NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
FOR THE YEAR 1912-13.
19
Bacteriological Laboratory during the year 1912-1913.
FINANCIAL RESULTS.
Receipts.
Sale of animals.
12
770
180
950
Sal e of sera.
13
†1,09,338 5 0
...
1,09,338 5 0
Sale of garden products and
Reserve Forest.
14
1,020
...
1,020
Other miscellaneous
receipts.
15
116 4 6
...
116 4 6
Total.
16
1,11,244 9 6
180 0 0
1,11,424 9 6
Expenditure.
Salaries and
travelling
allowance of officers and
establishment.
17
67,854 3 0
13,664 13 4
81,519 0 4
Feed and keep of animals.
18
53,280 1 0
2,445 15 5
55,726 0 5
Purchase of animals.
19
19,830 5 0
5,340 0 0
25,170 5 0
Cost of chemicals and
apparatus.
20
7,059 9 9
...
7,059 9 9
Other miscellaneous expend¬
ture.
21
31,277 13 0
...
31,277
13 0
TOTAL.
22
1,79,301 15 9
21,450 12 9
2,00,752 12 6
† Inlcuding receipts in this office up to the 4th of April 1913.
CALCUTTA
SUPERINTENDENT GOVERNMENT PRINTING, INDIA
8. HASTINGS STREET
ANNUAL REPORT
OF
THE IMPERIAL BACTERIOLOGIST
FOR THE YEAR 1913-14
Muktesar Laboratories
CALCUTTA
SUPERINTENDENT GOVERNMENT PRINTING, INDIA
1914
Price annas 3 or 4d.
Annual Report of the Imperial
Bacteriologist
For the year 1913-14
I.-ADMINISTRATION
I held charge of the Laboratory throughout the year.
Mr. Meadows acted as the Assistant Bacteriologist up to the
5th March 1914, when he was transferred to the North
Punjab. Mr. Shilston, the new Assistant Bacteriologist
appointed by the Secretary of State for India, reported his
arrival in Bombay on the 20th March 1914.
2. The post of Physiological Chemist, vacated by
Dr. Hartley in February 1913, and the new post of
Pathologist on the staff of the Laboratory sanctioned by the
Secretary of State in July 1913 remained unfilled during
the year under report, but since the close of the year candi-
dates for these posts have been selected and are expected to
arrive shortly.
3. Mr. Kriebel, Head Laboratory Assistant, returned from
leave on the 30th June 1913, and Mr. Keiller, the second
European Laboratory Assistant, availed himself of 15
B
2
REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL BACTERIOLOGIST
months' combined leave with effect from the 9th June 1913.
Messrs. Goffi, the third European Laboratory Assistant, and
Mobbs, an Assistant engaged temporarily, remained on
duty throughout the year.
4. The Farm Manager's appointment was vacant up to
the beginning of June 1913. On the 9th June, Lieutenant
W. J. N. Cheatle took over charge of the duties on 2 years'
probation.
5. After serving for 5 months Mr. Proctor, the Electrician,
resigned, and Mr. Berkley was appointed with effect from 1st
May 1913 on probation.
6. The Veterinary staff of the Laboratory was in-
creased by the appointment of an additional Veterinary In-
spector. Mr. D'Monte was raised to the grade of Deputy
Superintendent.
7. Fodder Supply.—The arrangements for the supply
of grass and grain were the same as in previous years.
8. Forests.—The demand for fuel was greater than the
supply from, the Laboratory reserved forest. Arrangements
were made with the Forest Department to supply 10,000
maunds of fuel from the surrounding.District Forests.
The administration of the Muktesar reserved forest was
continued. A Forester trained in the Forest Department
has been appointed on Rs. 15 per mensem to supervise its
working under the forest rules.
The Nursery was maintained and planting of deodar
seedlings was carried on as usual.
9. Water Supply.—During the latter part of the year
the supply of water gradually diminished in the spring.
This caused inconvenience, and the question is still in the
hands of the Public Works Department for a detailed report.
It appears that the spring can only give about 4,500 gallons
of water within 24 hours, whereas our minimum require-
ment is about six to seven thousand gallons per day.
FOR THE YEAR 1913-14
3
10. Electric Centrifuges.—In connection with the Elec-
tric installation eleven centrifuges specially designed by
Messrs. Baird and Tatlock of London were received at
Kathgodam in October and transported to Muktesar during
December 1912, where they lay waiting for erection which
did not commence before 24th April 1913. It was found
that the spindles of the centrifuges had been bent in transit
and consequently they were unsafe to run. New spindles
were made in Calcutta, and several of the centrifuges were
erected in October 1913. After a short trial of these
machines they were found unsafe to run and, in February
1914, at the instance of the Government of India, a
Committee was held at Muktesar to investigate the cause of
their failure. This Committee, after a careful examination
of the centrifuges, concluded that the failure was entirely
due to their faulty design and that it was in no way connected
with the foundation or method of erection employed.
It was subsequently decided that, as it is impossible to
make any alteration to the existing plant to render it
thoroughly reliable and satisfactory, the best possible machine
on the market be obtained through the Director General of
Stores, London, under a guarantee from the firm by which
it is supplied. Serum preparation had to be carried on by
the clotting method and by the aid of the old centrifuges,
but since the close of the year under report it has been found
possible to work some of the new centrifuges at half speed by
inserting indiarubber buffers underneath the bed plates.
11. Supply of Hill Bulls.—The arrangements for the
supply of Hill bulls and plains animals were the same as in
previous years.
12. Bareilly Branch Laboratory.—This Laboratory
remained open during the winter season. The usual work
of serum testing, training Veterinary Assistants, and Military
Dairy Farm Managers and research on Kumri and other
diseases was carried out.
B 2
4
REPORT
OF THE IMPERIAL BACTERIOLOGIST
The work in connection with the removal of the Labora-
tory to its new site is progressing favourably. The land has
been acquired and a special officer of the Public Works
Department is in charge of the new buildings.
Plans and estimates for these are in the course of
preparation.
When the branch Laboratory is completed, it is hoped that
the increasing demand for rinderpest serum will be easily
supplied. Government has sanctioned an additional staff of
dressers, packers and other menials to carry on the serum
preparation work at Bareilly during the winter months.
II.-PREPARATION OF SERUMS AND VACCINES.
13. Rinderpest Anti-Serum.—During the year 1913-14,
7,20,870 doses of Anti-Rinderpest serum were prepared
against 8,05,500 doses during the year 1912-13, and 7,48,470
doses issued against 11,28,500 during the previous year.
This decrease in the output and issue was due to the
unexpected breakdown of our centrifuges. There was a
large demand for the serum which could not be complied with
in full.
The balance of the demand of the Egyptian Government
of about 8¾ lacs doses had to be suspended and no agreement
could be made with the Government of Rhodesia for the
supply of 5 lacs of doses at 5 c. c.
The net amount realized from the sale of this serum up
to 31st March 1914 amounted to Rs. 1,08,994,* and by adding
to it the cost of 91,918 doses supplied free to the Military
Department the total income from this source alone would
come to Rs. 1,20,483.
* Most of the bills are still awaiting payment and have to be carried over to the next
year's account.
FOR THE YEAR 1913-14
5
14. The following figures, as collated from the respective
returns received, show the results of Anti-Rinderpest serum
injections carried out in the field:—
Province.
North-West Frontier
Province
and
North Punjab .
Sind, Baluchistan
and Rajputana .
Central Provinces .
United Provinces .
Burma . . .
Punjab . .
Bombay
. .
Assam . . .
Madras . .
Bengal
.
.
Bihar and Orissa .
Bengal Veterinary
College . .
TOTAL
Nu mb e
r of o u t b r e a k s in which,
inoculation was undertaken.
30
7
Nil.
468
14
191
76
198
270
166
209
56
1,685
NUMBER OF
ANIMALS WHICH
DIED UNINOCU¬
LATED IN
COURSE OF
DISEASE.
Equines.
...
...
...
....
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Bovines.
170
6
16,498
4,654
410
2,805
892
4,357
2,322
3,214
2,659
87
38,074
Others.
...
193
...
...
...
...
5
233
304
...
...
...
735
NUMBER OF ANI-
MALS INOCULATED.
Equi nes .
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Bovi ne s .
6,409
103
94,690
54,185
6,745
29,576
12,526
19,953
34,047
23,836
28,442
1,911
312,423
Others.
...
1,074
...
204
...
...
31
1,027
100
...
...
...
2,436
NUMBER OF
ANIMALS
WHICH DIED
AFTER IN-
OCULATION.
Equines.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Bovines.
2
1
256
19
41
35
50
305
15
159
114
32
1,029
Others.
...
2
...
...
...
...
...
10
...
...
...
...
12
REMARKS.
During July and August 1913, a severe outbreak of
rinderpest occurred in the villages of Mauna, Gairari and
Bairoli, some 8 to 10 miles distance from the Laboratory.
At the request of the villagers some 348 head of cattle
were inoculated. The headmen of the villages at a later date
reported that the disease was stamped out immediately and
no casualty occurred among the inoculated animals.
6
REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL BACTERIOLOGIST
The following extract from the Report by the Chief
Veterinary Officer to the Egyptian Government on cattle
plague and double inoculation is interesting, as during 1913
they used about 1¼ lac doses of serum prepared at this Labor-
atory.
"From the 16th October until 31st December 1913,
21,849 cattle were injected with virulent blood and serum.
The mortality was 566 or 2.59 per cent."
"Of the above number 3,987 cattle were inoculated on
nine different dates with 262 deaths or 6.57 per cent. due
largely to Piroplasmosis (Texas and Egyptian fevers) follow-
ing double inoculation. 17,862 cattle were inoculated on
other dates with 304 deaths or 1.7 per cent."
"In addition to Texas fever causing losses, the cold
weather and the absolute negligence of the owners of cattle
have largely assisted."
"The total number of cattle immunised since the double
inoculation commenced up to 31st December 1913 is 167,007
in the cotton districts and 18,020 in the non-cotton districts,
making a total of 185,027."
" In addition 763 cattle were inoculated, but the final
results have not yet been received."
" The total number of deaths up to 31st December 1913.
including outbreaks, is 1,989, showing a percentage of 1.07."
" The number of non-inoculated cattle reported as having
died from natural infection of cattle plague during the year
1913 was 1,824 which, added to 1,916 deaths following double
inoculation during the same year, makes a total of 3,740
against 5,445 deaths from cattle plague during the year
1912."
"On the 16th December 1913, a further 100 cattle of
the State Domains, doubly inoculated on 27th June 1912,
of which 39 reacted, were injected with virulent blood, and
kept under observation for 15 days. No cases of cattle
plague followed nor any cattle plague reaction. It is
FOR THE YEAR 1913-14
7
therefore assumed that double inoculation has conferred
immunity for a period of not less than 18½ months."
"From a long experience I came to the conclusion that
serum could not be considered an efficient means for
stamping out cattle plague; it acted frequently as a
temporary check and prevented for the time being the
disease extending; serumised cattle were allowed to continue
their work, which is of the greatest importance at certain
seasons of the year."
"Further a large number of cattle having had serum are
attacked by cattle plague in a mild form, recover and are
hence immunised, a very important factor in dealing with
the disease and which has assisted in immunising during
recent years, a large number of cattle."
15. Anthrax Anti-Serum.—During the year under report
3,920 doses were manufactured against 2,658 during the
previous year, and 20,097 doses issued against 6,718 during
the year 1912-13.
The demand for this serum increased and was complied
with from the stock in hand prepared towards the end of
the previous year.
16. The results obtained in the field from inoculations
with Anthrax serum are as follows:—
Province.
Assam . .
Bihar and Orissa
Mysore
.
.
TOTAL .
Number of outbreaks in which
inoculation was undertaken.
20
11
...
31
NUMBER OF
ANIMALS
WHICH DIED
UNINOCUTLATED
IN COURSE OF
DISEASE.
Equines.
16
...
...
16
Bovines.
66
19
...
85
Others.
...
...
...
...
NUMBER OF
ANIMALS
INOCULATED.
Equines.
460
...
...
460
Bovi ne s .
2,654
1,263
329
4,246
Others.
53
...
...
53
NUMBER OF
ANIMALS
WHICH DIED
AFTER IN-
OCULATION.
Equi nes .
3
...
...
3
Bovines.
3
...
...
3
Others.
...
...
...
...
REMARKS.
8
REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL BACTERIOLOGIST
17. Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia.—During the past year
57,829 doses of this serum were prepared and 63,980 issued
against 40,901 prepared and 43,218 issued during the year
1912-13.
In addition to this, 2,42,320 doses of Hæmorrhagic
Septicæmia Vaccine were manufactured and issued against
25,750 during the previous year. There was a great demand
for this product during the rainy season.
18. The subjoined table will show the results of
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia serum and Vaccine injections
carried out in the field.
Province.
United Provinces
Punjab . .
North-West Fron-
tier Province
and
North
Punjab.
Assam
.
.
Madras
Sind, Baluchistan
and Rajputana.
Bengal . .
Bihar and Orissa
TOTAL
Number of outbreaks in which
inoculation was undertaken.
84
116
37
18
12
4
42
151
464
NUMBER OF
ANIMALS
WHICH DIED
UNINOCULATED
IN COURSE OF
DISEASE.
Equi nes .
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Bovme s .
436
1,025
...
...
...
...
263
118
37
463
842
3,184
Ot her s .
...
...
...
...
...
...
31
...
...
...
...
31
NUMBER OF
ANIMALS
INOCULATED.
Equines
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Bovines.
9,504
20,477
3,036
...
...
2,139
3,495
856
5,567
18,716
63,790
Others.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
NUMBER OF
ANIMALS
WHICH DIED
AFTER IN-
OCULATION.
Equines.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Bovives.
...
13
...
...
58
1
...
6
33
111
Othe
...
...
...
...
2
...
...
...
2
REMARKS.
The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department,
Central Provinces, in his letter No. 2717-20, dated 6th
October 1913, states: "Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia occurred
at a village 1 mile from the Government Farm, Hoshangabad;
FOR THE YEAR 1913-14
9
140 animals were inoculated at the villages and 127 on the
Farm. The result was excellent, there being no deaths
after the serum inoculation, and both outbreaks subsided at
once. The information may interest you, as the serum has
not been used in these provinces before."
19. Charbon Symptomatique Vaccine.—Out of the last
year's stock of 47,350 doses of this vaccine, 22,760 were
issued during the year under report as against 10,800
doses issued during the previous year.
20. The results of injections carried out in the field with
Charbon Symptomatique Vaccine are given in the following
table:—
Province.
United Provinces
Punjab
. .
North Punjab .
Madras . .
Bihar and Orissa
Mysore State .
TOTAL
.
Number of outbreaks in which
inoculation was undertaken.
20
11
30
3
18
...
82
NUMBER OF
ANIMAL
WHICH DIED
UNIOCLATED
IN COURSE OF
DISEASE.
Equines.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Bovines.
108
...
...
12
76
...
196
Others.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
NUMBER OF
ANIMALS
INOCULATED.
Equines.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Bovines.
1,581
1,394
3,528
115
4,130
1,891
12,639
Others.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
NUMBER OF
ANIMALS
WHICH DIED
AFTER IN¬
OCULATION.
Equines.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Bovines.
...
...
...
...
9
...
9
Others.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
REMARKS.
21. Mallein.—17,406 doses of Mallein were prepared and
16,275 issued during the year under report, against 15,181
doses manufactured and 17,933 issued during the year
1912-13.
22. Tuberculin.—During 1913-14, 910 doses of Tuber-
culin were prepared against 530 during the previous year
and 522 issued against 162 in the year 1912-13.
10
REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL BACTERIOLOGIST
23. Strangles Serum.-13,577 doses of Strangles serum
were manufactured and 12,192 issued during the year under
report, against 2,470 prepared and 2,320 issued during the
preceding year. Almost all the serum was issued to the
Remount Depôts. The Veterinary Officers employed it
chiefly as a curative agent and report good results following
its use.
The Veterinary Officer, Sargodha Remount Depôt, in a
demi-official letter, dated 25th April 1914, reports the
following:—
"It has given splendid results as a curative agent despite
the large mortality. Without the serum the mortality would
easily have been doubled. "
24. Specimens examined.-During the past year 97
specimens of different diseases were received at the Labora-
tory for examination and report.
25. Training of Veterinary Assistants and Dairy Farm
Managers.—Nine Veterinary Assistants (2 at Muktesar and
7 at Bareilly) and three Dairy Managers (1 at Muktesar and
2 at Bareilly) of the Military Department, received training
in the methods of inoculation with serum alone during the
year 1913-14.
Captain A. N. M. Swanston, A.V.C., Cavalry School,
Saugor, Central Provinces, underwent a course of Microscopy
at Muktesar for a short period during June 1913.
III.-RESEARCH WORK.
26. Research.—The programme of Research work for the
year 1913-1914 was as follows :—
(1) Rinderpest.-Further experiments regarding methods
of treatment and prophylaxis.
(2) Surra.—To continue experiments in methods of
treatment and investigation regarding transmission.
FOR THE YEAR 1913-14
11
(3) Anthrax.-To continue investigations of methods
of immunizing against this disease.
(4) Kumri.—To continue the study of the etiology and
pathology of Kumri.
(5) Bursati.—An investigation of the etiology of Bur-
sati.
27. During the past year the post of Physiological Chemist
was vacant. The post of Assistant Bacteriologist was held
by an officer who had no training or experience of Research
work. Consequently I had to undertake the whole of the
investigation work in addition to the administration and to
many other duties.
28. Rinderpest.—An interesting enquiry was carried out
regarding the influence of various drugs on the course of
Rinderpest and their action as prophylactics.
The results of this investigation have been submitted for
publication in Memoir form.
Some experiments were made on the effect of heat on the
Rinderpest Immune bodies, and a paper on the subject was
forwarded for publication.
29. Surra.—Further experiments on the treatment and
transmission of Surra were carried out.
30. Anthrax.—An investigation was made on the immu-
nizing effect of the simultaneous injection of Anthrax
attenuated virus and an Anthrax anti-serum; a paper on this
subject has recently been submitted for publication.
Some tests were made on the M'Fadyean staining re-
action for Anthrax bacilli, and the results published in
bulletin form.
31. Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia.—Experiments were made
on the drug treatment of Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia on
cattle and the results submitted for publication.
The investigation on the vitality of the Hæmorrhagic
Septicæmia organism outside the body was concluded and a
paper on the subject has been published.
12
REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL BACTERIOLOGIST
32. Kumri.—The investigation on the etiology of Kumri
was continued, but no definite results have been arrived at.
33. Bursati.-—The investigation on the etiology and treat-
ment of Bursati was continued and the results submitted for
publication.
34. Publications.—The following articles from the Labo-
ratory were submitted for publication during the year and
appeared in a Veterinary series of Bulletins and Memoirs of
the Department of Agriculture :—
(1) A Note on the M'Fadyean staining reaction for An-
thrax Bacilli (in the form of Bulletin) by J. D. E.
Holmes.
(2) Some cases of Surra treated in the field and in the
Laboratory during the Autumn of 1911 (Memoir)
by J.D.E. Holmes.
(3) Further investigations on questions connected with
the Economical Productions of Anti-serum (Rinder-
pest) (Memoir) by J. D. E. Holmes.
(4) The vitality of the Hærmorrhagic Septicæmia orga-
nism outside the body (Memoir) by J. D. E.
Holmes.
(5) The Curative Treatment of Hæmorrhagic Septi-
cæmia in cattle by the administration of Iodine
and other Notes on Chemiotherapy in Rinderpest
and Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia (Memoir) by J. D.
E. Holmes.
(6) Memoir on " Bursati " by J. D. E. Holmes.
(7) A Note on the effect of heat on the Rinderpest
immune bodies(Bulletin) by J. D. E. Holmes.
35. General Remarks —The breakdown of the centrifuges
in June 1914 was a serious handicap to the serum prepara-
tion work. The serum preparation was continued by means
of the clotting method which entails a considerable
FOR THE YEAR 1913-14.
13
increase of labour and expense. Every endeavour was made
to meet the demands for serum. The amount of anti-Rinder-
pest serum manufactured during the year fell short of that
of the previous year by less than one lac of doses.
The demand for this serum was very large and could not
be complied with in full. The order for Rinderpest serum from
Egypt and the Soudan and the enquiry for serum from
Rhodesia had to be rejected.
If the centrifuges had not broken down the manufacture
of serum would have been almost double the amount
prepared by the clotting method.
The amount of Anthrax, Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia and
Strangles serum prepared and issued during the year was
in excess of previous years.
The amount of Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia vaccine pre-
pared and issued was much in excess of any previous year.
The fact that the post of Physiological Chemist was
vacant and the post of Assistant Bacteriologist held by an
officer untrained in scientific work increased the work and
responsibility of myself and the European Laboratory
Assistants.
The serum preparation of the Laboratory was heavier
than usual owing to the difficulties of clotting large amounts
of blood. A considerable amount of useful research work
was carried out, and several articles from the Laboratory
were submitted for publication during this year.
I wish to record my thanks to the staff for their zeal and
co-operation in all the work of the Laboratory.
J. D. E. HOLMES, Major,
Imperial Bacteriologist.
14
REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL BACTERIOLOGIST
Table showing the doses of different products issued from the
Name of sera.
Rinderpest serum .
Anthrax serum . .
Hæmorrhagic
Septi-
cæmia serum.
Hæmorrahagic Septi-
cæmia Vaccine.
Charbon
Symptoma-
tique Vaccine.
Mallein
.
.
.
Tuberculin
Anti- Streptococcic
serum.
TOTAL .
Punjab.
24,050
...
14,052
20
10
116
103
20
38,371
North-West Frontier
Province.
23,000
...
...
3,850
4,800
36
...
...
31,686
South Punjab.
20,130
...
15,000
2,450
1,500
...
...
...
39,080
QUANTITY
United Provinces.
128,450
...
6,000
8,100
5,000
...
...
...
147,550
Bengal.
35,300
...
9,000
...
...
50
50
...
44,400
Assam.
48,000
5,000
4,000
...
...
...
...
...
57,000
Bihar and Orissa.
61,500
3,700
8,000
226,400
8,000
...
100
...
307,800.
Central Provinces.
131,000
...
3,300
1,000
...
...
...
...
135,300.
FOR THE YEAR 1913-14
15
Muktesar Laboratory, during the year 1913-14.
ISSUED-IN D0SES.
Bombay.
11,070
...
...
...
100
5O
...
. . .
11,220
Madras.
8,000
...
3,000
...
...
...
...
...
11,000
Sind, Baluchistan
and Rajputana.
5,000
...
266
500
50
170
5
. . .
5,991
Burma.
15,000
...
...
. . .
...
100
...
...
15,100
Military Department.
85,662
133
100
. . .
1,300
14,347
216
12,059
113,817
Native States.
7,066
6,020
...
...
2,000
235
12
100
15,433
Indian Firms.
200
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
200
Foreign Countries.
133,770
...
. . .
...
. . .
. . .
. . .
...
133,770
Imperial Bacterio-
logical Laboratory.
11,172
5,244
1,262
. . .
. . .
1,171
36
13
118,898
TOTAL.
748,470
20,097
63,980
242,320
22,760
16,275
522
12,192
1,126,616