151
During my visit it was brought to my notice that the system of report-
ing serious outbreaks of disease was unsatisfactory, and that in the majority
of cases the only intimation received by the Superintendent was through
statistics published in the Central Provinces Gozette. When these were seen
by the Superintendent, he addressed the Deputy Commissioner of the district
concerned, and the replies are generally so delayed that before the Superin-
tendent can reach the scene of the outbreak, the disease is at an end. I there-
fore proposed, for the consideration of the Chief Commissioner, that a Circular
should be issued to all Deputy Commissioners asking them to enjoin on all
Tehsildars the necessity of affording the Superintendent all help and informa-
tion in their power, and that on the outbreak of any disease, when reporting
the occurrence to the Deputy Commissioner, that they should, at the same
time, send a copy of their report to the Superintendent; and I further
recommended that, on receipt of intimation of the existence of any serious out-
breaks in the Province, it should be an order that the Superintendent should
proceed to the scene of the outbreak without delay.
I am pleased to report the cordial manner in which my proposals were
agreed to by the Chief Commissioner, as I feel that they will tend to the
better working of the Department in these Provinces. Not only have all
Deputy Commissioners been asked to communicate, by wire, all serious out-
breaks of disease in their districts direct to the Superintendent, Civil Veteri-
nary Department, but the Inspector General of the Police has also directed all
District Superintendents to report all cases of glanders direct to that officer
in the same manner; this will enable him to take the necessary measures for
the suppression of disease. As the remarks of the Superintendent, Civil Veter-
inary Department, with regard to cattle disease, are worthy of comment, an
extract is here given. In his report he states:—
"With reference to cattle disease (1) information gathered (2) outbreaks during the year, (3) treatment
vaccination, etc.
"I had not witnessed, up to December 1896, a single outbreak, and with the exception of a case or two of
foot and mouth disease, I had seen none up to the end of the year. Every week, in the Central Provinces
Gazette, cattle disease is reported to have been in existence in some part or other of the province, and for some
time I was in the habit of writing to the District Officers for particulars, but in every instance the reply came
that it had abated or had completely died out, and the only information which I have collected under this head
are the vague replies to my enquiries whilst in camp, but there seems little doubt that enormous losses are, from
time to time, sustained through attacks of Rinderpest, Cowpox, and Foot and Mouth disease.
"The Veterinary Inspector stationed at Raipur, who has occasionally been called upon to visit outbreaks
reports that he invariably found that the disease had already died out on his reaching the scene.
"The Veterinary Inspector, Nagpur, successfully suppressed an outbreak of Rinderpest amongst the cattle in
the Nagpur Lunatic Asylum ground, the only one he had seen during the year."
The casual manner in which outbreaks of cattle disease are reported is the
principal drawback which is likely to curtail the ultimate usefulness of a
Bacteriological Survey. Until outbreaks of epidemics are reported at once,
direct to the Chief Veterinary Officer of the Province, little help can be afforded
to the poor landowners whose capital is principally invested in their cattle. It
is only by prompt assistance that these scourges can be restricted to a compara-
tively small area, and unless reports of deaths from contagious disease are sent
in early, the epidemic is likely to assume unmanageable proportions. The
Superintendent further states "that no action has been taken to collect statistics
under Rule 27 of the Putwaris Rule, which prescribe them to maintain registers
for vital statistics of cattle. The required information has only been obtained
from the districts shown in the tabulated statement attached." Out of a total
of 18 districts, only three have afforded any information; any statistics from
the Central Provinces are therefore quite unreliable and worthless.
Berar.
737. During my visit to Akola, I had a most interesting interview with
the Director of Land Records and Agriculture, and learned from him the pro-
gress that had been made and that was proposed to put the Subordinate Staff
on a more workable basis.
The following points were discussed:—
(a) Working plan for Subordinate Establishment in Hyderabad
Assigned Districts. At present the establishment consists of one
Veterinary Inspector and two Veterinary Assistants, who are in
charge of the dispensaries of Akola and Amraoti: both Veterinary
Assistants go out when necessary to outbreaks of disease, one
taking the 3 districts in East Berar, the other the remaining 3 in
West Berar.
This system is not found to work well, as, when on tour, the dispensaries
have to be closed. I therefore recommended the appointment of dressers who,