NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
MUKTESAR, FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 31ST MARCH, 1922
9
ping " machine has superseded the old corking method of
closing bottles. The bottling department was somewhat
handicapped by delay in the receipt of serum bottles from
Europe, and arrangements were made through a local con-
tractor for a supply of beer bottles, which though not of
aesthetic appearance serve the purpose remarkably well.
Minor but permanent economies were made in connection
with the packing and despatch of serum.
Forest supplies. During the year under report the total
output of the Muktesar forest amounted to 28,540 maunds
of fuel wood, 1,305 maunds of charcoal, 4,047 maunds of
green grass, 3,795 maunds of green oakleaves (for fodder),
and 3,269 maunds of hay. As in previous years the admi
nistration of the forest and the utilization of forest
resources were carried out according to a prescribed work-
ing plan. Owing to a further rise in the cost of labour the
price of charcoal had to be slightly increased. During May
and June the laboratory staff was kept busy checking
attempts at incendiarism. Seeds of pines, Laburnum,
Caprissus sempervivens, and Thuya lobbii were sown to
form a nursery of young plants wherewith to fill the treeless
gaps in the inner laboratory area and around the outer
kraals.
Laboratory farm supplies. During the year the area
under cultivation was increased from 37 to 44 acres.
The produce amounted to 1,587 maunds of green
fodder (maize, Sorghum, lucerne, and clover), which was
ensiled, and about 600 maunds of vegetables, chiefly for the
feeding of the small laboratory animals, and for the staff.
There are certain factors which operate adversely upon the
success of cultivation in the station, namely, the uncertainty
of the labour supply during the busy seasons and the diffi-
culty of transporting manure, which is available in large
quantities in the inner laboratory area and out-kraals, on
account of the absence of good roads to the cultivable tracts.
Steps are taken to ascertain the best means of economically
increasing the productive area to at least 300 acres, and
arrangements were made before the close of the year for the
inspection of the station by the Imperial Agriculturist.
Dairy supplies. The dairy management was under-
taken by the farm department during Mr. Goffi's absence
on leave. The dairy herd consisted of 22 cows, one stud
bull, and 19 calves. The milk supply was sadly deficient
10
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY,
throughout the year to meet the demands of the residents,
and in order to eliminate this possible factor of justifiable
discontent, steps have been taken to enlarge and improve the
dairy herd. The Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa,
very kindly handed over to Muktesar, as the result of my
representations at Pusa, a very fine specimen of young Ame-
rican Holstein bull, and the Imperial Dairy Expert ar-
ranged to procure eight additional Karachi cows of good
quality. After their arrival the difficulties in connection
with the milk supply should cease, and by judicious breed-
ing it is hoped that ample milk will be available for the
station.
Labour. Owing to the exertions and tact of the recruit-
ing mates a sufficiency of labour was maintained through-
out the year. The labour supply of the laboratory is a pe-
culiar one, for owing to the aversions of the local populace
towards the menial duties of the laboratory the main mass
of the labour is recruited in Doti, 200 miles away. It is
the policy of the laboratory to encourage the stay of good
labour by allowing suitable periods of leave after a reason-
able term of service. Nevertheless the majority of the
coolies and cattle attendants (gowallas) represent a fleeting
population. The number of farm coolies, namely those em-
ployed in out-kraal duties, cultivation and general work,
engaged during the year numbered 605. Of these, 524
were discharged or absconded during the period. The
average daily attendance was 299. More labour of this
class will be required with the development of more exten-
sive cultivation. The average daily number of cattle at-
tendants (gowallas) employed in the inner sheds, in con-
nection with serum making animals, was 167 (the rinder-
pest side 127, " experimental " side 40).
Transport. The transport problem at the present time
represents the most serious impediment to the development
of the resources of Muktesar, and the necessity for the
materialization of the proposed ropeway scheme, or for the
construction of a proper cart road, to connect the station
directly or indirectly with railhead (Kathgodam), has now
become a cogent economic concern. The present methods
of transport are entirely by means of pack animals and
coolies. The cost of transport of loads not exceeding one
maund in weight from railhead amounts on an average to
three rupees a maund. The rates for loads above one
MUKTESAR, FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 31ST MARCH, 1922 11
maund in weight increase proportionately and attain as
much as twenty rupees per maund for loads from 10 to 15
maunds in weight. The transport of laboratory stores
both ways is undertaken by a contractor, while the cost of
transport is included in the price of grain delivered at
Muktesar by the grain contractors. The supply of labour
for transport is extremely erratic, and at times ceases for
some weeks, with the result that laboratory stores have to
remain at railhead for a considerable time and hence are
often found perished through exposure and rough handling
on arrival subsequently at Muktesar. The loss incurred
through leakage of kerosine oil tins represents a serious
item yearly. The approximate annual weight of stores
transported between Muktesar and railhead annually comes
to nearly *twenty-seven thousand maunds, and at Rs. 3 per
maund the expenditure on transport, paid either by the
contractor or by the laboratory directly, amounts to
Rs. 81,000. To this a sum might be added Rs. 30,000
which represents the cost of transport of 40,000 maunds of
grass, at an average rate of 12 annas per maund, procured
from an area within a radius of 10 miles of Muktesar. It
is anticipated that a large proportion of this forage could
be obtained at a comparatively low rate from points along
the suggested improved routes of communication.
Transport within the laboratory area. The daily
weight of rations transported from the Farm Godown to
the various out-kraals amounts to an average of nearly 37
maunds, and is undertaken by coolies and ponies. It is
therefore calculated that at the present time any system of
mechanical transport would be too expensive when com-
pared with the cost of hand labour. Nevertheless, the in-
creased cost could be met to some extent by increased deve-
lopment of cultivation.
Power house department. The output of the water
supply system and gas plant of the laboratory was increas-.
ed as compared with the previous year. No inconvenience
was experienced in the inner laboratory area due to defi-
cient water supply, although the winter of 1921-22 had
been very mild, without much rain and snowfall, and the
* Grain
Kerosine, crude and lubricating oils
Laboratory stores (both ways)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
20,000 mds.
1,900 „
5,000 „
26,900 „
12
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY,
summer of the year under report was unusually warm.
Pumping operations had to be continued daily for long
hours owing to the limited engine power available. No
trouble was experienced with the gas plant, and the regu-
larity and quality of the gas supply to the laboratory shows
a very satisfactory improvement. A considerable reduction
was effected by the engineer in the quantity of kerosine oil
used in gas production, by using waste lubricating oil,
which previously used to be thrown away, mixed with crude
oil, to which was added a certain percentage of kerosine
oil. The new electric centrifuges continued to run satis-
factorily and no breakdowns occurred. There was a re-
duced consumption of current used by the centrifuge
motors, amounting to 1,436 units, due to decrease in the
quantity of blood centrifuged as compared with the preced-
ing year.
The shortage of engine power in the laboratory has be-
come an urgent problem, and considerable apprehension is
felt with regard to the occurrence of a possible breakdown
in the existing arrangements. The Hornsby oil engine in
the power house was run for long periods every day during
the dry period, from February to June, and considerable
difficulty was found by the engineering staff in finding time
to clean and overhaul the engine, and- supply the other
needs of the laboratory. The staff had to work daily, holi-
days included, for 10 to 12 hours during this period. The
principal engine spare parts, ordered in 1920 through the
Public Works Department, have not yet arrived, and are
urgently required in order to maintain regular and effi-
cient running. Steps have been taken to exploit the pos-
sibilities of installing a hydro-electric power scheme with
all practicable speed. With the further development of
the technical resources of the laboratory it will be neces-
sary to obtain an ample supply of cheap power. The recur-
ring expenditure upon fuel for oil engines, the cost of
which at the station is very heavy owing to the steadily in-
creasing transport rates and the leakage en route, consti-
tutes an impediment to the development of the station as a
manufactory for certain products on a large scale. Pre-
liminary investigations seem to indicate that there is suffi-
cient water power in the vicinity of the laboratory to meet
all the computed demands of the institution for many
years. The engineer has examined a stream situated two
and a half miles away from the laboratory which is
MUKTESAR, FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 31ST MARCH, 1922
13
calculated to produce over twenty times the power annually
utilized hitherto in the laboratory. A preliminary scheme
to harness 285,000 units annually is being drawn up, and
is being carefully checked before presentation.
In addition to their current duties, the engineer and his
staff rendered invaluable aid in constructing or modifying
mechanical devices required by the veterinary technical
workers of the laboratory.
Medical and sanitary arrangements. No epidemic of a
serious nature occurred among the laboratory personnel
during the year under report. Relapsing fever, which in
former years had occasionally caused considerable disloca-
tion of work by its appearance among the menial staff,
did not occur save in two very small oubreaks ; one of these
occurred in our workmen who live in an adjoining village,
but thanks to the prompt and efficacious methods of control
adopted by Assistant Surgeon Ratish Chandra Banerji, the
disease was extinguished before it had a chance to obtain a
hold on the station. In order to guard against rapid trans-
mission of this disease effective methods of ridding the
menials of the vector were actively carried out in a regular
periodic manner by the Assistant Surgeon. A few cases of
influenza appeared but caused no undue alarm. The ques-
tion of sanitation represents an exceptionally important
problem in this place, on account of its topography, the
nature of work, and the peculiarities of the residents re-
cruited for the work. The Assistant Surgeon made most
meritorious endeavours to solve this difficulty, but it is con-
sidered that the proper execution of the necessary duties in
this connection represents sufficient work for a fully trained
sanitary inspector.
Library. The number of professional periodicals taken
regularly by the library amount to 98, the number of bound
volumes of journals is 3,059, the number of text-books pur-
chased up to the present 1,189, reports received up to the
present 998, and pamphlets 663. The library is perhaps
the most complete in any veterinary institution in the
British Empire, and steps have been taken to place it in
such order that it may readily serve the needs of the profes-
sion in India. For this purpose it requires competent super-
vision and some additional recurring expenditure in keep-
ing it well stocked with all the current relevant literature.
14
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY,
Branch laboratory. The branch laboratory at Kurgai-
na (Bareilly) was, as in former years, opened early in
October. Temporary grass chuppers were erected for the
accommodation of animals. A number of hill bulls were
transferred to the Izatnagar site at Bareilly for want of
sufficient accommodation at Muktesar. The Kurgaina
laboratory was utilized as a factory for the production of
anti-rinderpest serum until the beginning of March. The
total output of serum amounted to 1,292,381 (5 c.c.)
" doses." One large quantity of serum (265,000 doses)
prepared towards the close of the season was discarded, as
it was found to be of low potency when subjected to a test
and it was somewhat grossly contaminated with micro-
organisms. The latter fault might have been obviated if
there had been a cold storage installation at Bareilly, while
the low potency would be attributable to the circumstance
that the serum was obtained from producers which had been
in use throughout the season.
The Kurgaina site presents certain grave disadvantages
as a serum station and these reside mainly in the fact that
it lies near a much frequented main thoroughfare and hence
there is some risk of accidental spread of rinderpest, and
the area is too restricted for the proper accommodation of
animals and for future expansion. Having this in mind
the late Colonel Holmes, when he was Director of this labo-
ratory, took steps to acquire about 700 acres of suitable
land at Izatnagar near Bareilly and for some years certain
residential quarters have been erected on the site. He had
also in mind the development of the branch laboratory as a
tributary research centre where work could be carried out in
the winter months. Although for the prosecution of
modern research work on disease, which necessitates the un-
remitting attention of the worker throughout all seasons of
the year, Muktesar possesses incomparable advantages in
most respects, yet for certain kinds of investigation the pos-
session of a suitable research centre at a convenient distance
on the plains forms an essential complement to the Muktesar
laboratory. Moreover, for the cheap massive production of
serum during a certain part of the year a " plains " labo-
ratory situated at such a place as Izatnagar presents strik-
ing economical advantages, and it is hoped by the installa-
tion of suitable cooling apparatus, by the exploitation of
various methods of desiccating serum on a large scale, and
developing the agricultural resources of Izatnagar to place
MUKTESAR, FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 31ST MARCH, 1922
15
it on such a footing that it will eliminate some of the heavy
items of expenditure at present inseparable from the utili-
zation of the Muktesar laboratory as a serum factory. Steps
are being taken to open up the Izatnagar site during the
next cold weather.
Finances. During the year under report the receipts
from the sale of laboratory products amounted to
Rs. 4,39,459-13-9*, to which may be added Rs. 34,303
which represents the value of products supplied to the Army
Department free of charge. The total thus amounts to
Rs. 4,73,762-13-9, against Rs. 4,52,813-11-7 in the previous
year.
The revenue derived from the sale of the laboratory pro-
ducts will increase substantially in future years, as with
effect from the 1st April, 1922, the Government of India has
revised the rates to be charged for these products in accord-
ance with the estimated increased expenditure now entailed
in their manufacture. In addition, the laboratory will
charge for supplies indented by the Army Department.
General remarks. In conclusion, I wish to place on re-
cord my appreciation of the remarkable goodwill and loyal-
ty displayed by all members of the staff. I have to thank in
particular :—(1) Mr. Watson, the Engineer, for his zeal
and initiative in connection with the development of
mechanical power for the laboratory and for executing the
various contrivances required by the research staff in their
work; (2) Mr. Mobbs, the Third Laboratory Assistant, for
supervising the store department in addition to carrying
out his own duties; (3) Captain A. J. Hearsey, the Farm
Manager, for preparing data in connection with schemes of
extended cultivation; (4) Mr. J. D'Costa, the Veterinary
Deputy Superintendent, for his intelligent supervision of
routine serum manufacture at Muktesar ; (5) Munshi Abdul
Ghani, for his excellent work of organization at Bareilly ;
(6) the whole office staff, and especially the Office Superin-
tendent, Rai Sahib Pt. Krishna Nand, whose long experi-
ence of local conditions, ability, dignity, and tact have
established for him a reputation as a most valued adviser in
the direction of the institution.
* This amount includes Rs. 25,144-1 realized on account of the arrears of the
previous year. Bills amounting to Rs. 3,812-15 are still due.
B
16
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY,
Finally, I must express my gratitude to Mr W. A. Pool
who communicated to me freely all the experience he had
gained during the period he had officiated as Director of the
institution, and whose earnest work, often in somewhat try-
ing circumstances, enabled the institution to cope, with un-
precedented success, with the increased demands that were
made upon it for sera. Without his liberal advice when I
took over charge, I would have found it extremely hard to
grasp the peculiar difficulties attached to the working of
this institution.
II. PREPARATION AND ISSUE OF SERA AND VACCINES.
A summary of the results reported from the use of these
products in the field is tabulated in Appendix I.
Anti-rinderpest serum forms the staple product of the
laboratory. The total quantity produced was 2,720,057
(5 c. c.) doses as against 3,631,940 doses prepared during
the year 1920-21; 2,930,601 doses were issued as against
3,126,136 in the preceding year. The manufacture of this
serum has now overtaken demands and there was in stock
at the end of the year 864,000 doses. The demand was
195,535 doses less than in the preceding year, and the
decrease is represented largely by a falling-off in the indents
received from the Military Department, which obtained
146,521 doses only in 1921-22, as against 408,810 in 1920-
21. Except for some unforeseen occurrence it is, therefore,
anticipated that the combined resources of Muktesar and
Bareilly will be sufficient for some time to meet the capaci-
ties of the veterinary personnel throughout India in apply-
ing serum treatment in the field. The reports of the Pro-
vincial Departments continue to show an increased ten-
dency on the part of cattle owners to allow their animals
to be inoculated as a means of prevention against
rinderpest, and the following quotation from the forward-
ing letter of the Secretary to the Development Com-
missioner, Burma, covering the Report of the Civil
Veterinary Department, for the year ended 31st March,
1921, is significant,
".
severe outbreaks of
rinderpest, resulting in 31,921 deaths, occurred in Upper
Burma
Animals were inoculated in 659 out-
breaks, and only 377 animals, out of 69,785 inoculated,
died. The continued success of inoculation as a means of
reducing cattle mortality cannot fail to impress itself, in
MUKTESAR, FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 31ST MARCH, 1922 17
the course of time, on the minds of simple villagers, innate-
ly suspicious of all change, and signs are not lacking that
their conservatism is slowly being broken down by the re-
peated demonstration of the efficacy of inoculation." How-
ever, it is not pretended that serum alone represents an
elixir the mere exhibition of which in an outbreak of rinder-
pest wards off all danger. The limitations of serum treat-
ment, which confers a transient, passive immunity, have
been well discussed in a memoir by Messrs. Pool and Doyle,
of this laboratory, now in the press. Nevertheless, when
applied early in the course of a visitation in combination
with well-devised methods of segregation there can be no
doubt as to its supreme efficacy. The following excerpt
from the above-mentioned report (p. 9) indicates that in
some parts this procedure is well appreciated. " In most
of the districts where cattle disease is an annual visitation
there is no doubt that people have learnt from past experi-
ence the value of segregation and in such places co-operation
has produced most satisfactory results. The Sub-division-
al Officer, Prome, remarks that ' the low mortality this
year is due to prompt information of the outbreak of cattle
disease, the immediate visit of the Assistant to the spot
affected, and the help and co-operation of the headmen in
enforcing segregation and cattle disease rules. The disease
in most cases was localized and stamped out before it could
spread to the neighbouring villages.' " It would seem that
despite the fragility of the virus, the only sure preventive
against the disease in a country where segregation measures
cannot be effectually enforced is the wide-spread active im-
munization of the bovine population so as to render them
subsequently immune for the remainder of their lives
against attack. It is surprising to what a small extent
this method of immunization has been practised in India,
and the explanation must reside in the fear of attendant un-
toward results that might arouse the revulsion of owners
towards all inoculation. Where the method has been adopt-
ed regularly, as in the Military Dairies, it has been eminent-
ly successful, and the Controller declares (verbal communi-
cation) that the diseases affecting his herds are now reduced
to those which obtain among milch herds in temperate coun-
tries. The case for active immunization has been well
pleaded in the above memoir (by Messrs. Pool and Doyle),
and every endeavour is now being made at the laboratory
to exploit some safe and sure method of conferring a perma-
B 2