NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
MUKTESAR, FOR THE TWO YEARS ENDING THE 31ST MARCH, 1924
3
in January, 1923, to make enquiries in regard to contagious abortion
among cattle at the Government Military Dairy, and later visited Pusa
(28th January to 24th February) to inoculate the important herd of
cattle there against rinderpest, make certain investigations in regard to
the safety of the serum simultaneous method of inoculation against this
disease, and conduct the officers under training deputed there for practi-
cal demonstrations. He was further ordered to accompany these officers,
at the end of their course, around certain institutions in the Punjab in
which work of direct importance in connection with the live-stock industry
in India could be demonstrated to them (beginning of November to end of
December, 1923); he also performed rinderpest inoculations at the
Government Military Dairies at Lahore, Ferozepore, and Ambala in
order to test the efficacy of the serum issued for this purpose during the
1923-24 season, and was instructed to remain in the Punjab to investigate,
with the assistance of Mr. Torabaz Khan, the incidence of infection
and clinical affection due to the causal agent of the common form of
bovine contagious abortion among indigenous cattle under field condi-
tions until the end of March, 1924.
Mr. Timoney, the Third Bacteriologist, proceeded to Pusa in February,
1923, to present his paper upon mange in buffaloes before the Fifth Ento-
mological Conference. He was deputed to Izatnagar from 11th February,
1924, to repeat certain experiments upon the chemo-therapy of surra.
Mr. Cooper, the Pathologist, proceeded to Calcutta in November,
1923, to obtain information with regard to certain important disease
conditions in horses ; thence he proceeded to Bangalore to attend the
meeting of the Indian Science Congress, the Thirteenth Meeting of the
Board of Agriculture in India, and further undertook the immunization
of the herd of cattle at the Imperial Institute of Animal Husbandry and
Dairying at Bangalore and at the Government Dairy Farm at Wellington
and made important observations upon complications arising in animals
undergoing this treatment. On his return he interviewed the Principal,
Madras Veterinary College, and the Director, Indian Museum, Calcutta,
in regard to technical matters.
Mr. Brett, while he was officiating Veterinary Officer, toured the
Almora and Garhwal Districts during May and June, 1922, to investigate
the sources of hill bull supplies and make arrangements for securing
deliveries. He was in charge of serum production at Izatnagar from the
end of October to the end of December, 1922, and made tours for the
purchase of animals in the neighbourhood.
Mr. Haddow, after taking up the duties of Veterinary Officer, remained
in charge of serum preparation work at Izatnagar throughout the cold
weather season (November-March) 1923-24. During his stay there he
paid visits to Lucknow and Sitapur in January to supervise the work
of inoculating cattle at the Government Military Dairies against rinder-
pest.
Mr. Watson, the Engineer, visited Kathgodam in June, 1922, to
arrange for the transport of the heavy parts of the two steam boilers
4
REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY,
and large sterilizers to Muktesar, and visited Bareilly in February, 1923,
to supervise the making of castings of missing parts of this plant. He
paid visits to the Izatnagar laboratory in January and February,
1924, to arrange for repairs to laboratory appliances and prepare a scheme
for an adequate water supply.
II. ADMINISTRATION.
(a) Fodder and grain. During the year 1922-23, contracts were
placed for the supply to the Muktesar laboratory of 39,000 maunds of
hay and 6,000 maunds of pine needles and leaves for bedding. The
bedding was supplied in full quantity, but owing to the severe winter of
the year, with frequent heavy snowfalls, and the shortage of labour, the
contractors could not deliver more than 29,000 maunds of hay. An
attempt was made to make good the deficiency by feeding animals on
hay substitutes such as oak leaves and wheat and barley straw as far as
possible when these products were procurable.
During the year 1923-24, arrangements were made for increasing the
proportion of serum-manufacturing work to be undertaken during the
cold weather at Izatnagar and hence contracts were made for the supply
of smaller quantities of hay to Muktesar (25,000 maunds at Rs. 1-2 per
maund from the outside forest areas, and 3,500 maunds at 12 As. per
maund from the laboratory estate, small quantities of partly dry grass
obtainable from the forests during October to be delivered at 14 As. per
maund). The winter season during the year was a very mild one in the
hills and the contractor was able to command adequate labour ; hence
the full quantity contracted for was obtainable from the outside areas,
but he could collect only 2,611 maunds from the laboratory area.
During the year 1922-23, arrangements were made with two con-
tractors at Haldwani for the delivery of nearly 15,000 maunds of grain at
Muktesar. They fulfilled their agreement in a very satisfactory manner,
and the anxiety in respect of supplies of this very important commodity
experienced during the preceding year was dissipated. Again, for the
same reasons as were stated in dealing with the hay supplies, arrange-
ments were made for the delivery of smaller quantities of grain (7,740
maunds) to Muktesar during the year 1923-24. The contractor effected
deliveries in an eminently satisfactory manner.
Steps have been taken in conjunction with the Public Works Depart-
ment to draw up plans and estimates for more ample godown accommoda-
tion for the storage of grain, the building to be situated at the terminus
of the projected branch ropeway to Muktesar. The need for more room
for the storage of grain is still sorely felt, but schemes for provision of
our requirements in this respect have had to suffer on account of the pre-
vailing financial stringency.
The requirements of the Izatnagar branch laboratory were met during
the cold weather season 1922-23 by arrangement with a contractor to
deliver supplies of grain and hay at official price current rates. About
MUKTESAR, FOR THE TWO YEARS ENDING THE 31ST MARCH, 1924
7
stock, intensive efforts were made to exploit means of obtaining the most
invaluable serum without destruction of cattle. Researches in this direc-
tion have now culminated with the discovery of the desired means, so
that henceforward we are able to declare that in the manufacture of serum
against rinderpest at Muktesar no cattle need be destroyed.
Forest supplies. During the year 1922-23, 25,378 maunds of
fuel wood, 1,532 maunds of charcoal, 4,100 maunds of green grass, 15,697
maunds of green oak leaves (for fodder) and 2,334 maunds of hay were
obtained from the Muktesar Reserved Forest. During the year 1923-24,
30,837½ maunds of fuel wood, 2,066 maunds of charcoal, 5,190½ maunds
of green grass, 6,626 maunds of oak leaves, and 2,637½ maunds of hay
were obtained. The operations in the Reserved Forests were undertaken
according to the prescribed working plan drawn up by the Indian Forest
Service with success. Much difficulty had been experienced in the past
in regard to obtaining adequate supplies of fuel on account of the unre-
liability of contractors, but in 1923 a local contractor, Lala Joga Sah,
agreed to try his best to supply the laboratory needs without written
contract, and hitherto has been very successful. There were no incen-
diaries in the forest area. Reafforestation of treeless gaps in the inner
laboratory area by planting seeds of pine, laburnum, and Caprissus
sempervivens was attempted, and steps taken to prevent the denuding of
this area.
Arrangements were made for the purchase from contractors of the
fuel supplies of the Izatnagar laboratory, amounting to 950 maunds of
fuel wood, during the season 1922-23, and 1,750 maunds of fuel wood
during the season 1923-24.
(d) Labour. During the year 1922-23, the average daily number of
coolies employed, in general farm duties comprising out-kraal attendance,
cultivation, and maintenance of estate, was 386 ; 504 men were recruited
and 520 absconded or were discharged. In addition, an average daily
strength of 254.8 gwallas (cattle attendants) was employed in the inner
sheds in connection with serum-making and experimental work. During
the year 1923-24, the average daily strength of coolies was 265 (248
recruited and 380 discharged or absconded), and of gwallas 253 (108
recruited and 71 discharged or absconded). The same arrangements as
existed in previous years were made in regard to the recruitment and
employment of the labourers, mostly Dotiyals ; there were no outbreaks
of contagious disease among them and no labour troubles ; they seemed
throughout to be very contented with their lot and performed their work
admirably.
(e) Transport. The difficulties experienced in preceding years in
regard to transport of laboratory products and supplies to and from our
railhead, Kathgodam, persisted during the year 1922-23, but in view of
the general falling in the costs of labour and foodstuffs the question of
price rates was carefully re-examined before the commencement of the
year 1923-24. Acting upon the advice kindly tendered by the Deputy
Commissioner, Naini Tal District (Mr. Edye, I.C.S.), the advertised
12
REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY,
it is not anticipated that the very excessive demands on this plant and
the personnel employed, necessitated by the development of research,
will occur again. Great difficulty had been experienced during the winter
months in obtaining the proper heat in the retorts for gas manufacture,
owing to the effect of frequent snowfalls upon the exposed wood fuel,
but it is hoped that this drawback will be remedied when a protection
shed has eventually been constructed.
During the years under review, an experimental serum drying plant,
for the desiccation of serum at a low temperature in vacuo, was purchased
from Germany (Herr. Emil. Passburg-Berlin) and installed, with a view
to extending the application of the process to the entire serum output
of the laboratory if the trials should prove successful. A few preliminary
tests have indicated that the form of apparatus employed is not wholly
successful for serum.
The new sterilizing house was brought to near completion during the
period under review; two 10 n. h. p. steam boilers were installed in a
boiler house erected on the site of the old saw mill, and one 8 ft. x4 ft.
horizontal autoclave, two 4 ft. × 3 ft. horizontal autoclaves, four instan-
taneous hot water heaters, one large steam heated radiator, one steam
heated calorifier, with pipes and fittings, were also received from England,
and the whole sterilizing plant installed in working order. The boilers
were surveyed by the Boiler Inspector to United Provinces Government
and were passed for 100 lb. per sq. inch working pressure. The pressure
demanded for laboratory needs is 60 lb. as a maximum, and so there is
an ample margin of safety.
The out-laboratory, formerly known as the Charbon Laboratory, was
refitted to suit the needs of Dr. Soparkar, who had been deputed to the
laboratory to execute the experiments outlined in connection with the
projected tuberculosis enquiry.
Steps were also taken to have the out laboratory known as the Mallein
Laboratory completely fitted for the execution of exceptionally risky
routine bacteriological work, and a new electrically heated incubator
room was installed in it.
In the laboratory working rooms the 18 incubators and two incubator
rooms, heated by oil, gas, or electricity were under the charge of the
Engineer, and some difficulty was experienced owing to mishaps in tem-
perature regulation when the incubators contained important cultures;
perhaps, with increasing experience, he may be able to avert these dis-
concerting accidents. A number of arc lamps were installed for micro-
photography, episcope, and dark ground illumination work. The new
apparatus, purchased by Mr. Sheather, for microphotography was pro-
perly erected in a special room. Numerous fittings and repairs were
carried out by the Engineer in the laboratories.
The work of laying down the new kerosene oil storage tanks was nearly
completed.
MUKTESAR, FOR THE TWO YEARS ENDING THE 31ST MARCH, 1924 13
The godowns on the road to our railhead, at Kathgodam, Champi,
and Padambori were re-roofed and altered, departmentally under the
supervision of the Engineer.
Other duties included charge of the saw mill, farm machinery (a
grain crusher, formerly used in the preparation of atta in the Government
shop, was purchased, and is likely to crush enough grain for the needs of
animals for many years; a new oil-cake crusher was erected), and dairy
machinery (electric light was installed in the Dairy area and implements
motor driven).
The heavy falls of snow during the winter 1922-23 caused much
damage to the overhead transmission lines.
Temporary arrangements in connection with sterilizers, incubators,
and water supply were carried out by the Engineer at the Izatnagar
branch laboratory.
(i) Building construction. As in previous years, since the inception
of the laboratory, the construction of buildings and the maintenance and
repairs of roads and buildings within the laboratory estate was a charge
of the Public Works Department, United Provinces, and great credit is
due to this department for the substantial construction of work buildings
and residences. There has been allotted to the laboratory during recent
years a sum of Rs. 50,000 which is placed as a lump sum annually at the
disposal of Agricultural Adviser to the Government of India for the con-
struction of what are known as " Minor Works," and a further sum of
about Rs. 30,000 is expended on maintenance and repair items. Owing
to the prevailing financial stringency the allotment of funds for the
construction of " Major Works " was greatly curtailed during the years
under report, and the only items executed under this heading were
quarters for two Veterinary Inspectors and the completion of quarters
for a second Veterinary Deputy Superintendent and four Dressers. The
reason why a paragraph is inserted concerning this subject in this Report
is because since September 1922 Government of the United Provinces,
Public Works Department, Buildings and Roads Branch, has enquired
as to whether the supervision of this work could not be undertaken
departmentally and not indirectly, through the Local Government.
Replies were sent to effect that the staff of the laboratory was not in a
position to take up civil construction work in this peculiar locality in the
present state of its experience. However, in the winter of 1923-24,
intimation was received from the Government of India that the supervi-
sion of the laboratory work would be taken out of the hands of the Local
Government, and must be carried out departmentally and technical
guidance would be received through the Chief Engineer, Delhi. Much
anxiety was felt lest the responsibility for carrying out this technical
work and the proper spending of moneys should prove too onerous
and Government was approached again with a view to letting the matter
remain in the hands of the local authorities. Much delay was caused in
correspondence, and arrangements were made provisionally for the
16
REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY,
investigation of epizootic disease and delicate bacteriological and other
work necessitating attention throughout all seasons of the year.
The only permanent buildings now erected on the Izatnagar site are
certain residential quarters, and the housing of animals is effected by the
erection at the commencement of each season of temporary straw chuppers.
On 15th March, 1923, Mr. Milligan, Agricultural Adviser to the Govern-
ment of India, carefully examined the site with me, and a scheme for the
economic development of the laboratory involving a capital outlay on
buildings, spread over a number of years, was drawn up for submission
to Government. Later, the Secretary to the Government of India,
Department of Education, Health and Lands, Mr. M. S. D. (now Sir
Montagu) Butler visited the site with me, and after consideration it
was decided to postpone questions of permanent development pending
the acquisition of further anticipated technical knowledge concerning
the processes of anti-rinderpest serum manufacture. This decision soon
proved to be a wise one.
(m) Finances, (i) Income. During the year 1922-23, the income de-
rived from the sale of laboratory products amounted to Rs. 5,02,396-14,
as against Rs. 4,39,459-13-9 in the preceding year. The sum included
Rs. 3,812-15 realized on outstanding bills of the previous years. Bills
amounting to Rs. 35,762-3 were still due at the close of the year. The
amount also included the sum of Rs. 11,063-7 realized from the sale of
products to the Military Department.
During the year 1923-24, the income of the laboratory amounted to
Rs. 4,90,721-7-10, inclusive of the sum of Rs. 35,762-3 realized upon
the outstanding bills of the previous year. Bills amounting to
Rs. 44,294-4 were still due at the close of the year.
(ii) The budget expenditure of the laboratory for the year 1922-23
was Rs. 7,55,815-6-8, distributed under the various heads indicated in
Appendix V-A. The expenditure in 1923-24 was Rs. 6,96,322-2-1 (see
Appendix V-B.); a decrease in the budget grant of Rs. 30,000 was
made under the head " Feed and Keep of Animals " owing to the anti-
cipated falling in prices of labour, foodstuffs, and animals. For reasons
stated elsewhere in this report the reduction in prices did not mate-
rialize, as concerned Muktesar.
During the year 1922-23. there was therefore a deficit of Rs.
2,46,439-4-11 in income as compared with expenditure, and in 1923-24,
Rs. 2,05,600-10-3. These results were frankly disappointing. With effect
from 1st April, 1922, Government had sanctioned a fifty per cent. increase
in the prices of laboratory products with a view to equalizing the expendi-
ture and income of the laboratory. This hope would have been realized
if the conditions prevailing in regard to the issue of sera that had existed
in previous years had continued. However, with the increase in prices
there came a marked decrease in the demand for serum, notably anti-
rinderpest serum. It is worthy of interest therefore to compare the
income and expenditure figures of previous years with the issues of anti-
MUKTESAR, FOR THE TWO YEARS ENDING THE 31ST MARCH, 1924 17
rinderpest serum in order to see the reasons why it was hoped that the
suggested rise in the prices of products would place the laboratory almost
on a self-supporting basis:—
Year
1913-14
1914-15
1915-16
1916-17
1917-18
1918-19
1919-20
1920-21
1921-22
1922-23
1923-24
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.
Expenditure
Rs.
1,80,208
2,08,483
1,34,347
2,67,128
3,36,481
4,37,712
5,00,509
6,58,408
7,06,331
7,55,815
6,96,322
A.
10
14
3
5
3
13
10
14
3
6
2
P.
0
9
5
1
1
4
0
0
7
8
1
Income
Rs.
1,12,614
1,20,822
2,41,263
1,62,320
2,70,877
3,44,208
3,87,831
3,85,301
4,49,758
5,09,376
4,90,721
A.
4
14
10
12
4
9
4
10
11
1
7
P.
3
0
5
6
0
3
1
10
9
9
10
Doses of anti¬
rinderpest serum
issued
7,48,470
13,82,050
9,69,460
14,09,220
20,69,961
32,59,616
28,15,733
31,26,136
29,30,601
19,37,552
19,86,399
+85%
-31%
+45%
+47%
+57%
-14%
+11%
-7%
50% rise
{ in prices
of sera.
It will be noticed that there had been a marked but very irregular
rise in the demand for serum from the laboratory in the years preceding
those under report. The average calculated annual increase in the con-
sumption of serum amounted to 21 per cent. for the years 1913 to 1921,
and on this assumption that the increase in demand for serum would
continue it was anticipated that, with the enhanced price of serum, the
income of the laboratory would nearly balance expenditure in subsequent
years. Among the factors which operated to produce this decrease in.
the demand for serum were:—(1) A natural decline in the prevalence
and intensity of outbreaks of rinderpest throughout India. (2) The
prevailing financial stringency following upon the War, which greatly
restricted the purchasing resources of Local Authorities. For such
items of budget expenditure as " purchase of serum," the usual method
of exercising economy by the application of a proportionate " cut" was
made, without regard to the amount of the product that might be required
to save animal life in the province or to the increase in its price, due to the
increased cost of manufacture also brought about largely by the financial
stringency. (3) The transference of control of veterinary dispensaries
and outbreaks of animal disease in some provinces to Municipal Boards,
less able financially or less willing than a more central authority to bear
the burden of combating infectious disease. (4) The imposition by the
B 2
MUKTESAR, FOR THE TWO YEARS ENDING THE 31ST MARCH, 1924 21
of the serum recommended for use tested by officers of the laboratory at
a number of the Government Military Dairies.
There is no need to burden this report with accounts of the efficacy
of the serum in the field. The product is one which has to pass strict
tests as to its usefulness in the laboratory before it is issued, and its
effects make it, when properly used, one of the surest agents known to
prophylaxis. A very good customer for the laboratory supplies now is
the Iraq Government, and the accounts of the beneficial effects following
upon its use in the monthly reports of Veterinary Officer are most en-
couraging. It has been stated in the section dealing with the finances of
the laboratory that the chief reason for the difference between income
and expenditure was the diminished issue of anti-rinderpest serum,
and one of the causes of the diminution was the natural greatly decreased
prevalence of rinderpest in India during the years under report. The
following extracts from the " Reports on the working of the Civil Veteri-
nary Department of the Central Provinces and Berar " are fairly repre-
sentative :—
" The casualties from contagious disease among cattle as detailed
below will justify one in believing the present year to have been an abnor-
mally healthy one
"
" Rinderpest. Showed no tendency to spread
The reported
mortality from this disease was 1,725 against 10,022 in the previous
year." (Report for the year 1922-23, page 6).
" Rinderpest. Prevailed in a mild form and showed no tendency to
spread." (Report for the year 1923-24, page 7).
The following quotation from the Second Annual Report of the Civil
Veterinary and Remount Department, Iraq, for the year ending 31st
December, 1921, is significant :—Page 3 "Taken all over, the cattle
of the country are highly susceptible to the disease (rinderpest) and it
has been found necessary to inoculate an average sized animal of 500 lb.
weight with a dose of 40 c. c. serum in order to confer an immunity of
sufficient duration to be of any practical value. The cattle are always
allowed to mix either directly or indirectly with the diseased after ino-
culation."
" Altogether 85 outbreaks were reported and attended to, 4,292 head
of cattle died before inoculation and 107 after 18,197 animals were ino
culated."
Page 5 " Sera and vaccines were obtained from the Imperial Bac-
teriological Laboratory at Muktesar. They were received in excellent
condition and proved fully efficacious in all cases."
(6) Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia serum and vaccine. During 1922-23
202,714 doses (15 c. c.) of serum and 273,100 doses (5 c. c.) of vaccine
were prepared, and 226,998 doses of serum and 273,100 doses of vaccine
were issued. During 1923-24, 253,004 doses of serum and 177,600
doses of vaccine were prepared, and 221,174 doses of serum and 177,600
doses of vaccine were issued. These figures compare with 107,513 doses