NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
22
Foot and Mouth Disease.-—
Table II.
16. During the year under report 1,433 animals died
from this disease as compered with 792
in the previous year.
The disease appeared in all the districts of the province
except Simla. Ferozepore and Muzaffargarh. The highest
mortality took place in the Karnal and Hissar Districts. In
the latter district the disease appeared in a very malignant
form, the death rate being especially severe in young stock.
Amongst adults also the disease was of unusual severity,
serious mortality occurring in many villages.
Hæmorrhagic
Septicæ-
mia.—Table II.
17. During the year under report Hæmorrhagic
Septicæmia appeared in all the dis-
tricts of the province, 10,724 animals
were reported to have died against
12,316 in the previous year.
This disease was as usual mostly prevalent in low-lying
areas liable to inundation along the banks of the rivers,
being unusually severe in the Rohtak District as a result of
the last Jumna floods. The total number of animals report-
ed to have died of the disease in this district was 1,832.
Inoculations
against
Hæmorrhagc Septicæmia.—
Table III.
18. Preventive inoculations against Hæmorrhagic
Septicæmia were performed in 282
outbreaks and 91,904 animals were
inoculated as compared with 294 out-
breaks and 84,728 inoculations during the previous year.
The application of the Serum in the face of outbreaks
has been attended with very satisfactory results, cutting
short several outbreaks which would otherwise have caused
very serious mortality.
Preventive Vaccinations
against Hæmorrhagic Sep-
ticæmia.—Table III.
19. Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia vaccinations were per-
formed on 147,753 animals in 570
villages of 27 districts against 155,527,
566 and 21, respectively, during the
previous year.
Vaccination against this disease in low-lying areas is
decidedly popular amongst zamindars. The extension of
this important preventive work depends on the provision
of staff to enable the Department to undertake the
vaccination of animals at the proper season.
Black-quarter.—Table II.
20. During the year under report 895 deaths were re-
ported as compared with 2,440 during
the previous year. The highest morta-
lity took place in the Hissar District where alone 320
animals were reported to have died of this disease.
23
Vaccinations
against
Black-quarter.—Table III.
21. Vaccinations against this disease were performed
on 20,931 animals in 111 villages of
10 districts against 15,842, 91 and 8,
respectively, during the previous year.
The highest number of vaccinations (4,680) was performed
in the Dera Ghazi Khan District.
The Black-quarter aggression obtained from the Director,
Imperial Institute of Veterinary Research, Muktesar, was
used during the year with satisfactory results.
Other
Contagious
Diseases.—Table II.
22. During the year under report 3,674 deaths were
reported to have taken place amongst
bovines from other contagious diseases
as compared with 493 deaths in the
previous year.
These include the following diseases:—
Surra, Gillar, Mange, Cow-pox, Liver Fluke, Conta-
gious Pleuro Pneumonia, etc.
An unusually virulent form, of Surra in bovines occur-
red in the Karnal and Rohtak Districts.
(c)—Other Animals.
Mortality.-Table II.
23. During the year under report 2,617 deaths occurred
amongst other animals of the province
as compared with 2,816 in the previous
year. Mortality figures are given below:—
Rinderpest ... ...
Foot and Mouth disease ...
Hæmorrhagic septicæmia ...
Other contagious diseases ...
Total
1,056
26
37
1,498
2,617
II.—OTHER DISEASES.
Treatment of diseases in
villages.—Table IV.
24. During the year under report 22,602 villages
were visited by Veterinary Assistants on
tour, 120,502 animals were treated and
107,196 castrations performed as com-
pared with 18,505 villages, 109,390 cases and 97,869
castrations during the previous year. These figures show
steady progress all round in the field work as compared
with the preceding year.
24
The number of castrations is particularly satisfactory,
showing a steady increase on previous years. It is of
interest to note here that in the Review of Agricultural
Operations in India, 1924-25, the fact was recorded that
195,427 scrub bulls were castrated throughout India, of
which as many as 109,432 were done in the Punjab.
The volume of the work achieved serves to indicate the
importance which the Department attaches to a vigorous
castration campaign in dealing with the cattle-breeding
situation in the province.
III.—VETERINARY HOSPITALS.
Number of Veterinary
Dispensaries.—Table V.
25. In the beginning of the year under report there
were 179 veterinary hospitals in the
province.
During the year 12 new
veterinary hospitals were started at the
following places:—
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Anandpur, district Hoshiarpur
Satrah, district Sialkot.
Dinanagar, district Gurdaspur
Pindi Bhattian, district Guj-
ranwala.
Chichawatni, district Montgo-
mery.
Hodal, district Gurgaon.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Ahamadpur
Sayal, district
Jhang.
Bowara, district Jhang.
Mian Channu, district Multan
Taxila, district Rawalpindi.
Musa Khel, district Mianwali.
Mananwala, district Sheikhu-
pura.
Thus at the close of the year there were 191 veterinary
hospitals in the province as shown in the map at the end
of this report.
Administrative approval of Government to the opening
of 26 new veterinary dispensaries noted in the previous
year's report has since been received and 30 men sanctioned
and added to the cadre of the subordinate veterinary
staff as per detail below:—
10
4
8
8
Veterinary Assistant Surgeons.
Veterinary Assistants
„
„
„
„
1st grade.
2nd grade.
3rd grade.
Administrative approval of Government has also been
received to the opening of new veterinary dispensaries at
the following places:—
Arafwala,
district
Noushehra
„
Kot Moman
„
Wadhi
„
Montgomery.
Shahpur.
„
„
25
and 5 additional veterinary assistants (including I leave
reserve) have been provided for as under:—
1
2
2
Veterinary Assistant,
„ „
„
„
1st grade.
2nd grade.
3rd grade.
Government has also approved of the appointment of
additional staff as under:—
4
4
4
Veterinary Assistants for the Dhanni Cattle Tract.
Veterinary Assistants for the Hariana Cattle Tract.
Veterinary Assistants for Riverain areas.
Administrative approval of Government has been
sought for the opening of new veterinary dispensaries at
the following places. The District Boards concerned have
completed all preliminaries connected therewith and
are anxious that they should be opened with as little
delay as possible:—
Punhnna,
Domeli
Balkasar
Bhogpur
district
„
„
„
Gurgaon.
Jhelum.
„
Jullundur.
Work
at
Veterinary
Hospitals.—Table V.
26. The total number of animals treated in the veteri-
nary hospitals during the year under
report was 599,227 against 539,947
during the previous year. In addi-
tion 104,114 cases against 166,386 last year were sup-
plied with medicines but were not brought to the hos-
pitals.
75,802 castrations were performed in these hospitals
against 56,985 during the previous year.
It is satisfactory to note the steady improvement in
the attendance figures of our veterinary hospitals, which
shows that the popularity of the work done is being well
maintained. Progress so much depends on the efficiency
of the individual veterinary assistants that no effort is
being spared by the Department to keep the staff up to
date in their professional knowledge.
Buildings of Veterinary
Hospitals.
27. To meet local requirements standard plans for
veterinary dispensaries have been pre-
pared as follws:—
Veterinary Dispensary, Class I, suitable for District
Headquarters only.
Veterinary Dispensary, Class II, for Tahsil Head-
quarters.
Veterinary Dispensary, Class III, for villages.
26
Government grant-in-aid.
28. During the year under report grant-in-aid from
Government was given to the follow-
ing District Boards for the construc-
tion of new veterinary dispensaries in rural areas or at
places where hired buildings are being used:—
District Gurgaon ...
„
Karnal
...
„
Atrock ...
„
Jhelum ...
„
Mianwali
...
„
Montgomery
...
Total
Rs.
10,000
5,000
15,000
5,000
10,000
5,000
50,000
Simla Veterinaty Hospi-
tal.
29. The special sanction of Government to the
appointment of a Veterinary Inspector
in charge of the Simla Veterinary Hos-
pital was given during the year.
The receipts and expenditure of the Simla Veterinary
Hospital were Rs. 12,389 and Rs. 6,981, respectively,
against Rs. 10,329 and Rs. 6,650 in the preceding year.
The surplus of income over expenditure which has been
credited into the Government Treasury by the Municipali-
ty was Rs. 5,408 against Rs. 3.679 (or Rs. 1,729 more
than last year). The minimum amount that is required
to be paid to Government annually according to the terms
of transfer of the Institution on account of pay and allow-
ances of the Veterinary Inspector in charge and interest on
the initial cost of the hospital plus that on the additional
expenditure on buildings at 4½ per cent is Rs. 3,732 per
annum.
The net profit to Government was therefore Rs. 1,676
against Rs. 220 last year.
Breeding Operations.
I.— BOVINES.
Stud
bulls.—Table
VII.
30. At the close of the year under report there were
2,253 District Board stud bulls at
work in the various districts of the pro-
vince against 1,958 last year. There were 557 additions and
262 casualties during the year. Indents for 414 Hissar
27
bulls were sent to the Government Cattle Farm, Hissar, of
which 406 were supplied before the close of the year. The
casualties include a certain number of bulls which have
died, some that have passed their prime or were unsuitable
for further retention on the strength.
Details of the total supply of bulls this year are given
below:—
Stud bulls from Hissar Farm supplied to District
Boards
...
...
...
...
Stud balls from the Hissar Farm supplied to the
Stock Breeders' Association,
Multan
...
Stud bull supplied from Hissar Farm to Raja of
Guler Jagir, district Kangra ... ...
Locally purchased bulls:—
In Rohtak District ... ...
„ Gujrat
„ ... ...
„ Shahpur
„ ... ... ...
Strayed bulls founds during the year in Gujranwala
District
Dhauni bulls.
Rawalpindi District ... ....
Jhelum
„
...
... ... ... ...
Attock „ ... ... ...
Mianwali
„ ... ...
Lyallpur
„ ... ...
Montgomery bulls purchased by Jhang District from
Jahangirabad Farm ... ... ...
Bhagnari bull purchased by Dera Ghazi Khan
District ...
Total ...
347
58
1
23
1
1
6
26
40
71
34
5
2
1
616
The number of stud bulls, 616, supplied to the districts
this year creates a new record for the cattle-breeding acti-
vities of the Department. Notwithstanding the difficulties
encountered it shows that something very substantial is
being done to help the cattle breeding industry in the pro-
vince by the steady increase in the number of pedigree bulls
employed for breeding purposes in the villages.
28
It must be regarded as a particularly healthy sign of
progress that the sources of supply are being so heavily
taxed to meet the increased demand for pedigree bulls in
this province that immediate steps are being taken for
doubling the output of stud bulls from the Government
Cattle Farm, Hissar.
There is very definite evidence of a steadily increasing
demand for the services of pedigree bulls in the villages.
This is especially noticeable amongst the poor zamindars
whose resources do not often permit of their purchasing
a bull solely for their own use and who have of necessity to
rely on the District Board to provide a stud bull for their
village. In those villages, however, where a cattle-breeding
society has been started it is a comparatively simple matter
for the members to subscribe the cost of a bull and be
independent of the Board's decision. An increase in the
number of such societies towards which a special effort is
being made with the help of the Co-operative Department
should materially help in the present difficulty of financing
schemes for cattle improvement with small Government
grants.
In last year's Annual Report the difficulties in carry-
ing through any general scheme of cattle improvement
were freely discussed, particular emphasis being laid on the
necessity for providing more liberal funds and an adequate
supervising staff.
It was with some little satisfaction therefore that the
announcement was received during the year of the improved
financial position of the Local Government, making it
possible to arrange more generous provision in future
towards the expansion of the work of the Department.
Accordingly proposals for a five years' expansion scheme
have been submitted and are now under the consideration
of Government.
There are reasons to believe therefore that the position
has undergone a considerable change for the better and
that it will be possible for the Department to tackle the
cattle problem in a more hopeful spirit in the future. It
is felt, however, that for some little time the Department
could profitably employ its newly acquired resources in
consolidating its position as undoubtedly it has in the past
committed itself to a highly ambitious working programme,
considering the facilities with which it was provided.
29
Admittedly with 2,253 District Board bulls at work
in the villages we have so far only barely touched the
fringe of the cattle problem. This number needs to be
increased almost a hundredfold before we can lay any
serious claim towards influencing the cattle situation in this
vast province. It is clear then that we cannot afford to
rely on Government or District Board agency alone for the
solution of this problem, the ordinary zamindar and the
large land-owner in particular must be taught to bear an
increasing share of the responsibility. It is significant that
in the present year District Boards have been empowered
by Government to make regulations for the improvement
of cattle-breeding within their jurisdiction.
One cannot help feeling that something more convinc-
ing than the passing of model bye-laws by District Boards
will be required to deal with the cattle-breeding industry
which has hitherto been conducted according to ideas
entirely uneconomic.
Hariana cattle-breeding
scheme.
31. The following Government grants were allotted
towards the working of the scheme:—
Rupees 8,000 to the Gurgaon District Board.
Rupees 8,000 to the Rohtak District Board.
Cattle-breeding grants which were hitherto given on
the condition of an equal amount being contributed by
the District Boards concerned have this year been increased
and the condition relaxed to a half share from the District
Boards.
Government has also agreed to supply stud bulls, one
hundred or more annually, at a concession rate of Rs. 200
each to the Gurgaon District Board.
One hundred stud bulls were supplied during the
year from the Government Cattle Farm, Hissar, to the
Gurgaon District, bringing the total number of approved
bulls now working in that district to 463.
Twenty-five heifers bought from the Hissar Farm and
23 bulls locally purchased were distributed to approved
breeders in the Rohtak District. Thirty-two under age male
stock have also been specially earmarked for this district on
the Hissar Farm.
D2
30
Thirty bulls bought from the Hissar Farm were dis-
tributed in the Hissar District. The proposal to include
the Hissar District Board for a Government grant under
the scheme has been accepted by Government.
The staff required for the effective organisation of a
cattle scheme of this kind has not yet been conceded.
Meanwhile with the help of the Co-operative Department
cattle-breeding societies are being organised, stud bulls
distributed and the castration of unsuitable bulls carried out
through our ordinary district staff.
Dhanni cattle-breeding
scheme.
32. The work of the scheme was inspected by His
Excellency the Governor on his visit
to the Dhanni Tract. Supporters of
the scheme greatly appreciate the
lively interest taken by him in the revival of their famous
Dhanni breed of cattle. They were grateful for the
promise received of further financial support from Govern-
ment.
The area in which the scheme work is centered
embraces parts of the four North Punjab districts included
in the Dhanni Tract, namely, Attock, Jhelum, Rawalpindi
and Mianwali.
The scheme received financial support this year from
Government in the form of grants as under, conditional
on half the amount being contributed by the District Boards
concerned:—
Rs.
Rs.
Rs.
Rs.
5,200 to the District Board, Attock.
6,000 to the District Board, Rawalpindi.
4,000 to the District Board, Mianwali.
6,400 to the District Board, Jhelum.
A sum of Rs. 1,000 was also allotted by Government
for award at cattle fairs to special classes for cows entered
in the Dhanni herd book.
The Dhanni Cattle-Breeding Associations of Rawalpindi
and Attock Districts have voted a sum of Rs. 150 for the
same object.
Private supporters include Lala Ganpat Rai of village
Jand, district Attock, and Sardar Jiwan Singh of Daulatala,
district Rawalpindi who have given silver medals for compe-
tition at Tallagang and Gujar Khan cattle fairs.
The fodder situation within the tract has on the whole
been favourable to the progress of the work of the scheme.
31
The total number of approved bulls enrolled at the end of
the year was 187, an increase of 79 bulls, of which 41 have
been entered on the subsidy system. This very decided
increase in the number of bulls enrolled has been made
possible by the generous financial support given this year
by Government.
It is a matter for regret that no additional supervising
staff has yet been provided to deal with the very marked
expansion in the work of the scheme. The local staff have,
however, responded well to the additional work thrust upon
them whilst certain changes have had to be effected in the
collection of statistics in order to release the Veterinary
Assistants for more important duties.
Covering results traced for the year ending March
1925 have given a birth percentage of 68 on 12,219
coverings done by the approved bulls. Six thousand
one hundred and forty-three calves were born, includ-
ing 3,203 male and 2,940 female calves. This result
represents a very satisfactory increase in the number of
well bred young stock born in the tract for that year. It
gives an indication of the possibilities of a well organised
cattle-breeding scheme run on popular lines amongst the
poorer zamindars the majority of whom are born cattle-
breeders naturally interested in the progress of the work.
It is of special satisfaction to the Department that the
funds devoted to Dhanni cattle improvement should be
entirely spent in the villages of the Dhanni Tract.
I have to bring to the notice of Government the names
of the following gentlemen whose assistance has contributed
to the successful working of the Dhanni cattle-breeding
scheme during the year:—
(1) Sheikh Muhammad Nazir, Tahsildar, Tallagang,
district Attock.
(2) Lala Ganpat Rai, Member, District Board, Jand,
district Attock.
(3) Chaudhri Feroze Din, B.A., LL.B., Vice-
chairman, District Board, Jhelum.
(4) Malik Ahmad Khan, Tahsildar, Gujar Khan,
district Rawalpindi.
(5) Sardar Bahadur
Chaudhri Sundar
Singh,
President, Dhanni Cattle-Breeding Association,
Gujar Khan, district Rawalpindi.
32
(6) Sayed Mahmud Shah, B.A., LL.B., Hono-
rary Secretary, Dhanni Cattle-Breeding Asso-
ciation, Rawalpindi.
(7) Sardar Jiwan .Singh, Rais, Daultala, district
Rawalpindi,
(8) Captain Raja Khan, Zaildar, Jatli, district
Rawalpindi.
Cattle-breeding grants.
33. There has been on the whole quite a noticeable
improvement in the general working of
these cattle grants during the year.
The Jahangirabad Farm has continued to make very
satisfactory progress whilst the management of the Bahadur-
nagar Farm has considerably improved.
The increased demand for stud bulls should provide the
necessary incentive to the lessees to arrange more liberal
feeding rations for their farm animals in future.
Although cattle at present prices may not pay for costly
stall feeding it would appear doubtful economy to neglect
to provide suitable rations for animals intended for sale.
The small cattle grants of ½ to two squares each which
were given by Government near village Shergarh in the
Montgomery District to encourage the breeding of Mont-
gomery cattle have made good progress. Milk-recording
societies have been started by the Co-operative Department
amongst the grantees, a special staff to supervise their work-
ing has been provided.
Buffalo Breeding.
34. District Boards also private breeders were urged
to provide buffalo bulls at suitable
centres and assistance was given by
the Department in the selection of animals up to standard
for breeding purposes.
The need is felt for a buffalo-breeding farm from
which suitable pedigree male stock can be easily procured.
The castration of inferior male stock is being pushed
with vigour. The results of the Department's work have
hitherto been most encouraging in those areas where large
number of buffaloes are kept for breeding purposes.
II.—EQUINES.
Number of stallions.—
Table VIII.
35. During the year under report one Provincial
donkey was added to the sanctioned
scale of Kangra District.
The position in regard to the transfer of Palwal and
Balabgarh Tahsils of the Gurgaon District for horse and
33
mule-breeding to the Army Remount Department remained
unchanged. Only the Palwal Tahsil has so far been taken
over by the Army Remount Department, this has resulted
in the transfer of one Provincial horse and one Provincial
donkey to that Department.
The above-noted changes in stallion power have reduced
the sanctioned scale of non-selected districts to 72 horses and
82 donkey stallions.
At the close of the year there were 62 horse and
pony stallions as compared with 65 at the close of the pre-
vious year. The number of donkey stallions was 79 against
76 last year.
At the end of the year the sanctioned scale was there-
fore short by 10 horse and 3 donkey stallions. Out of these,
8 horses and 1 donkey are replaceable from District Board
funds and will be purchased as soon as money is available
in the budget of the District Boards concerned.
The remaining 2 horses and 2 donkeys were replaceable
by Government. Out of these I horse and 2 donkeys have
been purchased since the close of the year and supplied to
districts concerned.
Services of Stallions.—
Table VIII.
36. The total number of mares covered by horse and
donkey stallions during the year under
report was 4,104 and 3,114 as com-
pared with 4,036 and 3,396, respectively,
during the previous year.
There is quite an appreciable reduction in the number
of mares now being maintained for breeding purposes by
zamindars in non-selected districts.
III.—GOAT AND SHEEP-BREEDING.
37. During the year under report, 58 cross-bred
merino rams and one ewe were issued from the Government
Cattle Farm, Hissar, to breeders, as compared with 20 rams
and 16 ewes during the previous year.
The progress of merino sheep-breeding has hitherto
suffered because of the difficulty in securing for breeders
the full market value for their cross-bred merino wool.
The Department is anxious to specially cater for sheep-
breeding societies which would be in a position to send
consignments of wool direct to the mills.