NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
7
and these two officers are under a Chief Superintendent who
is also in immediate charge of the Central Circle. The
Superintendent of the Northern Circle also superintends the
Veterinary work of the North-West Frontier Province under
the direct control and the administration of that Province.
For annual report of the Chief Superintendent, please see
pages 25—41.
15. At the end of the year under review, each circle
had in addition the following staff:—
—
Northern Circle ...
Sout hern Circle ...
Central Circle ...
Total ..
PROVINCIAL STAFF.
Deput y
Supperi nt endent .
1 1
1
3
SUBORDI NATE STAFF.
Veterinary Ins-
pectors.
6
13
8
27
Veterinary Assist-
ants.
41
101
68
210*
The Deputy Superintendent of the Southern Circle is in
semi-independent charge of districts Nos. 1 to 4 inclusive in
that circle.
The above is the complete sanctioned cadre. Owing
to financial stringency, no additional staff was sanctioned
but four Veterinary Inspectors and ten Veterinary Assistants
sanctioned in 1921-22 were added during the year 1922-23. The
subordinate staff now look after 173 hospitals. Fourteen new
hospitals have been added in the year under report. During
the year 20,217 villages were visited by Veterinary Assist-
ants on tour, 130,551 animals were treated and 52,527 castra-
tions were performed as compared with 17,530 villages, 111,433
cases and 22,209 castrations during the previous year.
16. The Chief Superintendent remarks on the import-
ance of the change in the administration of the Department
by the abolition of the posts of Itinerating Veterinary Assist-
ants of which there was one post sanctioned for each district
in addition to the stationary Veterinary Assistants posted
there. All these Itinerating Assistants have been placed
in charge of Veterinary Hospitals, thus allowing 14 new
hospitals to be opened. The Chief Superintendent thinks
that the continuation of the itinerating system is essential
*In addition t wo Veterinary Assistants are empl oyed at the Government Cattle Farm,
Hissar and one as Lecturer in Veterinary Sci ence at the Punj ab Agricultural College,
Lyallpur.
8
until the areas under the charges of Veterinary Assistants
are reduced to what the stationary men are capable of super-
vising, as he fears losing touch with those villages not yet
served by existing hospitals. In this connection, I may note
that when the itinerating system was introduced in 1907,
it was intended that it should continue until there was one
Veterinary Assistant posted in each tahsil. This stage has
been passed, and 174 Veterinary Assistants are now at work
in the 115 Tahsils of the Province. By giving itinerating
men stationary posts, they ought to be able to do much more
good, in and around the villages in which they are stationed,
also they will cost Government less in Travelling Allowance.
17. The Chief Superintendent points out that notwith-
standing the large increase in the number of new Veterinary
Hospitals started within recent years, there remains a very
keen demand for a further increase in their number, and this
also in the face of our present policy to entertain no appli-
cations for a Veterinary Hospital without substantial finan-
cial assistance from the public of the locality concerned. I
feel that this is a high compliment to the quality of the work
done by the Veterinary Department and that the result of
converting the itinerating into stationary Veterinary Assist-
ants each in charge of an Hospital, will be an increase in the
offers of financial assistance from the public to start Veteri-
nary Hospitals in villages not yet served. With a view to
stimulate promptness in reporting cases of contagious dis-
eases, and thereby assisting the Veterinary Department in
the control of these, Government allotted Rs. 6,000 for re-
wards to Patwaris who distinguished themselves by report-
ing such cases. Only Rs. 940 of this money was spent, how-
ever, during the year. This is probably owing to the system
of rewards being as yet not well-known. It seems difficult
to imagine that Patwaris do not want to earn more money.
18. Work done in Veterinary Hospitals has increased
greatly since last year, as will be seen from the following
statement:—
No. of Cases.
Treated in the hospital ... .. ...
Supplied with medicine but not brought to the
hospital.
Castrated ... ... ... ...
1921-22.
360,715
62,130
17,468
1922-23.
430,942
103,832
27,484
9
The receipts and expenditure of the Simla Veterinary
Hospital were Rs. 10,728 and Rs. 8,443, respectively, against
Rs. 10,012 and Rs. 7,546, respectively, during the previous
year, i.e., the amount of income over expenditure was Rs. 2,285
against Rs. 2,466 last year. This hospital was handed over
to the Simla Municipality in 1907, on condition that it would
credit Government with an amount to cover the pay, etc.,
of the Veterinary Assistant and 4½ per cent. interest on the
cost of buildings, the minimum amount to be credited to
Government being Rs. 3,459 per annum. When this mini-
mum amount is deducted from the past year's income, the
hospital shows a loss of Rs. 1,174. In the previous year the loss
was Rs. 789. Steps are being taken to increase the hospital
charges to cover the difference.
19. The total number of deaths reported from conta-
gious disease was 28,907 against 42,244 in the previous
year. The year under report was unusually healthy for live
stock until the latter half, when following the Christmas
rains Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia appeared in almost all
districts especially in lowlying areas along the banks of the
rivers. Among Bovines, the mortality from this disease
was 13,684 against 10,923 in the previous year. One lakh
eighty-three thousand six hundred and eight animals were
inoculated for this disease against 43,858 in the previous year.
The demands for inoculations with Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia
serum were such that the budget allotment of Rs. 1,10,000
for serum was found insufficient. This demand is a satisfac-
tory indication of the growing faith of the people in preven-
tive methods of dealing with disease. It is hoped that the
day is not far distant when the people will be so convinced
of the efficacy of this treatment that a small charge may be
made for the serum used. There was a marked decrease in
the number of reported deaths from Rinderpest among
Bovines, the number being 6,936 against 23,661 in the pre-
vious year. Anti-rinderpest inoculations were performed on
48,213 cattle and 662 sheep and goats as against 132,841
inoculations on cattle in the previous year. Encouraging
results have been noted from increased doses of the serum.
20. A census of cattle, sheep and goats of the Province
was taken in February 1923. This shows an increase of about
nine per cent. in the total number of these animals, details
C
10
are as follows:—
Animals.
Bulls ... ... ... ...
Bullocks ... ... ... ...
Cows ... ... ... ...
Young stock (calves) ... ... ...
Mal e buffal oes ... ... ...
Femal e do. ... ... ...
Young stock (buffal o calves) .. ...
Sheep . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goats . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total ...
1920.
12, 016
8, 947, 326
2, 740, 775
3, 095, 195
430, 283
2, 432, 507
1, 750, 684
4, 030, 638
3, 055, 884
21, 495, 308
1923.
12, 468
4, 138, 490
2, 740, 925
3 017, 436
4, 41, 743
2, 641, 249
2, 105, 984
4, 073, 488
4, 367, 470
23, 539, 253
To Mr. Jacob's table showing the equine and bovine
population of the Province, the reported cases of mortality
from contagious diseases and deaths per thousand given in
the annual report for 1921-22, I have added the figures for
the year under report (vide page 18).
With reference to Mr. Jacob's remarks in last year's
report as to the causes of cattle mortality, it may be noted
that contagious diseases only claim a certain percentage of
the total mortality amongst live stock in the Province. As
there is no agency for the collection of statistics showing
mortality from other ailments, fodder famines and animals
slaughtered these cases are not included in the statistics
given in his table.
21. Cattle-breeding operations controlled by the Depart-
ment have progressed very favourably considering the great
financial stringency. At the close of the year there were 1,637
stud bulls at work in the various districts of the Province
against 1,537 last year. The total number of stud bulls
issued to districts was well up to normal, but this is chiefly
due to the large indent for 116 bulls by the Gurgaon District
Board and the expansion of the Dhanni Cattle-Breeding
Scheme. It is regretted that on account of financial
11
stringency many district boards were obliged to cancel their
indents. District Boards in the Punjab with the exception
of Lyallpur are not in a position to cover their recurring
liabilities even with the aid of the regular grants of the" Educa-
tion Department. This must greatly hinder the progress of
work of the Veterinary Department.
22. The Dhanni Cattle-Breeding Scheme was started
in 1919 in the districts of Attock, Jhelum and Rawalpindi.
Briefly the scheme aims at the provision Of high class bulls
of the Dhanni Breed for District Boards and the subsidisa-
tion of approved privately-owned bulls of this breed, by grants
from Government to be supplemented by grants of at least
a corresponding amount by the District Board concerned.
In the year under report, a sum of Rs. 6,750 was
sanctioned by Government for the furtherance of this
scheme in the districts above-mentioned. There is abundant
evidence in the reports of the various Veterinary officers that
the scheme is making satisfactory progress and is much
appreciated in these districts. At the close of the year there
were 27 bulls enrolled in the Attock District, 27 in the Jhelum
District and 15 in the Rawalpindi District as against 19,
15 and 12 respectively, in the preceding year. The number
of cows covered by these bulls was 4,462 as against 4,220 last
year. The majority of the young stock has been retained
within the tract. A noticeable improvement has already
been seen in the number of well bred cattle now available
there and a keen demand exists especially for the better class
of Dhanni bullocks. Steps have been taken to start a herd
book of the breed. The success of the scheme has led to a
demand forits introduction in areas outside this tract.
23. A scheme to maintain and improve the Hariana
breed of cattle, the home of which is in Rohtak and Gurgaon
Districts, has been started. This breed is famous for its
plough bullocks and the tract is very important as a store
house of cattle for the rest of the Punjab. The underlying
principle of the scheme is the same as that for the Dhanni
breeding, i.e., the bulls to be provided by grants from Gov-
ernment supplemented by at least a corresponding amount
from the District Boards concerned. The scheme received
the cordial approval of the District Boards concerned and so
keen were they on it that each devoted a sum of Rs. 5,000 for
the purchase of young bulls in the year under report. In
order to get animals up to the standard required at not too
c2
12
great a cost the District Boards of Gurgaon and Rohtak pur-
chased 34 and 29 bulls, respectively, of one to two years
of age and sent them to the Government Cattle Farm, Hissar,
to be reared till they are fit for issue for breeding pur-
poses. No charge is to be made by the farm for the rearing
of these animals. A grant of Rs. 10,000 was asked for from
Government for the support of this scheme, but owing to
financial stringency money could not be provided. It is
hoped, however, that the Legislative Council will approve
of the scheme and provide money in the next financial year.
24. The Chief Superintendent has given a concise
account of the cattle-breeding grants in the Lower Bari Doab
Colony. These are doing well and the grantees are recog-
nising the necessity for a proper supervision over the many
details in connection with animal management which are
so important factors in making the farms successful. These
farms have not yet been in existence sufficiently long how-
ever to make any appreciable effect on cattle-breeding in
the Province. In the case of breeding cattle for milking
purposes the introduction of the milking test which has al-
ready been started at Chaudhri Jehangir Khan's farm is
essential and it is hoped that this test will be extended to
other farms. Chaudhri Jehangir Khan's farm was visited
by Colonel Matson, Assistant Controller of Military Dairy
Farms, in company with Mr. Smith, Imperial Dairy Expert,
and Mr. Quirke, Chief Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Depart-
ment, in April 1922. Colonel Matson reported as follows:—
"I was much interested in the farm and the cattle
and agreeably surprised at the quality of a number of ani-
mals that Jehangir Khan has got together."
This view of an independent and competent observer
is of particular value especially in view of the criticisms to
which these cattle-breeding grants are subjected.
25. In addition to the above cattle-breeding grants
there is a dairy farm of 485 acres with the maximum herd of
8 bulls and 150 milch cattle of which 105 must be cows at
Montgomery and another of 1137 acres is being started at
Rakh Chandrai near Lahore. This will have 6 bulls and 300
milch cattle and will be fitted with machinery for pasteurizing
milk. This farm is expected to have a beneficial influence
on the milk supply to Lahore. Land has recently been granted
by Government to Janglis near Shergarh (Montgomery Dis-
trict) on cow-breeding conditions. These grants, it is hoped,
13
will help to popularize the cattle-breeding industry in the
Province.
26. As regards horse and mule-breeding there were
65 horse and pony stallions and 70 donkey stallions at work
in the new selected districts at the end of the year under
report as against 60 and 65, respectively, at the end of the
previous year.
27. Twenty-one cow-breeding and three sheep-breed-
ing societies have been started by the Co-operative Depart-
ment. It seems to me that this is a most excellent way in
stimulating interest in the breeding of these animals and I
am glad to note that they are already having a very good
effect in demonstrating the advantages of breeding from
selected stock. There are now 38 Co-operative Cattle In-
surance Societies in the Province and it is satisfactory to note
that the majority are in strong position financially.
28. The statistical tables at the end of the report are
being overhauled and we hope to omit certain of them in
1923-24 report. In the meantime table XVI (a) "Return
of sheep on the Hissar Cattle Farm" has been omitted. The
Chief Superintendent, Mr. Quirke and the Superintendent,
Mr. Garewal and Major Sikes are to be congratulated on a
very successful year's work.
HISSAR CATTLE FARM.
29. The area of this farm is 39,844 acres, of which only
2,008 acres are irrigable by canal. The farm is thus largely
dependent on the monsoon for its fodder supplies. In the
year under report the rainfall was above the average and
grazing was good from the end of June onwards. The
fodder in reserve at the end of the year amounted to 51,726
maunds (Maund=82 lbs.) as against 32,547 maunds at the
end of the year 1921-22.
30. The main function of this farm is to provide high
class bulls of the Hissar breed for the people of the province
and it is the only source from which these people can rely on
getting bulls which will maintain or improve that important
breed of cattle. The majority of the animals are issued to
District Boards who distribute them to zemindars free or
on easy terms. The farm also supplies a few Montgomery
bulls to District Boards; its surplus heifers to cattle-breeding
societies, private breeders and Indian States; donkey stallions
to District Boards for breeding purposes; merino rams for
14
the improvement of sheep breedings bullocks and mules
to the Military Department and others.
81. A comparison of the number of the more important
animals issued or sold in the year under report and in the
previous year is given below : —
(a)
(b)
For the year ending 31st March
For breeding purposes—
(1) Bulls (stud and supernumer-
ary).
(2) Heifers .. ..
(3) Donkey colts .. ..
(4) Cross bred merino ram lambs
(5) Cross bred merino ewe lambs. .
Service animals—
(1) Bullocks (ordnance service) . .
(2) Mul es (for ordnance and trans-
port).
1922.
231
27
17
112
104
22
50
1923.
225
59
21
87
121
57
30
A large number of other animals was also disposed of
32. The total value of the live -stock in hand at the end of
the year was Rs. 6,31,116 as against Rs. 5,46,557 at the end
of the previous year. A complete statement of the return
of the animals at the farm and their value at the end of the
year under report is given by Mr. Branford, Superintendent
of the Farm, in Table XVI on pages xxiv-v.
33. The quinquennial valuation committee met at the
beginning of April 1923 to value live-stock, machinery, fodder,
lands, etc. Their valuation figures and those of previous
valuations are given below : —
Year.
1907 ...
1913 ...
1918 ...
1923 ...
Land.
Rs.
34, 727
3, 52, 312
3, 81, 096
4, 00, 273
A.
0
8
0
0
P.
0
0
0
0
Buildings and
Furniture.
Rs.
1, 80, 373
2, 04, 142
2, 47, 991
4, 37, 470
A.
0
4
4
0
P.
0
0
0
0
Li ve-st ock.
Rs.
2, 39, 014
4, 58, 005
5, 37, 304
6, 31, 116
A.
0
0
0
0
P.
0
0
0
0
Machinery, grain
and fodder.
Rs.
36, 691
85, 522
1, 88, 950
1, 69 152
A.
4
8
2
15
P.
0
5
9
4
15
The following statement shows the rates fixed by this
Committee and by the previous Valuation Committee of 1918
for animals issued from the farm :—
Class of ani mal s.
Cattle—
Bulls
.. 4th year ...
5th „ ...
Bul l ocks 4th to 7th year of age ...
Donkeys—
Donkey colts ... 4th year ...
5th „ ...
6th „ ..
Rates fi xed
by the Com-
mittee of 1918.
Rs.
40
400
200
750
750
750
Rates fi xed by the Committee
of 1923.
First quality.
Rs.
500
600
Second quality.
Rs.
400
400
250
900
1, 000
1,000
600
600
600
Arab —
Arab stallions 5th year.
Mules—
4th year ... ...
5th „ ... ...
6th „ ...
Ordnance.
500
700
...
Imperial
2,000
Equipment I.
300
400
...
Equipment II.
300
300
...
District Board
1, 500
Transport.
200
230
...
Ordnance.
Imperial.
2, 000
600
1,100
1,200
Equipment I.
350
450
1, 000
District Board
1, 500
Equipment II.
350
450
750
Transport.
300
450
550
Sheep—
Ram Lambs
Ewe Lambs
2nd year ...
3rd year ...
six mont h ...
2nd year ...
RATES FIXED BY THE COMMITTEE
OF 1918.
First qu-
ality.
Rs.
15
15
10
15
Second
quality.
Rs.
15
15
8
10
Special.
Rs.
25
5
...
...
RATE FIXED BY THE
COMMI TTEE OF 1923.
First qu-
ality.
Rs.
15
15 10
15
Second
quality.
Rs.
15
15
8
10
NOTE. —(1) Cows, donkey, mares, etc., if up to the Farm standard, are sel dom sold.
If sold they are charged for at the valuation rates.
(2) Surplus stock of heifers that are not up to the Farm standard are sup-
plied to grantees in the Canal Colonies and other genuine breeders at
different rates according to age and quality.
16
Colonel Walker who was President of the Live-Stock Sub-
Committee for the quinquennial valuation had not been to
Hissar since 1912 and was greatly struck by the improve-
ments effected in the farm since then and by the very effi-
cient way in which Mr. Branford is managing it.
34. The annual audit and inspection note shows that the
profit on the farm for the year under report as worked out
from the figures given in the books was Rs. 7,192 as against
a loss of Rs. 1,16,204 in the previous year. The profit is
primarily due to (a) the increase in the value of live-stock
raised by the above Valuation Committee in order to coincide
with prices prevailing in the market and (b) the marked
decrease in expenditure on buildings.
35. Six merino rams were imported from Australia
during the year: no fresh blood having been imported since
1915. For the past few years breeding from three-quarter
merino rams on half to three-quarter merino ewes has given
excellent results as far as wool is concerned.
36. There was little contagious disease on the farm
during the year as will be seen from the following statement:—
Di sease—
Rinderpest ...
...
Hæmerrhagi c Sept i cæmi a ...
Anthrax
Bl ack quarter ...
Foot and Mout h ...
Cont agi ous Abort i on
Class of Ani mal s.
Cattle
...
Cattle .. ...
Sheep .. ...
Cattle . . .
Sheep ...
Cattle
Cattle ...
Sheep ...
Pony and Arab
mares. Donkey mares ...
1920-21. 1921-22.
DEATHS.
30
...
...
32
2
49
...
3
...
...
...
16
5
5
2
4
CASES.
9
36
3
14
1922-23.
...
1
1
3
1
23
...
...
3
8
The routine vaccination of calves for Hæmorrhagic
Septicæmia is considered an important factor in preserving
17
the comparative freedom of the farm animals from this dis-
ease. An account of this method and of its effects in pre-
serving the Government Cattle Farm, Hissar, from this dis-
ease has been published in the Punjab Veterinary Journal
for the benefit of the public. Early diagnosis of contagious
abortion by means of the agglutination test has been kindly
carried out for the farm by the Imperial Bacteriologist at
Muktesar and the isolation of infected mares has been con-
tinued.
37. Irrigated crops were on the whole good. Captain
Sewell, M. C., I.V.S., did further work to demonstrate the
value of shisham leaves both as a fresh and ensilage fodder.
The provision of fodder in that locality is very important.
38. The planting of shisham and kikar trees was con-
tinued and the value of the trees on the farm has now reached
about Rs. 75,000. Above 90 per cent. of these trees have
been planted since the Veterinary Department took over the
farm in 1899.
39. Captain Sewell, M. C., I.V.S., discharged the duties
of Superintendent of the Farm with great credit for about
8 months in the year under report. Both he and Mr. Bran-
ford, I.V.S., have expresesed their indebtedness to certain
members of their staff mentioned in Mr. Branford's report on
page 48. I feel that a special tribute is due to Mr. Bran-
ford for the extraordinary interest in the Hissar Cattle Farm
and the devotion for its welfare which he has shown for many
years now.
D. MILNE,
Offg. Director of Agriculture, Punjab.
The 7th August-1923.
18
Statement showing cattle mortality in the Punjab from contagious diseases from 1911-12 to 1922-23.
YEAR.
1911-12 ...
1912-13 ...
1913-14 ...
1914-15 ...
1915-16 . . .
1916-17 ...
1917-18 ...
1918-19
..
1919-20 ...
1920-21 . . .
1931-22 ...
1922-23 ...
CATTLE POPULATION.
Equi ne s .
936, 529
966, 529
1, 163, 336
1, 163, 336
1, 163, 336
1, 163, 336
1, 163, 336
1, 163, 36
1, 032, 638
1, 032, 638
1, 032, 638
1, 030, 684
Bovi ne s .
14, 028, 485
14, 028, 485
15, 489, 083
15, 489, 083
15, 489, 083
15, 489, 083
15, 489, 083
15, 489, 083
14, 408, 786
14, 408, 786
14, 408, 786
15, 098, 295
MORTALITY FROM CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.
Equi ne s .
56
67
44
339
73
179
1, 375
85
88
37
26
70
Bovines.
Rinderpest.
8, 754
12, 893
12, 713
7, 308
2, 366
15, 045
9, 56
20, 849
42. 157
14, 624
23, 661
6, 936
Foot and
mouth dis-
ease.
681
302
706
521
675
512
1, 306
541
2, 611
301
1, 059
695
Hæmorrha-
gic Sep-
ticæmia.
10, 586
8, 494
10, 663
19, 588
7, 063
10, 723
13, 513
5, 349
6, 319
4, 459
10, 923
13, 684
Black
Quarter.
1, 851
840
762
2, 014
1, 434
1, 092
2, 654
653
258
653
365
569
Other con-
diseases.
221
406
215
497
146
446
327
305
516
240
735
246
Total.
22, 093
22, 935
25, 059
29, 928
11, 684
27, 818
26, 368
27, 697
51, 861
20, 277
36, 743
22, 130
DEATHS PER
THOUSAND.
Equi ne s .
.06
.07
.04
.29
.06
.15
1. 18
.07
.09
.04
.03
.07
Bovi ne s .
1. 6
1. 6
1. 6
1. 9
. 7
1. 8
1. 7
1. 8
3. 6
1. 4
2. 6
1.5
REMARKS.