8
additions are :—In the first place for the preparation of so large an amount of
protective rinderpest serum, the sterilizing house and apparatus therein con-
tained is in constant requisition during the whole of the working days and
generally half of Sunday ; the shelves of the cold room at the present time are
all occupied ; the small animals' house has been converted into the room for the
gas engine and centrifugal apparatus, and the room now utilized for small
animals will not hold the number necessary for use. During the present
winter, which has been exceptionally severe, the snow well was filled to the
roof and the snow rammed down tight, yet at the present time more than half
of the amount stored has melted and yet we have ten months before a further
supply can be obtained.
Again in paragraph 6 (4), regarding stables for horses under bacterio-
logical experiment, I have to state that the area occupied by stables owing to
want of level ground had to be reduced by nearly one-half from the original
plan, so that they are already somewhat cramped for space. The number of
stalls at present available are six; if they are to be divided by 2 and given to
each department, I am afraid that both will frequently find themselves hard
pressed for further accommodation, for in the preparation of Typhoid serum a
number of horses may be required. Further, when preparing serum of any
kind for use in the human subject, the greatest care must be observed that the
animals employed, be not exposed to chance infection from other diseases
whatever the species of animal employed may be susceptible to. Therefore it
would be decidedly inadvisable,not to use a stronger term, to allow animals
suffering from Anthrax, Glanders or Strangles to occupy stalls in the same
stables with horses used in the production of Typhoid or Diphtheria serums.
So I should strongly urge the building of additional stables for the accommoda-
tion of horses required by the Medical Department.
10. Apparatus purchased during the year.—With the money re-appro-
priated during the year under review and with the Budget grant of 1900-1901,
the most necessary apparatus and chemicals are being replaced, so that the
present researches will in no way be interfered with, and the preparation of
Mallein, etc., will be undertaken directly the laboratory building will allow of
the work being commenced.
11. Bareilly Branch Depôt.—In 1897, I had the honour of laying before
Government the desirability of instituting a small branch laboratory, at or
near Bareilly junction, and at a later date of choosing the necessary site out of
several, selected by the Civil officers of the district, which selection was
confirmed by His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor of the North-Western
Provinces and Oudh. Plans were then submitted in regard to the buildings
required. In April 1899, the ground was taken over, and a chowkidar
appointed to guard the plot. In consequence of the unfortunate destruction
of the laboratory by fire during 1899, funds were urgently requisitioned for
the rebuilding of the Institute, therefore no provision has been made in the
Budget this year for the amount necessary to make a commencement. As the
reason for such a branch depôt have already been submitted to Government,
it is hoped that the necessary money will be allowed during the coming year.
12. Cultivation.—Very serious difficulties have been experienced of late
owing to the want of fodder for the cattle, the winter being exceptionally long
and severe. Practically there was little or no fine weather this spring, and
snow, hail or rain being of frequent occurrence. The hill animals being accus-
tomed to the leaves of the oak tree have thrived fairly well, but there has been
considerable falling off in condition of the plains animals, which are quite
unaccustomed to such coarse form of fodder. In consequence of the acquisi-
tion of the Muktesar fruit garden and adjoining land, it is expected that this
year it will be possible to store a larger supply of dried grass for use next
spring; this will entail the necessity of an additional Dutch Barn for its
reception and preservation.
With regard to the cultivation carried on during the past year some
progress has been made. Veterinary Lieutenant G. K. Walker reports :—
" That more land has been cleared and got ready for sowing and crops have
been produced which have materially helped to solve the difficulty of feeding
the experimental animals. The expenses are met from the funds provided for