26
inundates the country up to the cavalry lines in the rains. The disease is said to have first appeared
in a squadron of horses which were out on duty during the rainy season in the Azamgarh District
at Jhajman. The large marshes and lakes that dot the surface of the land are the most prominent
objects in the landscape of the Azamgarh District. Many of the horses died, and the disease also
appeared in those of the remainder of the regiment. One hundred and fifty (150) horses succumbed to
the disease. Surra is said to have also caused considerable loss in 1894. The probable reason the
horses which had been out on duty in 1893 were first attacked is, that they were weakened by exposure
to the climate in the rains, and so fell victims to the disease earlier than the others.
KUMAON DIVISION.
R. and K. Railway Tonga Service.
Kathgodam.—The North-East Terminus of the R. and K. Railway, and station for Naini Tal,
about 66 miles from Bareilly, is situated at an elevation of about 1,600 feet above sea-level, at the
foot of the outer Himalayan hills. The rainfall varies considerably in different years from 65 to 160
inches, but until recently, when a water-supply from the hills was laid on, during the hot seasons, a
scarcity occasionally was known. A service, with its head-quarters at Kathgodam, supplies tongas
for the carriage of passengers to Naini Tal (6,357 feet elevation). Between the Terminus and Naini Tal,
a distance of 22 miles, six stages are situated, and at each stage a varying number of horses are kept.
In recent years owing to the dangerous condition of the Upper Road (9 miles) this part has been closed
to traffic, the last station now being the Brewery (4,400 feet). The road, cut in the face of a cliff, and
steep in places, winds in and out of the hills covered with jungle, and the stables at a lower elevation
are more or less surrounded by thick vegetation, especially during the rainy season.
According to the statement of the late Sergeant-Major Brady, R.A., for. some years Superin-
tendent of this service, many horses, principally Cabule, succumbed to Surra previous to the year 1890.
Since that date records are forthcoming, and the following table shows the mortality from Surra
during a period of eight years.
TABLE
Showing the Rainfall and Mortality of Dâk ponies during Surra months (June to October
from the year 1890 to 1897).
Stations.
Naini Tal
Kathgodam
Haldwani
Elevation.
... 6,350
... 1,630
... 1,200
Average number of horses ...
Rainfall, 1st June to 31st
October, in inches.
Horses died (of Surra) between the
Brewery and Kathgodam
1890.
123.02
...
100.06
90
40
1891.
81.85
...
65.91
93
10
1892.
63.73
...
56.38
93
5
1893.
126.91
...
83.73
180
2
1894.
105.19
...
92.96
128
63
1895.
85.10
...
69.16
131
8
1896.
63.85
50.71
63.82
101
92
1897.
114.93
108.52
91.86
80
The disease occurs during the rains, July to October inclusive, and usually makes its appearance
among the horses stationed at Bhugiaghat (2,300 feet elevation), and later at the terminal depôt, Kath-
godam (1,630 feet). Previous to the year 1894 it is not recorded that any horses had been attacked
at the stables above Bhugiaghat, but during September and October of that year several animals
contracted Surra at Bilwa-Khan on the Upper Road, and succumbed later.
When the horses are somewhat over-worked, as in 1891, the result of a heavy season, they are
probably, as a consequence, rendered more susceptible : for the number of animals attacked with
Surra have been observed to be more numerous.
The chief symptoms noted are, paroxysmal attacks of fever during the first two or three inter-
missions at which the animals appeared well enough to work, later, continuous falling off in condition,
although accompanied by a voracious appetite ; swelling and œdema of the limbs and under-surface of
the abdomen. The conjunctivæ are frequently stained a yellow colour, and there are successive crops of
sub-conjunctival petechiæ. After a varying period of illness the animals fall and are rarely able to rise
again. Disease invariably fatal.
Bad water was supposed to be the cause of the disease, but this was rectified, and a fresh supply
was obtained directly from the hills, which was first brought into use during the early part of 1892.
Since June 1893 all water for the Tonga horses has been boiled at Kathgodam and the next two stages