NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
28
Mr. Oliver seconded the resolution and it was carried unani-
mously.
In connection with the treatment of surra, several members
referred to having obtained promising results, but on a limited scale,
and all emphasized the urgent necessity for further experimental
research in this direction.
The President, in bringing the discussion to a close, laid stress
on the need for further research and said that this would be embodied
in resolutions under Subject IX.
SUBJECT VI.—RINDERPEST. THE APPLICABILITY OF THE DIFFEREN
METHODS OF INOCULATION AGAINST THE DISEASE TO COND
IN INDIA, INCLUDING A DISCUSSION OF THE PRESENT POSITIO
FROM THE SCIENTIFIC AND FINANCIAL POINTS OF VIEW.
Colonel Walker, in opening the discussion, admitted that the
results of the serum alone method were not altogether satisfactory,
and said that the time had arrived when the possibility of intro-
ducing the simultaneous method into general practice might be con-
sidered. In some parts, villagers were beginning to ask for protec-
tive inoculation for their cattle, and he thought that a start might
be made by inoculating the young stock, which were not very
valuable, by the simultaneous method ; it might, however, be neces-
sary for Local Governments to provide some form of compensation
in case of deaths.
Mr. Sheather, referring to Mr. Ware's note on the difficulty of
obtaining virus for the incculations (Appendix C), said that the
period during which the blood retained its virulence was very
variable and could not be defined even under the most favourable
conditions. There was therefore a difficulty in the way of des-
patching virus to great distances. To produce virus on the spot,
highly susceptible animals are required as otherwise its virulence
would become attenuated. These might be either native hill cattle
or half-breds, though owners might not care to sacrifice the latter.
Mr. Shilston described the method of despatching virus for
inoculations at the military dairies, and gave some details of the
results obtained which had been very satisfactory.
Mr. Oliver referred to the very serious objection that Indians
would have to the simultaneous method on account of their religious
feelings.
The President mentioned the very successful results obtained by
the department in carrying out inoculations by the serum alone
method, and said that the work of overcoming opposition might have
to be repeated if the simultaneous method were introduced.
29
Colonel Walker proposed the following resolution :—
Resolution XII.
" That when an adequate and sufficiently trained staff is available,
the question of adopting the simultaneous method of inoculation
against rinderpest more generally might be taken up as being more
economical and more effective."
The proposal was unanimously accepted by the meeting.
SUBJECT VII.—BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS. IS THE DISEASE WIDELY
DISSEMINATED IN INDIA AND, IF SO, WHAT MEASURES, IF ANY,
SHOULD BE TAKEN TO CONTROL ITS SPREAD ?
The President said that he had a request from the Quartermaster-
General for information regarding the prevalence of the disease in
India, and that he would be glad to hear the views of officers in the
various provinces.
Mr. Oliver said that he thought he was safe in saying that no
really scientific enquiry had yet been carried out in India as to the
incidence of tuberculosis in cattle. Veterinary officers could duly
express an opinion based on cases that had come to their notice and,
considering the vast numbers of cattle in the country, any opinion
could be of little value until a systematic investigation had been
carried out. In the United Provinces, a start had been made
some years ago at Cawnpore, when 3 per cent. of the cattle at the
slaughter houses were found to be affected with tuberculosis , but
want of officers prevented the enquiry being extended to other
cities. It was asserted that tuberculosis was much less prevalent
than in Europe but no accurate details were at present available,
and it was the duty of the department to study the question sys-
tematically.
Colonel Smith stated that in Calcutta, during the past 23 years,
twenty-nine cases had come to notice, but several of these were from
the Zoological Gardens. In the slaughter houses, an average of
about one case a year was discovered. Several investigations had
been made in this connection and the conclusion arrived at was
that tuberculosis was very uncommon in cattle in Bengal.
Major Hewlett said that they had found no evidence of tuber-
culosis in cattle in Bombay slaughter houses.
Mr. Aitchison stated that no particular search had been made
in Madras, but the disease was not very prevalent. Three cases
had recently come to his notice.
Mr. Harris and Mr. Quinlan both stated that no cases had been
found in their respective provinces—Assam and Bihar and Orissa.
c2
30
Mr. G. Taylor referred to the large number of cases of tuberculosis
which he had found in the slaughter houses at Ferozepore and
Simla as shown in his article in the " Indian Journal of Medical
Research." At Ferozepore, about three per cent. of the cattle
slaughtered were found to be infected. So far the disease had been
found almost entirely as the result of inspections at slaughter houses,
but it was evident that the disease was fairly prevalent in Northern
India. The conditions under which cattle were kept in the Punjab
during the cold weather favoured the spread of infection.
Colonel Pease stated that many cases had been found in bovines,
and a few also in camels, at the Lahore Veterinary College.
Mr. Sheather pointed out the necessity for experimental investi-
gation into the type of organism responsible for the infection of
cattle in India, the susceptibility of Indian cattle and the virulence
of the organism occurring in Indian cattle suffering from tuberculosis.
The majority of the cases reported appeared to have been of a
chronic nature with lesions restricted practically to the thoracic
glands.
Several members referred to the unsatisfactory results following
the subcutaneous injection of tuberculin in India which are mainly
due to the variations in the climatic conditions of the country.
Mr. Sheather suggested that the ophthalmic test should be
applied.
Mr. G. Taylor proposed the resolution—
Resolution XIII.
" That the need for investigation of the whole question of tuber=
culosis in India was urgent and should be emphasized in resolutions
framed under Subject IX."
This was seconded by Col. Smith and carried unanimously.
SUBJECT VIII.—THE CONTROL OF RABIES IN INDIA.
Mr. Quirke opened the discussion by referring to the difficulties
which he had encountered in enforcing measures to control rabies
and asked what steps were being taken in other provinces.
An informal discussion took place during which the difficulties
of dealing with the large number of stray dogs in the country was
clearly demonstrated.
Colonel Pease suggested that powers should be obtained to
destroy rabid dogs. Major Hewlett and Mr. Aitchison supported
this proposal, and suggested the necessity for licensing all dogs and
adopting systematic measures for the destruction of stray dogs.
31
Colonel Walker proposed the following resolution:—
Resolution XIV.
"That it is considered that any suitable measure that can be
adopted for reducing and destroying the surplus population of dogs
is desirable, but that it does not appear to be possible under the condi-
tions prevailing in India to deal more effectively with the disease.
Power should be given to veterinary practitioners to order the deten-
tion and destruction of dogs suffering from rabies."
This resolution was unanimously accepted by the meeting.
SUBJECT IX.—IN VIEW OF THE NECESSITY OF PROGRESS IN THE
FIELD OF RESEARCH, THE METHOD BY WHICH IT SHOULD BE
BROUGHT ABOUT AND THE MEANS BY WHICH RESEARCH AND
EXECUTIVE BRANCHES SHOULD BE CO-ORDINATED.
Colonel Walker said that there was a feeling that the present
staff at the Muktesar Laboratory was very largely occupied in routine
work and could not get into as close a touch with the executive
officers of the provinces as was desirable. The question was whether
each province did not require a laboratory of its own with an officer
to carry out investigations into local diseases. This again raised
the point relating to the necessity for a head of the department
to co-ordinate the work of these officers.
Mr. Taylor stated that the whole question of research in connec-
tion with problems of animal husbandry should be under the direction
of the veterinary department as resolved in Resolution VI
under Subject IV. The department ought to widen its field of
research both on the physiological and pathological sides, The
need for research had been strongly emphasized throughout the
discussions of the Conference and he urged that an institute for
this purpose ought to be established. Such an institution as he
contemplated should be an integral part of the Civil Veterinary
Department. There would probably be difficulty in obtaining men
trained in the various branches of research, but he thought that
officers would be able to specialize in their own subjects after appoint-
ment. The institution could also undertake the post-graduate
training of Indian graduates and of officers recruited from England.
He suggested that Government should be asked to provide an
increased staff for. the Muktesar Laboratory to enable the investi-
gation of the more urgent problems to be undertaken without delay,
and to allow research officers to visit the provinces for this purpose.
Mr. Howlett referred to his proposal for the provision of labora-
tories and staff for the study of insect parasitology, the details of
which (Appendix D) had been circulated among the members.
Under this proposal, one officer would be deputed for research in
32
veterinary entomology and would be partially under the control
of the head of the veterinary department.
Mr. Sheather pointed out that with the present staff research
work was practically impossible at Muktesar; routine serum work
and administration occupied a very large portion of the time of the
officers. There were other difficulties in the way of research at
Muktesar: isolation rendered the place difficult of access and
diseases could not be investigated under natural conditions.
Muktesar had, for all practical purposes, reached its limit of ex-
pansion, was absorbed in serum preparation and, for the investiga-
tion of zootechnical problems, was quite unsuitable. With the
completion and expansion of the new laboratory at Bareilly, many
of these difficulties would be eliminated but the necessity for
experimental stations in the various provinces would still remain.
The. President remarked that there appeared to be three courses
open: (a) to finish and expand the new laboratory at Bareilly,
(6) to establish a new central research institute, or (c) to make
provision for research at the veterinary colleges. Mr. Clouston
referred to the necessity for research officers in the provinces but
stated that they should be under the control of the head of the central
institute and not under the local departments.
The President then moved the following resolution:—
Resolution XV.
"That in order to deal with the physiological problems of animal
husbandry in India it is necessary to have a fully equipped central
research institute with an adequate staff. The Muktesar and Bareilly
Laboratories, if the necessary staff is supplied, might be developed
into a central institute of the kind proposed. In view, however,
of climatic and other considerations, it may be necessary to consider
alternative sites. The staff should be sufficient to permit of the
deputation of officers to work out problems in collaboration with
provincial veterinary officers either at provincial laboratories or in
the field.
The resolution was seconded by Colonel Smith and carried
unanimously.
It was then proposed by Colonel Farmer:—
Resolution XVI.
"That the Meeting is in favour of the creation of a separate
organization for the study of the insect parasites of men and animals,
the connection with the Civil Veterinary Department being on the
lines suggested by Mr. Howlett in his note." (Appendix D.)
The resolution was carried unanimously.
33
SUBJECT X.—WHETHER, IN VIEW OF THE SECTIONAL MEETING OP
VETERINARY OFFICERS, IT WILL BE NECESSARY FOR THEM TO
ATTEND THE FULL MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
The President pointed out that when the post of Inspector
General of the Civil Veterinary Department was abolished, 11 officers
of that department and the Imperial Bacteriologist were elected
members of the Board of Agriculture. He felt that the time of
veterinary officers was largely wasted in attending the full meetings
of the Board of Agriculture and that the present meeting, from
the veterinary point of view, had been far more successful and
Valuable. He asked whether it was the opinion of the Conference
that veterinary officers should attend the meetings of the Board
of Agriculture.
Colonel Walker thought that veterinary officers should attend
the Board of Agriculture meetings in the event of subjects of veteri-
nary interest coming up for discussion, and proposed—
Resolution XVII.
"That it should be left to the Agricultural Adviser to the Gov=
ernment of India to determine whether veterinary officers should be
invited to the meetings or not.
The proposal was carried.
Major Hewlett proposed—
Resolution XVIII.
"That for the present, meetings of veterinary officers should
be held annually.
Mr. Ware seconded the proposal and it was carried unanimously.
Mr. Quirke proposed—
Resolution XIX.
"That all members of the Civil Veterinary Department should be
invited to future meetings.
The proposal was carried.
Mr. Oliver suggested that the Government of the United Pro-
vinces should be requested to arrange for the next meeting of
Veterinary Officers to be held at Lucknow.
SUBJECT XI.—THE PREVENTION OF CONTAGIOUS ANIMAL DISEASES
IN INDIA. VOLUNTARY versus COMPULSORY SEGREGATIONS.
THE NECESSITY FOR FURTHER LEGISLATION.
The President pointed out that at present the whole of the legal
powers possessed by the Civil Veterinary Department were con-
tained in the Dourine Act, the Glanders and Farcy Act and the
Live Stock Importation Act, supplemented in the case of Madras
by a Cattle Diseases Act. In Burma, the diseases of cattle are
dealt with under the Village Act.
34
Mr. Ware said that the Cattle Diseases Act had proved valuable
in Madras in dealing with cases of cattle disease at fairs and else-
where, but circumstances frequently prevented it from being put
into operation.
Colonel Walker thought that legislation was bound to come more
particularly in connection with enforcing inoculation but, at pre-
sent, it was impossible to make such legislation. Even in Madras,
although the Act gave power to the veterinary officer to order
slaughter, this power was not used.
Mr. Oliver thought that it would be inadvisable to seek powers
to compel inoculation, but it might be advisable to obtain them to
prohibit movements and thereby to compel owners to agree to ino-
culation before permitting movement of their animals.
Colonel Walker thought that legislation was desirable as it would
show that the veterinary department wished to be in a position to
deal with the problem, even if it would not be enforced for some-
time.
Mr. Ware proposed the following resolution:—
Resolution XX.
"That in the opinion of the Meeting some form of legislation
is necessary to deal with cattle diseases, especially as regards segrega=
tion and the movements of cattle, and that such legislation should be
introduced, when possible.
The resolution was put to the Conference and carried.
SUBJECT XII.—THE FOSTERING OF THE ANIMAL INDUSTRY IN INDIA.
THE EFFECT THAT THE INTRODUCTION ON A CONSIDERABLE
SCALE OF EXOTIC BREEDS OF ANIMALS, PARTICULARLY CATTLE
FOR MATING WITH INDIGENOUS BREEDS, WOULD HAVE WITH
REGARD TO EPIDEMIC DISEASES.
The discussion was opened by Mr. Cattell who was opposed to
the introduction of exotic breeds.
Mr. Sayer referred to the Pusa herd and to the policy of selling
half-bred bulls. He said that in future no more of these bulls would
be sold except to planters and others who understood the position
and who wished to build up a dairy herd. Half-bred animals were
undoubtedly more liable to diseases such as rinderpest.
Colonel Walker said that the question had received scant atten-
tion in the past but it must now be considered seriously. A demand
was springing up for Indian cattle and the breeding of the best
types should be encouraged. The buyers of Indian cattle were
looking out for good, pure-bred animals and not for cross-breds.
35
Hence, research in animal husbandry was essential. He discussed
the breeding of pure types and the dual purpose animal from Indian
breeds. He thought that the dangers associated with cross-bred
animals should not be exaggerated, and said that the veterinary
department was prepared to deal with the question. He referred to
the uneconomic practice of keeping old and useless cattle alive,
and pointed out that the buffalo was a hindrance in some ways to
the breeding of good Indian cattle.
Mr. Sayer thought that owners who were sufficiently progressive
to take up half-bred animals as milk producers would willingly
accept simultaneous inoculation for the protection of their animals
against rinderpest. Colonel Pease said that the whole purpose of
the breeding of half-bred cattle was for the production of milk,
but, as a general policy, he considered the system wrong. There were
several good breeds of Indian cattle, but their breeding has been
neglected. Experiments with Brittany cattle had shown that when
the cross-bred stock were turned out in the villages, they gave little
more milk than the indigenous cattles; when kept under good condi-
tions, however, their milk yield was considerably higher. He referred
to the danger of increasing the virulence of certain diseases by passage
through cattle of imported strain owing to their greater suscepti-
bility.
Colonel Farmer described the breeding operations which had
been carried out at the Hissar farm. He thought that one of the
main reasons of the deterioration of stock in the villages was the
large number of inferior bulls that were left uncastrated, and said
that during recent years the veterinary department of the Punjab
had carried out castrations to a greatly increased extent.
Mr. Clouston said that in the Central Provinces there was no
indigenous breed with good milking qualities. Imported bulls were
being used, but the breeding operations were under strict super-
vision; cross-breeding experiments with other Indian breeds for the
purpose of improving milk production were also in progress. He
urged that the chief aim should be to encourage the growth of fodder
crops to properly feed the animals before attempts were made
to improve the breeds.
Colonel Walker then proposed the following resolution:—
Resolution XXI.
"That except in special cases, where rapid milk production is
required and where efficient control is established, the general impor=
tation of exotic breeds of cattle is not to be recommended at present.
The main policy should be the improvement of indigenous breeds by
selection."
36
Colonel Farmer seconded the proposal and it was carried un-
animously.
At the close of the proceedings, Colonel G. K. Walker proposed a
vote of thanks to the President, and referred to the very sympathetic
attitude which he had always adopted towards the veterinary de-
partment. Mr. Oliver seconded the motion which was carried
unanimously.
Colonel Farmer proposed a vote of thanks to the Secretary, which
was seconded by Mr. Quirke and carried unanimously.
The meeting then came to a close.
37
List of Resolutions passed at the First Meeting of Veterinary Officers
in India, held at Lahore from the 24th to 26th March, 1919.
Subject I.
1. That the report of the sub-committee (on Veterinary Educa-
tion) be adopted.
2. That the meeting of the Principals of the Veterinary Colleges
to revise the curricula should be held in Calcutta.
Subject II.
3. That this meeting is of opinion that the importance
of establishing veterinary dispensaries with a staff adequate to
deal with outbreaks away from headquarters should be impressed
on Local Governments and on District Boards.
Subject III.
4. In view of the depleted staff of the department, it is not con-
sidered expedient or feasible to raise the question (Revival of the
"Journal of Tropical Veterinary Science") at present.
Subject IV.
5. That this meeting is of opinion that the present consti-
tution and organization of the Civil Veterinary Department are
utterly inadequate to cope with the work demanded of it, and it,
therefore, respectfully represents to the Government of India the
absolute necessity of filling up all existing vacancies in the Indian
Civil Veterinary Department without delay, and would emphasize
the importance of a large expansion of all provincial work of the
country.
6. That the department should be placed in a position to deal
with the diseases of animals, veterinary instruction and all operations
for improving the breeds of horses and agricultural stock in India.
7. The report (of the sub-committee on reorganization of the
Civil Veterinary Department) was unanimously adopted by the
Meeting.
8. That the report of the sub-committee (on Veterinary Educa-
tion dealing with the constitution of the staffs at the veterinary
colleges) be adopted.
9. That the Government of India should be asked to include
in the list of officers of the Civil Veterinary Department the names
of all officers of Provincial Cadre classified under separate provinces.
10. That a central authority in the person of a Director General
is required to initiate and co-ordinate the work. He should be a
specially selected officer with experience in each branch, if possible,
and he should be given some measure of authority over the officers
of the department.
Subject V.
11. That it be recommended to the Government of India that
in Section 8, Clause (b), of the Dourine Act, the word "microscopical"
be omitted.