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PART I.—IMPERIAL REPORT.
B.—REVENUE SECTION.
V.—BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY.
Bacteriological
Laboratory.
500. Great complaints were received at the time of Professor Koch's visit that
the Laboratory was in an incomplete state. Dr. Lingard was therefore asked to
submit a clear statement showing what the actual requirements were, in order to
put this establishment in a thoroughly complete condition.
501. After dealing with this question for some time, it was decided by the
Government of India that it would be advisable to direct Dr. Lingard to proceed
to Simla in order to enable me, in consultation with him, to frame some scheme for
the completion of the Laboratory, and to draw up an estimate showing the cost of
the extra establishment; and having done this, a conference was held consisting
of The Hon'ble Sir J. Woodburn, K. C. S. I., Mr. Ibbetson, C. S. I., Dr. Lingard
and myself, at which the various points under consideration were discussed, amongst
which were the following.
502. The appointment of a Veterinary Officer as Assistant Bacteriologist.
In October 1896, Mr. Bamber resigned the appointment; it was then decided to
allow Dr. Lingard to visit England to select his own Assistant; his choice fell
on Dr. Stephens who arrived in India on 5th April 1897. He, however, asked to
be allowed to resign the appointment very soon after his arrival at Muktesar, viz:
on 23rd June 1897. The question as to his successor had therefore to be
considered.
503. Taking into consideration the fact that we were dealing solely with
animals, I felt that it was imperatively necessary that an Officer of the Veterinary
Department should be at Muktesar. I therefore recommended that an Officer of
the Army Veterinary Department should be appointed as Assistant Bacteriologist,
which recommendation received the sanction of the Government of India. The
duties of this Officer are to conduct all inoculations under the orders of Dr. Lingard,
to carefully record all clinical observations made on inoculated cattle, and to
generally supervise the work carried out at the various cattle sheds; to assist Dr.
Lingard in Bacteriological work inside the Laboratory, which he will soon be in
a position to do with a little training.
504. Another most important duty connected with this appointment is that
of providing fodder for cattle. Dr. Lingard has neither the time nor does he
understand practical farming; he will therefore be relieved of duties which cannot
be said to be part of those connected with his appointment as a Bacteriologist.
505. Veterinary-Lieutenant Walker was appointed, and joined the Laboratory
on 15th December 1897. I feel convinced that if given a free hand in work
outside the Laboratory, that the duties will be well performed, and that if given
assistance in the Laboratory itself, he will, with his zeal, ability, and fondness for
work, soon become of great use to Dr. Lingard.
506. The next point to be considered was the buildings which were still
required to complete the Laboratory. These were all carefully considered in
consultation with Dr. Lingard, and were sanctioned by Government. At an interview
with Mr. Polwhele, the Executive Engineer, Naini Tal District, after my inspection
at Muktesar I was informed that a sum of Rs. 21,000 in addition to the amount
sanctioned would be required to complete the works. I trust that the amount will
be forthcoming at once so that we may be in a position to say that the Laboratory
is complete, and that work, in real earnest, may be commenced.
507. The establishment of cattle required to be kept, was carefully considered,
and it was decided to ask Government to sanction:—
40 for the prosecution of Professor Koch's experiments,
40 for further Rinderpest experiments,
and in all, the purchase of 100 head of cattle during the year. This proposal also
met with the approval of the Government of India.
508. The question of establishment was carefully considered. This had
to be revised and added to, owing to the extra establishment of cattle to be