9
accumulate, and when necessary be at our disposal to make use of. At present,
it is somewhat difficult to record the various applications of the results of the
researches undertaken, for none of these latter investigations are completely
worked out, but are in various stages of development towards completion, and
these results will be recorded in due course.
SECTION III.
Administration.
38. I remained in charge of the Laboratory during the year under review,
and Veterinary Lieutenant J. D. E. Holmes, Civil Veterinary Department,
took over the post of Assistant Bacteriologist from Veterinary Lieutenant
G. K. Walker on 26th September 1901.
39. The major portion of the officers' time was occupied in preparing
anti-Rinderpest and Anthrax sera and despatching the same to the Superintend-
ents of the Civil Veterinary Department and other officers who applied for it.
In addition, Test Experiments were continued throughout the year with a view
to determine the protective power of the sera prepared. During the last three
months of the official year, under the orders of Government, I carried out
serum testing experiments in Cawnpore, Poona and Nagpur.
40. Locust Disease Fungus.—The results of the experiments recorded in
last year's Annual Report were unaccompanied by any hope of ultimate
success by the use of the Locust Fungus. But as no orders to the contrary
were received from Government, demands for such cultivations were complied
with. In all. 245 tubes were despatched to various stations throughout India,
as detailed in Appendix III. The following are the brief abstracts of the
reports received in this office:—
(i) The Dewan of Bikanir State reports that with the Locust Fungus
tubes supplied by the Imperial Bacteriologist for experimental
purposes in the State, the experiments were tried in three
different Tahsils but without any successful result.
(ii) Deputy Commissioner, Bilaspur, Central Provinces tried it on grass-
hoppers, but no satisfactory results were obtained.
41. Mallein.—During the past twelve months, 332 doses of English and
French Mallein have been distributed to the Superintendents of the Civil
Veterinary Department, as shown in Appendix IV. The above number
includes 100 doses of English Mallein despatched to the Officer Commanding
the British troops at Shanghai, and 125 of French sent to the Superintendent,
Hapur Remount Depôt, as directed by the orders of Government.
42. Bareilly Branch Depôt.—On account of unavoidable delay, the
construction of the main Laboratory building and other necessary out-houses,
was not taken in hand until the end of December 1901. On inspecting the
progress of construction with the Engineer in charge on the 31st March 1902,
I found that considerable progress had taken place since my last visit in
January and the main building was being roofed. As the centrifuge and oil
engine have been sanctioned by Government in addition to the chemicals and
apparatus required, it is hoped that a start will be possible during the ensuing
cold weather.
43. Fodder-supply.—Owing to the amount of work carried on at
Muktesar during the past year, including the large number of serum test
experiments, some difficulty was experienced with regard to fodder. During
the present year, consequent on the increase in the number of cattle to be
utilized, the demand will be still greater, and for this reason it became impera-
tive to request the Local Government to extend the Laboratory boundaries,
the necessary orders for which have recently been issued in the Government
Gazette (dated 10th May 1902). The present Laboratory estate, now measuring
2,416 acres, will be increased by about 800 acres. It is hoped that as Govern-
ment has now sanctioned the appointment of a farm overseer, greater facility
will be found in obtaining the increased amount of fodder from areas to be
placed under cultivation, nursery garden, and from the neighbouring forests
up to a radius of 8 to 10 miles from Muktesar.