16

                                                                GENERAL REMARKS.

13. The controlling of contagious diseases largely depends upon the prompt notification of out-
breaks. This department could never employ a staff of assistants such as would be required to eusure a
correct report from all districts. Invaluable assistance has, however, been rendered by the planters. Not
only have they proved useful in many ways, but they have been instrumental in dealing with the
movement of stocks, the quarantining of infected animals, without which the whole system of contending
against contagious disease would have broken down, and the Surma Valley would have been in a very
different condition as regards disease than it now is, but they have been very useful in reporting disease
and lending a hand. The police have also been very useful in reporting the outbreaks of disease, but
I am afraid in some cases their reports arrived too late: the usefulness of the village force in this direction
would be greatly increased if their post card reports were forwarded on at once by the officer in charge
of police stations and outposts. ' The Advisory and Working Committee have rendered invaluable
assistance in many ways. They have brought the Department directly and intimately into touch with
the leading raiyats of the different districts ; with the result that I have acquired a better knowledge
of local conditions and of the most practical and least inconvenient way of dealing with, and ascer-
taining the cause of the diseases in this valley. At first I found most of the villagers, to whom
belonged most of the live stock, very superstitious, and strongly adverse to accepting advice, unless
it is from one they know, and who has some influence over them. It is the difficulty in getting the
raiyats to consent to have their cattle inoculated and treated at once that the different diseases spread
so rapidly. I am glad, however, to say that with a little tact and inducement they will allow their
cattle to be inoculated. Although the principal duties of this department are to deal with the infectious
diseases of stock, and to conduct investigations into the nature, cause, and prevention of the numerous
diseases which are indigenous to this valley, there has been a continuously growing demand for the treat-
ment of common diseases of stock ; this, I am glad to say, shows that the agricultural population is
beginning to appreciate the value of scientific treatment. I try to meet the demands of the raiyats
and others as far as possible, consistent with the discharge of the more pressing and important duties
of attending to outbreaks of infectious diseases, and readily admit that it is very desirable that the
raiyats should be able to obtain veterinary advice and assistance when their cattle become sick. With
the small fund and the limited number of Veterinary Assistants at my disposal, I am afraid that such
assistance cannot be given in as satisfactory a manner as I should like. It is pleasing to be able to
report that not only have our efforts to cope with the ordinary contagious diseases been attended with a
considerable amount of success, but the way in which a good understanding has been established
between the villagers and the department is very gratifying. The bacteriological investigations which
have been conducted by me (which I am sorry to say cannot be pushed forward for want of funds),
and the improvement in the breed of cattle, will be dealt with in the paper which it is my intention
to publish shortly. When we think of the way our work was handicapped in the beginning, it is sur-
prising that the total work of the year shows such good results, but by the courteous and kindly
encouragement received from the Inspector General, Civil Veterinary Department, and others, we were
encouraged to push on with the work. Mr. A. J. G. Cress well, Secretary, Surma Valley Branch,
Indian Tea Association, has rendered most valuable assistance in the very prompt manner he has for-
warded on all correspondence, and made himself generally useful. I cannot too highly express my
appreciation to Mr. W. Harris, Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Eastern Bengal and
Assam, for the unremitting attention he has given to my indents for serum. My thanks are due to
Mr. D. Ferguson for kindly placing a cool pit at my disposal in which to keep serum. The Veterinary
Assistants have worked very well during the year.

                                                                                                                W. H. McCALDRON,
                                                                        Veterinary Officer, Surma Valley Branch, Indian Tea Association.

                                                                                    APPENDIX B.

            Statement of Accounts of the Veterinary Department of the Surma Valley Branch Indian Tea Associa-
                    tion for the year ending the 31st March 1907 (for the months of February and March being official
                    year 1906-1907).