June, 1950]
F.
C.
MINETT
81
during that period is higher. On statistical analysis, however, differences are not
significant either with birth rate or with death rate. It seems that there is no
seasonal influence on mortality rate at this early age.
Table XI for goats at Hissar (1944-45 report) shows the death rate in stock
upto 18 months of age, over a period of 17 years. There is definite evidence from
this series that gross mortality in younger goats is higher between October and
March and least during the warm months. The death rate from January to March
is significantly higher than at other seasons. It is also shown in the report by means
of a graph that over the same period of 17 years what are described as the two most
killing diseases, viz., pneumonia and gastritis, have a similar seasonal distribution.
At Etah, pneumonia in kids is also referred to the winter months. Some
cases of pneumonia, said to be associated with Pasteurella, are however stated
to occur in April to August and this agrees with the direct sample data.
There is little concrete information in the reports as to the seasonal incidence
of disease, including fatal cases, but there are some statements which taken together
give definite indications, which may be compared with those of the sample data
above.
From Banihal, Peshawar, Hosur and especially Hissar, there are indications
that the mortality from pneumonia occurs mainly between October and March.
This scarcely agrees with the direct sample data. Fascioliasis at Banihal appears
from January to April. At Reasi, parasitic attack was from October to March
in 1942-43, parasitic pneumonia at Peshawar from January to March, at Hosur
during the winter ; at Bhamburda it is worst during the summer monsoon—a state-
ment not borne out by the sample data. At Hosur, infestation by immature amphis-
tomes has been most severe in its effects between November and March. Sheep-
pox tends to occur during the first half of the year, being reported from the Deccan
in January and February, and from Peshawar in March, May and June (1934-45).
Goat-pox has occurred in May at Etah. Rinderpest was reported at Reasi in
March and April 1942 and at Peshawar in June to August 1942. Foot and mouth
disease also seem to be rather more prevalent during the first half of the year,
judging by reports from Banihal, Peshawar, Hissar and Bhamburada. However,
in 1944 it occurred as late as August at Peshawar and in 1939 in October at Hissar.
In goats at Etah, bisi (presumably paramphistomiasis) has occurred during
several years from October to March, and ' cerebral ataxia ' in August. ' Encephalo-
myelitis ' in lambs at Hissar is clearly a summer disease, appearing in May to July.
The same is true of the obscure disease at Quetta, which is prevalent from April
to July. Conjunctivitis in lambs at Hissar is mainly seen in December and January.
Myiasis, of course, occurs under wet conditions during the monsoon or when sheep
are first turned on for green grazing. The occurrence of this trouble is referred
to in reports from Quetta, Peshawar, Hissar and Bhamburda and is presumably
widespread. Tympany and impaction are referred to at Bhamburda during the
monsoon and at Hissar in March and April when the sheep are turned on to stubbles
after poor winter living.