NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
40
Colts castrated by Veterinary Assistants paid from Local Funds.
North-Western Provinces and Oudh. .
North Punjab .
.
.
. . . .
South Punjab
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Baluchistan
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
TOTAL
1895-96.
201
801
643
69
1,714
1896-97.
145
540
679
234
1,598
223. By the above, it will be seen that the reduction in the number of
colts castrated, amounting to 116, was due almost entirely to the small number
castrated in North Punjab, which is accounted for in the foregoing extract
from the report received from the Superintendent of that Circle.
224. In the four large horse-breeding districts of Northern India, we find
that, taking the numbers castrated, both by Veterinary Assistants paid from
Imperial and Local Funds, 3,053 colts were castrated against 3,402 last year.
Considering the disadvantages experienced during the year under review, this
must be considered satisfactory.
225. The small death-rate is a matter for cóngratulation, and should inspire
confidence on the part of the zemindars. It amounted to the following small
percentages:—
By Imperial Veterinary Assistants.
North-Western Provinces and Oudh . . . . . . .
North Punjab . . . . . . . . .
South Punjab . . . . . . . . .
Baluchistan .
.
.
.
.
.
Nil.
Nil.
0.17
Nil.
By District Board Salutris.
North-Western Provinces and Oudh .
.
.
. .
North Punjab
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
South Punjab . . . . . . . . .
Baluchistan .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Bombay
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Nil.
0.92
0.29
Nil.
1.35
226. The working of the District Board Veterinary Assistants is not as
satisfactory as that of those paid by Imperial Funds, and must be ascribed to
the want of supervision. The worst working is shown in Bombay where the
death-rate amounted to 1.35 per cent.
227. In Madras, Salem district shows an improvement, 171 ponies being
castrated against 134 last year; but Coimbatore shows a great falling off, only
17 having been castrated against 98 last year. This is to be regretted, as pony-
breeding will not progress unless castration is pushed.
PART I—IMPERIAL REPORT
B—REVENUE SECTION.
II.—MULE-BREEDING.
43
PART I.—IMPERIAL REPORT.
B.—REVENUE SECTION.
II.—MULE-BREEDING.
Cost of feed and
keep of Govern-
ment donkey
stallions,
228. The average cost per donkey, for the past two years, has been as
follows. That for the present year is shown in Table XIV, page 1:—
North-Western Provinces and Oudh . .
North Punjab .
.
.
.
.
.
South Punjab .
.
.
.
.
.
Baluchistan
.
.
.
.
.
.
Deccan.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Guzerat .
.
.
.
.
.
.
Sind and Cutch . . . . .
1895-96.
R
122
147
158
285
419
278
269
a.
15
8
4
4
0
0
0
p.
0
3
5
3
0
0
0
1896-97.
R.
142
186
182
250
511
318
304
a.
15
15
15
10
0
0
0
p.
7
1
10
7
0
0
0
229. The cost in the North-Western Provinces and Punjab is very satis-
factory, when the price of grain is considered, as also is the reduction noticed
in Baluchistan; this must be entirely ascribed to the care exercised by the
Superintendent in charge of these Provinces. The cost of feed and keep in
the Deccan, amounting as it does to R511 per annum, per donkey employed,
must be looked upon as very high.
Number of pony
and donkey
mares served by
Government
donkey stallions.
230. The number of pony and donkey mares covered by Government
donkey stallions, as noted in Table IX (page xxix), is as follows. The number
covered during the previous year is also given to enable comparisons to be
drawn:—
North-Western Provinces and Oudh
North Punjab
.
.
.
.
South Punjab . . . . .
Deccan
.
.
.
.
.
.
Guzerat
.
.
.
.
.
Sind and Cutch
.
.
.
.
.
Baluchistan . . . . .
TOTAL
Pony
1895-96.
3,776
8,471
5,262
67
19
786
94
18,475
mares.
1896-97.
3,553
8,053
5,504
41
19
693
103
17,966
Donkey
1895-96.
66
746
154
...
...
...
...
966
mares.
1896-97.
96
925
185
. . .
. . .
. . .
3
1,209
231. The coverings last year were abnormally high. The small reduction
in the number of pony mares covered, amounting as it does to 509 for the
whole of India, must be considered satisfactory, whilst the increase in the
number of donkey mares covered, viz., 243, is a matter for congratulation, as
it will in a measure help us out of our difficulties which now exist, with
reference to donkey stallions.
Number of mule
stock foaled.
232. The average of mule stock foaled, per stallion employed, is shown in
Table IX (page xxix). The following statement will show the working of the
year under review when compared with last year. As has been done on former
occasions, the percentage of produce to mares covered, is also given:—
North-Western Provinces and Oudh
North Punjab
.
.
.
.
South Punjab
.
.
.
.
Deccan
.
.
.
.
.
Guzerat
.
.
.
.
.
Sind and Cutch .
.
.
.
Mule produce.
Number foaled per
stallion employed.
1895-96.
18.16
17.41
12.32
1.57
6.00
4.94
1896-97.
16.68
14.54
14.33
3.10
11.00
5.64
Percentage of
produce to mares
covered.
1895-96.
36.33
21.51
17.56
10.16
35.29
12.95
1896-97.
33.58
19.41
19.34
14.92
57.89
13.48
233. The working in Northern India shows a certain falling off which can
be ascribed to the fact that so many mares left the districts in search of fodder.
The working in Bombay still continues bad. The high percentage of produce
to mares covered in Guzerat being due to the fact that only 19 mares were
covered in 1895-96, of which 11 held.
47
PART I.—IMPERIAL REPORT.
B.—REVENUE SECTION.
III.—HORSE FAIRS AND SHOWS.
Review on
Horse Fairs and
Shows of
1896-97.
234. Following the custom which has been adopted for the past few years,
I purpose reviewing the various Horse Fairs and Shows alphabetically, taking
them Province by Province; but, before doing so, I would remark that, owing to
famine this year, it has been very disastrous so far as Horse Shows are concerned.
The following were entirely abolished:—
Be-nazeer Fair, Rampur.
Aligarh, North-Western Provinces.
Muzafarnagar,
„
Kurnal,
Punjab.
Delhi,
Dera Ismail Khan,
Bahawalpore,
Umballa,
Punjab.
„
„
„
235. It is to my mind a doubtful policy whether it is advisable to abolish
a Horse Show entirely, as I am informed that the abolition of so many shows
has caused much dissatisfaction amongst the breeders, feeling as they do that
they were deprived of the prizes to which they would have been entitled had
the shows been held. The amount lost to them in this way was R3,800 in the
North-Western Provinces and Oudh, and R4,490 in the Punjab, including
R500 awarded by the Bahawalpore State. I consider that the breeders have
just cause for complaint: by all means abolish everything that would collect
a large number of people, but let the Horse Show be held, and in the North-
Western Provinces, let each be restricted to two days as is done in the Punjab;
in this way the difficulties in providing fodder would be small. If this policy
were adopted, it would be found that only such animals as the owners think
good enough to win a prize would be brought in, and in this way the deserving
mares and young stock would derive the advantage of the prizes offered by
Government.
236. It is not only in the matter of the total abolition of the Fairs and
Shows that a falling off will be noticed; the numbers that attended those that
were held were much smaller than usual, but, having visited a large number
of shows, I am of opinion that this was absolutely no detriment, but rather
was it an advantage; scarcity prevented a large number of inferior animals
being present, the owners of which generally attend for their own amusement,
feeling that in all probability free fodder will be provided for them. What
was short in number was more than made up for in quality.
NORTH-WESTERN PROVINCES.
Batesar Horse
Fair.
237. Was held from 17th to 26th November 1896. Although not perhaps
as successful as it might have been had such scarcity not existed, still, from a
Remount point of view, I consider it to have surpassed all expectations that
had been formed.
238. Batesar must be looked upon as one of the large horse markets of the
North-Western Provinces. We frequently hear that small shows are dis-
appointing, inasmuch as they provide but few remounts of four years of age;
these, however, must be looked upon as the remount producing centres. At
these shows we meet with large numbers of young stock, and as it is well
known that the ordinary zemindars cannot afford to keep young stock over
two years, these are bought by small dealers who rear them, and these are
then found at the various large horse markets in India of which Batesar is
one.
74
whose districts decreases have to be made, frequently feel aggrieved, but the
decreases are absolutely necessary if increases have to be made.
462. During the year under review, I had R500 more at my disposal,
having received a special grant of that amount for Kalimpong which had been
paid out of the usual allotment during the previous year. This therefore
allowed me to propose increases to the amount of R1,200 whilst only R700 had
to be saved; these were distributed as follows:—
Amritsar
.
.
.
.
Bulaudshahr . . .
Garhmuktesar . . .
Jhang
.
.
.
.
Jhelum
.
.
.
.
Kurnal
.
.
.
.
Rawalpindi .
.
.
.
Sibi
.
.
.
.
.
Umballa
.
.
.
.
Horse Runs .
.
.
.
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
TOTAL
Increase
R
...
. 100
. 00
. 50
. 100
. . . .
. 100
. 500
. 50
. …
.
1,200
Decrease.
R
300
...
...
...
…
50
...
…
...
350
700
463. The award of prizes at Amritsar was proposed to be abolished and
the sanction of the Government of India accorded to the proposal, on the
grounds that this is purely a dealers' fair, and that prizes had little effect on
the number of animals present, as they were brought solely for sale. The Dis-
trict Authorities, however, felt aggrieved at the withdrawal of the Imperial
grant and asked for it to be restored to them, on the understanding that they
gave a similar amount; this was agreed to.
464. The discontinuance of prizes for Horse Runs, effecting a saving of
R350 was recommended and sanctioned. This I deemed necessary as I found
the same men and the same enclosures receiving awards year after year;
besides which, I felt that these runs were not used for the purpose for which
they were intended. In this opinion the Deputy Commissioners, in whose
districts the only runs existed, concurred.
465. During the year under review, the sum of R4,550 was saved owing to
the shows at Aligarh, Kurnal, Delhi, Muzafarnagar, Dera Ismail Khan, and
Umballa being abolished. Of this amount, the sum of R300 was re-allotted
to Amritsar.
SUMMARY.
466. It is scarcely correct to compare the results obtained at the various
Horse Shows and Fairs held in India during the year under review, with those
obtained in previous years, as, owing to the great scarcity which prevailed,
two of the largest shows held in North-Western Provinces as well as that
held in the Native state of Rampur, had to be abolished. Similarly, four
shows in the Punjab, and that usually held in the Bahawalpore State, could
not take place owing to the same reasons.
467. It is therefore very pleasing to be able to note that, notwithstanding
the very adverse circumstances under which the various shows and fairs were
held, for it must be remembered that even in the case of most of those that
took place great scarcity prevailed, I say it is very pleasing to be able to note
that the general results are satisfactory.
468. The total number of animals present at the various Horse Fairs and
Shows, during the year under review, (Table XV, page liv) showed a decrease
of 11,503, but only 487 less competed for prizes. This, I think, proves that
owners of all animals that were considered of any value and likely to take prizes,
attended.
75
469. The following statement will show the number of remounts and
young stock purchased at fairs and shows during the past three years:—
1894-95 .
1895-96 .
1896-97 .
. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
. .
.
.
. .
. 1,613
. 1,879
. 1,148
470. The Remount Department purchased 318 less; this, however, was
due in a great measure to the fact that their requirements were smaller and
not to the fact that they were not obtainable.
471. The Native Cavalry purchased 388 less; this must be attributed to
the abolition of many of the shows, the balance of the requirements of this
branch of the service must, I think, have been obtained from dealers.
472. Six hundred and three (603) mules were purchased by Government,
against 885 last year. Two hundred (200) were bought by others. The
difference between this year and last was therefore as follows :—
1895-96 .
1896-97 .
.
.
. .
. .
.
.
.
.
. . 3,307
. . 2,603
Stallions whose
produce
won
prizes.
473. The abstract of Table XVI (page lviii), shows the number of prizes
awarded to stock, the produce of different classes of sires, by which it will be
seen that the following results were obtained in the four largest classes:—
Thoroughbred English
.
.
.
Do. Australian
.
.
.
.
Half and three-quarter breds and Hackneys
Arabs
.
.
.
.
.
.
Proportion
of 1st
prizes.
1.13
1.00
0.31
0.34
Proportion
of total
prizes.
6.56
5.16
3.75
3.13
The country-bred sires are credited with 0.4 first, and a total of 5.4 of
all prizes. An explanation is due on this point, as otherwise it places this
class of stallion on an equality with the thoroughbred Australians, which is not
correct. The calculations are based on five so-called country-breds, but these
include "Fiddle" and "Young Grendon," bred by General Parrott, that may
almost be said to be thoroughbreds.
PART I.—IMPERIAL REPORT.
B.—REVENUE SECTION.
IV.—INSTRUCTION FARM,
82
Raju or Murwa.
This was sown on well manured land and germinated well, but from want of rain, and the soil not being
suitable for this variety of millet, the crop failed.
Hay.
The outturn of hay this year was very poor for want of rain. The Opeira encamping ground yielded only
two hundred maunds of hay, though the land was ploughed and sown with grass seeds. The new grass came up
very well, but, for want of rain, dried up, leaving only a scanty crop of the old spear grass mixed with 'kas'
and 'dab.' Seven hundred maunds of hay were saved from paddocks Nos. 1 and 10, and two hundred and
thirty maunds were purchased, making a total for the year of one thousand, one hundred and thirty maunds.
Bedding.
The bedding grass bought last year has lasted up to the present year, more will be bought next year.
Manure.
The method of saving manure in pits with covers, has been found satisfactory, and is being continued."
86
These houses are absolutely necessary and Government should bear the cost.
The alterations and additions noted above are not many or expensive; when done, the laboratory
will be quite satisfactory."
492. I trust soon to hear that the defects have been made good, and that
the laboratory is in every way ready for the commencement of the important
Bacteriological work which Dr. Lingard will be prepared to undertake now
that he has commenced his investigations into Rinderpest.
493. Owing to Professor Koch's visit to India and to the fact that
Dr. Lingard, Imperial Bacteriologist, has been associated with him for the past
six weeks, that officer states that he is unable to give more than a mere sketch
of the work done during the year.
The following outline has been received from him:—
"Outbreaks of Surra during 1896-97, with report on the Kathgodam epidemic, which carried off the entire
stud, 97 in number.
(a) Containing a short statement of the results of physiological and pathological observations with regard
to bovines and buffaloes, etc., in health and Surra. The object in view, as in equines, was to
elucidate the changes which take place in the blood of animals previous to, and after, contracting
Surra, together with an inquiry into the ingested and egested Nitrogen and water, for the purpose
of explaining the rapid waste of tissue in this disease.
(b) Microscopical investigations continued—during the end of the hot season and the middle of the
rains—with a view to the discovery of the Hæmatazoon of Surra,
(1) In flies,
(2) In mud,
(3) In fish,
obtained from localities where the disease breaks out yearly in equines,"
PART I.—IMPERIAL REPORT.
B.—REVENUE SECTION.
V. (A).—EQUINE DISEASES.
92
508. During the year under review, the number of animals imported was
as follows:—
Arabs .
Australians
Country-breds
Persians
Northerners
Hungarians
English
Cape
Pegu
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
Horses and Ponies
Mules
Donkeys
. .
. .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
.
.
.
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
TOTAL
.
2,796
.
2,035
. 353
. 334
. 175
. 78
. 60
. 54
. 9
.
5,894
. 228
. 50
.
6,172
In addition to which, 114 horses were brought by rail from Madras.
509. When it is taken into consideration that this large number of horses
is dispersed all over India, and that nearly every cantonment receives one or
two, it will at once be seen that too careful supervision cannot be exercised
if we wish to protect our Mounted Corps against the invasion of this fatal
disease.
510. During the 15 months under review, 35 horses were destroyed for
Glanders, against 26 last year.
511. Forty horses were admitted to the Lazaretto, of which 25 were found
to be glandered on admission, and 15 were detained as being suspicious. Of
these, 10 developed glanders, 3 died from debility, and 2 were discharged. Of
the 40 horses admitted:—
12 belonged to owners of carriages plying for hire,
10 came from the Commission stables,
9 were the property of private individuals,
7 were found wandering about the streets,
2 came from the Harbour Division.
Three points strike one when considering these figures, viz.:—
(a) The danger to the public by the existence of the disease in hackney
carriage horses, and the necessity of very careful supervision,
especially at night when these horses are mainly used.
(b) The necessity of segregation of all horses that have been in con-
tact with affected animals discovered in the Commission stables,
and the thorough disinfection of the premises. Neither of these
important measures are alluded to in the report submitted by
the Principal, Bombay Veterinary College, and it is not known
whether attention is paid to them.
(c) The danger that exists through the iniquitous practice of horses
affected with the disease being allowed to wander about the
streets. As Veterinary Major Mills states, this is a practice most
difficult of detection in a large city like Bombay, still, strenuous
efforts should be made to trace the owners of such horses, and
when detected, most exemplary punishments should be inflicted.
Of the 40 horses admitted to the Lazaretto, 31 were Arabs, 4 were walers,
and 5 were country-breds, thus proving that Arabs are more frequently
affected with the disease than other breeds. It would have been instructive to
96
NORTH-WESTERN PROVINCES.
Dehra Doon District.—During the past year, 12 deaths are reported to
have occurred in this district, but it is to be regretted that particulars of the
attacks have not been furnished. It is interesting to note that the disease has
occurred among animals living at this elevation. It is not known whether
these animals have been recent importations, and this is a matter which should
be carefully investigated.
Muzaffarnagar District.—The disorder is usually very prevalent in this
district, a considerable part of which is low-lying and subject to inundations.
The Kairana Tehsil is the tract which is most usually infected with the para-
site which causes this disease, but the three cases which have been reported
from this district during the past year occurred in the villages of Sahjeroa,
Kachouli and Cherthawal in the Tehsil of Muzaffarnagar. The deaths occurred
between November 1896 and January 1897.
Nainital District—In 1895, during the rains, the Railway Tonga Service
lost several ponies, while private individuals lost about 16 animals. During
the past year only one animal is reported to have succumbed to Surra.
Saharanpur District.—The Rajpur Dâk line was very unfortunate in
having this disease among their horses in 1895, when 56 animals are reported
to have succumbed. During April 1896, and subsequently, 47 more are
reported to have died of Surra.
CENTRAL PROVINCES.
Jubbulpur District.—This disease broke out among the police horses
stationed in Jubbulpur. Fourteen horses had died before the Superintendent,
Civil Veterinary Department, Central Provinces, was called in to diagnose the
disease. Six more horses died during January 1897, 7 were still under observa-
tion, and 4 were considered at the time to be free from Surra. No further
report has been received.
97
SURRA.
DISTRICT.
Delhi . . .
Karnal . . .
Amballa .
.
.
Hoshiarpur . .
Ludhiana . .
Ferozepur
.
.
Gurdaspur
. .
Amritsar . .
Lahore .
.
.
Gujranwala
.
.
Jhelum .
.
.
Mooltan
.
.
.
Peshawar . .
NUMBER OF SOLIPEDS IN
VILLAGES.
Horses.
81
318
67
74
102
295
5
88
47
202
31
37
32
Mules.
71
88
2
...
6
...
3
...
4
15
...
...
Donkeys.
263
332
216
50
102
322
...
109
52
331
63
9
29
Total.
415
738
285
124
204
623
5
200
99
537
109
46
61
NUMBER OF DEATHS.
Horses.
52
71
25
61
38
153
2
71
36
39
3
24
4
Mules.
6
71
2
...
1
...
3
...
...
2
...
...
Donkeys.
36
25
49
32
14
113
...
45
22
58
1
...
...
Total.
94
167
76
93
52
267
2
119
58
97
6
24
4
DATE.
From December 1892 to
December 1896.
From August 1894 to March
1897.
From November 1894 to
November 1896.
From 1894 to 1895.
From February 1895 to
November 1896.
From May 1893 to August
1896.
From September 1896 to
January 1897.
From August 1894 to De-
cember 1895.
From December 1894 to
March 1895.
From November 1892 to
October 1896.
From May 1896 to Decem-
ber 1896.
From June 1893 to June
1895.
During 1895.
NORTH-WESTERN PROVINCES.
Saharunpur . .
Nainital . . .
Muzaffarnagar . .
25
1
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
25
1
...
1
1
3
...
...
...
...
...
...
1
1
3
During April 1896.
During November 1896.
From November 1896 to
January 1897.
CENTRAL PROVINCES.
Jubbulpur . .
GRAND TOTAL .
17
1,422
...
189
...
1,878
17
3,489
6
590
...
85
...
395
6
1,070
PART I.—IMPERIAL REPORT.
B.—REVENUE SECTION.
VI.-GENERAL.