APPENDIX A.
Special Report on Rinderpest.
An acute and widespread outbreak calls for special mention. It
commenced during the monsoon in the char islands of Noakhali and
Barisal in the mouth of the big river, which had been free from rinder-
pest for some years. The islands are inaccessible at that time of the
year by the ordinary means available to Civil Veterinary staff: country
boats. It first came to notice in October when cattle were brought
back to the main land of Noakhali where it spread rapidly. All avail-
able veterinary staff was sent to control the disease in this area. The
District Board engaged additional hands and neighbouring District
Boards of Tippera and Chittagong also lent Veterinary Assistants. The
Assistant Director, Eastern Range, personally directed the work and
the Presidency Circle Veterinary Inspector was sent to make Goat
Tissue Vaccine locally in the field. These measures brought the dis-
ease under control in about two months but it continued to occur
sporadically in fresh places for several months more. While this
campaign was in progress the Veterinary Assistant Surgeon, Patua-
khali, discovered that the disease was raging in the islands of Bakar-
ganj in a peracute form killing about 80 per cent. of the animals
affected. Many died after three or four days' illness. Practically all
these animals were buffaloes. Owners fleeing with their buffaloes to
the main land to escape the plague carried the disease to Patuakhali.
To meet this emergency more staff and special transport arrangements
were essential. The Collector, Mr. Tufnell-Barrett, promptly arrang-
ed for a big launch to be placed at our disposal. The District Board
employed temporary Veterinary Assistant Surgeons and Government
sanctioned the employment for two months of six extra Veterinary
Assistant Surgeons for the emergency. On account of the remoteness
of the affected area it was impossible to send Goat Tissue Vaccine from
Calcutta for use within its period of potency. The Staff Veterinary
Assistant Surgeon, Babu B. N. Nandy, employed in vaccine production
in the Temporary Vaccine Depot, was sent to make it in the field.
The Disease Investigation Officer, Mr. Menon, who was at Muktesar
for a refresher course was wired to return. The campaign was in the
charge of Veterinary Inspector Babu H. C. Das Gupta of Barisal
Circle, the Assistant Director, Eastern Range, being busy in Noakhali
district. The Director with the aid of the Vaccine Depot Assistant
Babu M. C. Mitra carried on production of vaccine at headquarters for
the rest of the province. The outbreak had to be dealt with in
sections as the staff available was not large enough to divide up and
carry on in all sections simultaneously. The char islands of Kukri-
mukri, Kajal, Kalini, Momtaz, Biswas, Shiva and Manika were first
dealt with and the disease controlled in three weeks. The prompt
action of Mr. Tufnell-Barrett, the Collector, his personal interest and
visit to the seat of operations stimulating his own and the Veterinary
staff to do their utmost, contributed greatly to the success of this cam-
paign. By the end of this period the disease had spread widely in
Patuakhali and Bhola subdivisions. For these areas the big launch
was of no use. The staff was divided between the two sections and
field vaccine prepared in each section. Mr. Menon having arrived
took charge of the Bhola area and trained another 2 Veterinary