ANNUAL REPORT

                                                                  ON THE

      CIVIL VETERINARY ADMINISTRATION

                                                                   IN THE

                                    PUNJAB

                                                      For the year 1914-15.

Note on veterinary progress in the Punjab by the Director of Agriculture.

1.    The first of the three annual reports which are here brought together
relates to the Punjab Veterinary College: which continues under the experienc-
ed control of Colonel Pease. The most noticeable point in connection with
it is that the College is now in its new and commodious buildings. The move
has had a harmful effect on the number of patients brought for treatment to
the College: this doubtless is only temporary. Considering this point, and the
other inconveniences inseparable from the transfer, the results of the exami-
nations are very satisfactory,

2.    The Chief Superintendent's report on the work of the Civil Veterinary
Department during the year, which is the second of those sent herewith, is
encouraging. Despite the fact that the Department had to control the glanders
outbreak in Lahore and Amritsar (work which would have been done by the
Army Remount Department had it not been for the war), an increase in
contagious disease among both equines and bovines on the figures of the
previous year, and a shortage of staff owing to the war—27 men have been
placed at the disposal of the Military Department—all signs show that the
Department is daily gaining the confidence of the people in a greater degree.
Thus there are this year more hospitals than last: more castrations were
performed: more inoculations effected: and more patients treated at the
Veterinary Hospitals. It is true that the number of animals treated by
Veterinary Assistants on tour shows a decrease, but this is due to the fact
that many districts have now no touring assistant, owing to the shortage
just mentioned.

The increase in the number of bulls in districts is satisfactory: and the
merino sheep experiment—in this connection see also the report on the Hissar
Cattle Farm—is promising. The Superintendent South Punjab notes
that, though there is still room for improvement, patwaris are prompter than
before in reporting outbreaks of cattle disease. This doubtless is a result
of the measures taken on the complaint made on the subject last year.
He also notes an increasing tendency on the part of the people themselves to
report contagious diseases among their cattle to the itinerating staff.

In the North Punjab it is worth noting that a proposal to improve
the breed of cattle on the Kot Fatteh Khan estate in the Attock district
has been approved by the Commissioner. As a result Rs. 3,000 per year for
the next three years will be spent on Dhanni bulls for the estate.

Colonel Farmer, his Superintendents and his staff, deserve every credit
for the excellent work done during the year. Colonel Farmer's practice of
lecturing to the assembled villagers when on tour on veterinary work is most
laudable. Lala Kotu Ram, Deputy Superintendent, has quite justified his
appointment.