7
ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1895.
Removal of goods to New
Laboratory.
The packing of the scientific instruments and fittings of the Bacteriological
Laboratory, Poona, was commenced in February 1895,
and all the goods to the weight of 30 tons, were des-
patched by rail to Kathgodam viâ Bareilly by the
middle of May 1895. On the arrival of goods at Kathgodam Railway Station,
they were transported by bullock cart to Bhowalie, the nearest point to Mukte-
sar (19 miles distant) on the Kathgodam-Ranikhet Road. At this point, under
the superintendence of Mr. Bamber, Clinical Assistant, a number of the larger
boxes were repacked—in order to reduce their bulk—on account of the inade-
quate supply of coolies for the necessary transport of larger cases. Consequently
the carriage of goods to the site of the present laboratory at Muktesar was not
complete until the end of the year 1895, and even then several of the heavier
items still remained at Bhowalie, until a sufficient number of coolies could be
collected for the purpose.
During the year our time has been occupied, (i) in further investigating
into the etiology and treatment of Surra, (ii) in preparing Volume II of the Surra
Report for the press, (iii) arranging the mass of material for Volume III, (iv) in
preparing for this Report a summary of the result of the most important phy-
siological and pathological problems worked out in Poona, concurrently with
the treatment of Surra during the years 1893—95. Further, a report has already
been submitted in January 1896, recording the results arrived at during the
outbreak of Surra and Filariasis at Karnal Remount Depôt in December 1895.
Surra in Camels..
Up to the present time I have observed Surra in equines and bovines, but
have had no opportunity of observing the course of
the disease in camels.
I would, therefore, bring
to your notice the desirability of my being informed of any outbreaks, which
should happen to occur during the next 12 months in the last named animals,
either in Rájputána, the Punjáb or North-West Provinces, so that I may be
enabled to make a careful examination of the blood parasite, and if possible try
the efficacy of treatment by arsenic.
Suggestion as to the issue
of lantern slides to Veteri-
nary Colleges.
When investigating a malady, it is our custom to prepare photographs of
the animals attacked at different stages of the disease,
together with micro-photographs or drawings of the
chief pathological changes and organisms found in
the blood and tissues. I would suggest that another
and practical use might be made of such photographs and drawings, other than
for reference and diagnostic purposes in future outbreaks. As results are
obtained, lantern slides might be prepared at the Laboratory, and sets distri-
buted to each Veterinary College in India and Burmah, to be used for purposes
of demonstration in the lectures to students on bovine and equine medicine
and pathology.
When a teacher wishes to demonstrate some particular disease to his class
of students, it frequently happens that the necessary patients and pathological
material are not forthcoming, or may be altogether impossible to obtain.
Furthermore, the difficulties of preparing such specimens render it impossible
for most Professors to find the necessary time, even if appliances are to hand.
A lantern and apparatus would have to be issued to each college, and one
or more teachers would have to acquire the knowledge of how to handle it; but
since the eminently practical paper by Colonel T. Deane, No. 28D., A. R. D.,
dated 19th August 1895, entitled " Optical lantern apparatus for the instruction
and amusement of the Troops in India, and elsewhere," in which he points
out that with the ' Saturator system,' of comparatively recent invention, practi-
cally small lime light lamps can be obtained, so simple in construction, that any
person with a few hours' practice can easily work them, and that the higher
the temperature the better they work. The working cost would be about three
shillings and seven pence per hour of exhibition, including lime, gas and ether.