NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
33
greatly needed, has been introduced in the back premises of
the College. An extension of this system to the remaining
buildings would be beneficial. Certain minor improvements
have been made in addition. It is hoped that funds for the
improvement of the Hostel will soon be forthcoming. The
present accommodation is inadequate and the compound is
an eye-sore, more particularly the main road frontage,
which requires to be properly enclosed. The equipment of
the College has been maintained and added to as funds
permitted. It may be regarded as very good, though certain
additions have yet to be made. One need is an X-ray
Installation, which would prove a valuable asset to diagnosis.
An estimate of cost is being obtained.
Income.
11. The income for the year amounted to Rs. 19,937
against Rs. 16,518 in the previous
year, being an increase of Rs. 3,319.
The increase is due to more hospital revenue and more
admission fees. The Hospital income was Rs. 1,503 better
than in the previous year and is partly the result of increas-
ing the charges at the behest of Government. This policy
may account for the decrease in the attendance in certain
departments.
Expenditure.
12. The expenditure was Rs. 1,65,569 against
Rs. 1,60,352 in the previous year. The
increase is mainly due to increments
in salaries.
Employment of alamni.
13. The number of alumni of the College who
are out of employment is a serious
problem and in many cases the position
is distressing. The necessity of limiting the number
of admissions has been already referred to and it will be
more apparent on an examination of the actual figures now
presented. The Army authorities have not only ceased to
recruit but they have placed their veterinary establishments
under reduction. This remark applies particularly to the
Army Remount Department. The register of candidates for
employment maintained in the Principal's office, which has
recently been verified, records the names of 81 men seeking
employment. Of these, 39 are men trained on behalf of
the Military Departments and 42 civilians. The former
34
number is made up of those men discharged on reduction
of establishments and only seven of them appear to be
pensioners.
It is ascertained from the register that some 35 men
have never received or been able to obtain any kind of
employmen since they qualified. Of the total number
out of employment, 67 are Punjabis.
It must be remembered that there is very little scope
for private practice particularly in the Punjab and the
men have always looked forward to state or local govern-
ment employment. It cannot be denied that the situa-
tion merits very serious attention with a view to providing
employment for these men, most of whom are in severe
straits and deserving of sympathy.
The departments in the United Provinces, Central Pro-
vinces and North-West Frontier Provinces hitherto
served by the Punjab Veterinary College are requiring no
recruits and it is understood that in some cases their
establishments have been reduced. It was not anticipated
that recruitment to services so essential to agricultural
interests would be brought under reduction.
It is hoped that expansion will be seriously con-
sidered in the immediate future. The facilities exist for
educating a large number of efficient veterinarians at the
Punjab Veterinary College. If from motives of economy
it is considered desirable to train an inferior class to work
under the supervision of those more highly trained, that
can be brought about, but with so many men out of
employment the time for the consideration of such a scheme
has not arrived.
At the same time it would be little short of immoral
to cease training efficient Indian veterinarians for State
service as the necessity for their services must arise as
enlightenment develops.
General remarks.
14. The adoption of the new course in English at
the Punjab Veterinary College four
years ago has led to considerable
criticism, mostly ill-informed, and it appears desirable to
clarify the situation. The institution of the new educa-
tional system was more than a step in advance. It was a
35
revolution. The course of study that has been introduced
is based on that adopted in the colleges of Great Britain
and in some directions it is more comprehensive. It is
intended to produce professional men possessing a sound
knowledge of veterinary science in all its branches erected
on a foundation of scientific and logical reasoning. The
practical work in every branch is a special feature at the
College. The qualification obtained is intended to be a
mark of capacity to apply the education derived to the
elucidation of problems which cannot be dealt with by
methods of routine. The men who were trained previously
were required and maintained as assistants to a highly
trained staff of officers recruited in Great Britain. It has
been accepted that there will practically be no more re-
cruitment of British veterinarians for civil employment
under Government. Consequently, if veterinary science
is to be a factor in the economic development of India,
and no intelligentsia can repudiate its value, it is obviously
necessary to educate Indians accordingly. The present Prin-
cipal of the Punjab Veterinary College undertakes the entire
and full responsibility for the initiation of the higher course
of study now adopted and only regrets that it cannot at
présent be made longer still. The Army authorities were
in absolute agreement with the scheme when it was in-
stituted, though they have been unable to support it mat-
terially. It has to be admitted that the scheme appears to be
expensive, but that is mainly due to the lack of support the
College has received. Scientific education cannot be obtain-
ed without considerable outlay in money. The fact remains
that "if the tune is required the piper must be paid" and,
as India is desirous of establishing a veterinary department
entirely manned by Indians, money must be spent in educat-
ing them up to the requisite standard. The author of the
scheme will soon be completing his service in India, but he
has seen the full course through and is content to be judged
on the results when the fruit is ripe.
Since the Government agreed to raise the scale of pay
for Veterinary Assistant Surgeons there has been competi-
tion for admission to the College. This has enabled
the Principal to select students to a certain extent. The
course is too difficult for men of inferior mental calibre.
The teaching staff has been reorganised and trained-
Three Indians were selected and sent to Great Britain for
36
special training as Professors in their respective subjects.
The accommodation and equipment of the College and
Hospital are claimed to be as good or better than any other
institution of the kind in existence, but, as indicated above,
certain improvements and additions are still required to per-
fect it and to maintain its predominant position.
During the year the health and behaviour of the students
residing in the College Hostel have been good. They have
taken a keen interest in games and the annual sports were
well supported.
The Principal desires to place on record his appreciation
of the way the members of the staff, teaching, hospital and
clerical, have supported him, not only during the past year,
but through a period which has been redolent of changes
and new endeavours involving extra and, at times, exacting
duties.
G. K. WALKER, COD. C.I.E., O.B.E.,
F.R.C.V.S.,
Principal.
The 18th June, 1925.
37
Report on the Civil Veterinary Department,
Punajb, for the year 1924-25.
Administration.
1. The following statement shows the names of officers
who held charge of the several appointments and the
amount of touring done by them during the year under
report:—
Name of ap-
pointment.
Chief Superinten-
dent, Civil Ve-
terinary Depart-
ment, Punjab.
Officiating Chief
Superintendent,
Civil Veterinary
Department,
Punjab.
Superintendent,
Civil Veterinary
Department,
North Punjab.
Superintendent,
Civil Veterinary
Department,
South Punjab.
Superintendent,
Civil Veterinary
Department,
South Punjab.
Deputy Superin-
tendent, Civil
Veterinary De-
partment, Cen-
tral Punjab.
Deputy Superin-
tendent, Civil
Veterinary De-
partment, North
Punjab.
Deputy Superin-
tendent, Civil
Veterinary De-
partment, South
Punjab.
Name of officer.
Mr. T. F.
Quirke.
Mr. R. Brauford
Mr. M. J. Brett
Major F. G.
Sikes.
Mr. J. S. Garc-
wal.
(Vacant) ...
Kb. Ghulam
Hassan.
M. Talib Khan
P. Janki Nath
DATES OP HOLDING
CHARGE.
From
1-4-24 ...
To
1-4-24 ...
an
25-11-24,
2 4-24 ...
1-4-24 ...
1 4-24 ...
1 10-24 ...
1-4-24 ...
6-11-24 ...
1-4-24 ...
1-4-24 ...
31-3-25.
24-11-24
...
31-3-25 ...
30-9-24 ...
31-3-25 ...
5-11-24 ...
31-3-25 ...
31-3-25 ...
31-3-25 ...
Number of days
spent on tour.
62
87
36
22
79
...
88
155
192
NUMBER OF
MILES.
By
rail.
6,150
5.096
2,352
1,862
8,419
...
3,307
5,013
7,325
By
read.
324
195
216
420
1,237
...
268
917
2,232
38
2. As usual the Chief Superintendent, Superintend-
ents and the Deputy Superintendents toured in their res-
pective circles in connection with horse, mule and cattle
breeding, the investigation and control of animal diseases
and for the inspection of Veterinary Hospitals, etc.
3. Every effort is made to keep the staff up
to date in their professional work by closely questioning
them on their methods of treatment as noted in the hospital
records. The effect of this system is very noticeable in the
increased use being made by the staff of the professional
books of references supplied to our hospitals.
District Officers and all representative zamindars were
interviewed as far as possible in regard to the Veterinary
requirements of their districts.
4. During the period Mr. Branford acted as Chief
Superintendent, all the grantee farms situated in the Lower
Bari Doab Canal Colony were inspected by him. He also
visited the Imperial Institute of Veterinary Research,
Mukresar, in connection with the disease "contagious
equine abortion" and acted as an Examiner at the Punjab
Veterinary College, Lahore. He also attended the Depart-
mental Conference held in Lahore in April 1924 presided
over by the Honourable Minister for Agriculture.
5. Mr. Quirke, since his return from leave, visited
the following districts outside the Central Punjab Circle:—
Delhi, Rohtak, Hissar, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Attock,
Ludhiana, Montgomery, Shahpur and Lyallpur.
He inspected the following grantee farms in the Lower
Bari Doab Canal Colony:—
(1) Jahangirabad Cattle Farm.
(2) Allah Dad Khan's Cattle Farm.
(3) Datar Singh Dairy Farm.
(4) Bahadarnagar Cattle Farm.
(5) Kaliana Cattle Farm.
(6) Rakh Chandrai Dairy Farm.
(7) Fazalabad Cattle Farm.
(8) Qadirabad Cattle Farm.
39
Treatment of Disease.
I.—CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.
Mortality Table II.
6. During the year under report 49,493 deaths from
contagious diseases were reported against
39,394 in the previous year. Rinder-
pest alone is responsible for the rise in mortality among
bovines. 30,469 cattle died of this disease during the year,
as compared with 12,167 in the preceding year.
As indicated in the previous annual reports our statis-
tics of the mortality amongst livestock due to contagious
diseases tend towards great accuracy according as the system
of checking by this Department becomes more efficient.
The comparatively small staff of this Department
operating over such large tracts of country where con-
tagious diseases are so rife, can hope to disclose only a small
percentage of the enormous losses borne by the cultivators
on account of cattle mortality.
Examination and collec-
tion of Pathological spec-
mens.
7. During the year under report 318 specimens were
received from the subordinate veteri-
nary staff for examination. They were,
as usual, examined in the laboratories
attached to Civil Veterinary Department offices at Lahore,
Rawalpindi and Ferozepore.
(a).—Equines.
Note.—Only those outbreaks of con'agious diseases amongst equines which occur in
the "non-selected" districts of the Province are dealt with by this Department.
Glanders.—Table II.
8. Only one case of glanders occurred during the
year under report in the Rawalpindi
district against none in the previous
year.
Anthrax.—Table II.
9. Like last year no case was brought to the notice of
this Department.
Surra.—Table II.
10. Total number of cases reported and confirmed by
microscopical examination of the blood
during the year under report was 73,
as compared with 233 reported cases, of which 73 were
confirmed during the previous year.
40
The incidence of this disease in the Province is much
more serious than these figures indicate, as it is well known
to be more prevalent in those districts where horse-breeding
operations and equine diseases are controlled by the Army
Remount Department.
Centres for the treatment of this disease in horses by
the Sohawa Laboratory staff, have been established at the
Sheikhupura, Muridki and Bhera Veterinary Hospitals. The
disease runs such an acute course in horses that very great
difficulty is being felt in securing early cases for treatment
from the villages. Methods of treatment are being adopted
in collaboration with the Director, Imperial Institute of
Veterinary Research, Muktesar, the results of which are
noted in the Annual Report of the Sohawa Laboratory.
Dourine.—Table II.
11. No case of Dourine was reported during the year
under report.
Other contagious dis-
eases.—Table II.
12. Twenty deaths were reported among 28 cases
under this head as against only one
death last year.
Under this heading are included such diseases as Strang-
les, Influenza, Tetanus and Biliary Fever.
(b).—Bovines.
Rinderpest.— Table II.
13. Rinderpest appeared in all the districts of the Pro-
vince, except Simla, Mianwali, Muzaffar-
garh and Dera Ghazi Khan. 30,469
deaths were reported from this disease against 12,107 in
the previous year. Gujrat district suffered severely.
A particularly virulent form was met with in this
district at a time when large numbers of cattle had collected
from outside districts for grazing.
Anti-rinderpest inocula-
tions.—Table III.
14. Anti-rinderpest inoculations were performed in
484 outbreaks and 77,513 cattle were
inoculated, against 202 outbreaks and
38,643 and 167 inoculations in cattle
and goats respectively during the previous year. Ninty-
six animals died after inoculation, which were probably
in the incubative stage of the disease at the time they were
being inoculated.
41
It is satisfactory to be able to record the partial
removal of the restrictions on touring, which made it
possible for our staff to deal with a large number of
outbreaks and to carry out inoculations of in-contact animals
on such an extensive scale. The increased dosage of serum
now being adopted is helping to popularise the practice of
mixing inoculated with the diseased animals in affected
villages as a means of actively immunising against this
disease.
The time, however, is approaching when economic con-
ditions will be the determining factor in helping to intro-
duce the serum simultaneous method of inoculation as the
more effective method of dealing with Rinderpest in this
country. Steps are now shortly being taken to carry out
this system of inoculation on the cattle-breeding farms, so
that the young male and female stock actively immunised
against this disease may be issued to the districts having
an enhanced value to breeders.
Foot and Mouth Disease.—
Table II
15. During the year under report 792 animals died
from this disease against 993 in the
previous year. This disease appeared
in all the districts of the Province, except Gurdaspur, Sialkot,
Jhang and Dera Ghazi Khan. The highest mortality took
place in Kangra District where alone 214 animals died of
this disease. As usual necessary preventive measures to
check its spread were adopted by the staff of this Depart-
ment.
Mortality in the disease invariably occurs as the result
of complications which are easily preventable when proper
hygienic measures are taken by owners.
Hæmorrhagic
Septi-
cæmia - Table II.
16. During the year under report Hæmorrhagic
Septicæmia appeared in all the districts
of the Province, except Simla. 12,316
animals were reported to have died
against 20,676 in the previous year. This disease was as
usual mostly prevalent in low-lying areas liable to inunda-
tion along the banks of the rivers. It occurred in a virulent
form in the Shahpur District, where alone 964 animals are
reported to have died of this disease. In the latter district
it would have assumed even more serious proportions were
it not for the large number of animals protected by inocula-
tion. 4,727 animals were protected in 181 outbreaks in this
district.
42
Inoculations
against
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia.
—Table III.
17. Preventive inoculations against Hæmorrhagic
Septicæmia were performed in 294
outbreaks and 84,728 animals were
inoculated, against 314 outbreaks and
82,976 inoculations during the previous year. 2,935 and
19 animals died before and after inoculation respectively.
This disease invariably runs such a rapid course that very
prompt reporting of the disease by patwaris is essential in
order to reduce mortality by preventive inoculations.
Preventive vaccinations
against Hæmorrhagic Sep-
ticæmia.—Table III.
18. Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia vaccinations were per-
formed on 155,527 animals in 566 vil-
lages of 21 districts against 131,380,
461 and 27, respectively, during the
previous year.
It is gratifying to note the very substantial increase
in the amount of preventive work being done by the De-
partment against this disease. The period during which
vaccination to be most effective should be carried out is
shortly preceding the rains. Unfortunately the staff is
often preoccupied with other diseases just at this time, so
that further extension of preventive methods will depend to
a large extent on the very necessary augmentation of staff
required to deal with all such contingencies.
Black-quarter—Table II.
19. During the year under report 2,44 deaths were
reported from this disease, as compared
with 1,348 deaths during the previous
year. Attock district suffered the most where alone
1,093 animals were reported to have died of this disease.
This fatal disease which is particularly prevalent
throughout the Dhanni and Hariana tracts, can only be
successfully dealt with by preventive measures regularly
carried out. These measures are likely to prove more effect-
ive as the result of recent research work done on this
disease.
Vaccinations
against
Black-quarter.—Table III.
20. Vaccinations against Black-quarter were performed
on 15,842 animals in 91 villages of 8
districts against 15,776, 114 and 7, res-
pectively, during the previous year.
In collaboration with the Director, Imperial Institute
of Veterinary Research, Muktesar, a germ free filtrate has
been employed during the year with very encouraging re-
sults.
43
Other
contagious
diseases— Table IV.
21. During the year under report 493 deaths were
reported to have taken place amongst
bovines from other contagious diseases
as compared with 310 in the previous
year. These include the following diseases:—
Cow pox, Liver Fluke, Contagious Pleuro Pneumonia,
Gillar, etc.
(c).—Other Animals.
22. During the year under report 2,816 deaths took
place amongst other animals of the Province, as compared
with 3,726 in the previous year. Detail of the mortality is
given below:—
1. Rinderpest ... ... ...
2. Foot-and-Mouth disease ...
3. Contagious Pleuro Pneumonia ... ... ...
4. Mange ... ...
5. Contagious abortion ... ...
6. Gillar ... ...
7. Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia ...
8. Black-quarter ... ...
9. Other contagious diseases ...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
1,281
91
237
47
91
62
10
997
2,816
Parasitic diseases are responsible for a large percentage
of the mortality which occurs amongst sheep in the Province,
due to the defective drainage of the lands over which they
are generally pastured.
The starting of co-operative sheep-breeding societies will
facilitate the spread of information by the Department
amongst flock owners as to the necessary preventive and re-
medial measures for dealing with these diseases.
II.—OTHER DISEASES.
Treatment of diseases in
villages.—Table IV.
23. During the year under report 18,505 villages were
visited by Veterinary Assistants on tour.
109,390 animals were treated and 97,869
castrations performed, as compared with
14,213 villages, 82,685 cases and 58,534 castrations during
the previous year.
E
44
These figures show a very decided increase in the activi-
ties of the Department since restrictions have been par-
tially removed on the touring work of the staff.
The very large increase in the number of castrations
is particularly satisfactory. The volume of work achieved
serves to indicate the importance which the Department
attaches to a rigorous castration campaign in dealing with
the cattle-breeding situation in the Province.
III.—VERTINARY HOSPITALS.
Number of Veterinary
Hospitals.—Table V.
24. In the beginning of the year under report there
were 176 veterinary hospitals in the
Province. During the year three new
veterinary hospitals were started, of
which those at Indoura and Qilla Sardar Harnam Singh
were started by local subscribers :
1.
2.
3.
Indoura, District Kangra.
Qilla Sardar Harnam Singh, District Sheikhupura.
Campbeilpur, district Attock.
Thus at the close of the year there were 179 veterinary
hospitals in the Province.
25. The administrative approval of Government to the
opening of new veterinary hospitals at the following places
has already been received by the Department :—
(1) Bhawana, district Jhang.
(2) Ahmadpur
Sayal, district
Jhang.
(3) Chichawatni, district Mont-
gomery.
(4) Shergarh,
district
Mont-
gomery.
(5) Mian Channun, district Mul-
tan.
(6) Mananwala, district Sheikhu-
pura.
(7)Anandpur, district Hoshiarpur.
(8)Satrah, district Sialkot.
(9)Ghorewah, district Gurdaspur.
(10)Ahmadnagar, district Gujran-
wala.
(11)Musa Khel, district Mianwali.
(12)Tret, district Rawalpindi.
Necessary provision to meet the pay of additional staff
for the above places exists in the budget for the year 1925-26,
which includes seven Veterinary Assistant Surgeons and six
Additional Veterinary Assistants (including one Veterinary
Assistant to complete the 15 per cent. reserve). Steps will
be taken to appoint the additional cadre as soon as possible on
receipt of Government sanction.
45
26. New veterinary hospitals are proposed for the
following places:—
(1)Hodal, district Gurgaon.
(2)Tandlianwala, „ Lyallpur.
(3)Dijkot,
„
„
(4)Shahabad
„ Karnal.
(5)Bhagtanwala „ Shahpur.
(6)Beas
„
Amritsar.
(7)Kasel,
„
„
(8)Lopoki,
„
„
(9)Phuklian
„ Sialkot.
(10)Khanpur Saidan district Sial-
kot.
(11)Naushehra Virkan district
Gujranwala.
(12)Kaulotarar, district Gujran-
wala.
(13) Wahndo, district Gujranwala.
(14) Kala Af-
„ Gurdaspur.
ghanan.
(15) Bhadana,
„ Lahore.
(16) Khuddian,
„
„
(17)
Sehjara,
„
„
(18) Miani
„
Hoshiarpur.
(19) Rukan
„
Gujrat.
(20) Nangowal, „ „
(21) Kalur Kot, „ Mianwali.
(22) Mankera,
„
„
(23) Daud Khel, „ „
(24) Adhwal,
„
Attock.
(25) Khunda
„
„
(26) Tamman
„
„
The several District Boards have intimated their desire
to open new hospitals at the places noted as soon as the
necessary sanction of Government is obtained by the Depart-
ment for the additional staff required.
The private dispensary started by the District Board of
Gujranwala at village Kaulo Tarar ceased to exist in April
1924 on the expiry of one year's trial. The District Board
has now proposed to open a permanent veterinary hospital
there under the supervision of this Department.
A larger network of hospitals will undoubtedly place
the Department in a much stronger position to deal with
the veterinary requirements of the Province.
Work at Veterinary Hos-
pitals.—Table V.
27. The total number of animals treated in the veteri-
nary hospitals during the year under
report was 539,947 against 496,072
during the previous year. In addition 106,386 cases against
80,289 last year were supplied with medicines, but were
not brought to the hospitals. 56,905 castrations were per-
formed in these hospitals against 39,225 during the pre-
vious year.
The increase in the hospital attendance is a very satis-
factory indication of the growing popularity of car veteri-
nary hospitals.
E2