NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
Annual Report
ON THE
Civil Veterinary Administration
IN THE
Punjab
For the year 1916-17.
Note on veterinary progress in the Punjab by the Director of
Agriculture.
1. The report on the Punjab Veterinary College is the first of the three
reports forwarded herewith. As usual, the college could not comply with all
the demands for admission made on it, though 85 new students were admitted,
in place of 70 the year before. Fifty men completed the three years' course.
The Post-Graduate course was attended by only two students. On account of
the war the Veterinary Department all through India are considerably under-
manned, and could not spare men for the course.
I am asking the Principal to now push on the proposal for a Branch
Veterinary Hospital at Aitchisongunj.
Handicapped as he was by shortage of staff, the year's work reflects as
usual much credit on Colonel Pease, the Principal. He received whole-
hearted support in his work by the other professors at the College.
2. The report of the Chief Superintendent of the Civil Veterinary
Department on the year's work in the province is the second of those sent here-
with.
Handicapped by serious outbreaks of infectious disease among the animals
of the province — due probably to the large rainfall of the year — and by a
marked shortage in staff, the department has worked most loyally and well.
For this great credit is due to Colonel Farmer, who never spares himself, and
whose inspiring example has an excellent effect on his subordinates. The
whole province has recently been notified under the Dourine Act, and every-
thing possible in the circumstances is being done to cope with the malady.
The tact displayed by Colonel Farmer and Mr. Quirke in dealing with the
disease in Dera Ghazi Khan deserves special mention. The progress made in
cattle-breeding in the Province in the last 11 years has been recently dealt
with by me in a note which has been forwarded to Government.
Colonel Farmer's suggestion that a dog tax should be imposed, with the
object of lessening outbreaks of rabies is, I fear, not feasible.
3. The Hissar Cattle Farm, under Mr. Branford, had a much better
year than in 1915-16, when owing to failure of rains, very large quantities of
fodder had to be purchased, and were able to store 70,000 maunds of fodder in
addition to that consumed. If the cultivator which I have asked Government
to sanction is obtained, it should cause very much more grass to grow in the Bir
in years of good rainfall.
The number of bulls — 201 — issued from the farm to district boards
in the province was the highest figure ever yet attained.
The scheme for breeding Arab stallions at the farm has been sub-
mitted to Government.
Mr. Branford and his staff deserve, as they always do, the greatest
credit for their work during the year.
C. A. H. TOWNSEND,
The 11th July 1917.
Director of Agriculture and Industries, Punjab.
2
Report
ON THE
Punjab Veterinary College,
For the year 1916-17,
BY
Colonel H. T. Pease, C.I.E., Principal.
Gazetted staff.
1. I remained in charge of the college during the year, and in
addition to my own work carried out the duties of
Professor of Sanitary Science. Mr. Pool was Post-
Graduate Professor until February 27th, when he joined the Indian Army
Reserve of Officers. Mr. W. Taylor acted as Professor of Pathology and
Parasitology and took charge of the Canine Ward in addition to the out-
patient clinic. Mr. E. Burke, I.S.O., continued to be Professor of Surgery
and in charge of the hospital. Khan Bahadur Sayad Mahtab Shah, Gilani,
was Professor of Anatomy and Physiology : and Khan Sahib Sayad Sardar
Shah, Professor of Bovine Pathology. Khan Sahib Ghulam Hussain Khan,
House Surgeon, proceeded on furlough pending retirement on the 1st October
1916, when M. Ghulam Rasul Khan was appointed to officiate for him.
Non-gazetted staff.
2. The following officers on probation were
confirmed in their appointments on the 1st of December :—
Karam Ilahi as Assistant to the Post-Graduate Professor.
Haq Nawaz Khan as Assistant to the Professor of Pathology and
Parasitology and Mushtaq Ahmad as Assistant to the Professor
of Surgery.
Mool Singh was Assistant to the Professor of Medicine, Fakir Ali,
Assistant to the Professor of Sanitary Science and Shamshad
Hussain, Demonstrator of Anatomy.
There are still some posts on the regular establishment for which I
have been unable to obtain suitable candidates.
Admissious.
3. The summer session commenced on the 1st May 1916, and closed
on the 30th June. The winter session commenced on
the 1st October and closed at the end of March 1917.
The demand for admission was very great and the class of man obtained
above the average. Eighty five new students were admitted ; of these two
military and two State students were removed for irregular attendance, and
one left the college, so that there remained 54 for the three years' course and
26 Punjabi Civilians for the four years' class, all of whom completed the
year's training.
The second year class was made up of 37 students in the three years'
course and 27 in the four years' course ; of these one abserted himself from
the examination, so that 64 completed the second year's training.
In the third year class 60 students completed the three years' course.
The newly admitted students came from—
Indian Cavalry Regiments
Remount Department
Imperial Service Lancers
State nominees
Central Provinces
United Provinces of Agra and Oudh
Baluchistan Agency
District Board stipendiaries
Other Punjab civilians
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Total
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
26
5
5
5
3
IS
1
5
27
So
8
Dogs.
Rabies.
20. Rabies has been prevalent during the year as usual, and will con-
tinue to spread until a dog-tax is levied throughout the
country. The outbreaks can very often be traced to
owners of bitches allowing them to run loose when in season, which causes a
large number of dogs to collect and follow them ; the dogs in their ambition to
serve the bitches fight with each other : and in this way the disease is spread.
The levying of a tax on dogs, and the destruction of ownerless dogs which
wander about in cities, villages, and railway stations seems necessary. This
would not only reduce the number of rabies cases, but would prevent the spread
of various other diseases
Veterinary Hospitals.
Number of hospitals.—
Table V.
21. At the end of the year there were 122 hospitals against 121 the pre-
vious year. The additional hospital was generously built
by Mirza Shuja Beg at Patti in the Lahore District. He
also presented medicines and some instruments. The Dera
Ghazi Khan and Gujranwala hospitals have been improved by the addition of
stables. The operation shed at the Dalhousie hospital has been built by the
1/5 Devons in memory of their Commanding Officer. A temporary hospital
has been built in Dharmsala. Besides the above, the Chief Superintendent
has to thank the following Indian gentlemen for their help :—
Mian Jumiat Singh, Extra Assistant Commissioner, who has collected about
Rs. 18,000 for a hospital which is being built at Adampur in Jullundur District.
This gentleman is also arranging to have another hospital built at Shahkot on
the same lines. Zamindars' quarters have been built at Taran Tarn by Zaildar
Boor Singh of that place.
A hospital is being built by the Hon'ble Lieutenant-Colonel Raja Jai
Chand, C.S.I., at Lambagraon in Kangra District. A dispensary consisting of
a room for medicines and instruments, and another for the Veterinary Assistant
to live in has been built by Tumandar S. Ghulam Husain of Sori Lund at
Amdani in the Dera Ghazi Khan District. A hospital is being built by Lala
Lachhmi Narain at Beri in the Rohtak District. In the hospitals of the
Province 334,577 cases were treated during the year against 316,686 in the
previous year.
Part III.—Breeding Operations.
HORSE AND MULE-BREEDING.
Number of stallions.—
Table X
22. At the close of the year there were 67 horses and 76 donkey stal-
lions in the non-selected districts of the Province. The
following were the changes during the year :—
Horses.
Died
Sold
Cast
Died
Horses
Donkeys
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Donkeys.
...
Beplacements.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
... 1
... 1
... 2
... 5
... 3
... 5
.All the horses have been purchased by the Quartermaster-General, and
the donkeys were obtained from the Hissar Farm. The Province is eight horses
and two jacks below the sanctioned strength. These will be purchased when
funds permit and the animals are available. There is still much improvement
necessary in the keeping of covering registers ; until zaildars, lambardars and
patwaris are made to report foalings the registers will remain incomplete.
Deputy Commissioners have been consulted and the matter is being dealt
with.
9
Cattle breeding.
Stud bulls.-Table VIII.
3. At the close of the year there were 993 bulls at work in the
Province, against 893 in the preceding year. There were
116 casualties (cast and died) and 216 additions during the
year. The Hissar Farm supplied 201 bulls during the year, and three Dhanni
bulls were purchased and supplied to Ferozepore District. The demand for
Hissar bulls is yearly increasing, and the people show their appreciation of this
animal by subscribing one-quarter or one-half of the price. The
Hissar Farm this year complied with the indent in full. The stock produced
by these bulls is generally very good, but in a few cases some of the calves are
not up to the standard expected. This is generally due to careless supervision
by the owner. The Department is doing its utmost to explain to the people
the necessity of careful supervision of young animals. The Chief Superintendent
is writing a pamphlet in which every point will be explained in as simple and
practical a form as possible to enable zamindars to thoroughly understand
what is necessary. Regarding the four cattle-breeding farms in the Lower
Bari Doab Colony a separate note will be written later.
Castrations.—Table IV.
24. The Department has still continued to do its utmost in castrating
all undesirable males. During the year 36,908 castrations
have been performed on tour and 13,219 in hospitals.
Sheep breeding.
25. Forty-one three-quarter bred merino rams were issued by the Hissar
Farm to various districts of the Province.
Owing to the prevalence of disease and the short-
age of staff the Department was unable to deal with sheep-breeding as fully
as is necessary. Mr. Quirke, however, did an extensive tour in the Simla
District during which he inspected a large number of sheep and gave advice
where necessary. Two locally bred, pure bred merino rams were issued in the
Kangra District.
Fairs and Shows.
26. The statistical information regarding fairs and shows is incorp-
orated in Tables XIII and XIV. Horse fairs were
held in 6 districts and cattle fairs in 19 districts.
The following statement shows the number of horse and cattle fairs and shows
attended by the officers of this Department:—
Attending officer.
Chief Superintendent ...
Superintendent, North Punjab ...
Superintendent, South Punjab...
Deputy Superintendent ...
Officer under training ...
Horse fairs
or shows.
4
1
3
1
5
Cattle fairs
or shows.
4
2
4
4
6
REMARKS.
Four horse fairs on
behalf of the Army
Remount
Depart-
ment.
Three horse fairs on
behalf of the Army
Remount Depart-
ment.
Three horse fairs on
behalf of the Army
Remount Depart-
ment.
The remaining horse and cattle fairs were attended by the Veterinary
Inspectors of this Department.
Part IV.—Subordinate Establishment.
Numerical
strength.—
Table VII.
27. The total strength of the subordinate veterinary staff remained
the same as last year. The actual number working during
the year was :—
Veterinary Inspectors
Veterinary Assistants
...
...
...
...
... 17
...
143
13
Four cows were sold to Nepal State (two of the Sahiwal breed) and three
to the United Provinces.
Heifers.—One hundred and seventy-five very good quality animals were
transferred to cows,
Seven were sold to the United Provinces,
Six were sold to the Mona Depôt,
One hundred and thirty were sold to private breeders.
Bullocks —Sixty-seven were issued to the Army Department. More
were available, but were not required.
Two were sold privately.
In connection with the complaints made by the Military Department
with reference to farm bullocks, issued in February 1915, it may be worthy of
note that a pair of bullocks rejected by the Military Committee, which passed
the animals for the service in 1915, have recently been sold for Rs. 500 ;
Rs 50 more per bullock than the Army Department pays.
Castrated -produce.—Eighteen young stock were sold to the Military
Farms Department.
Mules.—Twenty-three Ordnance, eight Machine Gun, and no Transport
mules were issued to the Army Remount Department.
Four mules rejected by the Army Remount Department were sold
privately at Rs. 400 each.
Two Transport class mules were sold privately for Rs. 300 each ; Rs. 50
per animal above army prices.
Pony mares.—Eighty-four mule-breeding mares were present at the
end of the year, and 38 full-time foals were born. The percentage of births
would have been good but for contagious abortion.
Arabs.—During the year a scheme for the breeding of Arab stallions
on the farm was submitted to Government ; up to date formal sanction has
not been received, but three mares from the Ahmednagar Stud were received from
the Army Remount Depôt on 11th January 1917. Later, as Colonel Farmer
did not consider the Hissar District Board stallion of sufficiently good quality,
the Director-General of the Army Remount Department very kindly lent the
farm the Imperial Arab stallion "Gunboat". '' Gunboat " arrived at Hissar on
25th February 1917. The mares have done well since their arrival, and
"Gunboat" is an exceptionally fine horse. If two or three more mares can be
obtained this year the scheme may be considered to have made a promising
start.
Donkey stallions.—One stallion " Calcutta " died during the year. He
was 23 years old and had been a splendid stock-getter.
One stallion " Hindustan " was added ; he is farm-bred. His measure-
ments are :—
13", 55½" girth, 71/4" shank.
One donkey stallion was supplied to the Army Remount Department.
Donkey colts.—Five were issued to Punjab District Boards.
Four were issued to the Army Remount Department.
Donkey Mares.—Fifty-four full-time foals were born. Donkey stock
continue to show very encouraging improvement.
Shoep.—The parasitic "Gastro-Enteritis" mentioned in my last report,
continued to give trouble till the rains began. The disease was kept in check
by drenching affected flocks with copper sulphate and mustard.
14
After the rains the sheep did well and casualties have been much under
the average of recent years. Forty-one ram lambs were sold for breeding as
against 67 last year. Enquiries for rams have recently been more numerous
and it is hoped more will be sold next year. In any case the flock is a source
of profit ; Rs. 2,136 were realized for .wool, and cast animals sold by auction
always realise good prices.
Cultivation.
8. During the year the following quantities of grain and fodder were
received from the five cultivation blocks :
Green jowar (Sorghum vulgare) ... ...
Kurby (Sorghum vulgare) ... ...
Oats
... ... ... ...
Oats bhoosa ... ... ... ... ...
Green oats ... ... ... ...
Oats in straw ... ... ... ... ...
Ensilage ... ... ... ... ...
Green grass ... ... ... ... ...
Green Gowar (Cyampsis psoralioides) ...
Gowar grain (Cyampsis psoralioides) ...
Gowar fodder (ensilage) ...
Green lucerne (Medicago sativa) ... ...
Lucerne seed (Medicago sativa) ... ...
Green birseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) ...
Lbs.
1,594,770
3,254,302
590,4,62
1,332,154
334,697
49,371
1,133,667
509,071
379,757
3,548
39,497
165,5l7
35
8,105
Value.
Rs.
8,078
31,746
28,183
20,475
2,494
1,200
9,185
2,662
2,308
96
320
1,215
34
49
Of the above birseem is a new crop for the Farm. The small area
sown did badly, possibly owing to its being sown too late, seed not being
available till October. It is proposed to again sow a small area in Septem-
ber 1917.
Jowar as usual suffered a great deal from the ravages of the borer worm.
Damage by this pest was general throughout the district. On the farm the
loss of fodder due to it was about 30 per cent. The year has been one of excep-
tional difficulty as regards efficient cultivation, mainly owing to shortage of
labour combined with extra work. Years of good rainfall always involve
this combination ; on this occasion the late rains increased the extra work
Owing to the rapid growth of weeds and jungle after each fall of rain areas
under preparation for Rabi crops had to be repeatedly ploughed at a time when
labour was urgently required for harvesting jowar and hay-making.
In addition, irrigation channels had to be repeatedly cleaned.
Hospital.
9. The average number of cases dressed
daily was 46.
Eight mules were castrated and one pony stallion.
183 cattle were castrated.
555 calves were inoculated against blackquarter.
228 heifers were inoculated against Hæmorrhagic septicæmia.
2,731 sheep were drenched owing to infection by " Hæmonchus
Contortus."
The existing hospital is very inadequate for the number and value
of cases treated. Plans and estimates for a new building have been submitted
to the Chief Superintendent, which, if provided, will give the veterinary staff
better chances to save cases.
15
Hospital work was particularly heavy for the first six months of the
year, mainly owing to sheep diseases, and the outbreak of contagious pneu-
monia.
Veterinary Assistant Muhammad Ashfaq rejoined as first Veterinary
Assistant in October. Veterinary Assistant Ata Muhammad was attached to
the farm throughout the year ; their work has been very satisfactory.
Post-Graduate Course,
10. The farm Overseer, S. Ghulam Hussain, completed a Post-
Graduate Course at the Punjab Veterinary
College and returned to the farm on 1st July 1916.
The other members of the class consisting of three men, were sent to the
farm for the three months, July, August and September. The men, as far as the
exigencies.of farm work allowed, were put through a course of practical train-
ing in breeding, rearing, feeding, and handling of live-stock ; the growing and
saving of fodder crops, etc. The course should be of great value to men of the
type sent ; but with the existing farm staff it will not always be possible to
devote sufficient time to them. Most of the extra work involved in the instruc-
tion of the men fell on myself and farm Overseer.
Camel grazirig.
11. The 6th Government Camel Corps was formed at Hissar in Janu-
ary. During February and March most of the
camels were grazed in the Bir at the rate of
rupee one per month per animal.
After the end of March the grazing was stopped owing to the fear
that the camels should communicate surra to susceptible farm-stock.
Grazing for camels in the Bir is very good, and the Army Department
made a large saving by the above arrangement.
In normal times in the Bir the grazing of cattle and camels is quite
distinct, the camels confining themselves to grazing off the various forms of
scrub jungle and from weeds, and the cattle to grasses. In times of scarcity
cattle do to some extent graze off the scrub jungle, and camel grazing on a
large scale at such time could not be allowed.
General.
12. The work of the farm staff, outdoor and indoor, has been very
satisfactory. The Bir Darogha Jamadar, Ghulam
Muhammad, did especially well at hay-making.
The farm Overseer, S. Ghulam. Hussain, has worked well and as usual the
Deputy Superintendent, Captain Morris, has been of the greatest assistance to
me in all branches of the farm work throughout the year. The farm bailiff,
Mr. MacCutcheon, worked hard through the year.
TABLES.
No.
I
II
III
IV
V
VII
VIII
X
XI
XII
XIII
XIV
XIV-A
VI-A
VMS
XVI
XVI-A
XVII
XVIII
Subject.
Statement showing the main results of the Punjab Veterinary College
Statement showing the number of deaths from contagious diseases
amongst animals
...
...
...
...
Statement showing results of preventive inoculation
... ...
Statement showing the number of animals treated and castrated by Veteri-
nary Assistants on tour
...
... ... ...
Statement showing the number of animals treated at veterinary hospi-
tals and dispensaries ...
...
...
...
Statement showing the total strength of subordinate veterinary staff
employed...
...
...
...
...
...
Return of stud bulls ... ... ... ... ...
Return of horse, pony and donkey stallions under local bodies ...
Services and produce of each class of horse, pony and donkey stallions
under local bodies ... ... ... ... ...
Statement showing average cost of feed, keep, attendance, etc., of horse,
pony and donkey stallions ... ... ... ... ...
Abstract of particulars regarding horse fairs and shows held in non-
selected districts
... ... ... ... ...
Abstract of particulars regarding cattle fairs and shows ... ...
Statement showing cost of the Civil Veterinary Department ...
Expenditure by local bodies ... ... ... ...
Resources—local bodies
...
...
...
...
Return of animals on the Hissar Cattle Farm ...
...
Return of sheep on the Hissar Cattle Farm
...
...
...
Results of donkey and mule breeeding on the Hissar Farm ... ...
Abstract showing main results of the working of the Hissar Farm ...
Page.
i
ii
iii
V
Vi
vii
ib.
viii
ix
ib.
X
xi
xii
xiii
xiv
xv
xvi
xvii
xviii
TABLE No. I.
STATEMENT SHOWING THE MAIN RESULTS OF THE PUNJAB VETERINARY COLLEGE, LAHORE, FOR THE YEAR 1916-17.
Name of
institution.
1
Punjab Veteri-
nary College,
Lahore.
Ditto
Ditto
Name of course
of instructions if
more than one
followed.
2
3 years' course...
4 years' course ...
Post-Graduate
Course.
NUMBER OF STUDENTS.
Admitted during
the year (April
1916).
Scholarsh p-holders.
3
16
5
1
Military students and
others.
4
42
21
1
Passed final examination during the
year (April 1917).
5
52*
...
4
Failed to pass the final examination.
6
10†
...
...
Remaining
und r instruc-
tions at the and
of the year.
In ordinary course.
7
72
39
2
Instructions prolonged by
reason of failure.
8
29
14
...
STUDENTS ADMITTED DURING
THE YEAR CLASSED BY BDU-
CATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS.
Matriculated or with higher
qualifications.
9
...
5
2
Knowing some English but
not matriculated.
10
27
21
...
Knowing
no English or very
little English.
11
31
...
...
RECEIPTS FROM
Fees.
12
Rs.
11,821
...
...
Other sources.
13
Rs.
†
6,219
...
...
Total.
14
Rs.
18,040
...
...
EXPENDITURE ON
Salaries of instructing
staff
15
Rs.
68,996
...
...
Other expenses.
16
Rs.
‡
41,669
...
...
Total.
17
Rs.
1,10,565
...
...
EMPLOYMENT OF GRADUATES WHO
PASSED OUT DURlNG 3 YEARS
PREORDING.
Number passed.
18
155
...
4
In service of Government
and local bodies.
19
131
...
2
In service of State bodies
or institutions.
20
24
...
2
In private practice.
21
...
...
...
Number unemployed.
28
...
...
...
REMARKS .
28
* Two passed in June 1916.
† One failed in one subject only to be re-examined in June next.
‡ income and expenditure on account of hostel are included in these figures.