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5. Diseases.—Table XV shows that the mortality among cattle was much less
than in the preceding year. There was a decrease under every head, the fall being
most noticeable under hæmorrhagic septicæmia, foot and mouth disease and other
contagious diseases. The mortality under rinderpest however continued to be high,
the districts which were affected most being Gōdāvari, Guntūr, Cuddapah and Nellore.
The mobile corps worked during the year in the Nellore and Gōdāvari districts and
additional veterinary assistants were also at work in Guntūr and Cuddapah. The
good work of the touring veterinary assistant P. Srinivasa Rao is noted.
6. Subordinate establishment.—Three inspectors and nine veterinary assistants
were added to the staff during the year at the end of which there were ten inspectors
and ninety-one veterinary assistants. Fifteen graduates of the Madras Veterinary
College were entertained as assistants during the year to hold the nine newly-created
posts of veterinary assistants and to fill six posts which became vacant in the course
of the year. The number of cattle inoculated against rinderpest was 90,693 against
94,944 in the preceding year. The number of cases treated by touring veterinary
inspectors and assistants was 17,546 against 21,483 in 1914-15 and the number of
castrations performed by these officers was 5,854 against 4,998 in the previous year.
7. Pony-breeding operations.—The two Arab stallions which remained at stud in
the beginning of the year under review covered 56 mares against 92 covered by three
stallions in the previous year, the average number of coverings per stallion being 28
against 31 in 1914-15. As the results obtained by Arab stallions have not been
satisfactory, it has been decided to try country-bred stallions and endeavours are in
progress to secure two animals of this breed. The Arab stallions have been sold.
8. Breeding bulls.—There were 13 bulls at work at the commencement of the
year of which one died and three were sold during the year. Three hundred and
eighty-four coverings are reported to have been performed by them as against nearly
400 in the preceding year. The existing system having been found inadequate and
unsatisfactory, special steps have been taken during the year to bring about improve
ments. A Deputy Director for stock has been appointed, facilities for the creation
of private pastures and dairying farms have been notified, and steps are being taken
for a better distribution of breeding bulls.
9. Cattle shows.—Shows were held during the year at Ongole, Tiruppur and
Madura and a cattle show was organised in the Cuddapah district in connection with
the Industrial Exhibition at Proddatur. Cattle fairs were held in several parts of the
Presidency in addition to these shows. The Superintendent points out that weekly
cattle markets are sometimes the means of disseminating contagious diseases and
that it will be well in leasing the right to hold such markets to take power to close
them temporarily, if considered necessary by the Collector.
Government are requested to bring these remarks to the notice of the Presidents
of Local Boards.
10. General remarks.—The Board's report on a five-year programme of anti-
rinderpest measures to check the importation of rinderpest into this Presidency from
the adjoining Native States is under submission to Government.
Arrangements have been made to train men at the Madras Veterinary College
to serve as compounders in Veterinary hospitals and dispensaries.
Proposals to increase the cadre of veterinary inspectors and assistants are at
present under the Board's consideration.
It is to be regretted that the system of utilising the services of veterinary
assistants in charge of veterinary institutions in municipalities for meat inspection
at slaughter-houses has not been more widely adopted.
The Superintendent is requested to arrange for the early submission of the
map to be appended to this report.
(True Extract)
T. RAGHAVIAH,
Secretary.
To the Secretary to Government, Revenue Department.
„
Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department.
„ Principal, Madras Veterinary College.
Copy to the Director of Agriculture.
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