NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
11
Khutaghat and Khuria in Bilaspur district and approximately
200 animals were affected.
36. In another severe outbreak amongst bovines at
Sonegaon in Nagpur tahsil 10 animals succumbed. Bovine
Trypanosomiasis was successfully treated with Antimonium
Tartaratum when treatment was a practical measure.
37. Strangles.—32 equines were confirmed for stran-
gles. This disease was reported from Akola, Hoshangabad,
Seoni, Chhindwara and Bilaspur districts. A severe outbreak
at Mangrulpir (Akola district) was soon brought under control
by treatment, segregation, etc.
38. Tetanus.—14 animals were protected against this
disease prior to the performance of major surgical operations.
39. Rabies.—The disease was reported from nearly
every district and 10 valuable dogs were treated with vaccine
with successful results except in two cases, and necessary
advice was given by the staff to those bitten by rabid dogs.
The brains of 4 suspected cases were sent to Kasauli, 1 from
Sohagpur and 3 from Nagpur, the former and two of the
latter were found to contain negri bodies.
40. Fowl Cholera.— 915 birds were protected with anti-
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia serum in 15 outbreaks. The
disease was confirmed by microscope in 52 cases. Most of
the outbreaks were reported from Akola and Nagpur.
41. Spirochætosis.—Spirochætosis
amongst poultry
was reported from many districts. Treatment with Soamin
has been found very successful. 13 outbreaks were confirmed
microscopically.
42. Distemper.—This scourge was reported from all
the big towns of the province. 34 curative and 13 prophylatic
vaccinations were performed. In no instance was the vaccine
supplied free of cost.
43. Other diseases.—Bhowrie and Tiwa (Dengue) in
cattle, Distomiasis in cattle and sheep, Actinomycosis in
cattle, skin diseases in all animals, Typhus in dogs and inter-
nal parasitic diseases from all sorts of animals were also
12
reported. Treatment of ringworm in dogs and other animals
with Petro-Iodine was tried and found successful. A case of
Pyemia in a dog admitted in the Nagpur dispensary was
successfully treated with Auto-Vaccine prepared in the
laboratory.
3. OTHER DISEASES.
44. Medico-legal-cases.—338 certificates and 122 post-
mortem reports were issued by the staff of the department
for the cases sent by the police either for cruelty or for
malicious injury.
45. Five poisoning cases were reported during the year
from Hoshangabad, Bhandara, Bilaspur and Raipur districts.
The stomach contents of animals suspected to have been
poisoned in two cases, one from Harda and another from
Raipur, were sent to the Chemical Examiner, Agra, who
detected arsenic poisoning in the latter. The result of the
examination communicated by the Chemical Examiner as
regards the former was positive.
4. HOSPITALS AND DISPENSARIES.
46. Six new Veterinary dispensaries were opened during
the year at Ralegaon (Yeotmal district), at Pithora and Bhata-
para (Raipur district), at Pandaria (Bilaspur district), the
Dyer Veterinary dispensary at Mohalla (Drug district) and at
Banda (in Saugor district). The total number of Veterinary
dispensaries, including the Rajnandgaon State Veterinary
dispensary, was therefore 95 at the close of the year.
47. The two state dispensaries at Khairagarh and
Raigarh were periodically visited by the Deputy Superin-
tendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Chhattisgarh Division.
48. Buildings.—Minor improvements were carried out
at the Nagpur and Pachmarhi Veterinary dispensaries. The
Veterinary Assistant Surgeon's quarters, the Veterinary
Inspector's quarters and the under-training compounders'
quarters at the Nagpur Veterinary dispensary were taken
over by the Education Department in connection with the
Nagpur University and Science College and buildings in
exchange, with the exception of Veterinary Assistant Surgeon's
quarters, were being reconstructed within the Nagpur Veteri-
nary dispensary compound. It is also contemplated to take
13
over the Nagpur Veterinary Inspector's office and store
rooms and reconstruct a building in exchange. Plans and
estimate for the latter were sanctioned and funds allotted.
49. Additional funds were allotted for constructing
compounder's quarters at Dharni and the work was completed
during the year under report.
50. Proposals for opening a new Veterinary dispensary
at Patan (Jubbulpore district) were under consideration and as
an initial step a Veterinary Assistant Surgeon was stationed at
Patan and placed on special duty for castration and inoculation
work. This arrangement has met the increased demand for
Veterinary aid in that tahsil.
51. The construction of two small rooms in the Veteri-
nary Assistant Surgeon's quarters at Sakoli was undertaken.
52. The Chikhli Veterinary dispensary buildings under
construction last year were completed and occupied during the
year.
53. Sites have been selected at Balapur and Karanja
for construction of complete sets of dispensary buildings at
those places as per standard plan.
54. A new set of buildings for the use of the Dyer
Veterinary dispensary at Mohalla (Drug district) were being
constructed by the Zamindar of Panabaras.
55. The quarters of the Touring Veterinary Assistant
Surgeon, Drug, were re-roofed and the reconstruction of
quarters for Veterinary Assistant Surgeon, compounder and
servants at Baloda Bazar Veterinary dispensary was in hand.
56. Minor improvements to the compounder's quarters
at Yeotmal were effected and a dressing shed at the Betul
dispensary was under construction. Tin sheds were provided
at Darwha and Kelapur for dressing purposes. A dressing
shed at Hatta was also provided.
57. A sum of Rs. 2,000 was raised locally by public
donations for the construction of buildings for the Veterinary
dispensary at Waraseoni and Government sanctioned a grant
of Rs. 2,860 for payment during the current year for the
purpose.
14
58. During the year Touring Veterinary Assistant
Surgeons were posted to the Yeotmal, Buldana and Amraoti
districts and were attached to headquarter dispensaries at
those places. The necessity for providing peripatetic assist-
ants in these important districts had been felt and they have
succeeded in adding to the general efficiency.
59. For want of suitable accommodation the Akola
District Council was unable to open a new dispensary at Risod.
60. The liberality shown by Rai Saheb Kalyan Singh
Tahutdar of Taranga, in making a munificent gift of
Rs. 10,000 and a plot of land worth Rs. 2,000 for construct-
ing Veterinary dispensary buildings at Bhatapara has been
acknowledged by Government and is keenly appreciated by
this department.
61. The number of cases treated by Veterinary Inspec-
tors and Assistants on tour was 445,333 including 55,378
castrations against 383,730 including 35,842 castrations in
the previous year. The number of cases treated at dis-
pensaries was 119,750 including 4,179 castrations as against
111,958 including 3,392 castrations in the past year. The
mofussil cases, i.e., those supplied with medicines but not
brought to the dispensaries, were 194,583 as against 180,499
in the previous year.
III.-BREEDING OPERATIONS.
62. The Agriculture Department has, as usual, under-
taken the work of cattle breeding and the upkeep of breeding
farms, and the officers of this department have done their
best to advance the operations by giving advice on profes-
sional matters and paying regular visits to the farms. Alto-
gether seven Veterinary Assistant Surgeons were placed on
special duty to emasculate unsuitable bulls during the cold
weather. The large number of animals dealt with exceeds
the record figure established last year and shows the increas-
ing popularity of castration by the Burdizzo method. The
Veterinary Assistant Surgeons employed on this work were
distributed as under—
Total
1 in Chhattisgarh Division.
4 in Jubbulpore Division.
1 in Nagpur Division.
1 in Berar Division.
7
15
63. During the year under report 19 cattle fairs and
shows were held at different places in Central Provinces and
Berar as shown in table No. XIV. The cattle fairs at
Singaji (Nimar district), Wun (Yeotmal district), Bairam
(Ellichpur taluq), Garhakota (Saugor district) and
Hirdenagar (Mandla district) were largely attended. Dis-
trict agriculture and cattle shows were organized at Sironcha
(Chanda district), Bemetara (Drug district), Baloda Bazar
and Pithora (Raipur district), Mungeli (Bilaspur district),
Garraghat (Balaghat district), and at the Powarkheda
Government farm (Hoshangabad district). The American
Mission also arranged an agricultural and cattle show at
Jogidongri, Pendra zamindari, Bilaspur district. The depart-
mental staff attended these fairs and shows, opened tempo-
rary dispensaries and arranged lectures on Veterinary matters
supplemented by practical demonstrations at all the important
fairs and shows. Magic lantern slides which were much
appreciated by the public were also exhibited at the Sironcha,
Garraghat, Wun, Mungeli, Pithora, Bemetara and Baloda
Bazar shows. Copies of the Hindi translation of the
treatise on " Some diseases of cattle in India" had brisk
sale at the Mungeli, Pithora, Baloda Bazar and Bemetara
cattle shows.
64. A temporary veterinary stall was opened at the
Sironcha show. Various appliances, instruments and drugs
used in veterinary practice were shown and explained to the
visitors and practical demonstrations were also given. In
the course of these demonstrations 169 ordinary cases were
treated, three minor operations were performed, 149 bulls
were castrated by the Burdizzo method and 45 animals given
trypan blue treatment intravenously. The public greatly
appreciated the work.
IV.—ESTABLISHMENT.
65. Mr. R. V. Pillai continued to work as Temporary
Superintendent in charge of Second Superintendent's office up
to 31st July 1927. He carried out his duties with aptness
and integrity.
66. Rai Saheb Gouri Shanker Shrivastava worked
energetically and supervised the staff of the Chhattisgarh
Division efficiently. He was instrumental in the opening of
several new dispensaries in the division.
16
67. Messrs. Abdul Quadir and Kashi Prasad worked
well and carried on the arduous duties in Berar in a tactful
and efficient manner.
68. Mr. D. M. Swamy worked well and maintained the
efficiency of the staff in the Nerbudda Division.
69. Mr. J. M. Bhatt for want of early training in
bacteriology was found unsuitable to hold charge of labora-
tory.
70. Mr. P. S. Nair worked well since his appointment
as officiating Deputy Superintendent, Laboratory, and carried
out the duties at the laboratory satisfactorily.
71. Mr. Rahim Bux carried out his duties in a satis-
factory manner and efficiently supervised the staff in the
Jubbulpore Division.
72. Subordinate staff.—During the year the strength
of the Veterinary Inspectors remained unchanged at 16.
During the year one Veterinary Inspector was promoted to
the grade of Deputy Superintendent while an officiating
Deputy Superintendent was reverted to the grade of Veter-
inary Inspector. The strength of the Veterinary Assistant
Surgeons at the close of the year was 131 including the two
Veterinary Assistant Surgeons employed at the Rajnandgaon
State Veterinary dispensary. During the year one Veterinary
Inspector was reverted to the select grade of Veterinary
Assistant Surgeon; two Veterinary Assistant Surgeons were
promoted to the Inspector's grade ; one Veterinary Assistant
Surgeon died; three Veterinary Assistant Surgeons resigned,
the services of three Veterinary Assistant Surgeons were
dispensed with and the services of a probationary touring
Veterinary Assistant Surgeon were spared for employment
as a Veterinary Inspector at the Imperial Institute of
Veterinary Research, Muktesar.
73. Recruiting—Fourteen Veterinary Assistant Sur-
geons joined the department of whom three were graduates
of the Bengal Veterinary College, two of the Bombay Veter-
inary College, six of the Madras Veterinary College and three
from the Punjab Veterinary College.
17
V.—GENERAL REMARKS.
74. The Laboratory.—A
still further increase in the
routine work of the laboratory is recorded again this year.
It seems to indicate that an unlimited demand for film
examinations exists.
This is understandable since some
knowledge of the extent to which the animals of this province
harbouring blood Protozoa and other parasites has been
gained. The Deputy Superintendents have been provided
with travelling microscopes for use in outbreaks of Hæmor-
rhagic Septicæmia, Anthrax and Trypanosomiasis. The
present system of sending smears from such cases to Nagpur
for examination before inoculation was undertaken has often
caused delay in getting to work and some complaints have
been made against the system. In order to avoid this delay
in future Deputy Superintendents will be authorized to
examine the blood of animals having typical symptoms on
the spot and if the diagnosis is supported by microscopical
examination they will be empowered to start inoculation at
once. In order to avoid the possibility of gross errors
duplicate smears will be sent as at present to the laboratory
for verification.
A supply of staining material ready for
immediate use has also been distributed to them from the
laboratory. In course of time a small laboratory will become
necessary for each Deputy Superintendent, to be situated at
his headquarters. A Veterinary Assistant Surgeon trained in
laboratory technique could, with advantage, be placed in
charge of each laboratory. It is hoped that this system will
speed up the progress of inoculation.
The laboratory sent out 5,062 dozen glass slides and
number of pipettes, for various bacteriological purposes,
with instructions regarding the use of the same.
10,656 doses of Trypan blau solution amounting to
256,675 c.c. were issued for use in the districts.
152,014 doses, comprising sera
and vaccines, were
issued to the field staff as against 293,455 doses of the last
year for combating the contagious diseases.
Some experiments in connection with " Bursati" were
carried out and they are still in progress; it is too early
to express any opinion on the results achieved.
75. It is extremely likely that many diseases of cattle
in this country may be safely classified as food deficiency
18
diseases. The diet which they received from birth in the
form of milk is notoriously insufficient in quantity, and judging
by the usual condition of cows after calving largely deficient
in proteins and vitamins. The same deficiency exists in the
food stuffs on which they depend for their nourishment during
the remaining portions of their existence. Given large herds
of cattle already affected from birth to maturity by avitami-
noses it is not surprising that a
super-imposition of
pathological conditions
concomitant
with
rinderpest,
hæmorrhagic septicæmia, blackquarttr and the various
piroplasmosis should result in easy infection and subsequent
high mortality.
76. Although babesia in the blood system is an in-
variable concomitant of the piroplasmosis of cattle they are
primarily food deficiency diseases. This is demonstrated by
the fact that medicinal treatment combined with proper
nutrition usually effects a permanent cure, whereas medicinal
treatment alone is merely temporary in its effect.
The
problems which arise when dealing with deficiency diseases
like the piroplasmosis, trypanosomiasis of horses and other
domesticated animals would be nearer solution if we had
more accurate knowledge of the elements of nutrition
requisite to bring about metabolism in the most efficient
manner. In addition to the part played by faulty nutrition
one must take into consideration the impossibility of meta-
bolism being effectively induced without a good and frequent
water-supply, without the necessary elements and salts in
which the body cells engaged in the processes whereby body
tissues are built up cannot function satisfactorily. In certain
tracts in these provinces not only is grazing deficient during
the hot weather, but cattle have frequently to be driven
long distances to obtain water, which even then is stagnant,
evil-smelling and highly charged with products of vegetable
decomposition.
Under such adverse conditions it is not
surprising that they fall an easy prey to diseases both
contagious and non-contagious and more particularly to the
food deficiency diseases.
The question naturally arises:
How are these conditions to be improved ?
(1) By improvement of faulty tanks and other sources
of water-supply.
(2) By adding powdered bone to the feed.
(3) By supply of salt licks.
(4) By providing ensilage pits.
19
The serum Simultaneous method of inoculation to which
a reference was made in paragraph 78 of last year's report
has, I regret to say, made no progress as funds were not.
available. It is hoped that a start will be made this year.
77. The usual practice of training recruits in laboratory
technique and under Divisional Deputy Superintendents has
been maintained. Out of the 14 Veterinary Assistant
Surgeons recruited during the year six went through the
course of training in the laboratory and the remainder were
trained in inoculation and castration method (Burdizzo). At
the end of the year under report the total number of Veteri-
nary Assistant Surgeons was 16 below the
sanctioned
strength. Difficulty in filling up the cadre of 145 assistants
and maintaining that standard will be experienced until some
provincial source of recruitment by way of a college is
provided.
78. The popularity of the Burdizzo method of castra-
tion has increased. District reports contain but one dissent-
ing note regarding the usefulness of the instrument. The
fact that many zamindars and malguzars have presented
these machines for general use speaks for itself.
79. The Central Provinces Veterinary Association was
recognized by the Local Government during the year under
report.
80. The reasons for inability to completely attend the
outbreak reports received in the Raipur, Drug, Bilaspur and
Saugor districts and Rajnandgaon State were (1) the unwieldy
area of each Assistant's jurisdiction, (2) simultaneous receipt
of reports towards the close of the year, and (3) difficult
touring conditions which prevail in the Chhattisgarh Division.
The reports that remained unattended in Seoni and Amraoti
districts were due to the same having been received on the 31st
March 1927, the last working day of the year.
81. The designation of Veterinary Assistants was
changed by the Local Government during the year to that of
Veterinary Assistant Surgeons in consonance with the practice
prevailing in other provinces of India.
82. Agricultural College.—During the year 25 students
of the Agricultural College, Nagpur, 9 of the 4th or final year
course, 7 of the 2nd year (diploma) course and 9 of the
20
2nd year (certificate) course were examined as usual by the
Veterinary Adviser to Government, Central Provinces, in
elementary veterinary subjects and 7, 7, 7, respectively, were
successful. In addition papers were set by me for the Inter-
mediate Examination of the Nagpur University in Agriculture
and Veterinary subjects for students of the Nagpur Agricul-
tural College.
83. Antipathy to inoculation and castration by the
Western methods is still noticed on the part of cattle owners
and met with in backward tracts, such as Melghat taluq,
interior of Betul, Mandla, Drug and Buldana districts and
elsewhere in the province. It is hoped that this prejudice
will disappear in due course.
84. I am unable to assign a reason for the opposition
in the Betul district, especially in the Multai tahsil, against
inoculation. My plans for getting to the root of the trouble
by placing an inspector there did not meet with approval.
85. Considerable improvement is noticed during the
year in the reporting of outbreaks by village officials and the
system of reporting outbreaks by service post card (instead of
the prevailing method of sending outbreak reports in bearing
covers) tended greatly to reduce delays in reporting in the
Nimar district, where it was also introduced.
86. Magic lanterns and sets of specially prepared slides
have been supplied by this office to all Divisional Deputy
Superintendents to assist them in their propaganda business.
87. Fifty-six sanads were awarded during the year to
malguzars and others for rendering help to the staff in carrying
out inoculations and castrations.
88. No publications were contributed by the members
of the department during the year.
89. It is hard to understand why the Umrer Municipal
Committee should adopt an unsympathetic attitude towards
the department by refusing to pay arrear contributions and
further in reducing the usual contribution by half. It is
remarkable in face of the extremely good inoculation work
21
done there. The Sehora Municipality has stopped its con-
tribution which means that poor folk in the municipal area
have to pay fees' for the treatment of their animals. The
instructions issued in 1926 against supplying medicines for
non-contagious cases without previous examination were not
brought into effect entirely as the old custom has been in
vogue since the earliest days of the department's existence.
90. Society for the prevention of cruelty to animals.—
A reference to this subject was made in the annual report of
1923-24 and was again mentioned in the report of year
1925-26. The aims of the society are worthy of support
and there is unlimited scope for its activities, especially during
the cotton carting season in Berar and the Nagpur Division.
The practice of sending cruelty cases to veterinary dispen-
saries for detention and treatment is liable to threaten the
popularity of these institutions especially when the animal has
been seized by an unprofessional officer of the society in
ignorance of the fact that the infirmity from which it is suffer-
ing does not incapacitate it for work. To avoid such a
contingency I consider that the Veterinary Assistant Surgeon
in charge should be empowered to decide the question of its
retention.
91. The increased responsibility of departmental officers
in the matter of accounts has resulted in a number of mistakes
and a consequent addition to the correspondence with and
work of the head office. This has been especially marked
in the grade of Inspectors, but it is hoped that their inclusion
in the list of those who will be required to pass an examina-
tion in accounts will make for improvement.
92. I regret to have to report the death of Veterinary
Assistant Surgeon Krishna Swarup Misra, a loyal servant of
Government.
93. Owing to the expansion of the departmental
activities and consequent increase in the work two extra lower
division clerks were sanctioned by the Local Government,
one for employment as second clerk in the office of the Deputy
Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Chhattisgarh
Division, and one for the newly opened office of Deputy
Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Nagpur Division.
22
94. The names of the following officers have been
mentioned for good Work :—
Mr. K. B. Pillai, Veterinary Inspector, Raipur.
Mr. E. Gopalan, Veterinary Assistant Surgeon, Bil-
aspur.
Mr. Wali Mohamed, Veterinary Assistant Surgeon,
Khandwa.
Mr. Krishnaswami, Veterinary Assistant
Surgeon,
Chanda.
Mr. D. N. Atre, Veterinary Assistant Surgeon,
Amraoti.
Mr. Mohamed Din, Veterinary Assistant Surgeon,
Baloda-Bazar.
Mr. N. V. Patankar, Veterinary Assistant Surgeon,
Dhamtari.
Mr. Ishaq Mahomed, Office Veterinary Assistant
Surgeon.
Mr. Gopal Krishna, Laboratory Veterinary Assistant
Surgeon.
95. To those Deputy Commissioners who have ordered
Veterinary Assistant Surgeons to accompany their camps
whilst on tour in order to advance the work of the department
in the mofussil our heartiest thanks are due The beneficial
results of this custom are practically unlimited.
96. The office staff has worked well under the supervi-
sion of Mr. N. Basavaraju, Office Superintendent.
97. I also desire to record on behalf of Major Stirling
and myself the great assistance rendered and interest evinced
by the district and revenue officials in advancing the welfare
of the Civil Veterinary Department during the past year.
I have the honour to be,
SIR,
Your most obedient servant,
C. W. WILSON,
Veterinary Adviser to Government,
Central Provinces.
CHART SHOWING THE SEASONAL INCIDENCE OF CATTLE DISEASES IN CENTRAL PROVINCES &
BERAR DURING THE YEAR 1926