GOAT VIRUS VACCINATION IN THE CENTRAL
          PROVINCES AND BERAR* (FINAL REPORT)

                                        BY

               CAPTAIN BACHAN SINGH, M.R.C.V.S.

Veterinary Investigation Officer, Central Provinces and Berar

                                INTRODUCTION

The economic and scientific importance of rinderpest which is known
to be responsible for 60 per cent of the total annual mortality in cattle in
India, has been more realised in recent years, and this vast problem has come
into greater prominence since the appointment of the Disease Investigation
Officers under the auspices of the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research
in the country.

The original researches conducted at Mukteswar Institute by Dr. Edwards
between the years 1926 and 1928, went to prove the value of " goat virus
alone " method of vaccination and possibility of its introduction in indigenous
breeds of cattle in India. The Central Provinces Veterinary Department got
the credit for having introduced the above method of vaccination for the first
time in India in 1930, under the guidance of the late Major R. F. Stirling, who
was successful in his attempts in proving the efficacy of the method in field
conditions by inoculating a number of animals, with satisfactory results.
With a view to study, on a comprehensive scale, the various aspects of this
new method of vaccination and to make it " fool proof ", a scheme for employ-
ment of a field staff consisting of eleven Veterinary Assistant Surgeons was
prepared by the Local Government and submitted to the Imperial Council of
Agricultural Research, for sanctioning the necessary funds, and was approved
by them in 1934. The scheme actually came into force from March 1935.
The sanctioned staff consisting of one Senior Veterinary Assistant Surgeon,
Mr. G. D. Pani, who had previously worked under Major Stirling as his field
assistant in Goat Virus Work, and ten Veterinary Assistant Surgeons, fresh
graduates from different Colleges in India, was appointed under the scheme
from 15th March 1935.

To begin with, a preliminary course of training for the benefit of the
Veterinary Assistant Surgeons was arranged at Nagpur, where they were trained
in the technique of goat virus vaccination. The team of field workers under
the control of the Veterinary Investigation Officer made a start in the district
of Saugor with Saugor as their headquarters. During the first year of the
scheme, that district remained as the centre of their activities. The reasons

* Scheme financed by the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research for three years from
March 1935 to March 1938.

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