155
Salem, and occurred chiefly in the months of July, August, and November.
A large number of deaths from unspecified diseases has been reported from
Godavari, Kistna, Kurnool, Bellary and Anantpur, and an investigation of the
causes for this has been undertaken, but as yet no report has been received.
Taking the losses from all diseases together, the death-rate was very high
in Bellary, and exceeded 10 per mille in Kurnool and Anantpur, whilst the
losses in Godavari amounted to 9.5 per mille.
742. During the year under review, owing to the severe outbreak of
Rinderpest at Bellary, I deemed it necessary to solicit the sanction of the
Madras Government to definite orders being issued regarding the transfer of
Stock Inspectors to districts when serious outbreaks of contagious cattle
diseases occur. In reply to this letter, the Board of Revenue informed me that,
under General Order No. 3891, dated 29th September 1890, the staff of Stock
Inspectors was to be reduced at an early date, and asked me to offer any
suggestions I could on the subject, in order to enable them to prepare a
revised working plan for the staff that remained.
After an interview with the Commissioner of Settlements and the Deputy
Director of Land Records and Agriculture, I was able to make the following
suggestions which divide themselves under two headings:—
(a)—The employment of the 7 Stock Inspectors, whom it is proposed
to retain, and the retention of the 6 Stock Inspectors who were
under orders of dismissal.
(b)—A scheme for the better working of the Civil Veterinary Depart-
ment in the Madras Presidency.
With reference to the 7 Stock Inspectors to be retained, I proposed that
one should be posted to each of the five districts in which the Bacteriological
Survey has been commenced, and I pointed out that, although this might in
a measure be delayed by the withdrawal of the other Inspectors, still, that, in
my opinion, the delay would not be of any very great importance; the 6th
Stock Inspector to be employed at Head Quarters and to be available for at-
tendance in any district where large outbreaks of disease might occur; the
7th to be employed in endeavouring to extend pony and mule-breeding in the
districts of Salem and Coimbatore, by assisting in the castration of colts, etc.
This man's services could also be made available for outbreaks of contagious
disease or to relieve any of the five employed on the Bacteriological Survey
whenever they were sick or on leave.
With reference to the dismissal of the remaining 6 Stock Inspectors, I
pointed out that unless these men were useless, I thought it would be a pity to
dismiss them, as, after some years' service they must have some practical
knowledge and must be acquainted with the country and the people. I should
mention that their dismissal was brought forward on the question of their pro-
motion to the higher grade, for which the majority were not considered fit, but I
pointed out that by their dismissal the Madras Government was only preparing
for an inspecting staff of senior Veterinary Assistants without making provi-
sion for the executive subordinate staff of Veterinary Assistants. I therefore
recommended that they should be retained, but that their retention should de-
pend on their agreeing to serve in the lower grade of Veterinary Assistants. In
the event of the Madras Government agreeing to their retention I recommended
that they should be employed in dispensaries. Feeling, as I do, that these
Institutions are invaluable, I urged that they should be started in Madras in
the following terms:—
"I know of no Institutions that can be worked so economically as these, or that confer such benefits on
the ryots, but one of the main points to be gained is that by their being established, the confidence of the people
in the Veterinary Assistants is easily gained. The cost need be but trifling ; in nearly every large town some
Government building exists which could be made to afford suitable accommodation at trifling expense. A few
simple instruments would be required, and as the animals to be treated would be mainly cattle, the cost of
medicines would not be great. Should the Government of Madras be pleased to sanction this proposal, I would
be glad to draw up a scale of instruments and medicines, showing the initial cost and the annual expenditure
necessary for the upkeep of these Institutions. These dispensaries should be started first in large centres, but
the local authorities would be better able to advise as to the best places in which a commencement might be
made. All animals, the property of ryots, should be treated gratis, but certain fees might be levied from
Government servants or Native gentlemen who can afford to pay for treatment, and these might be arranged
on a sliding scale. Further information on the subject of these most useful Institutions can be obtained from
the Annual Administration Report of this Department for 1895-96, pages 156 to 161."