No. 2952-S. (Rev. & Agri.—Genl.), dated Simla, 1st September 1919.
From—The Hon'ble Mr. E. JOSEPH, I.C.S., Revenue Secretary to Government, Punjab,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Revenue and Agriculture.
I AM directed to submit for the information of the Government of
India a copy of the Annual Report on the Punjab Veterinary College, the
Civil Veterinnry Department and the Government Cattle Farm at Hissar for
the year 1918-19 together with a note on veterinary progress in the Punjab
by the Director of Agriculture, Punjab.
2. Seventy-eight students were admitted to the College during the
year compared with 85 in the previous year. Of these only 26 were Punjab
civil students, which represents a further falling off from the decreasing
number of recent years, while the qualifications of the majority of those
admitted also leave much to be desired. It is unsatisfactory to find
the existence of 9 vacancies in the subordinate veterinary department ex-
plained by the inability of the College to supply the Punjab requirements,
and His Honour hopes that the improvement in the emoluments of Veterinary
Assistants and Inspectors, which Government has under consideration, will
result in a large number and higher qualifications of the Punjab candi-
dates for admission to the College. The demand for graduates continues to
increase and is likely to remain unsatisfied until the opening of another
Veterinary College in Northern India. It is intended to re-open next No-
vember the post graduate class which was discontinued owing to the war
The examination results of the College were effected by the iufluenza epidemic
as well as by the general dislocation due to the April disturbances, but it is
satisfactory to be able to record that the conduct of the students was
exemplary on this occasion. His Honour entirely agrees with the Director
of Agriculture's appreciations of the valuable services rendered by Colonel
Pease throughout the long period of his connection with the College which is
now being terminated by his retirement.
3. Useful work has, as usual, been accomplished in the hospital
attached to the College, and evidence continues to accumulate of the success
of anti-rabic inoculation of dogs. The project for a municipal hospital pro-
gresses but slowly and the Lieutenant-Governor trusts that means will be
found of ending the delay.
4. Contagious cattle disease accounted for 28,794 deaths compared with
30,325 in the previous 12 months. Over 70 per cent of the mortality was
attributable to rinderpest which was prevalent throughout the province, and
aggravated by the scarcity of fodder. Inoculations for rinderpest numbered
106,393 or more than double the average of the previous quinquennium.
The Chief Superintendent and the Director of Agriculture have commented
of the comparison of mortality and inoculation figures. The Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor does not consider that taken by itself the ratio between the number of
deaths in a widespread epidemic, and the number of preventive inoculations
performed after the outbreak has occurred can be expected to yield instructive
results. He is inclined to accept Colonel Farmer's view that the lavish use of
serum as an educative agent is of less present importance than a scientific
study of the circumstances in which its use is of economic value. He will be
glad to consider any definite proposals that the Director may submit to facilitate
work along such lines.
The mortality due to other diseases was much less than usual owing no
doubt largely to the dry character of the year. In the case of black-quarter,
however, the great reduction of mortality is attributed by the Chief Superin-
tendent to the vigorous vaccination campaign carried on in the Chakwal and
Talagang Tahsils where there had been a severe epidemic in 1917-18.
5. The number of veterinary hospitals has increased by two since last
year and now stands at 129. The Lieutenant-Governor understands that the
Director is about to propose substantial expenditure from the wheat profits on
the extension of hospital accommodation, but the shortage of staff at present
militates against rapid progress in the provision of hospitals and dispensaries.