GOVERNMENT OF INDIA.

         ANNUAL ADMINISTRATION REPORT

                            OF THE

    CIVIL VETERINARY DEPARTMENT IN INDIA

                FOR THE OFFICIAL YEAR

                        1897-98.

               PART I.-IMPERIAL REPORT.

                A.-MILITARY SECTION.

                I.—HORSE-BREEDING.

Stallions
Number of.

    As will be seen by Table I, the number of stallions present at the com-
mencement of the year was 386. Forty-one were added and 44 were struck off
the strength, leaving a balance of 383 on 31st March 1898. Of this number:—

Received during
the year.

    2. Fifteen stallions were received by importation, and 26 were purchased in
India. Of those received by importation, all were Thoroughbreds, whilst of the
26 purchased by me in India, 11 were Thoroughbred Australians, 1 was a
Thoroughbred English, and 14 were Arabs.

Casualties.

    3.    As will be seen by reference to Table II, 17 stallions died during the
year, giving a percentage of 4.40 against 15 deaths last year, and a percentage of
4.15. The percentage of deaths was almost identical in all the large horse-breeding
centres, ranging from 4.76 in Baluchistan to 5.20 in the North-Western Provinces
and Oudh, and the Punjab. This year, I regret to say, two suspicious cases of
Anthrax occurred; we cannot be certain of the diagnosis as they were only seen
by Veterinary Assistants. Two cases of Surra also occurred, one in the North-
Western Provinces and one in South Punjab. Prompt measures were taken in all
instances, and no further cases took place. The Department did not lose the
services of any particularly good stallion by death, except " Bardolph" T. B. E.,
a very excellent stockgetter.

    4.    Twelve horses were destroyed against 25 last year. Of these, 5 were the
results of accidents, 5 were old and worn out, whilst 2 were undoubtedly
destroyed from the results of neglect when in the hands of the Chiefs in Baluchistan;
this will be further alluded to when speaking of the Darindah system.

    5.    The total number of horses that died or were destroyed was 29 against
38 last year, and 51 in 1895-96. This must be considered a satisfactory reduction.

Sales.

    6. Fourteen horses were sold during the year (vide Table III), against 13
last year. From this number, 2 should be deducted as having been sold for their
full value to Native States for breeding purposes; if we exclude these 2, the
number sold this year was 12 against 13 in 1896-97. Again, on reduction of
horse-breeding in Central India, 3 were sold to the North-Western Provinces
Government as Provincial ponies.