ANNUAL REPORT
ON THE
CIVIL VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, BENGAL
FOR THE YEAR 1909-1910.
PREFACE AND GENERAL ADMINISTRATION.
1. During the year under report, I held charge of the Department as
Superintendent, from the 1st of April to the 18th of August 1909, and from
22nd of December to the 31st of March 1910, being on leave home during
the intermediate period. Colonel Raymond acted for me in addition to his
own duties as Principal of the Bengal Veterinary College. I spent 141
days on tour, and travelled 1,030 miles by road, and 9,816 miles by rail.
Although absent for a considerable period, during the year, most of the
Dispensaries and Itinerating Assistants have been inspected.
2. During my tours, I was fortunate in being present at two severe
outbreaks of anthrax in Palamau and Darjeeling Terai in May. In both cases
microscopical and bacteriological examinations were carried out, and from
materials supplied by me, the diagnosis was confirmed at the laboratory attached
to the Bengal Veterinary College. I also attended the outbreaks of rinderpest
in Darjeeling and of glanders at Burdwan, Hooghly and Kandi. The most
important cattle fairs and shows were inspected, as well as the cattle breeding
farms at Pusa, Siripur and Kalimpong.
3. The inspecting staff is still very low, as only five Inspectors were
available for mufassal work. During the year, the province was divided into
five circles, with an Inspector in charge of each. They have been made
responsible for the efficiency of the dispensaries and Itinerating Assistants
under them. This arrangement is working satisfactorily, but the districts are
still too large to admit of really satisfactory inspection.
4. A sum of Rs. 10,000 was sanctioned by Government last year, as a
contribution towards the cost of the introduction of the reorganisation
scheme, but it was not brought into operation during the year.
PART I.-VETERINARY INSTRUCTION.
5. The practice of sending Veterinary Assistants to Muktesar was dis-
continued last year. All graduates now receive training in inoculation at
the Bengal Veterinary College, before their diplomas are granted to them.
Some Inspectors and Veterinary Assistants were sent to Belgachia, for a
course of training in laboratory methods and general practice. This sys-
tem will be extended each year, and should lead to most satisfactory
results.
PART. II-TREATMENT OF DISEASE.
6. Contagious diseases.—Table II shows the number of deaths from
contagious diseases. The total mortality among equines and bovines was 386
and 17,645, respectively, against 301 and 16,456 of the previous year.
7. These statistics have been compiled as in previous years, from the
returns sent in to the Magistrates by the chaukidars through the police. A
marked improvement has been noticed in the accuracy of the reports which the
chaukidars are now submitting. The Inspector-General of Police has, during
the year, issued orders that careful records of outbreaks shall be kept at all
thanas, and he has also granted permission to the Assistants to inspect the regis-
ters, so that a check may be placed on the returns. The increase in the number
of the deaths recorded is due more to these inspections, than to any actual
increase in the number of outbreaks over those of previous years, as disease is
prevalent during the greater part of the year, but is not reported. All districts