NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
MUKTESAR, FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 31ST MARCH, 1921 15
The following table shows the number of animals treated :—
Southern Circle
Kirkee . .
Belgaum . .
TOTAL .
Pure-bred
imported
stock
...
...
...
Cross¬
bred
stock
86
2
88
Country
stock
60
114
174
Buffa¬
loes
32
1
33
Total
178
117
295
Deaths
nil
nil
nil
REMARKS
Amongst the inoculated cross-bred young stock an outbreak of hæmorrhagic sep¬
ticæmia occurred and 14 animals succumbed to it from the 14th to 17th November 1920.
IV. RESEARCH.
During most of the year I was working single-handed.
In consequence, research had largely to give way to
routine. Mr. Doyle has similarly found very little time
for research since his appointment.
Rinderpest. The following experimental work was taken
in hand :—
(1) The preparation of anti-rinderpest serum using
animals of moderate susceptibility as virus
producers.
(2) A further investigation into the duration of the
immunity conferred by serum alone.
(3) An investigation into the nature of the immunity
conferred by very large doses of serum when given
simultaneously with a dose of virulent blood.
(4) The elaboration of a special apparatus for bleeding
the virus producers and injecting the serum
producers for use in large scale rinderpest serum
production.
Bulletins on these subjects are in course of preparation
and will shortly be sent for publication.
Equine contagious abortion. Experiments were carried
out with a bacillus obtained from aborted fœtuses at the
Government Cattle Farm, Hissar, which proved to be the
bacillus abortivo equinus. An account of these experi-
ments will be published shortly.
Publications. During the year 1920-21 the following
paper was submitted for publication :—
The Serum Simultaneous Method of Inoculation against
Rinderpest, by W. A. Pool, M.R.C.V.S., Agri. Res. Inst.
Pusa Bulletin No. 120. (In the press.)
16
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY,
Table showing the doses of different products issued from the Imperial
Products
Rinderpest serum . .
Anthrax
.
.
.
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia
serum
Hæmarrhagic Septicæmia
vaccine
Black Quarter vaccine .
Mallein
.
.
Tuberculin .
Streptococcic serum .
Streptococcic vaccine
.
Special vaccine
Streptococcic and Staphy-
lococcic (mixed) vaccine
TOTAL
QUANTITY OF SERA (IN DOSES)
Punjab
87,600
...
5,000
25,000
36
86
...
...
...
...
...
117,722
N.
W. F. P. and North
Punjab
74,000
...
10,000
4,700
2,000
100
6
...
...
...
...
90,806
South Punjab
241,000
1,500
13,000
92,200
7,800
159
22
...
...
...
...
355,681
United Provinces
172,670
...
13,000
...
250
3
...
...
...
...
185,923
Bengal
210,000
5,334
5,000
...
250
500
...
...
...
...
221,084
As s
a m
180,000
6,000
3,000
100
...
...
...
...
...
...
189,100
Bi har and Or i
s s a
284,000
6,000
21,000
8,000
20
2
...
....
...
...
319,022
Cent r al Pr ovi nc e s
245,000
2,850
5,250
...
24
24
...
...
...
...
253,148
MUKTESAR, FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 31ST MARCH, 1921
17
Bacteriological Laboratory, Muktesar, during the year 1920-21.
ISSUED
Bo mb a y
140,200
2,700
6,000
2,900
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
151,800
Madras
286,000
250
10,000
...
...
255
6
...
...
...
...
296,511
Sind, Baluchistan and
Rajputana
137,420
200
100
...
...
500
...
...
...
...
...
138,220
Bu r
ma
190,000
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
190,000
Coor g
9,300
1,200
1,350
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
11,850
Military Department
408,810
213
1,645
...
...
82,245
50
533
...
900
3,800
498,196
Native St at es
233,890
2,500
6,900
400
11,500
644
1
133
536
...
...
256,504
Foreign Countries
82,300
1,666
3999
1,000
1,000
3,000
...
...
...
...
...
92,965
Imperial Bacteriological
Laboratory
*143,946
1,200
1,234
...
464
995
...
...
...
...
...
147,889
TOTAL
8,126,136
31,613
106,528
126,200
30,900
88,528
614
666
536
900
3,800
3,516,421
* Includes 79,512 doses discarded.
18
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY,
Table showing main results of the working of the Imperial Bacteriological
QUANTITY IN DOSES OF SERA OR ANTI-TOXINS PREPARED AND ISSUED
Name of serum
or
anti-toxin
1
Rinderpest serum (dose
5 c. c.)
Anthrax serum (dose 15
c. c.)
Hæmorrhagic Septiæmia
serum (dose 16 c. c.)
Hæmorrhagic Septicæ¬
mia vaccine (dose 5 c. c.)
Black Quarter
vaccine
(dose 1 pill)
Mallein (dose 1 c. c.)
Ophthalmic Mallein (dose
5 c. c.)
Tuberculin (dose 2 c. c.)...
Anti-Streptococcic scrum
(dose 15 c. c.)
Anti-Streptococcic vaccine
(dose 6 c. c.)
Special vaccine (dose 1
c.c.)
Streptococcic and staphy¬
lococcic (mixed) vaccine
(dose 1 c. c.)
Total ...
Opening balance
2
568,740
12,164
...
...
40,914
995
...
12
6,349
...
...
629,174
Prepared during the
year
3
3,631,940
20,621
216,276
126,200
...
87,533
...
614
24,516
536
900
3,800
4,112,936
Returned serum
4
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Total
5
4,200,680
32,785
216,276
126,200
40,914
88,523
...
626
30,865
536
900
3,800
4,742,110
Issued during the
year
6
3,126,136
31,613
106,528
126,200
30,900
88,528
...
614
666
536
900
3,800
3,516,421
Stock in hand
7
1,074,544
1,172
109,748
...
10,014
...
...
12
30,199
...
...
...
1,225,689
INSTRUCTION IMPARIED
Department or
province
8
R.
A.
V. C.
Bihar ...
and
Orissa
Punjab
Cattle
Farm. . .
Hissar
...
European
officers
attending class
9
14
1
2
1
18
Number passed
10
14
1
2
1
18
Indian
veterinary
graduates
11
...
Number
passed
12
...
MUKTESAR, FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 31ST MARCH, 1921
19
Laboratory, Muktesar, during the year 1920-21.
RECEIPTS
Sal e of sera, vaccines
and other products
13
Rs.
3,69,666
3,69,666
A.
9
9
P.
7
7
Sal e of animals
14
Rs.
9,338
9,338
A.
2
2
P.
0
0
Sal e of garden Pro¬
duct s and reserved
f or est s
15
Rs.
154
154
A.
8
8
P.
0
0
Ot her miscellaneous
receipts
16
Rs.
6,142
6,142
A.
7
7
P.
3
3
FINANCIAL RESULTS
Tot al
17
Rs.
3,85,301
3,85,301
A.
10
10
P.
10
10
EXPENDITURE
Salaries and travel-
ling allowance of
officers and staff
18
Rs.
1,21,113
1,21,113
A.
14
14
P.
2
2
Feed and keep of
animals
19
Rs
3,47,924
3,47,924
A.
11
11
P.
3
3
Cost of chemicals
and apparatus
20
Rs.
84,879
84,879
A.
15
15
P.
9
9
Ot her miscellaneous
expenditure
21
Rs.
90,164
90,164
A.
8
8
P.
7
7
Pur c ha s e of animals
22
Rs.
64,325
64,325
A.
12
12
P.
3
3
Total
23
Rs.
6,58,408
6,58,408
A.
14
14
P.
6
6
SGPI32-10AAtoGofI-25-11-21—500.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Imperial Bacteriological Laboratory,
Muktesar
For the year ending the 31st March, 1922
CALCUTTA
SUPERINTENDENT GOVERNMENT PRINTING, INDIA
1922
Price 9 Annas.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Imperial Bacteriological Laboratory,
Muktesar
For the year ending the 31st March, 1922
CALCUTTA
SUPERINTENDENT GOVERNMENT PRINTING, INDIA
1922
ANNUAL REPORT
OF
The Imperial Bacteriological Laboratory,
Muktesar
FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31st MARCH, 1922.
(J. T. EDWARDS, B.Sc., M.R.C.V.S.)
I. ADMINISTRATION.
Staff. Mr. W. A. Pool, M.R.C.V.S., undertook the
duties of officiating Director and First Bacteriologist in ad-
dition to those of his post (officiating Second Bacteriologist)
until the 18th November, 1921, and I assumed charge of the
duties of the appointment substantively on the following
day.
Messrs. S. C. J. Bennett, B. Sc. (Vet. Sci. London),
M.R.C.V.S., and Hugh Cooper, M.R.C.V.S., who had
been appointed Second Bacteriologist and Pathologist, res-
pectively, by the Secretary of State for India, landed at
Bombay on the 26th February, 1922, and arrived at Muk-
tesar on the 6th March, 1922. Prior to their arrival in
India they had been deputed to undergo a two months'
course of instruction at the Veterinary Research Labora-
tory of the Union of South Africa, at Onderstepoort, near
Pretoria, under the direction of Sir Arnold Theiler,
K.C.M.G., D.Sc., Director of Veterinary Education and
Research, Union of South Africa.
Mr. Bennett thereupon relieved Mr. Pool (officiating
Second Bacteriologist), who proceeded on two years' com-
bined leave with effect from the 7th March, 1922, with the
substantive rank of Veterinary Officer.
The post of Pathologist had remained vacant since the
date of the resignation of its former substantive occupant,
Dr. G. H. K. Macalister, on 1st October, 1917, and on the
6th March, 1922, Mr. Cooper assumed charge of the duties
of this appointment.
2
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY,
Mr. T. M. Timoney, M.R.C.V.S., held the post of
Third Bacteriologist throughout the year.
Mr. T. M. Doyle, F.R.C.V.S., remained in charge of
the post of Veterinary Officer until the 4th January, 1922,
when he resigned his post to take up an appointment under
the Egyptian Government. Mr. W. A. Pool was transfer-
red substantively to the post of Veterinary Officer with
effect from the 6th March, 1922.
Mr. D. Keiller returned from combined leave extending
over a period of one year and resumed charge of his duties
as First Laboratory Assistant, Upper Grade, on the 1st
December, 1921.
Mr. G. P. Goffi, Second Laboratory Assistant, Upper
Grade, was granted 13 months' combined leave with effect
from the 5th November, 1921. His duties during this
period were allocated to the First and Third Laboratory
Assistants, Upper Grade, who undertook th
tion to their own duties.
Mr. W. Pryde Watson remained in charge of the post
of Engineer.
Captain A. J. Hearsey was in charge of the duties of
Farm Manager.
Mr. J. D'Costa, G.B.V.C., held the post of Veterinary
Deputy Superintendent.
In July 1921, the sanction of Government was obtained
for the general revision of the establishment of the labora-
tory with effect from the 1st March, 1921. Since that date
there has been a further rise in the prices of ordinary food materials. Owing to the isolation of the l
culties in connection with labour and transport will conti-
nue to remain until they are solved by the institution of
some improved transport system between the laboratory and
railhead, at Kathgodam, 24 miles distant. It is hoped that
the projected ropeway scheme will soon materialize.
The housing accommodation of the laboratory still re-
presents a serious difficulty. With the rapid growth in the
work of the laboratory it is quite easy to see that the build-
ing resources of the locality could not compete with the de-
mands of the rapid influx of residents in the matter of
housing, but since the personnel have become fairly sta-
tionery in numbers this difficulty has been largely over-
MUKTESAR, FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 31ST MARCH, 1922
3
taken, and there is now considerably less discontentment
with regard to this matter. However, in spite of the com-
mendable efforts of the Public Works Department, the
amount of building that can be executed even when funds
are available during any year is limited, and the staff have
therefore been enjoined to wait patiently until such time as
the difficulty will be eventually completely removed.
Tours. Mr. Pool visited the Branch Laboratory at
Bareilly between the 22nd and 26th April, 1921, and dur-
ing the first week of December, 1921. In the first week in
June he proceeded to Simla to attend the Surra Conference
and consult the Agricultural Adviser to the Government of
India. Between the 3rd and 7th August, 1921, he visited
Naini Tal to interview the Commissioner of Kumaon Divi-
sion and the Deputy Commissioners of Naini Tal, Almora
and Garhwal with regard to the supply of " hill" bulls to
the laboratory and also to discuss with them the question of
the labour supply of the laboratory.
Towards the end of April, 1921, Mr. Doyle visited
Naini Tal to attend a conference held at the Deputy Com-
missioner's Court for the purpose of making arrangements
to ameliorate the transport problem in the neighbouring
hill country. Early in November he proceeded to Bareilly
to supervise the work of serum preparation at the Kur-
gaina branch laboratory and subsequently visited Lucknow
to purchase stores for the use of the laboratory. On the
19th November he left Bareilly to make investigations with
regard to the choice of a suitable site in the Madras Presi-
dency for preliminary experimental work upon anti-rinder-
pest serum production in that part of India. He reached
Madras on the 25th November and then visited Coimbatore,
Coonoor, Ootacamund, Kavali and Chaintala, and return-
ed to Bareilly on the 16th December. He furnished a fav-
ourable report upon a site near Coonoor. On his departure
from Muktesar he accompanied me to hand over charge of
the Kurgaina laboratory and to examine with me the site
at Izatnagar, near Bareilly, which is intended to be used
in future as the tributary " plains " serum station.
Early in January 1922, I visited the Government Cattle
Farm at Hissar in the Punjab in order to make certain en-
quiries with regard to the outbreak of equine abortion pre-
vailing there, and then proceeded to Lahore to interview
officers of the Civil Veterinary Department. From the
4
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY,
4th February to 3rd March, 1922, I remained away from
headquarters on the following missions :—
(1) I went to Bombay to attend a meeting of the Prin-
cipals of Veterinary Colleges in India which
was convened to discuss the questions of formu-
lating a uniform system of instruction at the
various veterinary colleges and raising the
standard of the entrance examination to a uni-
formly higher level. Further, as requested by
the Agricultural Adviser to the Government of
India, a detailed scheme of training at Muk-
tesar for officers of the subordinate grade of the
Civil Veterinary Department selected for pro-
motion to the Imperial Branch of the Service
was laid before the meeting.
(2) I proceeded to Lucknow in company with our
Engineer to attend a Board arranged by the
Electrical Inspector, United Provinces, to con-
sider the question of providing ample power for
the laboratory which would safeguard against
dislocation of work through a probable break-
down of our present arrangements. A propo-
sal for a hydro-electric scheme dependent upon
a neighbouring source of water power was pro-
jected and arrangements made for its investi-
gation.
(3) Thence, I went to Pusa to attend the Twelfth
Meeting of the Board of Agriculture for India,
and to discuss several important points of ad-
ministrative policy with the Agricultural
Adviser to the Government of India.
(4) I then visited Government headquarters at Delhi
to discuss points in connection with the progress
of the ropeway scheme for facilitating commu-
nications with Muktesar, and interviewed the
Hon'ble Member and Secretary of the Revenue
and Agriculture Department mainly in connec-
tion with proposed educational schemes at the
laboratory.
(5) I again visited Lucknow with our Engineer to ob-
tain assurances from the Chief Engineer, Unit-
ed Provinces, with regard to the ropeway
scheme, and
MUKTESAR, FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 31ST MARCH, 1922
5
(6) On my way back to Muktesar visited Bareilly to in-
spect the serum preparation work at Kurgaina,
and make preliminary arrangements with a
view to opening up Izatnagar next cold weather.
Between the 19th January and 7th March, 1922, Mr.
Timoney remained in charge of the serum preparation work
at Kurgaina, and in addition carried out certain experi-
mental work there under my direction.
Mr. G. McElligott, Second Superintendent, Civil Ve-
terinary Department, Madras, whose services were placed
at the disposal of the laboratory for one month, from 5th
July to 7th August, 1921, toured the Garhwal District to
investigate the sources of supply of " hill " bulls to the
laboratory. As a result of his observations it was found
necessary to increase the price given for these animals.
Training. Mr. G. McElligott (vide supra) remained
at the laboratory for three months, from the 3rd May to
4th July, 1921.
Supplies, Transport, and Labour.
Fodder and grain. Contracts were made for the sup-
ply to Muktesar of 36,500 maunds of hay and 10,000
maunds of mixed pine needles and leaves for bedding. The
bedding was supplied in full, but owing to the considerable
incendiarism in the forests during the previous year the
contractors did not deliver more than 26,000 maunds of
hay. The deficiency was made up to some extent by a sup-
ply of wheat and barley straw. Arrangements were made
with a contractor for the delivery of nearly ten thousand
maunds of grain to Muktesar ; this contractor experienced
great difficulty in maintaining supplies on account of the
marked rise in the market prices of grain during the period
of his agreement, but nevertheless he continued to abide by
the stipulated terms. The godown accommodation at pre-
sent available is most inadequate and precludes the main-
tenance of ample stocks to meet emergencies.
Animal supplies. 1920 " hill " bulls and 429 plains
buffaloes were admitted into the out-kraals for utilization
in the manufacture of the various products issued by the
laboratory.
No difficulty was experienced in obtaining plains
animals (chiefly buffaloes, which are now used mainly as
serum producers). The arrangement to obtain buffaloes by
6 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY,
contract from Bareilly did not prove satisfactory; conse-
quently sanction has been obtained from Government to
purchase all the animals required for our work directly
from the bazaars and fairs in the United Provinces by our
own veterinary staff.
Mr. McElligott, Second Superintendent, Civil Veteri-
nary Department, Madras, whilst attached on special duty
to the laboratory, toured in the interior of Kumaon and
Garhwal to interview various contractors who supply hill
bulls to the laboratory with regard to the causes of the in-
sufficiency in the supplies forthcoming. It was found that
the increased prices asked by the cultivators and the lack of
accommodation for the animals en route to Muktesar were
the chief factors involved, although there was evidence in
addition that attempts had been made to induce the con-
tractors to discontinue supplies to Muktesar.
Arrangements have since been made with two of our
chief contractors from Garhwal for the construction and
maintenance of " chupper " accommodation for men and
cattle en route, in return for which they receive a certain
allowance. Land for a parao at Ganai, or Chokhutia, has
been purchased and a chupper is being constructed there.
Although it is imperative for the continuity of anti-
rinderpest serum manufacture to have at hand an ample
supply of these highly susceptible hill bulls, it is very
important nevertheless not to maintain at great expense
within the laboratory area a large number of animals in
excess of our current demands ; for, their maintenance costs
at the present price of grain and other fodder within a
comparatively short period after their admission exceed
their initial cost at time of purchase. Hence, an endeav-
our is being made to secure a regular supply to the labora-
tory by arranging special terms with certain substantial
contractors. It is necessary to arrange these terms, for at
certain seasons the roads along which these animals travel
become very difficult and the cost of bringing them here
and the mortality en route are increased.
A high mortality unfortunately occurred among these
animals in the out-kraals, before they were admitted into
the inner area for the purposes for which they were pur-
chased. This was largely attributable to a virulent out-
break of foot-and-mouth disease which continued among
them for some months. Owing to the previous shortage in
the supplies and the encouragement then given to the con-
MUKTESAR, FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 31ST MARCH, 1922
7
tractors to bring in their animals for fear of a discontinu-
ance, very large numbers were admitted into the out-kraals,
which became congested, and there was a lack of grazing
ground for the animals. Moreover, they were for the most
part old and debilitated on arrival, and had suffered from
the long journey to the laboratory. These factors contri-
buted thus to a mortality of 545 among the hill bulls and
57 among the buffaloes. An endeavour was made to pro-
duce an anti-foot-and-mouth disease serum for the preven-
tive inoculation of these animals.
Every effort is being made to dispose of animals which
are no longer serviceable for purposes of serum manufac-
ture in the best market. Experience has shown that the
period during which cattle can be usefully employed for
furnishing a potent anti-rinderpest is somewhat limited,
and with continued improvement in the technical process of
hyper-immunization it is hoped to reduce the mortality
among these animals to a negligible number. As it is to
our interest in obtaining a high yield of serum to maintain
these animals in the best conditions for health, a consider-
able number of discontinued cattle, which will have the
added quality of being immune to rinderpest, will be avail-
able hence for disposal to cultivators. Unfortunately our
efforts in this direction have been hampered for many
reasons. In the first place, the hill bulls which we are able
to procure for the laboratory are sold to us by their origi-
nal owners largely because they are deformed, chronically
ill-conditioned, or too old for cultivation work, and it
would be difficult to find a suitable market for surviving
animals of this class. The male buffaloes employed for
serum production are of good quality, but again there ap-
pears to be some antipathy among cultivators towards utili-
zing them. In order to demonstrate their utility the policy
of giving away a certain number to men who would be like-
ly to put them to a fair trial has been adopted. Two pairs
of buffaloes and three pairs of hill bulls were given to the
Superintendent, Tarai and Bhaber Estates, Haldwani,
Naini Tal District, but it appears from his reports that
the animals seemed to be rather weak for the work demand-
ed of them. Four villagers in the Bareilly District were
each given a pair of buffaloes free of charge.
The use of discontinued rinderpest animals for the pro-
duction of sera against other diseases and for certain im-
portant experimental work is also being tried.
8
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY,
Out-kraals. The seven large out-kraals stand in need
of some improvement and enlargement, and it is hoped that
some more small masonry structures will be made available.
Just before winter sets in, while the roads are still open,
contractors usually bring in large numbers of hill bulls and
the question of accommodating them and providing suit-
able grazing grounds becomes then acute, and the condi-
tions for the spread of contagious disease are intensified.
The water supply of the kraals at present depends entirely
on natural springs, which are liable to fail during the hot
weather, and hence a considerable amount of labour has
then to be employed in transporting water from distant
springs. More Dutch barn structures are needed, for a
large quantity of hay is lost annually through insufficient
protection.
A properly designed dipping tank is being constructed
near the Katula hospital and is near completion. This is
much needed for the treatment of buffaloes in particular
which often arrive at the station in a mangy condition and
remain in an impoverished state owing to this affection.
Laboratory supplies and equipment. At times the la-
boratory has been greatly inconvenienced by delay in the
delivery of chemicals and apparatus due to difficulties in
connection with railway and coolie transport. The policy
of maintaining all stocks of material required for the needs
of the station in a central store has enabled a closer super-
vision to be made of all purchases and issues, and it is ex-
pected that this arrangement will prove economical. For-
merly it was the practice to obtain glassware and other
laboratory equipment mainly from Europe. The policy
has now been adopted of effecting such purchases as far as
possible in India, and, to this end, Directors of Industries
have been approached with a view to obtaining the names
of manufacturers who are likely to supply the laboratory
requirements. Examinations are now being made of the
glassware manufactured in the country and it is hoped that
our needs in this respect will soon be satisfied. Certain
improvements have been made in the equipment for pack-
ing and despatching the laboratory products. An appara-
tus has been designed for eliminating contamination of
plasma, which, used in connection with a recently obtained
specially designed metal bleeding vessel, is expected to
effect considerable improvement in the serum. A " cap-