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APPENDIX R.— (Referred to in paragraph 737, page 152.)
WORK DONE IN BERAR IN 1896-97.
No horse-breeding is carried on in Berar. This was abandoned at the commencement of
1895-96, as it was found a failure. Mule-breeding has never been successfully undertaken.
The registration of cattle disease is receiving attention, and I trust will be soon in work-
ing order. During the year under review returns show 17,022 cattle as having been attacked
from all causes, of which 8,140, or 47.82 per cent., died. The percentage of deaths is some-
what higher than last year, when it stood at 42.98; this is accounted for by the cattle having
been weakened by the scarcity of fodder.
Foot and Mouth disease and Rinderpest both show a very satisfactory decrease. The
latter disease, however, was prevalent in the Buldana District, and appears to have been of a
virulent form.
Anthrax was sporadically present in the Wun District, but fortunately it did not spread.
Three cases of cattle-poisoning were reported.
With reference to the treatment of cattle, Major Garrett makes some very useful remarks,
which will show the apathy of the people even in a Province like Berar, where cattle are of
such value. He says:—
"Treatment, vaccination, etc.—It is curious in a country like Berar, where cattle are one of the most prized
forms of property, scarcely even second to the land itself, that the cattle-owners should be so careless and indiffer-
ent in their treatment of them, whether in health or sickness. The plough bullocks and driving bullocks are gener-
ally well looked after, but the large herds of cattle, which it is the ambition of the Berari to possess, are generally
left almost entirely to their own devices. They are driven out to the jungles to graze in the morning, and home
again at night, but no further care is bestowed on them; should a cow sicken, and not be able to walk with the herd
to and from the grazing grounds, it is left to wander about the village precincts till it dies, possibly passing on a
contagious disease to other of the village cattle; but the villagers will not segregate it, or even feed and water it, much
less give it medicines.
"There are, however, forms of native treatment known and practised, especially in the case of the more severe
forms of disease.
"For Foot and Mouth disease an application of lime wash is made to the horns, teak wood oil and oil of Biba
(marking nuts) are applied to the hoofs; and sometimes the affected animals are stood in the mud or dust.
"Rinderpest is treated by the natives with a drench made up of Neam or Bakan leaves and cold water or
buttermilk, together with astringent medicines, such as catechu, gum, aniseed, etc. The diet for a patient suffering
from Rinderpest consists of Mung and buttermilk. The mung is roughly crushed and mixed with the milk, and
poured down the animal's throat by means of a hollow bamboo.
"Preventive measures, such as segregation, are not in favour with the villagers; the Veterinary staff are
doing all they can to show the value of such measures, and to teach the cattle-owners the correct method of treat-
ment for the various diseases, and we may fairly hope in time to effect an improvement in such matters."
Cattle breed-
ing and Cattle
Fairs.
No attempt has as yet been made in this direction. No stud bulls are kept, and there
appears to be a large field for enterprise in this direction.
The largest cattle fair held in Berar is that held at Wun. Nine thousand nine hundred
and eighty-one head of cattle were present at the fair held from 5th to 31st March 1897. Of
these, 5,558 were sold; these figures show an improvement in every way over last year. The
Veterinary Inspector attended the fair and carefully inspected the cattle. No disease was pre-
valent. He reports the cattle as being in good condition and healthy. The best were brought
from the Telingana Districts of His Highness the Nizam's Dominions and from the Central
Provinces.
On the subject of prizes, the Director of Land Records states:—
"No prizes were offered at the fair during the year under report. Prizes for good animals should certainly be
one of the features of the fair, but they could scarcely be arranged for this year owing to the prevailing scarcity and
distress and the consequent pressure on district funds."
Dispensaries
At present there are two Dispensaries in Berar: one at Amraoti, the other at Akola; both
are doing excellent work.
Amraoti Dispensary.—One thousand two hundred and twenty cases were treated, against
985 last year; the increase is satisfactory. Of the 1,220 treated, 941 were cured and 50 died;
the remainder were either discharged, "relieved", or the results were not known.
Akola Dispensary.—The working shown last year was only for nine months, when 159
cases were treated. This year 457 cases were treated, of which 359 were cured and 22 died;
this must be considered very satisfactory.
Work done by
the Subordinate
Establishment.
In addition to the work done at the Dispensaries, the staff, consisting of 1 Veterinary
Inspector and 2 Veterinary Assistants, did good work in attending outbreaks of disease.
Mr. Khandkar, the Veterinary Inspector, was deputed to report on the condition of cattle in
some of the distressed villages of Akola Taluka. He visited ten villages, and reported
separately on each; he also commenced to collect information with regard to the common
diseases among cattle and their native treatment, which investigation it is hoped to continue.
Subordinate
Veterinary
Establishment.
On this point the Director of Land Records and Agriculture states:—
"The orders on the proposals, in connection with the reorganization of the Civil Veterinary Department in
Berar, which Mr. Francis was awaiting at the time of writing last year's report, have been received to the extent of
sanction to the post of Veterinary Inspector, which was created in January 1897. The appointment of a Veterinary
Assistant to each district is still under consideration."
I shall be glad to see each district equipped with a Veterinary Assistant, as I feel that
much good may be expected to be done in this Province where cattle are of such value.
I cannot conclude my review of the work done in Berar without noticing the great in-
terest taken in all matters connected with the Department by the Director of Land Records,
and also the zeal and energy displayed by Mr. Khandkar, who was promoted to the rank of
Veterinary Inspector in January.
G. I. C. P. O.-No. 58, I. G. C. V. D.-6-9-97.-300.-J. C.