21
and "poisoning" be excluded, the result is a continuance of the gratifying decline in
mortality from disease which has been observable since 1908-09. The drop is parti-
cularly noticeable under rinderpest, the figures for the five years being 149,666;
56,900; 24,435; 10,572; 6,112. No doubt a portion of this decline may be attri-
buted to inoculation. The Superintendent has not explained the very large increase
under "other (non-contagious) causes." It is probably due to better registration but
also to the erroneous inclusion of deaths from natural decay to prevent which the
Board has recently revised the headings of the returns.
The Board has also, on the advice of the Superintendent, revised the list of
vernacular names of diseases so as to get rid of one cause of the confusion referred
to in the present report under the head "Anthrax".
6. Subordinate establishment—The department was increased during the year
by four Inspectors and six assistants, so that, at the end of the year, there were
seven Inspectors, one of whom was a sub. pro tem. officer, and sixty-five Veterinary
Assistants. Of the seventeen Veterinary Assistants entertained during the year
fourteen were graduates of the local Veterinary College. 36,903 head of cattle were
inoculated against rinderpest during the year under report, while the number in the
previous year was 13,058 ; in 1910—11 the figure was 21,080. The large increase upon
last year may be attributed to the labours of the mobile corps of Veterinary Assist-
ants. The number of cases treated by touring Veterinary Assistants was 8,868
against 5,408 last year and 3,422 in the year before. During this period the number
of castrations performed by these officers rose from 17 to 243 and then to 1,496.
7. Pony-breeding operations.—Three stallions were at stud throughout the
year, two in the Coimbatore and the third in the Madura district. One hundred and
eight mares were covered as against 114 in the previous year, the average covering per
stallion being 36 against 21. Each stallion has now been placed under the immediate
charge of a Special Veterinary Assistant and this plan may be expected to produce
better results than the former system.
8. Breeding bulls.—There were nineteen bulls at work at the commencement
of the year, of which one was declared unfit for stud and was replaced. Statistics of
the work done are available in the case of fourteen bulls only and even in their case
no information is available as to the results of coverings. The existing system is not
giving satisfactory results and it has been proposed to Government that the question
of continuing it should be considered along with the question of establishing Govern-
ment stud farms which was raised by Mr. Sampson in his report on the cattle survey
of the Madras Presidency.
9. Cattle shows.—Three shows were held during the year, one at Tiruppur
which was also a pony show and the other two at Madura and Ongole. In addition
to these shows cattle fairs were held in various parts of the Presidency.
10. General.—There has been, during the year, a decided advance all round
and the Superintendent and the Principal of the college deserve to be congratulated
upon the results secured. The delay which has occurred in equipping certain dis-
tricts with hospitals is unfortunate, but in some cases it was unavoidable. The
Superintendent dwells upon the expediency of appointing a second Superintendent,
but it is too early to raise that question again. He also comments upon the necessity
for post-graduate training in order to qualify men for the post of Deputy Superin-
tendent. This is a matter which should be taken up as soon as the construction of the
new laboratory is undertaken. When that building is ready the Board hopes that it
will be possible to institute a course of post-graduate instruction. The Board will
make enquiries into the delay in constructing the refrigerating chamber at Coonoor.
(True Extract.)
S. VENKATARAMADAS,
Secretary.
To the Secretary to Government, Revenue Department, with a map.
„ Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department.
„ Principal, Madras Veterinary College.
Copy to the Director of Agriculture.
6