7
I cannot omit making some remarks on the great amount of cruelty which is
inflicted on animals in this province. The above figures give no idea of the pain
and mutilation which domestic animals have to bear; much of this is deliberately-
inflicted and much is due to apathy and ignorance. To mention some of the cases
which are ultimately brought to the dispensaries would be nauseating. Certain it is
that it is a great disgrace on animal owners.
51. Four Veterinary Assistants were sent to the Pasteur Institute, Shillong,
for anti-rabic treatment as they had been exposed to the risk of infection in the
course of their duty.
52. During the year sanction was given for the distribution and use of anti-
rabies vaccine outside the Pasteur Institue. For many years this boon has been
desired by the Department. The first animal to undergo the treatment was a
valuable bull belonging to the Agricultural Department. This animal was bitten in
the muzzle, owing to this and also that some considerable time had elapsed, the
intensive form of protection was adopted, i.e., a proportion of the vaccine was injected
intravenously. Up to the present the bull has shown no signs of rabies.
53. As already stated Rinderpest was prevalent in a virulent form in many
districts and it continued with little abatement during the cold weather which is
unusual. Another unusual point was that in one district during an outbreak of
Rinderpest an outbreak of Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia occurred. This greatly
complicated the situation and added to the work.
In one garden there was a large number of pigs which took the disease
(rinderpest) in a very acute form and 90 per cent. died. Amongst the cattle the
disease was much less virulent.
54. An outbreak of a hitherto unknown disease causing a heavy mortality was
observed in several herds of cattle on a char in the Brahmaputra. The disease was
found to be due to the presence of two parasites which have not been observed
previously in Assam and probably not in India. Mr. Ware of Madras kindly identified
one parasite as the Eurytrema Pancreaticum which has been previously found in
China and Burma. The identification of second parasite has not yet been definitely
made ; it belongs to the order of Amphistoma. The symptoms of the disease are
severe anæmia, emaciation and death.
55. During the year under report the Veterinary Assistants observed 153 cases
of suspected poisoning amongst cattle of these 42 were reported to have died. In
5 cases, material sent to the Chemical Examiner showed poisoning by arsenic. In
the previous year 232 cases were suspected to be of poisoning, of which 204 cattle
died. All these cases were reported to the local authorities by the Veterinary
Assistants.
56. During the year a collection of ticks were sent to the Director of Entomology,
Calcutta, at his request. He reported that the collection which contained a few un-
described specimens was very interesting. I might add here that the tick is generally
considered a rather harmless parasite, but such is far from the actual facts. Not
only is it an agent for carrying disease, but it reduces the general vitality and causes
loss of condition, anæmia, reduction in the milking qualities, etc. In some countries
the damage is so appreciated that dipping to eradicate the tick is compulsory and it is
a punishable offence to own a tick infected animal.
57. The Hon'ble Minister of Education has taken a great interest in the work
and welfare of the Department and in the course of his tours inspected the Veterinary
Dispensaries at Sylhet, Maulvi Bazar, Karimganj, Habiganj, Kulaura, Sunamganj,
Silchar, Tezpur, Barpeta and Nalbari.
58. Office Staff.—Owing to changes and sickness amongst the staff, the
clerical work has suffered and the standard has not been as high as in former
year.
59. The Department wishes to thank District Officers, members of various Local
Boards and Veterinary Dispensary Commitees and private gentlemen who have taken
an interest in Veterinary work and the general welfare of cattle.
W. HARRIS,
Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Assam.