20
(3).—Treatment, Vaccination, &c.
61. Out of 19 districts from which cattle-disease reports were received
during the year, 11 districts had the advantage of the services of Veterinary
Graduates. The Veterinary Graduate specially deputed to Ratnágiri still
continues to work in that district, and a Graduate has lately been deputed to
treat outbreaks in the Kolába District. It is to be regretted that the Collector
of Kánara, in whose district cattle-disease has been so severe during the past
3 or 4 years, has expressed his disinclination to move the Local Board to employ
the services of a Veterinary Graduate for a few years as suggested by the Survey
Commissioner and Director of Land Records and Agriculture, owing to want of
funds and to the fact that the people will not allow their cattle to be treated by
a Veterinary Graduate. This difficulty has not been experienced in other parts
of the Presidency, and I think that it is only a matter of time when villagers
will of their own free will segregate affected cattle, as reports received this
year are very much more satisfactory on this particular point. Several native
drugs are reported to have been used by the owners, but it is difficult to ascertain
how far they proved efficacious. No recourse to preventive vaccination has yet
been had in this Presidency.
VI.—CATTLE-BREEDING, INCLUDING CATTLE FAIRS AND SHO
Cattle-breeding.
62. Enquiries were made throughout the Presidency of the number of
stud bulls kept by Local Boards and elicited the following answers:—
1st—In the Panch Maháls a bull was bought by the Board in 1891
and has since been handed over to a herdsman with the only stipulation that
he be kept in good condition and no payment he charged for his services.
2nd.—The Hyderabad (Sind) Local Board purchased a bull in 1894 at Ja-
cobabad, and I had an opportunity of seeng him whilst touring in Sind, He was
a very fine specimen of the large and heavy breed that are so famous in the
Kachee Hills, and was stabled at the house of Mir Imám Baksh, a wealthy Zamin-
dár in Sind. He received no exercise; was tied up in a stall and in very high
condition. During the time he had been there he had served some thirty cows,
several of whom had died whilst calving to him, and the majority of the calves
that were born alive were unable to stand the climate, and died before reaching
maturity. The Zamindárs were naturally averse to utilizing his services, and
the well-meant endeavours of the Board did not meet with the success it
deserved.
I simply quote this case as an example of the evil effects of endeavouring
to introduce a foreign bull out of all proportion to the size of the indigenous
cows, and to show how necessary it is, when attempting to improve the breed of
cattle in this country, that our efforts should be confined to reserving only the
best of that particular class, and that no violent outcross of foreign blood should
be attempted.
A statement has been received from the Hyderabad Local Board that a
bull purchased in February 1897 has during the past year served thirty-six cows,
and that three cows which were served by him early in the year have since calved,
and that one calf died the day after calving.
Cattle Fairs and Shows.
63. No cattle fair and show was held during the year.
V.—VETERINARY INSTITUTION.
Veterinary Dispensaries.
Násik.
64. Veterinary Graduate Reuben.—Inspected on the 9th July 1897, and
found to be in good order. The new dispensary, which
provided accommodation for 8 horses and 12 cattle,
was occupied on the 31st April. During the year 1,024 cases were treated,