SECOND ANNUAL REPORT OF THE VETERINARY OFFICER
INVESTIGATING CAMEL DISEASES, FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31ST MARCH
1909.
The work of the office during the year.
From 27th April to 24th September 1908, I was engaged at Mohand on
experiments and observations in connection with the role of biting flies in the
transmission of surra. A report on this work has been submitted to you with
my letter No. 579—62, dated 1st December 1908. From 17th October 1908 to
31st March 1909, I have had a camp first at Kharian and later at Sohawa, at
which experiments have been carried out with camels. Experimental treatment
of surra in camels has been carried out on a fairly large scale during the whole
of this time ; Camel-Filariasis has been studied at the same time ; and other
diseases as opportunity or equipment allowed. As however the experiments on
the two former subjects are not complete, both diseases being of long duration
in the camel, report on them must be postponed.
2. Many Government camels having been on the frontier in May 1908 with
the Mohmand expedition, and Tabanus having been reported to have been
numerous in Shabkadar at that time, it has been impossible to get much further
information on surra-zones by tracing up the movements of camels this year.
Even at the best of times the tracing up of camels' movements can only reveal
the larger tracts where Tabanus is absent or scarce, for the reasons given in the
forwarding letter of my last report.
3. The demonstration of the larger varieties of Tabanus in a given locality
in the surra season in fair quantities seems to be the only satisfactory method
of deciding whether the smaller tracts of camel-grazing land are dangerous or
otherwise ; this involves travelling in the rainy season and will consequently be
slow work. As far as possible this will be done next rains in localities for which
special urgency is necessary in deciding as to their safety or otherwise.
4. A considerable amount of touring has been done during the year, advantage
being taken of any stages in the experiments at which the observations in camp
could be carried on by an assistant. It was not thought advisable to go much
further afield than was done last year, as the problems of camel disease in the
Punjab and North-West Frontier Province offered quite enough scope for the
present year.
5. I have been able to help to disseminate knowledge of camel disease,
particularly surra, amongst officers working with camels, to whom some knowledge
of the latter disease is under present conditions, indispensable ; and on account of
the frequency with which officers are transferred when they are just getting a
working knowledge of the camel and his complaints, and a new hand takes over
the work, a short account of " Surra in the camel " with details both as to
diagnosis under the conditions prevailing and as to avoidance of the disease
has been written for distribution so that in future many of the mistakes that
used to be made from want of knowledge on the subject may, it is hoped,
be saved.
6. Definite proposals have been made for the prophylaxis against surra in
the case of the hill camel of the Punjab; and further details have been given on the
scheme for the encouragement of the breeding of hill camels.
7. During the year under report this office has received 293 smears of blood
of camels in Government employ for confirmation of diagnosis of surra; diagnosis
was confirmed in 274 cases.