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APPENDIX XIX.
No. 4224, dated Calcutta, the 23rd February 1900.
From—Dr. J. N. Cook, d.ph., Health Officer to the Corporation of Calcutta,
To—Major Raymond, Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department.
The Chairman of the Corporation has asked me to request you to be so good as to
advise us in the matter of stamping out disease amongst the draught ponies and horned cattle
in our Municipal Gowkhanas. Last year 188 ponies died out of 597, 67 bulls out of 396, and
50 buffaloes out of 191. Two of the principal causes of this heavy mortality were glanders
and rinderpest, 102 ponies being destroyed for the former and 29 head of cattle dying of the
latter. About 80 ponies have been destroyed since the 1st April. The special points on
which we wish for advice are :—
(1) Whether it is desirable to apply the mallein test to all our ponies and to destroy
all that react.
(2) Extensive repairs to our stables have been passed by the Commissioners, but on
the score of economy they have substituted brick on edge pointed for patent
stone flooring. Do you consider that bricks holding moisture and organic
matter could be a breeding ground for bacteria and so keep up the
infection ?
(3) Do you consider it advisable for us to engage a Veterinary Inspector or Inspectors
to spend their time in the examination of the animals and the separation
and treatment of infected ones? If so, what do you consider a fair remunera-
tion for a suitably qualified man?
(4) Do you consider that it would be conducive to the health of our ponies and cattle
if a place were procured outside the town where they could be sent out to
grass to recuperate when they become debilitated from work or sickness?
(5) If any other point occurs to you we should be obliged if you would advise uson it.
No. 524V.D., dated Belgatchia, the 13th March 1900.
From—Veterinary-Major F. Eaymond, f.r.c.v.s., &c., Superintendent, Civil
Veterinary Department, Bengal,
To—Dr. J. N. Cook, d.ph., Health Officer to the Corporation of Calcutta.
In answer to the questions asked in your letter No. 4224, dated the 23rd February 1900,
I have the honour to state as follows:—
1. Glanders will not be stamped out of the Municipal Gowkhanas unless mallein can be
freely used; all the ponies should be sufficiently tested, and all those that fail to pass the test
in a satisfactory manner should be destroyed.
2 Brick flooring is not good, because the bricks absorb moisture and filth like sponges,
and, as you say, harbour infection. When the bricks are saturated, the subsoil becomes
permeated in its turn. In my experience, moreover, the bricks become loosened somewhat
rapidly.
3. If I am rightly informed, the Corporation owns five or six depots, two of which are
large, and the total number of animals employed is not less than 600. To stamp out
contagious disease and to treat ordinary cases, not less than two Veterinary Assistants will be
required, but in view of the thoroughly infected condition of the animals, these men should
work under an expert specially skilled in glanders. The Veterinary Assistants should be
paid Rs. 40 per mensem rising to Rs. 60, by annual increments of Rs. 2. They should
have decent quarters or a lodging allowance and be allowed a sum for travelling to and from
the various gowkhanas. They should be permitted to subscribe to any pension fund sanc-
tioned by the Corporation for officials of their status. Private practice should not be permitted
To each Veterinary Assistant an intelligent syce should be allotted to render assistance in
securing, holding and dressing animals.
4. When the stud has been freed from infectious disease, it might be advantageous
to turn weakly animals out to grass; but it would have to be in a place that is not swampy,
and I am not aware of any in the neighbourhood of Calcutta. The drawback of grazing
animals on swampy land is that they become infested with worms which make them weak
and they are liable to contract surra which is a very fatal disease.
5. In answer to paragraph 5, I would remark as follows:—
I have to thank you for showing me the stables which, I fear, must be described as
hot-beds for the propagation of disease; but I would add that as no Veterinary advice has
been available, I was not very much surprised.
6. Though it is well that the stables should be repaired, the repairs alone will no
check the propagation of disease, unless combined with methodical and energetic measures
systematically carried through. For this purpose the veterinary service should receive
the serious support of the Corporation, and the zealous assistance of the subordinate
staff free from covert opposition and obstruction. Granted the above conditions, it
would be possible within a comparatively short time to reduce the yearly losses to a
minimum.
The following recommendations are made:—
(a) The Veterinary service should form a separate branch of the establishment under
the direction of the Health Officer;