NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
31
Thus at the close of the year there were 173 hospitals
in the Province.
Work at Veterinary
hospitals.—Table V.
21. The total number of animals treated in hospitals
was 430,942 against 361,715 during the
previous year. In addition 103,832 cases
against 62,130 last year were supplied
with medicines but were not brought to the hospitals.
Twenty-seven thousand, four hundred and eighty-four cas-
trations were performed in these institutions against 17,468
during the previous year.
Building of Veterinary
hospitals.
22. Notwithstanding the large increase in the number
of new Veterinary hospitals started
within recent years there still remains
a very keen demand for a further in-
crease in their number. The regrettable postponement owing
to financial conditions of the extra cadre necessary will there-
fore stop any further expansion during the coming year. The
Department cannot hope to exercise any appreciable effect on
the control of contagious diseases in this country until the staff
is so strengthened as to permit of proper supervision of the
area controlled by each Veterinary Assistant. Our present
policy is to entertain no application for a new Veterinary
hospital without public support in the way of substantial
financial assistance. We look to the Co-operative Societies
in the future to lighten the burden on the District Boards,
if not, to take over entire recurring expenditure on the up-
keep of certain of our hospitals in places where the Co-
operative movement has made sufficient headway. The
many voluntary offers of help already received in the shape
of land, money, etc., for the establishment of new Veterinary
hospitals is a sure indication of the increasing popularity
of the work done by this Department in the districts.
Simla Veterinary Hos-
pital.
23. The receipt and expenditure of Simla Veteri-
nary Hospital during the year were
Rs. 10,728 and Rs. 8,443, respectively,
against Rs. 10,012 and Rs. 7,546, respec-
tively, during the previous year. The surplus of income over
expenditure was Rs. 2,285 against Rs. 2,466 last year. The
minimum amount that is required to be paid to Govern-
ment (according to the terms of transfer) on account of
pay and allowance of the Veterinary Assistant incharge,
also interest on the initial cost of the hospital plus that
on the additional expenditure on buildings at 4½ per
cent, is Rs. 3,357. The net loss to Government is there-
32
fore Rs. 1,072 against the net loss of Rs. 789 during the pre-
ceding year. Arrangements are being made to raise the
charges of this institution in order to cover the increased
cost of maintenance and make the hospital at least self-
supporting. Hitherto there has been some local opposition
to suggestions made in this direction.
Abolition of fees
charged at rural Veterin-
ary Hospitals.
24. In certain districts the levy of fees was either un-
popular or the amount of fees collected
did not cover the cost of collection, con-
sequently the abolition of fees was re-
commended to Government. Government has recently sanc-
tioned the abolition of fees in Veterinary Hospitals of the
Province where the local controlling body so desires. This
sanction applies to Veterinary Hospitals located in towns
having a population of less than 50,000. The District Boards
are however, entitled according to their discretion, to abolish
fees charged at Veterinary Hospitals except in the towns
of Lahore, Amritsar, Multan, Rawalpindi, Ambala, Sialkot,
Jullundur, Ferozepore and in Simla (as a special case).
Part III.—Breeding Operations.
I.—BOVINES.
Stud bulls. —Table VIII.
25. At the close of the year under report there were
1,637 stud bulls at work in the various
districts of the Province against 1,537
last year.
There were 339 additions and 239 casualties during the
year under report.
Indents for 256 Hissari bulls were received during the
year out of which 219 were supplied from the Government
Cattle Farm, Hissar and 37 from the Cattle Farms in the Mont-
gomery District.
The following is a detail of the bulls shown in column 3
of the table :—
Hissar breed .. .. ..
Dhanni breed .. .. ..
Montgomery breed .. .. ..
Local breed .. .. ..
Buffalo bull .. .. ..
Offered by private person .. ..
Strayed bulls recovered during the year, etc.
Total ..
256
57
4
4
1
1
16
339
33
The demand for stud bulls this year by zamindars was
well maintained, though on account of financial stringency,
many District Boards being unable to entertain applications
were obliged to cancel their usual indent. It is satisfactory
to note, however, that the total number of stud bulls issued
to districts this year was well up to normal, chiefly owing to
the large indent received from the Gurgaon District and ex-
pansion of the Dhanni Cattle Breeding Scheme.
Hariana Cattle Breed-
ing Scheme.
26. The Hariana Cattle Breeding Scheme to which
reference was made in last year's report
has been well received in the Hariana
Tract and promises well for the future.
It marks the beginning of any serious effort towards the
development of the natural resources of the Hariana Tract,
as a cattle breeding centre, and as a business proposition the
scheme should commend itself to the attention of Govern-
ment. The new irrigation works now in course of construc-
tion will increase considerably the area of cultivable land in
the Province for which plough bullocks will be required in
large numbers. The importance therefore of developing
the Dhanni and Hariana Cattle Breeding trac s o meet the
requirements of the rest of the Province will readily be ad-
mitted. Since the majority of the present irrigated districts
are not by any means self-supporting as regards the plough
bullocks they need, they are dependent on such tracts for the
superior type of bullocks which are available there. This
source of supply needs therefore to be encouraged where the
cattle breeding industry can for economical reasons prove
most remunerative to breeders.
To meet local prejudices, a number of specially selected
young male stock have been purchased by the District Boards
of Rohtak and Gurgaon in the Hariana villages and sent to
the Hissar Farm to be reared until fit for issue as breeding
bulls. Meanwhile the Gurgaon District Board, as already
noted, has distributed 116 stud bulls in the district, part of
the cost being advanced in each case by the applicants. A
survey having been made of the bulls ordinarily employed for
breeding purposes in this district, it was found that a large
number were quite unsuitable stud animals, these were re-
placed by bulls purchased from the Hissar Farm. Zamindars
in the Hariana Districts are fully alive to the advantages of
developing the cattle breeding industry to meet the demand
of other districts for better class bullocks—all that is needed
is organisation. The starting of co-operative cattle breeding
34
societies by the Co-operative Department is therefore part-
cularly opportune, which it is hoped will be of considerable
help towards the success of the scheme. I wish to acknow-
ledge here the readiness with which the District Boards of
Rohtak and Gurgaon have adopted the scheme and the very
considerable encouragement they have given since the scheme
was started.
Dhanni Cattle Breeding
Scheme.
27. At the close of the year there were 27 bulls enrolled
in the Attock District, 27 in Jhelum
District and 15 in the Rawalpindi Dis-
trict as against 19, 15 and 12, respective-
ly, in the preceding year.
The total number of bulls working under the scheme at
present is 69, which shows an increase of 23 new bulls during
the year. The number of coverings done by these bulls
was 4,462 as against 4,220 last year. Results from last year's
coverings have been very satisfactory, the majority of the
young stock being retained within the tract.
With the continuance of good harvests the scheme has
become well established in the tract and has popularised the
work of this Department throughout these districts. As
far as funds permit the number of subsidised bulls has been
increased in order to serve a greater number of villages where
the need for good bulls exists. The District Boards of Attock,
Jhelum and Rawalpindi, testify to the excellent effect which
the scheme has had in the encouragement of cattle breeding
and to the very noticeable improvement in the number of
well-bred Dhanni Cattle now available in the tract. A keen
demand exists especially for the better class Dhanni bullocks
which find a ready market at very favourable prices.
A preliminary survey of the tract having been com-
pleted, steps are now being taken to start a herd-book for
this breed as a very necessary step towards maintaining the
purity of this breed in future. To make a beginning, it will
be necessary to offer some inducement to the owners of re-
gistered stock to abide by the conditions which need to be
imposed in the interests of the breed. The District Boards
concerned have been addressed on the subject. It is hoped
that as soon as finances permit effect will be given to the re-
commendations made. It may safely be said that owing
to the absence of railways and other ready means of communi-
cation with this tract, the Dhanni Breed of Cattle more es-
pecially as found in the Tallagang area is one of the purest
35
indigenous breeds in this Province. Conditions are there-
fore exceptionally favourable for the revival of this famous
breed and provided the necessary staff and financial support
are available it should be possible to make considerable pro-
gress. This statement however, needs to be qualified with the
proviso that ample fodder storage against the constantly
recurring fodder famines will also be made.
It is noteworthy that the marked success of the scheme
within the tract has led to a demand for its expansion in out-
side areas. The Superintendent, North Punjab, reports its
adoption in the Mianwali District bordering on the Tallagang
Tahsil where a nucleus of the Dhanni Breed is in existence for
many years.
Cattle Breeding Grants.
28. As part of the programme for the improvement of
cattle breeding in this Province, farms to
the number of eight have been given on
lease by Government to grantees on
cattle breeding terms. Provision has been made on separate
farms for the Hissar and Montgomery Breeds of cattle as
detailed below—
The Hissar Cattle Breeding Grants include :—
1.
2.
3.
Fazaldad Farm
Bahadarnagar Farm
Kadirabad Farm
Area in acres.
.. 3,140
.. 3,131
.. 1,000
Strength of Herd.
6 bulls,
400 cows.
6 bulls,
400 cows.
3 bulls,
125 cows.
The total number of young stock on these farms at
present is 850 approximately.
The Montgomery Cattle Breeding grants include :—
1.
2.
3.
Area in acres.
Jahangirabad Farm ..
Chaudhri Allah Dad Khan's
Farm.
Sir Louis Dane
Cattle
Farm, Kaliana.
4,226
3,800
2,300
Strength of Herd.
8 bulls,
500 cows.
3 bulls,
125 cows.
3 bulls,
150 cows.
The total number of young stock on these farms at
present is 900 approximately.
36
In addition, two dairy farm grants have been allotted—
1. Rakh Chandrai, Lahore Dairy Farm, strength
of herd on completion (6 bulls, 300 milch cattle
of which 200 must be cows).
2. Montgomery Dairy Farm, strength of herd (3 bulls
150 milch cattle of which 105 must be cows).
Also Government lands have recently been granted on
lease to certain Junglies and Sayads of Shergarh and Hussain-
garh villages in the Montgomery District on the condition that
they maintain a specified number of Montgomery cows for
breeding purposes to the satisfaction of this Department.
The locality chosen was once a famous centre for the Mont-
gomery breed of cattle and is naturally well-suited to the
revival of this very famous milking breed. It should be pos-
sible to organise a big milk supply out of this area when the
scheme has made some progress.
The majority of the cattle breeding grants have now
reached the full strength of their herds, the original herd
cows are gradually being replaced by farm bred heifers. The
latter are decidedly promising and have developed well with
the generous treatment which it has been possible to provide
for them on these farms. These herds, however, have not
been in existence sufficiently long yet to have had any appre-
ciable effect on cattle breeding generally in the Province,
since the majority of the farm-bred female stock have been
drafted into their herds by the grantees. Specially selected
male stock (aged three years and over), however, have been
issued to District Boards for breeding purposes at the usual
concession rates, the remainder on reaching this age have
been castrated and sold as bullocks to zamindars. Indents
for breeding bulls from the following districts, viz., Lyallpur,
Ferozepore, Jhang and Montgomery have this year been met
from these farms. Montgomery bulls have been supplied to
Municipalities, also to certain District Boards. In addition
cows of the Montgomery breed have been supplied to
certain Dairies whilst there is a keen demand from Native
States and private buyers which as far as possible has been
met from these farms.
I have to acknowledge the readiness with which the
grantees generally carry out their instructions, they have
very gradually come to recognise the necessity for proper
supervision over the many details in connection with animal
management which mean so much towards the success of
their herds. The limiting factors to any rapid progress in
37
developing these farms is, firstly, their want of experience
in up-to-date methods of animal husbandry and, secondly,
the extra expense entailed, for which at the present prices of
cattle ruling in this country, the grantees cannot always
foresee an immediate return. As noted in last year's report,
the herd on the Jahangirabad farm is being put through a
milking test, cream being despatched daily to the Lahore
Cantonment Military Dairy Farm. The grantee is gaining
valuable experience and appreciates the necessity for
maintaining reliable milk records in order to grade up his
herd and so establish a name for his farm.
The remaining herds are also being brought under the
milk test. The grantees realise the commercial value of re-
cording the milk yield of their cows which enables them to
weed out unprofitable animals from their herds. The Hissar-
bred cows, though wild and unmanageable at first, are with
extra care and attention rendered more amenable. A start
has been made on the Hissar breeding grants of tying up cows
as they come in milk and recording their milk yields through-
out the lactation period, it is hoped that in time these herds
will be rendered more docile and that the best milkers can be
ascertained with more precision in future. I believe that with
proper care the Hissar breed can with advantage receive more
attention in the matter of selection for milk yield amongst
the herd cows without any danger of reducing the value of the
progeny as plough animals. We are therefore pursuing the
development of the farms on these lines. Small beginnings
have naturally to be made on account of the additional expense
involved in the extra handling and management required.
II.—EQUINES.
Number of stallions.—
Table X.
29. At the close of the year there were 65 horse and
pony stallions at work in the "non-
selected" districts of the Province as
compared with 60 at the close of the pre-
vious year. The number of donkey stallions was 70 against
65 last year. The sanctioned scale of horse and donkey
stallions for the "non-selected" districts of the Province is
78 and 82, respectively. The replacement of horse and donkey
stallions has been curtailed owing to financial stringency.
Services of stallions.—
Table XI.
30. The total number of mares covered by horse and
pony stallions during the year under
report was 128 and 3,640, respectively,
against 172 and 3 244 during the previous year.
38
Total number of mares covered by donkey stallions
during the year under report was 3,242 as compared with
3,622 in the previous year. Within recent years there has
been a noticeable decrease in the number of mares kept for
breeding purposes in the districts.
Feed and keep of
stallions. —Table XII.
31. The average cost of feed and keep of stallions for
the year under report was Rs. 618 per
horse, Rs. 639 per pony and Rs. 378 per
donkey against Rs. 689, Rs. 677 and
Rs. 417, respectively, last year.
III.—GOAT AND SHEEP BREEDING.
32. During the year under report 47 cross-bred merino
rams and 121 ewes against 87 and 50, respectively, last year
were issued from the Government Cattle Farm, Hissar, to
private breeders of the following districts. These were paid
for in full by the applicants :—
District.
Hissar ..
Gurgaon ..
Mont gomery ..
Lyallpur ..
Jhang ..
Muzaffargarh ..
Jullundur .
Hoshiarpur ..
Gujrat ..
Mi anwal i ..
Attock ..
..
..
..
..
..
.. ..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Total
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Rams.
4
2
2
8
1
10
2
8
2
4
4
47
Ewes.
6
..
..
40
.. ..
..
10
35
10
20
121
Steady progress is being made in popularising the
use of merino rams for breeding purposes in the districts.
The Department is endeavouring to assist breeders in secur-
ing favourable rates for cross-bred merino wool by arranging
direct sale with the Mills . This can be arranged for more
readily through Co-operative sheep breeding societies, the
starting of which we are making every effort to encourage.
IV.—FAIRS AND SHOWS.
Fairs and Shows. —
Tables XIII and XIV.
33. The statistical information regarding Horse and
Cattle Fairs and Shows under this De-
partment is incorporated in Tables XIII
and XIV. Horse Fairs were held in 4
districts and cattle fairs in 20 districts. The following state-
ment shows the number of horse and cattle fairs and shows
39
attended by the Officers of this Department during the year
under report:—
Attending Offi cer.
Chi ef Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Punjab,
Lahore.
Deputy Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Lahore
Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North Punjab,
Rawalpindi.
Deputy Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North
Punjab, Rawalpindi.
Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, South Punjab,
Ferozepore.
Deputy Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, South
Punjab, Ferozepore.
Horse fairs
or shows.
..
2
1
..
..
1
Cattle fairs
or shows.
6
11
4
5
7
3
The remaining fairs or shows were as usual attended by
the Veterinary Inspectors of this Department.
V.—MISCELLANEOUS.
Co-operative Societies.
34. There are 38 Co-operative Cattle Insurance Socie-
ties in the Province as detailed be-
low:—
Gurgaon district
Rohtak District
Jullundur District
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
2
33
3
(1) Cattle Insurance
Societies.
Progress in a movement of this kind is necessarily
slow amongst a people who are inclined
to regard losses among their live-stock
as a matter entirely outside their control.
From those zamindars who have already benefited by member-
ship we can expect more enthusiasm and perhaps useful
propaganda work in the future. It is satisfactory to note
that the majority of the societies are in a strong position
financially so that the movement has had the advantage of a
very favourable start.
(2) Cow and Sheep
Breeding Societies.
The following societies have been started by the Co-
operative Department, the bye-laws of
which include Veterinary regulations ap
proved by this Department:—
Cow-Breeding Societies.
Jhelum District
Gujrat District
Rohtak District
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
4
11
6
40
Sheep-Breeding Societies.
Attock District
Jhelum District
..
..
..
..
..
..
1
2
Th experience gained by members of these societies by
complying with the rules of membership is having an excellant
effect in demonstrating the advantages of breeding from
selected stock. Arrangements are being made for the sale of
well-bred heifers from the breeding farms to these societies
at favourable rates. The Superintendent, Government Cattle
Farm, Hissar, has made definite offers to members of such
societeis who are anxious to purchase pedigree stock at favour-
able rates.
Part IV.— Establishment.
Numerical Strength.—
Table VII.
35. The sanctioned cadre of the subordinate veterianry
staff (27 Veterinary Inspectors and 213
Veterinary Assistants = 240) was com-
plete at the close of the year under re-
port. The detail is given below:—
Veterinary Inspectors .. ..
Veterinary Assistants, 1st grade ..
Veterinary Assistants, 2nd grade ..
Veterinary Assistants, 3rd grade ..
Total
.. 27
.. 42
.. 86
.. 85
.. 240
Abolition of the posts
of Itinerating Veterinary
Assistants.
36. The most important change in the administration
of the Department was the abolition of
the posts of Itinerating Veterinary Assist-
ants of which there was one post sanc-
tioned for each district in addition to the Stationary Veterin-
ary Assistants. All these men have since been absorbed and
placed incharge of stationary hospitals. By this means
it has been possible to open up additional hospitals this
year from the existing cadre. Until, however, the staff of
this Department is increased, to permit the individual charges
of our Veterinary Assistants being reduced to an area capable
of being supervised by them, so long will the itinerating sys-
tem need to be continued. The Department cannot afford
to lose touch with those villages which are not as vet served
by any of our existing hospitals.
41
Part V.—Expenditure.
Expenditure.—Table
XIV-A.
37. The expenditure of the Department is given in table
XIV-A. The Provincial figures are, as
usual, supplied by the Accountant-Gene-
ral, Punjab. The local figures have been received from the
various local bodies of the Province. The former are liable
to any modifications as may be found necessary when the
Accounts for 1922-23 are finally closed.
Part VI.—General Remarks.
38. The allotment of Rs. 6,000 for rewards to Patwaris
provided in the budget of the year under report was utilised
in the following manner:—
Rupees 2,800 allotted to South Punjab Circle out of
which Rs. 520 only were spent.
Rupees 2,000 allotted to Central Punjab Circle out of
which Rs. 220 only were spent.
Rupees 1,200 allotted to North Punjab Circle out of
which Rs. 200 only were spent.
The grant of rewards to patwaris has had no very ap-
preciable effect so far in stimulating them to more prompt
reporting of diseases. It is possible that the system of re-
-ards is not as yet well-known to the patwaris which might
account for the lack of enthusiasm shown by them.
39. Both the Clerical and Subordinate Staff have worked
well throughout the year.
The following Inspectors are specially mentioned for
their services during the year:—
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
Sayad Talib Hussain Shah.
K. Ghulam Hassan.
Bhai Sochet Singh.
M. Talib Ali.
M. Muhammad Jan.
M. Jan Muhammad.
Bhai Thakar Singh.
M. Muhammad Taqi.
The Chief Superintendent's thanks are due to Major Sikes
and Mr. Garewal, Superintendents, North and South Punjab,
also to Deputy Superintendents employed in the Province
for the able manner they have conducted their respective
charges throughout the year.
The assistance received from District Officers is grate-
fully acknowledged.
E