary Graduate Laskari.—The total number of cases treated
during the year was 455 against 488 last year. Out
of the above number 52 were horses, 354 cattle, and
the remainder camels, sheep, &c. The Veterinary Graduate attended outbreaks
of aptha epizootica, pleuro-pneumonia, variola vaccina,
fluke disease and rinderpest. None of these outbreaks
assumed serious proportions and generally subsided under
the measures taken by him. He also attended the Gov-
ernment stallions in the district and checked produce
results and attended the Quetta and Shikárpur horse-
shows. The report is not satisfactory, shows no pro-
gress, and compares unfavourably with other dispensaries
in the Presidency.
Of those treated.
Cases cured …
Do. relieved ...
Do. incurable ...
Do. unknown ...
Do. died …
Do. remaining
Total ...
316
11
3
41
77
7
455
Summary.
78. The progress under this head satisfactorily continues throughout the
Presidency. There were 12 stationary and 4 itinerat-
ing dispensaries working during the year under report.
The total number of animals treated amounted to 17,554 against 14,315 last
year, and the percentage of cured and relieved is 82.93. The slight decrease in
the percentage of cured and relieved is most probably due to the fact that owners
remove their cattle before they are either cured or relieved, and the result has to
be entered under the column " Unknown ".
79. Thirty-two cases of castration are reported by the Veterinary Gradu-
ates, showing an increase of 13 over last year. It is still unsatisfactory, especial-
ly in Shikárpur, a well-known horse-breeding district where two Graduates only
castrated one colt.
VI.—TOURS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT.
80. The Remount Agent and myself again visited the following studs in
Káthiáwár during the year :—Bhávnagar, Wánkáner, Pálitána and Cutch, and
obtained 18 head of young stock. It is very satisfactory to note that a steady
progress is being made, and a system which, when first established, looked so
very unpromising should, in a few years, yield such good results.
As arranged by me last year, a detailed tour was made through Upper Sind
for the first time for the purpose of branding mares, &c. The horse-breeding
parts of this Province have been divided into two parts, one of which will be toured
through annually.
Northern Horse.
81. With reference to Government Resolution, Revenue Department, No.
8641, dated Bombay Castle, 6th November 1895, and
subsequent correspondence on the subject, I have col-
lected the following information with a view of endeavouring to show how neces-
sary it is under present conditions that every inducement should be held out to
the northern dealer to import a better class of animal for Native Cavalry than he
does at present and that no restrictions should be placed on him at the shows
held in Sind. It is a well-known fact that the requirements of Native Cavalry
Regiments annually are so great that India proper (including the Arab market)
is not capable of supplying their wants, and the question now arises as to whether
the northern market should be further tapped and more encouragement offered
to the dealers, whether the practice of buying small Walers is sound and to be
encouraged, or whether it would not be more profitable to adopt a modified rear-
ing system throughout all Native Cavalry Regiments, whereby the produce of
the country could be utilized and not allowed, as at present, to drift into other
hands than those of Government. Until such times as we can utilize the re-
sources of the country it behoves us to endeavour to improve the present supply,
and with that view I have consulted all officers commanding Native Cavalry Regi-
ments in India as to the number of northern horses in their ranks. As far as I
amiable to gather, the term " Northern horse " is so vague and confusing that many
officers call any animal bred either on or beyond our frontier a northern horse.
This is a point I should like to make clear, and endeavour to show that until