111
mismanagement on the part of the syce, the donkey refused to cover. Steps will be
taken to replace him at an early date if such is the case.
648. The Officer Commanding, 1st Regiment, Central India Horse, states
that he is of opinion that mule-breeding will make considerable advance with the
Regiment and in the district within the next few years.
KURRUM.
Horse and Mule-
breeding beyond
the Border.
649. The Commissioner and Superintendent, Peshawar Division, having,
in a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary to the Government of the Punjab,
expressed his opinion that the question of mule-breeding in Kurrum should not
be allowed to drop, and His Honor the Lieutenant-Governor having stated that
he would be glad if a donkey could be sent to the Political Officer on Special
duty in the Kurrum, arrangements have been made for one to be sent. The
covering months in the Kurrum Valley would appear to be from April to Sep-
tember; it has, therefore, been arranged that the donkey should remain there
during the whole year, if there is any probability of his covering 60 mares; if
however, the mares fall much short of this number, it has been arranged that he
should return for work in the Punjab during the cold weather when most mares
are covered. This arrangement will obviate the loss of a donkey stallion which
I anticipated in my last Administration Report, and will also meet the wishes of
the Authorities.
Mule-breeding
in Dir, Swat, and
Chitral.
650. In July last, the Political Agent for Dir, Swat, and Chitral informed this
Department that the people in Chitral territory possessed a large number of mares,
and further that they were prepared to undertake mule-breeding if a good donkey
could be furnished for them. He asked whether a good Afghan donkey could be
procured. Further correspondence on the subject followed, but evidently owing
to the disturbances on the Frontier no further reply has been received. I am well
aware that the people of Swat purchase young mule stock largely in our Fairs; it
might, therefore, be well to encourage them to breed mules for themselves. The
Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North Punjab, will therefore be
asked to address the Political Agent again on the subject.
Cleansing of
Horse Boxes.
651. This subject which has now been under discussion has at last received the
sanction of all railways with the exception of the Bombay Baroda and Central
India Railway which has not adopted Rule 2 on the broad gauge section of their
railway, which provides for the cleansing of horse boxes en route, on the grounds
that the distances on this section are so short that there is practically no need for
it. They have, however, adopted the rules in their entirety on the metre-gauge
section of the railway. As these rules have now been adopted on all lines, it may
be convenient to reproduce them here to facilitate reference :—
1. Every horse-box. cattle-truck, or vehicle used for the conveyance of animals shall, on every occasion after an
animal is taken out of it, and before any other animal is placed therein, be cleaned and disinfected as follows :—
(i) The floor of the vehicle and all other parts thereof with which the droppings of the animal have come in
contact shall be scraped and swept, and all dung, fodder, litter, scrapings, sweepings and other matter
shall be effectually removed therefrom.
(ii) The floor and sides of the vehicle, and all other parts thereof with which the head or any discharge from
the month or nostrils of the animal has come in contact, shall be thoroughly washed with water by
means of a sponge, brush, or other instrument.
(iii) The same parts of the vehicle, shall have applied to them a coating of lime-wash or other disinfecting
fluid.
(iv) The scrapings and sweepings from the vehicle and all dung, fodder, litter and other matter removed
therefrom, shall be forthwith burnt or well mixed with quicklime and be effectually removed from
contact with animals.
2. At principal stations where a train halts for any time, Station Masters should see that horse-boxes on the
train containing horses are cleaned out through the trap doors in front and rear, before au engine is attached to
the train.
652. One point to which I drew attention, and which has been circulated to all
railways is, that after a box has been lime-washed it should be allowed to dry and
the lime should than be carefully brushed off; this I consider necessary, as cases
of injury to the eyes and nostrils had been brought to my notice.
It now only remains to appoint some inspecting agency as I fear that unless
this is done the rules will in some cases not be acted upon.
Trial of new
Veterinary
Preparations.
653. As new preparations of drugs are available they are tried as far as
money will allow of this being done. During the year under review, a trial was
made with "Cyona," a preparation said to be of value in the treatment of wounds,