NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
17
the districts necessitating postponement of the operation
until they had regained condition.
III—Veterinary Hospitals.
Number of Veterinary
Hospitals—Table V.
23. There were 132 hospitals in the beginning of the
year including three temporary dis-
pensaries at Bheni-Milwan, Kotgarh
and Gojra. During the year under report a new hospital
was opened at Salarwala (district Lyallpur) and the dis-
pensary at Gojra was converted into a permanent hospital.
Dispensaries were also started at Kohala, Buchal-Kalan,
Pindi Baha-ud-din, Bhalwal and Isa Khel. Thus at the end
of the year there were 131 hospitals and 6 dispensaries in the
province. The dispensary at Kotgarh, district Simla, was
vacant at the close of the year.
A considerable demand has arisen for the opening of
new hospitals, a large number of which can be effected
through the aid of private subscriptions, clearly showing
the growing popularity of these institutions and of depart-
mental work throughout the province.
Work at the hospitals —
Table V.
24. The total number of animals treated both in the
hospitals and dispensaries of the pro-
vince was 319,712 against 291,085
last year. 116,429 cases against 17,669 last year were
supplied with medicines but not brought to hospitals. Be-
sides this 12,397 castrations were performed in these in-
stitutions against 16,728 last year.
Building of Veterinary
Hospitals.
25. Out of wheat profits money Rs. 48,000 have been
allotted for the construction of new
buildings and improving the existing
old buildings of veterinary hospitals. It is now hoped that
the amount of the subsidy long overdue will shortly be
placed at the disposal of the various District Boards, some
of which have completed various improvements in anticipa-
tion of sanction and are now pressing for same.
PART III.—Breeding Operations.
Stud bulls—Table VIII.
26. At the close of the year under report there
were 1,352 stud bulls at work in the
Province against 1,270 in the previous
year. (The difference of 5 bulls has been explained in the
remarks column of Table VIII).
18
During the year under report there were 174 casualties
and 256 additions. The detail of the latter is given be-
low:—
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
Hissar bulls purchased from the Govern-
ment Cattle Farm, Hissar, through this
Department ... ... ...
Hissar bulls purchased direct from the
Government Cattle Farm, Hissar, by the
Shahpur District Board ... ...
Montgomery bull purchased direct from
the Government Cattle Farm, Hissar, by
the Mianwali District Board ...
Hissar bulls handed over to Sheikhupura
District by the Gujranwala District Board
Dhanni bulls purchased by Jhelum and
Rawalpindi Districts ... ...
Buffalo bulls purchased by Mianwali Dis-
trict ... ... ... ...
Montgomery bulls purchased locally by the
Montgomery District ... ...
Baghnari bull purchased by the Dera Ghazi
Khan District ... ... ...
189
8
1
44
6
3
4
1
256
The cost of the Hissar bulls supplied by the Grovern-
ment Cattle Farm, Hissar, to District Boards has been in-
creased to Rs. 250 with effect from 1st April 1920. Cattle-
breeding continues to make satisfactory progress, the in-
crease in the price of cattle has given a stimulus to more
careful breeding in the districts. A comparison of the num-
ber of District Board bulls now being issued with the num-
ber which were formerly supplied shows clearly the growing
demand for well bred bulls. Every endeavour is made by
this Department by village lectures and by demonstrations
at fairs to impress on zamindars the necessity for having
good bulls and the emasculation of unsuitable ones. Special
effort is made for castration work in those villages where
District Board bulls are located. The Dhanni cattle-breed-
ing scheme which was started in the Dhanni Tract over
twelve months ago with the support of the Deputy Commis-
sioner, Attock district, has so far given very encouraging
19
results. The system on which it is based, namely, of sub-
sidising specially selected privately owned bulls has appealed
to the ordinary zamindar who dreads the responsibility of
keeping a bull the property of the District Board. The
scheme, however, is particularly suited to the villages of this
tract which form the original home of the famous Dhanni
or Awankari breed. It is hoped that with proper supervi-
sion and further financial assistance to the scheme the per-
manence of this breed in the Dhanni Tract can be establish-
ed which was a short time ago in danger of extinction.
II—EQUINES.
Number of stallions.—
Table X.
27. At the close of the year there were 65 horses and
77 donkeys at work in the non-selected
districts of the province as compared
with 67 horses and 74 donkeys in the previous year.
The following additions and casualties took place during
the year under report:—
Increase.
Purchased by District Boards ... ... ...
Received from Civil Veterinary Department ... ...
Total ...
Decrease.
Died ... ... ... ... ...
Sold ... ... ... ... ...
Destroyed ... ... ... ... ...
Total ...
Horses
2
1
3
2
2
1
5
Donkeys.
2
3
5
1
1
...
2
* These 2 donkeys were purchased by the Mianwali District over and above the sanc-
tioned scale laid down in Appendix A to Agricultural Circular No. 6.
Although Government has done and is doing a great deal
for the improvement of horse-breeding by supplying suitable
stallions, progress is seriously handicapped in many direc-
tions. Owners should take special care of their mares when
in foal and for a certain time after the foal is born. It is
quite common now a-days to see owners riding their mare
long distances with a foal at foot which is too weak to travel,
20
thus handicapping its development. They forget the fact
that the more work the mare has to do at this period, the
milk supply will thereby be decreased for the foal. Very
often mares let loose on so-called grazing areas are covered
by inferior stallions the resulting progeny being put down
to Government stallions.
Services of horse, pony
and donkey stallions.—Table
XI.
28. The total number of horse, pony and donkey stal-
lions employed at stud during the year
was 4, 60 and 69. They covered 176,
2,971 and 3,692 mares, respectively.
Last year 199, 2,979 and 3,680 mares were covered by 4, 61
and 71 horse, pony and donkey stallions, respectively. The
average number of mares covered was 44, 49.51 and 53.5 per
horse, pony and donkey stallion respectively, against 49.75,
48.83 and 51.83 in the previous year.
Feed and keep of stal-
lions.—Table XII.
29. The average cost of feed, keep, etc., of horse, pony
and donkey stallions was 608, 583 and
314, respectively, against 422, 466 and
263 during the previous year. These figures are as usual
supplied by District Boards.
III.—SHEEP AND GOAT BREEDING.
30. During the year under report 110 three-quarter
and half-bred merino rams were purchased by private per-
sons of the following districts from the Government Cattle
Farm, Hissar:—
Ferozepore
Ambala
Hissar
Multan
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
75
17
16
2
110
In addition to the above 3 rams were purchased by the
Jullundur District Board.
Reports from the various districts where cross-breeding
with merino rams is carried out are encouraging. The best
results can, however, only be expected in those flocks where
the merino rams are being used systematically with due
regard to the necessity of introducing fresh blood from time
to time into their flocks.
21
IV.—FAIRS AND SHOWS.
Fairs and Shows—Tables
XIII and XIV.
31. The statistical information regarding Horse and
Cattle Fairs and Shows is incorporated
in Tables XIII and XIV. Horse fairs
were held in 5 districts and cattle fairs in 20 districts.
The following statement shows the number of horse
and cattle fairs and shows attended by the officers of the
Department during the year under report:—
Attending officer.
Chief Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Punjab
Officer on Special Duty ... ... ... ...
Officiating Chief Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department,
Punjab.
Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North Punjab
Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, South Punjab
Officiating Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department,
South Punjab.
Deputy Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, South
Punjab.
Horse fairs
or shows.
3
3
2
5
...
...
...
Cattle fairs
or shows.
3
3
2
5
1
5
3
The remaining fairs and shows were either attended by
the Veterinary Inspectors of this Department or abandoned
on account of scarcity of fodder and prevalence of contagious
diseases.
V.—FAIRS AND SHOWS.
Cattle insurance.
32. The reports received regarding the working of the
Cattle Insurance Societies in this pro-
vince are so far encouraging.
There is a very large scope for the formation of such
Societies which this Department are most anxious should
develop when the staff is sufficiently strengthened for this
purpose.
PART IV.—Establishment.
Numerical strength—Table
VII.
33. The establishment of subordinates at the end of
the year under report was 192, as com-
pared with 190 in the previous year.
The two additional Veterinary Assistants were sanctioned for
22
the Sheikhupura District which was constituted during the
year. The total number of subordinates working at the close
of the year was:—
Veterinary Inspectors ...
„
Assistants, 1st grade
„
„
2nd „
„
„
3rd
„
Total
... 18
... 38
... 75
... 62
193
(includes 2 Veteri-
nary assistants
officiating
as
Vetctrinary In-
spectors) .
During the year under report one Veterinary Inspector
and 18 Veterinary Assistants were released from Military
service. This left a balance of 17 Veterinary Assistants on
Military duty at the close of the year.
PART V.—Expenditure.
Expenditure.—Table XIV-
A.
34. The expenditure of the Department is given in
Table XIV-A. The figures are as usual
supplied by the Accountant-General,
Punjab, and are subject to modification if necessary when
the accounts of the year are finally closed in August next.
PART VI.—General Remarks.
35. Both the clerical and subordinate staff have work-
ed well throughout the year. The following Veterinary
Inspectors deserve special mention for the interest shown in
their work:—
Veterinary Inspector
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
... Talib Khan.
... Mohamad Abdullah.
... Talib Hussain.
... Ghulam Hassan.
... Barkat Ali.
... Thakar Singh.
As already stated the staff of the Department need to be
increased to tackle the large amount of work especially in
connection with contagious disease and thereby save the
23
heavy mortality which could be considerably reduced if
there was sufficient staff to deal with it. Not alone is the
Department suffering from a shortage of subordinate staff, but
also the superior staff is considerably curtailed for the
amount of work which has to be dealt with. If it is found
necessary to have a Civil Surgeon for each district the posi-
tion of the 3 Superintendents can be appreciated who have
the whole Punjab and North-West Frontier Province to deal
with.
The system of redistribution of charges amongst the
Superintendents requires to be considered with a view to
reducing the charge of the Superintendent, South Punjab,
and also relieving the Chief Superintendent, who, in addition
to the executive charge of the nine districts in the Central
Punjab, deals with the administrative work of the entire
province.
The Chief Superintendent's thanks are due to Mr.
Garewal and Rai Sahib Lala Kotu Ram, Superintendents, and
also to Pundit Janki Nath, officiating Deputy Superintend-
ent, for their loyal support and also to all District Officers
who have so kindly assisted this Department.
Annual Report for 1919-20.
1. I was incharge of the Farm throughout the year.
2. Captain R. Morris, Deputy Superintendent, retired
from Farm and Government service on 31st March 1920.
Captain Morris had 40 years service to his credit, and had
served 39 years in India, 32 at Hissar, on this Farm. His
long experience has been of the greatest value to a succes-
sion of Superintendents. He was always most hard-work-
ing and zealous, and will be much missed.
3. The Farm suffered severe loss in the unfortunate
death of the Farm Bailiff Mr. C. E. B. Maccutchan who died
from heat-stroke on June 17th. Mr. Maccutchan joined
the Farm in 1902. He was a good worker, always con-
siderate and tactful with the men under him, and will be
much missed.
4. The total rainfall during 1919 was 11.85" as
against 7.85" in 1918, and an annual average of 14". The
24
rainfall during July, August and September was 8.21", the
remainder was winter rain, which is practically useless as
far as grazing grasses are concerned. Rainfall was a little
below average, but growth of Bir grasses was on the whole
up to average.
5. Grazing was good from August to the end of the
year, and 13,973 maunds and 30 seers of hay were saved as
against 5,086 maunds 22 seers in the previous year.
6. Fodder in reserve at the close of the year amounted
to 63,779 maunds 2 seers as against 85,109 maunds 29 seers
on the 1st April 1919.
Fodder consumed again exceeded fodder saved.
This was due almost entirely to general stall feeding of
stock, owing to absence of grazing from the 1st of April to
August. A good year in which we can save more than we
consume will soon be urgently necessary.
7. Demand for Farm stock continued good. Receipts
amounted to Rs. 1,81,231, very little less than the record
attained last year.
8. The year was again a very satisfactory one as regards
contagious diseases.
The following occurred:—
(a) Black-quarter—As is usually the case in years of
light rainfall caused more serious losses than any
other contagious disease.
Sixteen deaths occurred as against 45 in 1918-19.
(b) Equine contagious abortion.—Three pony and 3
donkey mares aborted during the year, as against
one pony and 4 donkey mares last year.
Losses from this serious malady tend to decrease, but if
an efficient protective vaccine could be produced,
it would probably be of great benefit to breeders
throughout India.
(c) Foot and mouth disease.—The usual autumn
and spring outbreaks occurred but were not
particularly severe. Nineteen deaths occurred
mostly in weak young stock cattle in the spring
and in sheep.
25
The foot-path erected for male-stock at Chaoni was
again successful in diminishing the feet deformi-
ties which commonly follow untreated cases of
this disease.
(d) Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia.—The Farm was again
extremely fortunate in having no cases of this
dangerous disease. Probably the dry year was
mainly responsible, but our immunity may have
been partly due to vaccination of the most sus-
ceptible young stock, which was carried out
before the rains.
(e) Piroplasmosis.—Two cases occurred among Arab
mares from Ahmadnagar, one of which unfortun-
ately died.
(f) Navei ill.—Was kept in control by preventive
measures.
(g) Rinderpest.—Two deaths occurred during the
year. Both among cultivation bullocks at
Sully.
The outbreak was succesfully limited to the bullocks
among which it occurred, by careful measures of
isolation. There were 7 deaths from this disease
in 1918-19.
No cases af Surra or Strangles occurred.
9. Table XVI shows the changes in Farm stock during
the year. The following details are of interest:—
Herd bulls.—Eleven were entered during the year: all
have developed well.
Two were supplied to private breeders (one in the
Punjab and the other in United Provinces).
Supernumerary bulls.—The following were issued:—
To Punjab District Boards
To Ceylon ...
To Native States
To private breeders
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
... 197
... 2
... 31
...
2
Male produce.—This herd had a good year after the
rains, but felt the fodder famine conditions very severely
26
from April to July, as there was not an atom of grazing in
the area reserved for them till August. They suffered less
than usual from contagious diseases. An area in their
grazing ground suspected to be heavily infected with Black-
quarter is being ploughed up and cultivated in the hope
that opening up the soil and exposing to sun and air will
destroy the source of infection.
The following were sold:—
To Jamaica through Agricultural Adviser to Govern-
ment of India ... ... ...
To Java ... ... ... ...
To District Board, Mianwali ... ...
8
74
1
Cows.—Only 563 calved during the year, as against
1,306 and 1,315 in the previous two years. Average number
present in all three years has been approximately 1,500.
This is evidence in support of the contention I have advanced
before that the fecundity of the Hissar cow depends almost
entirely on condition. 1916 and 1917 were years of abund-
ant grazing, result a big crop of calves in 1917 and 1918.
1918 was a year of scarcity, result few calves in 1919. 1915
was a year with no grazing at all, result practically no calves
in 1916. It is impossible by stall feeding to keep Farm
cows in anything like the condition which results from good
grazing.
The following cows were sold:—
To Brazil ... ... ...
Heifers.—175 were transferred to cows.
The following were sold:—
To private breeders ... ...
To Java
...
...
...
To Ceylon ... ... ...
Bullocks.—The following were sold:—
To Military Department ... ...
... 23
... 200
... 123
...
3
... 80
27
In addition following were purchased locally for the
other Departments:—
14 for the Agricultural Department.
4 for the Canal Department.
2 for the Punjab Veterinary College.
114 for the Military Department.
Mules—Were issued as follows:—
To Kashmir State Artillery ...
To Army Remount Department ...
... 23
... 5
Arab Breeding Scheme.—Six mares were received from
the Army Remount Depôt at Ahmadnagar, one of which was
heavy in foal at the time of arrival unfortunately contracted
piroplasmosis and died. The other mares took a long time
to acclimatize but are now doing well.
An Arab Stallion 'Dhaman' purchased through the
kind assistance of the Director-General of Army Remount
Department also arrived during the year. He is a magnific-
ent specimen of an Arab but unfortunately up to date has
not proved a good stock getter.
His measurements are:—
Height.
14.3
Girth.
65"
Shank.
71/4"
Up to date the scheme has been pursued with bad luck
but the young stock present are doing well and are pro
raising.
Donkey Stock.—One new stallion was added, nam
'Habroo.' He is Farm Bred.
His measurements are:—
Height.
12.31/4
Girth.
57"
Shank.
7"
The following colts were issued:—
To Army Remount Department ...
To Punjab District Boards... ...
To North-West Frontier Province ...
To Kashmir Durbar ... ...
... 13
..
2
...
1
...
1
28
Eighteen two years old surplus fillies sold by auction
at Amritsar realized an average of Rs. 124 each.
Sixty foals were born.
Donkey breeding met with a serious loss in the sudden
death in February of the young stallion 'Hindustan,' the best
donkey I have ever seen in India.
Mule-breeding mares.—37 foals were born equalling
46 per cent. No new mares were added during the year.
Suitable mares are now difficult to obtain at the sanctioned
average price.
Sheep.—Casualties in all flocks were heavy in the hot
weather from parasitic castritis due to the Hæmonchus
contortus worm.
Possibly the unusually trying hot weather had some-
thing to do with the number of casualties, as the lesions
and loss of condition produced by the parasite were not
very marked.
The flocks were all kept free from scab and cross bred
wool sold to the Cawnpore Woollen Mills at their valuation
realized up to Rs. 1-4-0 per lb.
Total realized for wool amounted to Rs. 3,692-2 0. A
few of the coloured lambs sold locally and fattened, yielded
mutton of the very highest quality. Equal or superior to
the best English or Colonial mutton.
Ewes were again only allowed to lamb once in the
year, and all in the spring.
I am convinced that an enormous number of casualties
among lambs could be avoided in this province, if no ewes
were allowed to lamb in the cold months.
108 male lambs and 55 female lambs were sold for
breeding during the year, as against 110 male and 10 female
lambs last year.
Sheep continue to pay well.
29
10. Cultivation.—During the year the following
amounts of grain and fodder were received from the cultiva-
tion:—
Name or Crop.
Oats (Avena sativa) ...
Oats bhoosa (Avena sativa) ...
Oats in straw (Avena sativa) ...
Oats green (Avena sativa) ...
Jowar seed (Sorghum vulgare)
Jowar green (Sorghum vulgare)
Jowar
kurby
(Sorghum
vulgare) ...
Ensilege
jowar
(Sorghum
vulgare) ...
Guar (Cyampsis psoralioides) ...
Guar green (Cyampsis psoralioi-
des) ...
Guar bhoosa (Cyampsis psoralioi-
des) ...
Green moth (Phaseolus aconiti-
folius) ...
Green chowla (Vigna catgang)
Green lucerne (Medicago sativa)
Green grass (Cynodon dactylon)
Hay (Pennisetum cenchroides)
Quantity.
MDS. SR. CH.
4,671 0 0
9,342 0 0
112 20 0
3,241 11 0
41 9 0
33,426 29 0
19,134 17 0
9,855 9 0
199 36 0
4,395 5 0
128 0 0
12 0 0
50 0 0
4,181 12 0
6,037 20 0
661 15 0
NOTE.—Maund = 82 lbs.
Value.
Rs.
A. P.
22,317 9 0
9,342 0 0
236 4 0
1,620 10 3
386 11 9
18,271 3 2
19,297 11 2
6,570 2 5
953 14 11
1,185 13 0
170 10 8
6 0 0
25 0 0
2,787 8 5
2,634 12 8
810 3 4
The following was received from the Bir:—
Name.
Hay (mostly from Anjan grass
Pennisetum cenchroides) ...
Anjan grass seed (Pennisetum
cenchroides) ...
Pala (leaf of wild Beri Zizyplus
Nummalera) ...
Total ...
Weight.
13,312 15 0
16 0 0
60 0 0
108,877 38 0
Value.
13,649 10 4
160 0 0
96 0 0
1,00,521 18 1
108,877-33-0 Mds. as against 70,388-35-0 Mds. last year.
30
The usual difficulties were met with as regards the
successful cultivation of jowar (Sorghum vulgare), enhanced
in the year under report, by difficulty in obtaining seed.
This was so acute that the rate of seed per acre was
decreased.
This device however did not pay, the resulting crop
was too thick in the stalk and consequently less palatable
to stock, resulting in waste in feeding.
Insect pests (chiefly the jowar borer) caused the usual
amount of trouble and loss.
The area sown with oats was 30 per cent. greater than
in 1918. The crop did well and promises to yield rather
over average.
The cultivation was handicapped by the unfortunate
death of the Farm Bailiff in June as report d above.
A new Farm Bailiff, Mr. W. S. Read, late of the 1/25th
London Territorial Regiment was appointed in November
1919. Mr. Read has had some experience of Indian condi-
tions in the Military Farms Department and promises to do
well. From June 17th to November 18th the 2nd Farm
Overseer, M. Ata Mohammad, officiated as Farm Bailiff with
great credit.
11. Veterinary Hospital.—The average number of
cases treated daily was 50 as against 52 in the previous
year.
Number of mules castrated was ...
Number of cattle castrated was
...
... 31
... 60
727 animals were inoculated against Black-quarter.
178
„
„
„
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia.
35
„
„
„
Rinderpest.
The new hospital was taken over at the end of the
year, and is a great improvement on the previous make-
shift building.
12. The price of gram and of all concentrated foods
remained at unprecendently high rates throughout the
year.