No. 7124, dated Calcutta, the (5th September 1912.
From—J. R. BLACKWOOD, ESQ., I.C.S., Director of Agriculture, Bengal
To—The Secretary to the Government of Bengal, Revenue Dept.
I HAVE the honour to submit, for the information of Government, a copy
of the Annual Report of the Civil Veterinary Department, Bengal, for 1911-12,
together with a copy of my review of this report as well as of the Annual
Report of the Bengal Veterinary College for 1911-12, which it is understood
has been submitted direct to Government.
REVIEW.
THIS report of the Civil Veterinary Department deals only with the
districts which now form the presidency of Bengal.
Colonel Raymond was Principal of the Bengal Veterinary College
throughout the year. Mr. Quinlan and Mr. Harris held charge of the Pro-
vincial Civil Veterinary Departments in Bengal and Eastern Bengal and
Assam, respectively, as constituted, before 1st April 1912. The former was on
leave for two months when Colonel Raymond acted for him in addition to
his own duties of Principal.
2. Bengal Veterinary
College.—The total number of students on the
college rolls at the commencement of the session was 128, of whom 30 came
from Bengal, 16 from Bihar, 60 from Eastern Bengal and Assam, and the rest
from other provinces. Thirteen students subsequently left the college for
various reasons, leaving 110. Of these 97 were allowed to go up for the
examination and 77 passed. The results wore considered by the Board of
Examiners to be satisfactory.
3. College Hospital.— During the year the numbers of cases treated and
operations performed were 5,976 and 1.881, respectively, as compared with
5,869 and 1,771 in the preceding year. The number of animals sent for treat-
ment to the college hospital in connection with cruelty cases was only 1-18
in connection with 11.330 prosecutions. It would be well if Magistrates
insisted more on animals suffering from sores being sent to the college
hospital. There is reason to believe that many animals in connection with
which convictions have been obtained are again compelled to work before
they have been cured.
4. Glanders
and farcy,
rinderpest
and
foot-and-mouth
disease.—
During the year 3,800 stables containing 14,000 horses were inspected as
against 4,025 stables containing 16,000 horses in the preceding year. In 15
stables glanders was detected as compared with 34 in 1910-11, The total
number of horses admitted to the contagious diseases hospital was 100. In
16 cases the animals were destroyed for glanders and in 3 cases for epizootic-
lymphangitis. A sum of Rs. 189-5-3 was paid as compensation for the
destruction of animals under Glanders and Farcy Act. During the year
rinderpest and foot-and-mouth disease were prevalent in Calcutta and the
suburbs, and 2,347 animals were inoculated against rinderpest. About 1 670
cattle byres and 24.930 cattle were inspected by the staff.
5. Raymond Research Laboratory.—The
diagnosis of infectious diseases
and. the examination of pathological and other specimens as well as research
work was carried out in this institution as in previous years. Two veteri-
nary graduates from Bengal and two from Eastern Bengal and Assam
attended the post-graduate course of training.
6. Civil
Veterinary
Department:
Treatment
of diseases.—The
total
number of deaths from contagious diseases is reported to amount to 8,522, and
more than half this number of deaths is said to be due to rinderpest. It is
gratifying to observe that greater interest than in previous years is being
taken in reporting outbreaks both by members of the agricultural associa-
tions and by private persons. The best available agency for reporting
outbreaks is, however, the village panchayat.
Steps will be taken in
the course of this year to impress on presidents and collecting members
the importance of reporting outbreaks
promptly.
Outside Calcutta
and the suburbs 21,246 animals were inoculated against contagious
diseases. Itinerant assistants treated 52,352 cases as against 54,729 in
the preceding year.
The Superintendent of the Civil Veterinary Department makes a com-
plaint against the municipalities of Burdwan, Jessore and Murshidabad
regarding the administration of the Glanders and Farcy Act. The question
will be discussed with the Chairmen of these municipalities.
7. Veterinary
Dispensaries.—There
are now 18 dispensaries, one having
been opened during the year at Chinsura.
The total number of in