No. 2022. REVENUE, 4TH SEPTEMBER 1915.
9
VI.—GENERAL REMARKS.
(i) The most important subject under correspondence during the year arose
from a remark made in this report two years ago that most of the rinderpest occur
ring in this Presidency is imported from the adjoining Native States.
On receipt of a memorandum from Government on the subject a scheme was
submitted for strengthening the department in each district beginning with those on
the frontiers.
In their order on this Government stated that they were not in a, position to
undertake so extensive a scheme as that sketched, but were in agreement with the
view that the veterinary staff should be increased in the frontier districts, and
accordingly called for a five-year programme for anti-rinderpest measures.
It then had to be pointed out that the present rate of development, of the depart
ment in the way of opening new hospitals, etc., would absorb all the new graduates
likely to be obtained until 1918, when the first batch of men from the enlarged
classes at the Madras Veterinary College will pass out.
Bound up with this question of increasing the subordinate staff of the depart
ment is that of increasing the number and prospects of the controlling staff.
The Board in forwarding last year's annual report of this department to Govern
ment remarked that Government would be addressed shortly on the subject of
appointing a Second Superintendent for this Presidency, while later it remarked that
the pay of Veterinary Inspectors and Deputy Superintendents needed revision, but
no orders on these subjects have yet been received.
The present Deputy Superintendent will retire on 13th August 1915 and there
is no one ready to relieve him. He was first appointed in 1911, when it was con
sidered necessary to give the Superintendent some relief. The difference between
the size of the department and the amount of work done by it in 1911 and the present
time is so great that further comment on the need for increased superintendence is
obviously unnecessary.
(ii) The efforts of the Superintendent to induce municipalities to utilize the
services of veterinary assistants for the inspection of their meat were strongly sup
ported by the Sanitary Commissioner with the Government of Madras, who issued a
circular to all municipalities pointing out the advantages of appointing veterinary
graduates for this work. In addition to those mentioned in the last report the
municipalities of Guntūr, Calicut, Cuddalore, Adōni and Coonoor have expressed
their willingness to fall in with the proposal.
(iii) A leaflet in three parts on " Some common ailments of cattle " was pre
pared for distribution in the districts and the first part was in the Press at the close
of the year.
(iv) A promotion examination for the assistants who had reached the maxi
mum pay of the third grade was held in July 1914. Out of 17 men who appeared
8 passed, which is a considerable improvement on the previous year's results.
(v) The construction of a refrigerator at the Pasteur Institute, Coonoor, sanc
tioned by Government in 1912 was completed during the year. Five thousand doses
of anti-rinderpest serum are now kept in stock there for the use of this department
in the Nilgiris.
(vi) A source of great trouble in the past year has been the difficulty of
obtaining peons for Touring Veterinary Assistants when in camp.
Previously taluk peons were obtained without much difficulty everywhere, but
recently, owing to the increased demands for their services, some district officers have
stated their inability to spare revenue peons for this work and pointed out that if a
Touring Veterinary Assistant requires a peon he should be supplied with one by the
Veterinary department. The necessity for a peon will not be denied by anyone
having knowledge of the kind of work a Touring Veterinary Assistant has to perform
and it is submitted therefore that the question of how he is to be supplied with one
when in camp requires the consideration of Government.
2022 R.—3