NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
Proceedings of the Punjab Government (Ministry of Agri-
culture) in the Veterinary Department No. 718—24-B.-
12979, dated the 29th October 1923.
READ
Annual Report on the Punjab Veterinary College, Civil Veterinary
Department, Punjab, and the Government Cattle Farm, Hissar, for the
year 1922-23.
VETERINARY COLLEGE.
REMARKS. —The second year of existence of the four
years' English course witnessed a further decline in the
number of admissions. Out of 41 applicants only 19 joined,
17 being Punjab Civil students and 2 men sent for train-
ing by the United Provinces Government. The reasons may
be stated to be the higher entrance standard of the new
course, the closure of military recruitment and the com-
paratively poor prospects for more highly educated men
in the Veterinary service. The last objection has been
remedied since the close of the year by the introduction of
the A class of Veterinary Assistants on a pay of Rs. 100—
300 foreshadowed in last year's review. The result is
probably to be seen in the fact that the number of appli-
cations for admission to the College has since more than
doubled. The course of instruction is now worthy of the
splendidly equipped college in which it is given. The
benefit to the Veterinary welfare of the Province will be
very great and, as the Principal remarks, any retrogres-
sion would now be deplorable.
2. The difficult work of finishing the old and begin-
ning the new courses simultaneously was prosecuted with
success, and the result of the annual examinations in both
was satisfactory. The health and conduct of the students
were good. The number of patients treated in the hospital
and the dog ward was also well maintained. The claims
of research moreover were not overlooked despite the dis-
tractions of teaching and administration and Mr. Taylor
and Captain Sewell carried on original work of interest and
value. Mr. Taylor officiated as Principal till the return
from leave of Colonel G. K. Walker, C.I.E., O.B.E., in
October 1922, and Government are indebted to both
officers for their administration of the College during a
very difficult transitional year.
DISTRICT WORK.
3. The number of reported deaths from contagious
diseases dropped from 42,244 in the previous year to
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28,903. There was a slight increase in the case of equines,
but among bovines the year was exceptionally healthy
until after the Christmas rains when Hæmorrhagic Sep-
ticæmia appeared in almost all districts. This disease was
responsible for nearly half the deaths recorded The deaths
from rinderpest dropped from 23,661 to 6,936—a remark-
able decrease.
A gratifying proof of the spread of
veterinary knowledge and of confidence in the Department
is afforded by the increasing readiness of villagers to submit
their animals for inoculation. In fact during the sep-
ticæmia epidemic the demand for serum outran the supply
and the budget allotment. The prior importance of
prophylaxis is however rightly emphasized in the report.
The Department are doing their utmost to popularize
prophylactic vaccination and are to be congratulated, not
only on the record number of septicæmia vaccinations,
but also on the success of the vaccine employed.
4. The apparent failure of the scheme of rewards to
Patwaris for prompt reporting of outbreaks of contagious
disease is disappointing. The failure to spend more than
Rs. 940 out of the Rs. 6,000 allotted, requires more ex-
planation than is given in the report. Further investi-
gation would probably reveal that the scheme had never
been given a fair chance.
5. The subordinate staff was augmented by the addi-
tion of the 4 Inspectors and 10 Veterinary Assistants
sanctioned during the previous year. The strength is now
27 Inspectors and 210 Assistants. Their important touring
work was excellently maintained during the year under
report. The number of villages visited rose from 17,530
to 20,217, of animals treated from 111,433 to 130,551,
and of castrations performed from
22,209 to 52,527.
These activities will presumably be curtailed during the
current year by the reduction in the travelling allowance
grant, which has unfortunately been necessitated by the
prevailing financial stringency.
6. Fourteen new veterinary hospitals were opened
during the year raising the total number of hospitals from
159 to 173. This increase. was rendered possible by
the abolition of the post of Itinerating Veterinary Assistant
and the release of the Assistants for stationary hospital
work. The opening of more hospitals will however have to
be restricted till the cadre can be increased to man them.
This is regrettable as the popular demand for more hospitals
is great and financial assistance is readily forthcoming from
private individuals.
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7. Considerably more progress is reported in cattle-
breeding operations than during the previous year. There
was a large expansion in the scheme for improving the
Dhanni breed in the Attock, Jhelum and Rawalpindi
districts and a similar scheme was started in Rohtak and
Gurgaon for the Hariana breed. Government contributed to
the Dhanni scheme but owing to financial stringency could
not afford anything for the Hariana scheme except free
maintenance for the young bulls at the Hissar Farm. The
public spirit shown by the District Boards mentioned is
most creditable to them and it is satisfactory to learn that
a marked improvement is already noticeable in the cattle of
the Dhanni tract. An increased supply of cattle of these
good breeds will soon be required to stock the forthcoming
canal colonies.
8. The Chief Superintendent's report contains an
account of the cattle-breeding grants in the Lower Bari Doab
Canal Colony. They appear to be doing as well as can be
expected, and during the year supplied breeding bulls to
local bodies for the first time. It is as yet too early for
them to be on a commercial basis but the grantees in
subjecting their herds to milk tests and recording the milk
yields, are going the right way about to improve their stock
and establish their reputation.
9. The indispensable preliminary however of a real
and widespread improvement in the cattle of the Province
is as pointed out in last year's review, a change in the
heart of the cattle-owning zamindar. It is here that the
application of the co-operation movement in the form of
cattle-breeding and cattle-insurance societies promises to be
of the utmost value. The owners must be made to learn that
it pays to conserve the health and strength of their cattle,
and to improve the breed both for ploughing and milking.
When the "will" has been produced, a " way " will be
found. There is no agency so potent to convert them
as co-operation. It is therefore most satisfactory to learn
that 21 new cow-breeding societies were founded during the
year under report and that the majority are in a strong
position financially.
10. Mr. Quirke held charge of the Civil Veterinary De-
partment as Chief Superintendent throughout the year, and
Government are indebted to him and his staff and particu-
larly to those mentioned by him in his report for the excel-
lent work they have done throughout a successful year. Mr.
Quirke has written an interesting report dealing fully with
all matters of importance.
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HISSAR FARM.
11. The report on the Hissar Cattle Farm is most satis-
factory. For the first time for some years the Farm receiv-
ed a sufficient rainfall, with the result that grazing was good
practically throughout the year, and a substantial reserve of
fodder was accumulated. The livestock was remarkably
healthy and the Farm enjoyed almost complete immu-
nity from contagious diseases. Sales of stock were up to
standard and the result of a most successful year was a
profit of Rs. 7,192, which would have amounted to
Rs. 41,242 if the sales of bulls and donkey stallions to
District Boards had been made at full and not con-
cession rates. The Quinquennial Valuation Committee
met just after the close of the year and their findings will
be described in next year's report. Captain E. Sewell,
M.C., I.V.S., officiated in charge of the Farm till Mr. Bran-
ford's return from leave on November 18th, 1922, and per-
formed his duties creditably. Government associate them-
selves with the Director of Agriculture's special tribute to
Mr. Branford and recognise that the Farm has benefited
immensely from his long connection with it. Their acknow-
ledgments are also due to the members of the staff specially
mentioned by Mr. Branford.
GENERAL.
12. Mr. S. M. Jacob, I.C.S., officiated as Director
from the 15th May to the 2nd October, and Mr. D. Milne,
I.A.S., from the 3rd October to the 18th October, 1922, Mr.
Townsend, the substantive Director, holding charge at the
beginning and end of the year. Government are indebted to
all these officers for their assistance and to Mr. Milne, who
is again officiating, for the careful and comprehensive note
with which he has forwarded the departmental reports.
ORDER.—Ordered that a copy of the foregoing be
forwarded to the Director of Agriculture, Punjab, for infor-
mation.
Ordered also that the review be published in the Punjab
Gazette and be circulated with the report and copies be sent
to the Government of India, Department of Education,
Health and Lands.
By order of the Governor in Council,
H. P. TOLLINTON,
Financial Commissioner and Secretary
to Government, Punjab, Development Department.
234 FC-226-20-11-23-SGPP Lahore.
NOTE ON VETERINARY PROGRESS IN THE
PUNJAB FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31ST
MARCH 1923 BY THE DIRECTOR OF
AGRICULTURE, PUNJAB.
DURING the year under report, Mr. C. A. H. Townsend,
I.C.S., was Director of Agriculture up to 15th May; Mr. Jacob
officiated up to 2nd October, and I officiated from 3rd
October up to 18th December. Mr. C. A. H. Townsend
again took over charge from 19th December and continued
up till 14th May 1923.
Punjab Veterinary College.
2. The following statement shows the staff on 1st April
1922 and on 31st March 1923 :—
St aff on 1st April
1922.
Imperial.
1. Principal . . .
Professor of Medi -
cine.
2. Professor of Patho-
l ogy
and
Bacteriology.
3. Professor of Sur-
gery.
4. Professor of
Hygiene.
5. Professor of Patho-
l ogy and Para-
sitology (tem-
porary).
Provincial.
6. Professor of Ana-
tomy.
7. Professor of
Bovi ne Patho-
l ogy and Obstet-
rics.
8. Professor of Phy-
siology.
9. House Surgeon ...
Name.
Mr. W. Taylor,
M. R. C. V. S. , D. V. H. ,
I. V. S. (officiating).
M. Mool Si ngh (offi -
ciating).
Mr. W. Taylor,
M. R. C. V. S. , D. V. H. ,
I.V.S
Mr. U. W. F. Walker,
M. C. , M. R. C. V. S. ,
I.V.S.
Mr. K. J. S. Dowl and,
I.V.S. (officiating). Ditto.
M. Hardit Singh,
B. Sc.
Khan Bahadur Syed
Sardar Shah.
Vacunt ...
M. Ghul am Rasul
Khan.
St aff on 31st March
1923.
Imperial.
1. Principal and Pro-
fessor of Medi -
cine.
2. Professor of Patho-
l ogy and Bac-
teriology.
3. Professor of Sur-
gery.
4. Professor of Hy-
giene.
Provincial.
5. Professor of Para-
sitology.
6. Professor of Ana-
tomy.
7. Professor of
Bovi ne Patho-
l ogy and Obstet-
rics.
8. Professor of Phy-
siology.
9. House Surgeon. . .
NAME.
Col onel G. K. Walker,
C.I.E., O. B. E. ,
F. R. C. V. S.
.
Mr. W. Taylor, M. R.
C. V. S. , D. V. H. ,
I. V. S.
Mr. U. W. F. Walker,
M. C. , M. R. C. V. S. ,
I. V. S.
Mr. E. Sewell, M. C. ,
M. R. C. V. S. , I.V.S.
M. Karam Elahi (on
deputation to Eng-
land).
M. Hardit Singh,
B. Sc.
Khan Bahadur Syed
Sardar Shah.
Mr. Baij Nat h
Singh, M. A. , M. Sc.
(acting).
M. Ghulam Rasal
Khan.
B
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Chaudhri Haq Nawaz Khan, lately Clinical Assistant,
who was sent to England in November 1921 originally for a
year's course in Animal Physiology and Histology at the Uni-
versity College of London, was in London throughout the
year under report. He is expected to return in September
1923 and will take up the post of Professor of Physiology
at present filled temporarily by Mr. Baij Nath Singh.
Mr. Karam Elahi, Assistant to the Professor of Patho-
logy and Parasitology, was sent for training to the Molteno
Institute, Cambridge, in February 1923, for a year's course of
training in Parasitology. On his return he will take up the
post of Professor of Parasitology at present vacant.
3. The duties which occupied the attention of the staff
during the year may be summarised under the following
heads:—
(a) Teaching work—
(i) The final year's classes of the three years'
Vernacular Course.
(ii) The first and second year classes of the four
years' English course for the Licentiate
in Veterinary Practice, Punjab, started in
October 1921
(iii) The Vernacular Course of nine months' train
ing for Farriers.
(b) Hospital Work.
(c) Research Work.
4. The three years' Vernacular Course qualified men
for the posts of Veterinary Assistants in the Department, but
in October 1921, the four years' English Course mentioned
above was started to replace it, the idea being to provide more
highly trained men for these posts. Consequently no students
have been taken into the Vernacular Course since 1920 and
that course was due to be abolished in May 1923. In the
year under report, there were 75 students in the final year
of this course but as 14 of them failed in more than one sub-
ject, the past year's class will be repeated in order to allow
failed students another chance of passing their examina-
tions. The Principal explains that the passes were not as
good as usual owing to a number of dull students having
concentrated in the final year.
5. Over 40 applications for entrance to the four years'
English Course were received by the. time the session opened
3
in October 1922, but only 19 students actually turned up to
join the classes. Seventeen of these were young men from
the Punjab and 2 were sent for training by the Government
of the United Provinces. In the previous year, the course
started with 29 students, all from the Punjab. The reluc-
tance of young men to join the course appears to be due to
(a) there being a very large number of men qualified for the
posts of Veterinary Assistant out of employment owing to
demobilization and retrenchment, and (b) to the emoluments
offered to Veterinary Assistants already employed by the
Department being too low to induce young men to undergo the
four years' training.
As regards the first point, the Principal notes that re-
cruitment to the services is practically in abeyance at
present ; that it is not known when the Army authorities
will re-open their ranks, and that there is little or no demand
from other quarters. This however is recognised as but a
passing phase due to financial stringency, a strong staff of
Veterinary Surgeons being essential for preventing the ravages
of disease among India's vast stocks of domestic animals.
As regards the second point, Government has effected an
improvement. Up to the time of the admission to the college
in the year under report, the three grades of Veterinary
Assistant in the Department carried salaries of Rs. 60, 75
and Rs. 90, respectively, but in May 1923, a notice was
issued by Government stating that a proportion of more
highly qualified Veterinary Assistants would be recruited
for the local. Veterinary Department in future, that practi-
tioners who took the revised course in English at the Punjab
Veterinary College and obtained the diploma of Licentiate
in Veterinary Practice (L. V. P.) will be eligible ; that these men
will be designated Veterinary Assistant Surgeons on appoint-
ment and that they will be paid at the rate of Rs. 100—10—
300, i.e., the same rate as sanctioned for Agricultural Assist-
ants of the A grade. This year there were 90 applications
for admission to the College as against 41 last year.
6. The standard of admission to the four years' course
is the Matriculation Examination of the Punjab University
or equivalent test, whereas the education of those admitted
to the old three years' Vernacular Course was frequently much
below this level. Also the new four years' course is itself
far more thorough than the course it replaces. This should
lead to a higher class of work from men who take the new
course. Assistants in the Veterinary Department have to
B 2
4
act a good deal on their own responsibility in many cases, and
nothing will gain the confidence of the farming community
more quickly than a correct diagnosis and treatment of cases
of illness among their live stock. That there is much room
for improvement in this direction and consequently for saving
money to the Province is shown by the fact that there is yet
very little private practice in the Punjab for Veterinary
Surgeons. The same thing is also indicated in Mr. Jacbb's
remarks regarding reported cases of cattle mortality from
contagious disease in the last year's report of the Department.
By the introduction of this new four years' course, I therefore
feel that a definite step in advance has been made.
7. About 66.6 per cent of the students who entered the
four years' course in October 1921 passed their examination
in June 1922. This the Principal considers satisfactory.
Twelve farriers were trained during the year. No applica-
tions were received from the Military Department for dressers
to be trained during the vacation. The number of students
who attended their respective courses in the year under re-
port were as follows :—
Full Year's Course.
Three years' Vernacular Course, third year
Number of
students.
75
Four years' English Course—
First year .. .. ..
Second year .. ..
Grand total
.. 19
.. 12
..
31
106
Short Courses.
Farriers' Course .. ..
.. 12
8. In the hospital a total of 4,091 patients were treated.
The attendance of in-patients in the general ward was 109 less,
while that of the out-patients was 118 more than that in the
previous year. In the Dog Ward, the attendance of in-
patients and of out-patients exceeded those of last year by
19 and 117, respectively. In the contagious ward, the attend-
ance was 17 less than in the previous year.
9. The amount of research work done in the college is
yet of necessity small, as the senior staff are well occupied
in preparing the lectures and practical work, in training assist-
ants, and in stocking the college with materials necessary
for the four years' course, as that course unfolds itself.
Nevertheless, Mr. W Taylor, Professor of Pathology, has
5
continued some work on anti-rabic treatment of dogs, and
although there is no proof that every dog treated had
been bitten by a mad dog, the results got were so favourable
that it is considered that this treatment has now passed the
experimental stage. Some experiments were conducted with
canine surra, but the number of dogs treated was so small
that no definite statement as to results can be made at pre-
sent. The continuance of experiments on a larger scale next
cold weather is warranted however. Captain Sewell, M. C.,
has carried on some deficiency tests on horses, pigeons and
rats, but the work is not yet complete and no statement
can be made on the case.
10. No important extensions of buildings were under-
taken during the year. The extension of the east wing of
the Anatomical Block will be taken in hand in the current
year. The completion of the tube well in the college com-
pound was delayed owing mainly to transport difficulties
in getting a suitable pump and other necessary materials.
The Sanitary Engineer to Government, Punjab, is drawing
up an estimate for the completion of the work. It is hoped
that the improvements recently sanctioned by Government
to the existing Hostel will remove complaints of unsatis-
factory accommodation for the students.
11. The total expenditure on the institution excluding
buildings during the year amounted to Rs. 1,62,078. Of
this amount, Rs 16,303 were recovered in hospital and
students' fees. Therefore the net cost of the institution was
Rs. 1,45,775. In the previous year, the net cost was
Rs. 1,51,687. Details of the current year's figures will be
found in the Principal's statement No. 1 at page I;
In Mr. Jacob's note in last year's report to which the
Principal refers the expenditure on building was also in-
cluded.
12. The college can take about 50 men a year, but I
agree with the Principal that there is no point in turning out of
the college more men than are likely to earn a livelihood from
the training received there. As will be seen further on in
this report, there is undoubtedly an increasing demand from
farmers in the Province for Veterinary advice and assistance
and there seems to be much room for expansion in this direc-
tion. It is also hoped that the demand for trained men from
the Army and other Provinces will increase soon. The col-
lege must aim at turning out men whose work will command
6
the approbation of the public and to effect this a high equip-
ment is essential. For a time at least, it will repay other
Provinces in the North of India to send their students for
training to the Punjab Veterinary College rather than equip
Veterinary Colleges of their own. There is no objection to
this on the score of differences in local conditions, as might be
urged in the case of an Agricultural College, nor does the
medium of instruction stand in the way, as the course is given
in English.
It seems to me, however, that it is essential to develop
the research side of the institution as early as possible, as
there is unlimited scope to be nefit the Province by the results
of the research.
13. Colonel Walker, C.I.E., and his staff are to be con-
gratulated on the rise of the standard of work done in the
college in recent years.
DISTRICT WORK.
14. District work mainly consists of the treatment of
sick animals, investigation and control of animal diseases,
cattle breeding and in non-selected* districts horse and mule
breeding. For this work the Province is divided into three
circles, viz.—
Nort hern Ci rcl e
Di st ri ct s.
1. Rawal pi ndi .
2. At t ock .
3. Jhel um.
4. Guj rat .
5. Shahpur.
6. Ml anwal i .
Cont rol Ci rcl e
Districts.
1. Lahore.
2. Shei khupura.
3. Gurdaspur.
4. Amri t sar.
5. Kangra.
6. Jullundur.
7. Hoshi arpur.
8. Guj ranwal a.
9. Si al kot
Sout hern Ci rcl e
Districts.
1. Hi ssar.
2. Roht ak.
3. Karnal.
4. Gurgaon.
5. Ambal a.
6. Si ml a.
7. Ludhi ana.
8. Ferozepore.
9. Mul t an.
10. Jhang.
11. Mont gomery.
12. Muzaffargarh.
13. Dera Ghazi Khan.
14. Lyallpur,
* Non-sel ect ed districts i ncl ude Hi ssar, Roht ak, Gur gaon (except Pal wal and
Bal l ahgarh Tahsils), Karnal , Ambal a, Si ml a, Kangra, Hoshi arpur, Jullundur, Ludhi ana,
Gurdaspur, Sialkot, Mi anwal i and Muzaffargarh, —vi de Agri cul t ure Ci rcul ar No. 6.
The northern and southern circles have each an Imperial
Officer known as Superintendent in immediate charge of them