NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
2
The figures for Punjab Civil Students do not necessarily
indicate that the standard set is too high as a small entry
is only to be expected for a new and untried course with a
qualifying standard of entrance, which to a great extent
shuts out the class of students previously seeking admis-
sion.
4. The Ministry of Agriculture agrees that a return
to the old 3 years' course is at present undesirable, nor is
any further increase in the pay of Veterinary Assistants at
present practicable. The question of introducing an A
class of Veterinary Assistants similar to the A-class of
Assistants in the Agricultural Department for graduates of
the College who have passed the Intermediate Examination
in Science before entering the College is, however, one which
Government is prepared to consider.
5. The result of the annual examinations was report-
ed by the Board of Examiners to be very satisfactory. The
number of patients treated at the Hospital was well main-
tained, and though there were fewer cases at the Dog Hospi-
tal, 54 dogs were treated for rabies compared with 31 last
year. The health and behaviour of the students are well
reported on. Colonel Walker, who went on leave out of
India on 13th February 1922 and handed over charge to
Mr. Taylor, Professor of Pathology, may be congratulated
on a satisfactory year's work.
6. That the College is splendidly equipped for research
work must be admitted. Research with regard to rabies and
in the diagnosis of Surra has, in fact, been carried out.
More activity in this direction is undoubtedly desirable, but
the Ministry of Agriculture recognises the limitations by
which the Principal and his staff are impeded. The College,
which is primarily a teaching institution, is in a transition
stage and two different courses are still being carried on side
by side. The senior officers are engaged not only in organi-
sing the new course, but in training the younger Professors.
There can be little of that undisturbed leisure without which
serious research is impossible
DISTRICT WORK.
7. The total number of reported deaths from contagi-
ous diseases in the Province rose from the abnormally
low figure of 25,200 in 1920-21 to 42,244. The year
was extremely healthy for equines with no cases of Anth-
rax or Dourine, only one case of glanders and 17
deaths from Surra compared with 37 last year. Among
3
bovines the continuance of the fodder shortage over the major
part of the Province weakened their disease resisting powers
and 36,720 deaths from contagious diseases were reported as
against 20,166 last year. The migrations of the herds in
search of fodder set up new centres of infection and the late
rains neutralized, especially in the case of Hæmorrhagic
Septicæmia, the immunity conferred by the abnormal dry-
ness of the previous year. The staff, however, rose to the
occasion and the extra work thrown on them is shown by the
increase in the number of inoculations against Rinderpest
and Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia from 128,863 in 1920-21
to 176,699 and in the number of outbreaks from 574 to 940.
The success of Septicæmia vaccinations in conferring im-
munity on villages where the disease was previously rife is
most gratifying. Complaints are still made about the report-
ing of outbreaks by Patwaris and the system is stigmatized
as haphazard. No effective substitute has, however, been
suggested, but the introduction into the budget for 1922-23
of a grant of Rs. 6,000 for rewards for prompt reports by
patwaris should stimulate their zeal.
8. The important touring work of Veterinary assistants
was well maintained as is shown by the figures of 17,530
villages visited, 111,433 animals treated and 22,209 castra-
tions, compared with 13,167 villages, 72,182 cases and
17,806 castrations in the preceding year.
9. In connection with this subject Mr. Jacob's remark
that less than 3 per cent. of the cattle mortality of the Pro-
vince is at present accounted for is typically arresting. A
Veterinary Inspector has been appointed to inspect the
Co-operative Cattle Insurance Societies and the figures
which he is collecting in connection with this work may
throw light on this important question.
10. The number of hospitals and dispensaries continues
to increase. There were 147 of the former and 12 of the
latter at the close of the year starting from 139 and 5, res-
pectively, at the beginning. The cases treated numbered
360,715, as compared with 337,407 in the previous year. It
will unfortunately be necessary to restrict in future the
opening of new dispensaries owing to want of funds. Al-
though the Veterinary Assistant only is paid for directly by
Government, the whole cost of each new dispensary is in the
end owing to the conditions of District Board finances paid for
by Government. The Ministry acknowledges with pleasure
the assistance given by the gentlemen named in the report
towards the erection of new hospital buildings.
4
11. Little or no progress is reported under Cattle Breed-
ing. The policy of the Department, to preserve and improve
the indigenous breeds of the Province by a process of selec-
tion is admirable, but out of the five main breeds, Hissar,
Montgomery, Dhanni, Hariana and Dajal, practically noth-
ing has been spent upon any except the Hissar cattle
for which the expensive Hissar Farm is maintained.
The results obtained at this farm show that given proper
facilities the Department can effect much. The efforts to
improve the Dhanni breed have yielded good results, and it
is hoped to introduce similar measures in the case of the
Hariana cattle. The Chief Superintendent's report, however,
is unfortunately silent as to the success of the cattle-breed-
ing grants on the Lower Bari Doab Canal from which much
was expected. In the case of the Montgomery breed, milk-
ing tests must obviously be the chief guide in the process of
selection, and it is hoped that the arrangements made will
result in accurate data.
12. But to secure any general cooperation in cattle
breeding it has first to be brought home to the cattle owner
that it pays to keep a good rather than a bad animal. Za-
mindars are far from convinced of this at present owing to
the mortality from contagious diseases and from starvation.
Veterinary knowledge can assist to remove the former cause,
but for the latter measures to secure a supply of fodder in
famine seasons are necessary. But here again the difficulty
arises that the expense of storing fodder is greater than the
animals are worth. Fewer animals of better quality, though
costing no more to feed would give the same amount of
draught power and of milk. Towards improvement there-
fore the first step necessary appears to be a recognition that,
at any rate in the grazing tracts which suffer from famines,
a restriction of numbers together with fodder storage must
precede any general improvement of breed.
13. From this point of view the postponement of the
proposed biometric cattle survey, the expense of which the
Province could ill afford, need not be deplored. The indige-
nous breeds are obviously capable of improvement and before
collecting statistics to show whether improvement is being
achieved or no it is desirable both to arouse a desire for im-
provement and to provide facilities for gratifying the desire
when aroused.
HISSAR FARM.
14. The farm was again handicapped by fodder shortage
5
and a deficiency in rainfall for the seventh year in succes-
sion. The heavy fall in October was too late for a maximum
growth of grass. There was, therefore, large unforeseen ex-
penditure on fodder. On the other hand, the condition of the
stock was healthy and deaths from contagious diseases and
abortion showed a considerable decline; for instance, there
was no death from Rinderpest as compared with 30 in the
previous year. The extra fodder expenditure, however, and
various additions and alterations to farm buildings on which
Rs. 41,312 was spent, were mainly responsible for a loss of
Rs. 1,16,204 in the profit and loss account of the year's working,
though without the concession rates of sales to District
Boards, the loss would have been reduced to Rs 83,603.
The value of the farm lies in its being the centre of the
breeding operations of the Province and the supply of
bulls to the various local bodies fell little short of that of the
previous year. Mr. Branford was in charge of the farm till
he went on leave on 20th March 1922 and has since been
succeeded temporarily by Captain Sewell. Both Mr. Branford
and the officials he names deserve credit for the year's work.
ESTABLISHMENT.
15. There was no increase in the subordinate veteri-
nary staff, the sanctioned cadre remaining at the figure of
226 with which the previous year closed. Sanction was
given during the year to the addition of four Inspectors and
ten Veterinary Assistants who have been appointed on or
after the 1st April 1922.
GENERAL.
16. Mr. Quirke was Chief Superintendent throughout
the year and Government is indebted to him and his whole
staff and particularly those named in his report, for a
thoroughly satisfactory year's administration. Mr. Quirke's
report is most useful and suggestive. Mr. C. A, H. Town-
send, I.C.S., was in charge as Director for the year
and to his unfailing energy the Department owes much. Mr.
S. M. Jacob, I.C.S., who has been officiating for Mr. Town-
send, has supplied an interesting note on the year's Veteri-
nary progress. The statistical tables at the end of the report
should be overhauled and much of the detailed statistical in-
formation omitted in future. In any case greater accuracy
should be insisted on. As presented Table XIV shows that
in the case of certain fairs animals were sold, which were not
actually present at the fair. The value of the returns would
6
be increased by the addition of the totals of the preceding
year or two years for purposes of comparison.
I have the honour to be,
SIR,
Your most obedient servant,
E. R.. ABBOTT,
Financial Commissioner & Secretary to
Government, Punjab
(Development Department).
No. 718—24-10895.
COPY forwarded to the Director of Agriculture, Punjab'
for information.
By order,
E. R. ABBOTT,
Financial Commissioner & Secretary to
Government, Punjab
(Development Department).
239 FC—320—8-1-23—SGPP Lahore.
NOTE ON VETERINARY PROGRESS IN THE
PUNJAB DURING 1921-22 BY THE DIRECTOR
OF AGRICULTURE, PUNJAB.
I HAVE few remarks to make on matters of detail, as I
was not in charge as Director for any part of the year under
report. The new four years English course leading up to
the Diploma of Licentiate in Veterinary Practice, Punjab,
was commenced in October 1921, and as a result, only 29
students were admitted as against 80 admitted in 1920 and
81 in the previous year. Most of the diminution in the
number of students is due to the absence of any military can-
didates or candidates from provinces other than the Punjab.
By adopting the Matriculate standard for admission, and in
requiring a four years course of study, we appear, for
the moment, to have set too high a standard; and young
men, who might have contemplated entering the Veterinary
College have apparently decided that it is not worth their
while to undergo such a lengthy preparation for the very
moderate emoluments which Veterinary Assistants and
Inspectors are at present drawing in Government employ.
It is true that the grades of Veterinary Assistants
which in 1918 stood at Rs. 30, 40 and 50 have been raised
to Rs. 60, 75 and 90 respectively, i.e., nearly double the
original rates of pay, but the rates of pay are much below
those of comparative careers in other Government depart-
ments and are, therefore, unattractive. It seems certain
that Government will never consent to allow such a splen-
didly equipped college as the Punjab Veterinary. College,
Lahore, to do no more than educate a score of students each
year at a cost approaching 2 lakhs per annum; and the only
alternatives, therefore, appear to be either to raise the rate
of pay in the Veterinary Department or to adopt the retro-
grade step of returning to the old 3 years Vernacular course.
There can hardly be any doubt as to which alternative is the
more desirable.
Another point which I would like to note in connection
with the College is that practically no research work has
been done there. As the College laboratories have a splen-
did equipment and exceptional material to work on, this is a
matter which makes one think very seriously, and can hard-
B
2
ly be dismissed by the explanation of the acting Principal,
that no original research could be completed on account of
changes in the staff. I have more than once emphasized
previously, and I do so again, that a Veterinary College
should reproduce the spirit of the Academe and not that of
the Agora. Veterinary Science has a future before it, where-
as Veterinary Art must fade into the limbo of Cheirurgy
and Alchemy.
2. As to district veterinary work, Mr. Quirke continu-
ed as Chief Superintendent for the whole year, and I leave
his report and that of his subordinates to speak for themselves
in all matters of detail. The primary work of the depart-
ment is the treatment of disease and attached to this note
is a statement showing the reported mortality in the pro-
vince of each year since 1911-12. I am afraid, not much
value can be attached to the absolute value of the figures,
though they probably afford an indication of the relative
intensity of the diseases from year to year.
For example, the question that naturally arises in one's
mind is as to the actual causes of cattle mortality. Seeing
that the total population of bovines and equines together in
the Punjab amounts to some 15½ millions, the deaths among
them must amount to not less than 1½ million annually.
As the reported causes of death annually account for under
40,000 cases of mortality, the question naturally arises,
whether the remaining 1,460,000 animals die of infantile
diseases and senility. It is clear, of course, that we know
very little of the real causes of cattle mortality.
The statement shows that the year 1921-22 was the healthi-
est, as regards Equines, of any year since 1911-12, while as
regards Bovines, the percentage deaths from contagious dis-
ease was greater than in any year of the last 11 except 1919-
20. The whole question of cattle mortality, bound up as it is
with the question of cattle insurance which the Co-operative
Department has been trying to introduce, is one which re-
quires investigation by a competent man.
As to cattle breeding, the most important event is the
set-back which the Department received owing to the resig-
nation of the expert recruited in England within a few
weeks of his arrival in the country, owing to what he de-
scribed as the 'chaotic' conditions prevailing. Mr. Woolf
and I had already drawn up, in consultation with Mr. Walter
3
Taylor, a list of the measurements which would be desirable
to make on Punjab cattle. Measuring instruments had
already been ordered from Europe and I had great hopes
that the biometric cattle survey would be able to start in
the winter of 1922. These hopes have been stultified by
Mr. Woolf's departure and I am now considering in what
direction we can look for an expert to replace him. My
impression is that to attract the right type of man, we may
have to offer double the salary given to Mr. Woolf. Gov-
ernment should make it quite plain that it can permit no
'vested interests' to interfere with its determination to
obtain a scientific and impartial examination of the Punjab
cattle-breeding question.
I need not reiterate all the problems of cattle types,
cattle breeding, and of cattle economics that require study
for any comprehensive scheme of agricultural development,
and until they have been examined, I must continue to remain
sceptical, not of the energy and enthusiasm for cattle breed-
ing of the officers of the Civil Veterinary Department of the
Punjab, but as to the direction in which that energy and
enthusiasm are leading us. In one respect, I note that the
propaganda work by Mr. Wm. Smith, the Imperial Cattle
Breeding and Dairying Expert, has called attention to the
importance of milking qualities and the arrangements made
by the Chief Superintendent for milk tests of the Jahangir-
abad cows is a step in the right direction. These tests to be
satisfactory should cover the whole period of lactation.
3. Mr. Branford was in charge of the Hissar Cattle Farm
up to the 20th of March since when Mr. Sewell has been
officiating. Mr. Egan, I.C.V.D., has been appointed Assist-
ant Superintendent with effect from 6th of April.
S. M. JACOB,
The 2nd August 1922. Offg. Director of Agriculture, Punjab.
B2
4
Statement showing cattle mortality in the Punjab f'rom contagious diseases from 1911-12 to 1921-22.
YEAR.
1911-12 ...
1912-13 ...
1913-14 ...
1914-15 ...
1915-16 ...
1916-17 ...
1917-18 ...
1918-19 ...
1919-20 ...
1920-21 ...
1921-22 ...
CATTLE POPULATION.
Equi ne s .
966, 529
966, 529
1, 163, 336
1, 163, 336
1, 163, 336
1, 163, 336
1, 163, 336
1, 163, 336
1, 032, 638
1, 032, 638
1, 032, 638
Bovi ne s .
14, 028, 485
14, 028, 485
15, 489, 083
15, 469, 083
15, 489, 083
15, 489, 083
15, 489, 083
15, 489, 083
14, 408, 786
14, 408, 786
14, 408, 786
Equi ne s .
56
67
44
339
73
179
1, 375
85
88
37
26
MORTALITY FROM CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.
Rinderpest.
8, 754
12, 893
12, 713
7, 308
2, 366
15, 045
9, 568
20, 849
42, 157
14, 624
23, 661
Foot and
mouth dis-
ease.
681
302
706
521
675
512
1, 306
541
2, 611
301
1, 059
Bovines.
Hæmorrhagic
Septicæmia.
10, 586
8, 494
10, 663
19, 588
7, 063
10, 723
13, 513
5, 349
6, 319
4, 459
10, 923
Black Quar-
ter.
1, 251
840
762
2, 014
1, 434
1, 092
2, 654
653
258
653
365
Other conta-
gious dis-
eases.
221
406
215
497
146
446
327
305
516
340
735
Total.
21, 493
22, 935
25, 059
29, 928
11, 684
27, 818
26, 361
27, 697
51, 861
20, 277
36, 743
DEATHS PER THOUSAND.
Equities.
.06
.07
.04
. 29
.06
15
118
.07
.09
.04
.03
Bovines.
1. 5
1. 6
1. 6
1. 9
.7
1. 8
1. 7
1. 8
3.6
1. 4
2. 6
REMARKS.
5
Annual report of the Punjab Veterinary College,
Lahore, for the year 1921-22.
Gazetted Staff.
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL G. K. WALKER, C.I.E., O.B.E.,
Principal and Professor of Medicine, remain-
ed in charge of the institution up to 12th
February 1922 (afternoon) when he proceeded on combined
leave for 4 months and 16 days prefixed to college vacations,
except for from 10th June 1921 to 30th June 1921, when he
was on a short privilege leave and Captain Sewell officiated
for him.
Mr. W. Taylor, M.R.C.V.S., D.V.H., Professor of Path-
ology, went on leave out of India on 7th June 1921 (after-
noon) prefixed to college vacations. Mr. W. Taylor, Pro-
fessor of Pathology, took over the charge of institution, in
addition to his own duties, on 13th February 1922.
S. Mool Singh, Clinical Assistant, Equine, is holding
the charge of the post of the Professor of Equine Medicine,
in addition to his own duties, from 13th February 1922.
Captain Sewell, M.C., Professor of Hygiene, was on
deputation to Government Cattle Farm, Hissar, from 21st
March 1921 (afternoon) to 23rd May 1921, to conduct certain
feeding experiments, and from 11th March 1922 (afternoon)
to officiate for Mr. R. Branford who has proceeded on com-
bined leave for 8 months.
Captain U. W. F. Walker, M.C., Professor of Surgery,
remained in charge of the hospital throughout the year.
Captain K. J. S. Dowland, Professor of Parasitology, was
deputed to work with the Camel Specialist, Sohawa, during
the college vacations, and is holding charge of the duties
of the Professor of Hygiene since 11th March 1922 (after-
noon) in addition to his own duties.
Khan Bahadur Syed Sardar Shah took over the charge
of the Professor of Bovine-Pathology on his return from
Medical leave on 11th June 1921, relieving Pandit Janki
Nath, who returned to the Civil Veterinary Department,
Punjab, as Deputy Superintendent.
Sardar Hardit Singh, B.Sc., on his return from Eng-
land was appointed Professor of Anatomy on two years'
probation from 1st October 1921.
6
Non-Gazetted Staff.
2. Chaudhri Haq Nawaz Khan, Clinical Assistant,
Canine, was deputed to England for the
B.Sc. honours degree course in Phy-
siology at the London University, from 1st November 1921,
and Lala Durga Dass is officiating for him, and S. Riaz-ul-
Hassan's services were obtained from the Civil Veterinary De-
partment, Behar and Orissa, to take over the duties of Lala
Durga Dass.
M. Ghulam Safdar Khan was appointed Lecturer in Che-
mistry and Science from 1st August 1921.
Mr. C. L. Bhatia, B.Sc., was appointed Lecturer in Bio-
logy from 16th January 1922.
M. Qamar-ud-Din, Demonstrator of Anatomy, returned
to his duties on August 1st in the Civil Veterinary Depart-
ment, North Punjab.
Sessions.
3. The summer session commenced on April 28th and
closed on June 30th, and winter ses-
sion commenced on the October 3rd
and ended with the close of the year under report.
Admission.
4. The scheme for the four years' English course was
sanctioned by the Punjab Government,
Ministry of Agriculture, in their letter
No. 282-S. R., dated 23rd May 1921, and on 1st of October
1921, twenty-nine candidates were admitted to the first year
class out of fifty-five Punjab Civil applicants.
Military and Army Remount Departments sent no stu-
dents.
The United Provinces, Central Provinces, and Andaman
Governments did not send any candidates for admission to
the College.
Baluchistan Agency nominated a candidate, but he did
not join. Kapurthala State sent a student, but he was unable
to cope with the work of the class and therefore left; eight
others either did not join or left owing to their inability
to cope with the work and now a class of nineteen remains,
some of which are progressing very satisfactorily.
Under Punjab Government, Circular No. 23729 (Home
& Genl.), dated 19th December 1917, one nominated can-
didate who had meritorious war service was admitted and is
still at the College.
7
Course of Study.
5. First year class was recruited for the four years
English Course while the second and
the third years' classes were held in
Urdu.
No post-graduate classes were held.
Examination results.
6. Supplementary examinations were held in June
as usual and the results are given
below:—
First year class
Second „ „
Third „ „
... 10 examined
...
8
„
...
6
„
... 8 passed.
... 7 „
... 6 „
The results of the annual examinations held in March
and April were as follows:—
Second year class
Third „ „
... 75 examined
... 77
„
... 59 passed.
... 66
„
The percentage of passes was 78.6 and 85.7, respectively.
The Board of Examiners reported that the results were
very satisfactory.
Dressers' class.
7. Four dressers were trained during the college vaca-
tion.
Farriers' class.
8. Sixteen farriers were trained during the year under
report.
Hospital.
9. The attendance at the Hospital during the year
was:—
In-patients 1,195 against 1,297 last year.
Out-patients 1,863 against 1,790 last year.
Besides the above the following number of patients
was treated in the Dog Hospital:—
In-patients 493 against 521 last year.
Out-patients 328 against 458 last year.
Contagions Ward.
10. Eighty-four patients suffering with contagious dis-
eases were treated in the college segre-
gation ward. Fifty four dogs were sub-
jected to the anti-rabic treatment.