NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
5
increase of 18.9 per cent. over last year and 99 per cent. over
five years ago.
The castration of inferior stock continues to gain steadily
in popularity. The total number of animals castrated by the
staff of the Department both in hospitals and on tour
was 218,384, an increase of 19.3 per cent. on last year's
figure and 450 per cent. on that of five years ago. The im-
portance of eliminating scrub and inferior animals is gaining
much ground in the province; and it is noteworthy that during
last year 65 per cent. of the total castrations of inferior stock
in India were carried out in the Punjab alone. This speaks
well for the future of the cattle of the province, and it is to be
hoped that in due course the time will come when, as in other
advanced countries, all bulls for stud purposes must be
licensed and all other male animals must be rendered sterile.
The following tables give an index of the extent to which
animals have been treated both in hospitals and by the
touring staff, apart from the treatment of contagious
diseases:—
Work done at district Hospitals.
NUMBER OF
Animals treated ..
Cases supplied rich medi-
cines but not brought to
hospitals.
Castrations .. ..
Year
1925-26.
599,227
104,114
75,802
Year
1926-27.
673,293
123,822
104,219
Difference
in number
(+) or (—)
in 1926-27.
+ 74,066
+ 19,708
+ 28,417
Percentage
increase
(+) or de-
crease (—).
+ 12.3
+ 18.9
+ 37.5
Work done on tour.
Number of
Villages visited ..
Animals treated ..
Castrations performed ..
Year
1925-26.
22,602
120,502
107,196
Year
1926-27.
23,457
129,803
114,165
Difference
in number
(+) or (-)
in 1926-27.
+ 855
+ 9,301
+ 6,969
Percentage
increase
(+) or dec-
rease (—).
+ 3.7
+ 7.7
+ 6.5
6
As stated by the Chief Superintendent the year under
report has not been a particularly unhealthy one for the live
stock of the province and the mortality reported amongst
all classes of animals was considerably less than that dur-
ing last year. With the increase which is taking place in
the district establishment more prompt attention can be
given to outbreaks of diseases when reported. This in turn
will, it is hoped, result in a corresponding decrease in the
mortality. A sum of Rs. 1,000 was awarded again to
Patwaris throughout the province for promptly reporting
outbreaks of disease. A sum of Rs. 2,96,000 was provided
by Government during the year for the purchase of serum
and vaccines.
Amongst bovine animals, Rinderpest caused the highest
mortality, although the losses due to this disease are little
more than half those reported in the previous year. The
disease was particularly rife in Rohtak, Gurgaon, Kangra
and Sialkot Districts. There is an ever-increasing demand for
serum, particularly in the hill districts, and for successful
treatment hill cattle require very much larger doses of
Rinderpest serum than animals in the plains. It is understood
that weight for weight the dose required by a hill animal is
eighteen times that required for an animal in the plains.
The whole position regarding the treatment of animal disease
in the hill tracts is unsatisfactory and must remain so until
Hill States co-operate with us in the treatment and control
of such disease. The control of the movements of animals
within affected areas is essential, and for this the close
co-operation of the Hill States is necessary.
The "Serum-Alone" method of inoculation continues
to be practised. The period of effective immunity granted by
this treatment is very short and probably of less than a fort-
night's duration. It is said, however, that this period may be,
considerably increased if the inoculated animal is placed in
contact with animals having Rinderpest. It seems doubtful,
however, whether in practice this is always accomplished, and
it is probable that although it is necessary to continue this
work on a large scale much of the immunity granted
in return for the large expenditure incurred is of short
duration.
7
The table below gives an indication of the extent to
which diseases among bovine animals were treated by the
staff during the year:—
SUMMARY OF THE BOVINE DEATHS REPORTED AND THE BOVINE INOCULATIONS AND VACCINATIONS
PERFORMED IN THE YEAR UNDER REPORT AND IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
Contagious Disease.
Rinderpest ..
Foot and Mouth Discase
Hæmorrhagic Septicæ-
mia.
Black-quarter ..
Surra .. ..
Other contagious disease
(Cow-pox, liver fluke
contagious pleurae.
pneumonia, gillar, etc.
Total ..
DEATHS REPORTED.
1925-26.
52,269
1,433
10,724
895
..
3,674
68,995
1926-27.
27,626
1,041
10,780
710
1,380
870
42,407
Increase
(+) or de-
crease (—)
in 1926-27.
—24,643
—392
+ 56
—185
+ 1,380
—2,804
—26,588
INOCULATIONS PERFORMED.
1925-26.
232,159
..
91,904
..
..
..
324,063
1926-27.
211,295
..
89,753
..
..
..
301,048
Increase
(+) or de-
decrease (—)
in 1926-27.
—20,864
..
—2,151
..
..
..
—23,015
VACCINATIONS.
1925-26.
..
..
147,753
20,931
..
..
168,684
1926-27.
..
..
204,415
23,146
..
..
227,561
Increase
(+) or de-
crease (—)
in 1926-27.
..
..
+ 56,662
+ 2,215
..
..
+ 58,877
8
The district cattle-breeding work was continued on the
same lines as in the previous year. Five hundred and
fifty-one bulls were provided to the various District Boards
in the province, bringing the number of such bulls at the
close of the year to 2,501 as compared with 2,253 at the
close of last year. This figure takes into account, 303 casual-
ties among bulls during the year. The supply of 551 stud bulls
reflects the interest that has been aroused in the public in the
improvement of cattle, no less than the activities of the
Department to bring about this improvement.
With the progress thus being made it has become neces-
sary to augment the sources of supply of suitable stud bulls
and steps are in progress to increase the output of bulls from
the Hissar farm, with a view eventually to doubling the number
of bulls now issued by that farm. Provision is being
made in the Nili Bar also, and during the year two areas of
3,000 acres each have been provisionally earmarked for
cattle-breeding farms to be run departmentally. In addition,
15,000 acres have been set aside for cattle-breeding operations-
amongst small peasant grantees. The question of establish-
ing a farm for Dhanni cattle breeding in the North Punjab is
also under consideration.
The Chief Superintendent's remark that although there
are now, 2,501 District Board bulls working in villages the
fringe of the cattle problem in the Punjab has only yet been
touched, is worthy of notice. If the demand is to be met it
seems necessary that it should be done from departmental
farms as the stock from these is much more popular than that
from grantee farms.
In connection with the Hariana and Dhanni cattle-breed-
ing schemes, grants-in-aid were provided again in the year
under report by Government. The total contribution for
the former scheme was Rs. 20,000 of which the District
Boards of Gurgaon and Rohtak received Rs. 8,000 each
whilst the Hissar District Board got Rs. 4,000. These
grants-in-aid were conditional on the District Boards
concerned spending an equal amount from their own
revenues.
For the Dhanni cattle-breeding scheme grants-in-aid
to the extent of Rs. 22,600 were granted by Government on
conditions similar to those of the Hariana scheme. Owing
to the fact, however, that two of the District Boards concerned
were unable to contribute to the extent demanded, the actual
9
contribution by Government to the scheme amounted to
Rs. 18,200.
Good work continues to be done under both these schemes
and great keenness is being shown. Of the 350 stud
bulls supplied by the Hissar farm 100 were purchased by the
Gurgaon District alone, bringing the number of approved
bulls in that district to 521 which is probably a record for
any district in India. Great interest is also being shown
by the Rohtak District Board to whom 50 bulls from the
Hissar farm were supplied.
The cattle-breeding grants m the Lower Bari Doab
supplied a total of 44 bulls to District Boards during the year.
Bulls from these farms, however, do not appear to be so
popular as those from farms run departmentally. Some of
the grantee farms possess excellent cattle, but all these farms
leave room for considerable improvement. The Live Stock
Expert since his appointment has relieved the Chief Superin-
tendent of the inspection of these grantee farms and the asso-
ciation of this officer with them is certain to lead to better
results in the future.
The small cattle-breeding grants at Shergarh continue
to do good work and regular milk records from over 400 cows
are being maintained under the supervision of the Co-opera-
tive Department.
Sixty-one cross-bred Merino rams from the Hissar farm
were supplied to breeders during the year. The Chief
Superintendent proposes to increase the supply of these rams
for the improvement of the sheep of the Kangra District.
The large flocks of sheep in that district give considerable
scope for improvement in this line of stock.
The part taken by the Co-operative Department in the
improvement of the live stock of the province continues to
grow and during the year the number of Co-operative Cattle
Breeding Societies rose from 39 to 70. The addition of one
Cattle Insurance Society and one Sheep Breeding Society
brought the total of these at the end of the year to 9 and
6, respectively.
The Chief Superintendent has brought to notice the
names of certain private gentlemen to whom the Depart-
ment is indebted for valuable assistance in the cattle-breeding
schemes. Very great help has been given also by District
Officers, particularly in those districts where the Hariana
and Dhanni cattle-breeding schemes are in progress.
10
(c) Government Cattle Farm, Hissar.
Mr. W. S. Read, P. V. S., and Syed Ghulam Hussain,
P. V. S., held charge of the farm until the return from leave,
on 29th November 1926, of Mr. Branford, Superintendent.
On his return Mr. Branford was appointed Live Stock Expert to
Government, Punjab, and held charge of the post of Superin-
tendent, Government Cattle Farm, in addition to his own
duties. He continued in charge during the remainder of
the year. Steps are being taken to find a suitable Superin-
tendent for the Farm. This is difficult as the farm is of such
importance that a man with considerable experience in cattle
breeding is absolutely essential, particularly in view of the
fact that the stock on the farm is about to be considerably
increased.
Mr. P. N. Nanda, M. R. C. V. S., joined the farm for
duty on 20th November 1926, as officer under training against
the vacancy of Assistant Superintendent of the farm.
The rainfall on the farm during the year under report
was 34.40 inches as against a normal of about 14 inches.
In August, particularly, rainfall was excessive and in one day
13.9 inches of rain fell, causing much damage to the crops
and buildings. Many farm buildings and walls collapsed,
and although there was no loss of animal life the estimated
damage to property amounted to Rs. 44,000.
The supply of canal water was fair on the whole al-
though scanty at certain times of the year. A much better
supply than usual was provided by the Sali Minor and in-
spite of shortages on certain of the other branches and damage
done by the excessive rains the fodder reserve showed an
increase and amounted to 155,496 maunds as against 132,997
at the end of the previous year and 134,278 maunds
on 31st March 1925. Damage is reported, however, to some
of the fodder reserve owing to the floods.
The Superintendent reports considerable difficulty in
getting sufficient labour for harvesting of crops and other
essential operations on the farm, and he considers it necessary
to introduce some harvesting or other allowance during the
busy season in order to be able to retain labourers at the
farm at a time when they can earn more outside. This
practice had to be adopted many years ago on certain of the
Agricultural Department's experimental farms.
During the year under report there was an increased de-
mand for stud bulls bred on the farm. In addition to large
11
demands from District Boards in the Punjab there were
calls for bulls from Native States and from other provinces
in India. The farm succeeded in supplying 354 stud bulls of
which 350 went to District Boards in the Punjab. In addi-
tion 82 heifers were supplied to zamindars through District
Boards, the Civil Veterinary Department and the Co-opera-
tive Department.
Mule breeding on the farm has been
stopped and from the stock awaiting disposal at the end of
last year 40 mules have been sold off, mainly to the Army
Remount Department. In addition, a few donkeys and a
number of sheep have been supplied to District Boards.
As Mr. Branford points out the fact that during the last two
years 756 stud bulls and 343 heifers have been supplied by
the farm, still leaving the demands by District Boards un-
satisfied, is a tribute to the popularity of the farm and to the
reputation which cattle bred on it possess.
From the point of view of contagious disease the farm
had a bad year. This was only to be expected under
the abnormal conditions which prevailed. The main losses
are attributable to Foot and Mouth disease and Hæmor-
rhagic Septicæmia.
The deaths
from
the latter
disease numbered 35 as against a total of 2 in the preceding
eight years. In comparison with 1917-18, also a year of
very heavy rainfall, the deaths from this disease, however,
were reduced by one half. The losses due to Foot and Mouth
disease were heavy amongst sheep and goats. Mr. Branford
considers that the losses are light in view of the nature of the
year, and that they have been minimised by the system of
inoculation and vaccination adopted on the farm since 1918,
as well as by measures taken on the farm to control the
spread of outbreaks.
The total quantity and value of crops on the cultivated
area were less during the year under report than last year.
This is accounted for by large areas of jowar being destroyed
and other larger areas damaged by the excessive rains dur-
ing August 1926. In Rabi crops some records were
established; 25 maunds of oats per acre being obtained
from the Stable farm and a total of 12,000 maunds from an
area of 677 acres on all Farms. Considerable success resulted
from an experiment with a Madras variety of jowar and a
very heavy crop was obtained.
The Farm Veterinary Hospital treated daily an average
of 122 patients as against 85 in the last year. Inoculations
12
were carried out on a large scale. Two thousand five
hundred and eighty-one inoculations against Hæmorrbagic
Septicæmia, 2,338 against Black-quarter and 546 against
Rinderpest were performed.
The old vertical engine purchased second hand in 1900
for supplying power for grain crushing and chaff cutting was
replaced during the year by a new steam engine. Two new
stack Elevators were also purchased and a Ford 1 ton lorry
was provided. This lorry is used for carrying manure to the
more distant areas of the farm. By this means it has been
possible to manure a considerable area of land at a distance
from headquarters. A Boulton Elevaton driven by bullock
power was installed on one of the wells and is reported to be
easily worked and very efficient.
Owing to the great demand for bulls from this farm
and to the facilities which it provides for cattle breeding it
has been decided to increase activities and to raise the
number of cows from 1,500 to 2,000 immediately. With an
increased supply of canal water which it is expected to
obtain it is intended to bring the cows to a total of 3,000.
This will entail bringing a further area under cultivation and
will result in doubling the number of stud bulls annually
available to the province.
Mr. Branford and his staff are to be congratulated on
another most successful year's work and on the quality of
the stock which the farm is able to supply to the public.
The Veterinary Staff of all grades in the various sections
of the Department have worked with enthusiasm through-
out the year and the aim of all has been to push ahead the
work of what is at present a rapidly expanding Department.
H. R. STEWART,
16th August 1927.
Officiating Director of Agricul-
ture, Punjab
13
ANNUAL REPORT.
Gazetted Staff.
1. Col. G. K. Walker held charge from 1st April 1926
to 13th May 1926 when he went on leave
pending retirement. Mr. Taylor took
over the charge of office from 14th May, 1926.
K. S. Ghulam Rasul Khan, Hospital Surgeon, was granted
combined leave for six months after attaining the age of 55
years with effect from 16th August, 1926, and finally retired
from Government service on 16th February, 1927.
Ch. Mushtaq Ahmad held the charge of the post of Hos-
pital Surgeon from 16th August, 1926, till 7th October 1926,
when L. Durga Das was appointed to the post by the
Punjab Government.
L. Durga Das worked as Professor of Medicine from
13th May, 1926, to 30th June, 1926.
Mr. Taylor gave up the chair of Pathology and Bacteri-
ology as he could not find time to carry on his. administrative
duties along with the Laboratory work required as such.
He now fills the chair of Medicine formerly filled by Colonel
Walker with effect from 1st October, 1926.
S. Riazul Hassan, assistant to the Professor of
Pathology and Bacteriology, carried on the duties of the
Professor of Pathology and Bacteriology from 1st October
1926 to 3rd April, 1927, when Mr. J. F. Shirlaw, newly
recruited officer from England, took over charge as Pro-
fessor of Pathology and Bacteriology, thus relieving him of
his additional duties.
Non-Gazetted Staff.
2. Sayyed Shamshad Hussain, Demonstrator of Anatomy,
retired from Government service after
attaining the age of 55 years on 1st July,
1926. The services of Veterinary As-
sistant M. Mohammad Sharif Khan were obtained from
the Civil Veterinary Department, Punjab, to fill the vacancy
-with effect from 1st October, 1926.
Admission.
3. One hundred and sixty-nine candidates offered
themselves for admission to the College
in June, 1926, out of which 30 men
were selected by the Principal after an
interview and an examination. Two of the candidates held
14
the F.Sc. (Medical Group) qualification and the others
were matriculates.
Thirteen matriculates were nominated by various Native
States.
Number of Students.
4. At the close of the year under report the number
of students was:—
1st Year Class .. .. .. ..
2nd Year Class .. .. .. ..
3rd Year Class .. .. .. ..
4th Year Class .. .. .. ..
Total ..
Post-diploma Course .. .. ..
48
38
24
16
126
6
Fifteen men left the college, 13 from the 1st year class-
and two from the 2nd year class. One left before the annual
examination, thirteen men left having failed badly in the
annual examinations one out of the new admissions has left.
Examinations.
5. The annual examinations were held in June and
the supplementary examination for stu-
dents who failed in one subject only
in October with the following results:—
1st Year .. .. ..
2nd Year .. .. ..
3rd Year .. .. ..
4th Year .. .. ..
Number of
students.
41
29
24
8
Number
passed.
22
12
12
4
Farriers.
6. Five farriers were examined and awarded certifi-
cates in June. Sixteen men joined the
course in October of which twelve
passed and were awarded certificates in the following March.
15
Hospital attendance.
7. The attendance at the Hospital during the year-
was:—
General Ward.
In-patients .. ..
Out-patients ..
1,384 against 1,346 last year.
2,908 against 2,893 last year.
Dog Ward.
In-patients .. ..
Out-patients ..
414 against 480 last year.
564 against 555 last year.
Contagious Ward.
349 against 474 last year.
The average daily attendance in the various Wards
of the Hospital was 119.05 against 93.85 last year.
Seventy-nine dogs underwent the anti-rabic treatment
during the year.
Special Work.
8. 3rd year class was taken to the Jehangirabad
Cattle Farm for practical demonstrations
during the year. Owing to the shortage
of staff in the Pathological Depart-
ment, it was not possible to conduct any original work.
Buildings.
9. New Hostel, Tube well, and the Principal's Bunga-
low are under construction. The sub-
soil drainage scheme was completed
during the year.
Income.
10. The total amount credited into the Government
Treasury
during the year
was
Rs. 27,159 against Rs. 23,753 last
year. The increase is due to the revenue derived from Tui-
tion fee and the Hospital fee.
Expenditure.
11. The total expenditure was Rs. 1,61,157 against
Rs. 1,86,433 last year. The decrease
is mainly due to Colonel Walker remain-
ing on leave out of India and the post of the Professor of
Pathology remaining vacant.
16
Employment of
the
Alumni of the College.
12. Owing to the five-years' programme of develop-
ment of the Civil Veterinary Depart-
ment, Punjab, the demand for quali-
fied Veterinary Assistants has again
increased and the present supply cannot meet it. Proposals
to start a two-years' vernacular course at an early date are
under the consideration of the Government.
General remarks.
13. During the year the health and behaviour of
the students residing in the College
Hostel were good and the interest in
games and sports was on the increase.
Principal wishes to record his appreciation of the work
of the staff throughout the year.
Sohawa Laboratory.
14. The office of Camel Specialist, Sohawa, was in
charge of Chaudhri Kahan Singh,
throughout the year under report.
Seven hundred and two cases of disease other than
surra were treated.
Eighty-nine camels affected with surra were admitted
for treatment at Bhera and Sohawa. Of these 73 were cured,
4 were taken away before completion of treatment and 12
died during treatment.
Experiments were carried out to compare the efficacy
of Potassium Antimony Tartrate and Sodium Antimony
Tartrate. The results showed that Potassium Antimony
Tartrate is preferable.
Surra in Equines.—Two centres were reopened for
treatment of Surra affected animals, at Bhera and Sheikhu-
pura.
Fifty animals were treated at Sheikhupura and 39 at
Bhera. Of the former 33 were cured and 17 died. Of the
latter 24 were cured, 13 died under treatment and 2 were
taken away before the completion of treatment.
Treatment by Bayer 205.—Five camels, three ponies
and two dogs were treated by means of Bayer 2 5. All
were cured except two ponies.
This treatment is simpler and shorter than by Tartar
Emetic and the animal feeds well under it. The drug, if
inoculated subcutaneously instead of intravenously, is no
17
less effective, and is in no way harmful, thereby differing
greatly from Tartar Emetic. The injection of this drug
during a paroxysm of the disease does not produce any
harmful effects. Its disadvantage is its cost.
In order to reduce this cost, experiments with a
combined treatment with both drugs were made. Of 26
camels treated by this method 22 were cured, one relapsed
twenty-five days after completion of the treatment, and
3 died. Of 17 ponies submitted to this treatment 14 were
cured.
It is interesting to note that amongst the number of
camels and ponies cured by this method were several animals,
which failed to withstand treatment by Tartar Emetic alone
showing that the shock to the system is not so great by
this method, enabling more emaciated animals to be
cured.
Observations are being made to try to discover if it
is possible for the bacha to contract infection from the
mother during its intra uterine existence. These observa-
tions are not yet complete.
Experiments have been made to discover if this
disease is transmissible through the medium of the mother's
milk. Up to the present, the results are negative.
Surra transmission experiments with ticks were com-
menced some years ago, with the object of ascertaining:—
(a) For how long after feeding on an infected animal.
can a tick (O. Crossi) continue to spread the
disease;
(b) For how long can a tick survive without food
after being fed on an affected animal. Twenty-six:
experiments were carried out during the year,
the results showing that these ticks are capable of
spreading the disease 622 days after being fed on
an affected animal, and up to the present some of
them have survived for 696 days without food.
The Fly Survey.—As the staff was recruited late in
the fly season, nothing definite can be stated for the present.
That portion of the province between the Chenab and Ravi
C