19
REVIEW BY THE INSPECTOR-GENERAL, CIVIL VETERINARY
DEPARTMENT.
This report gives a very good idea of the points to which attention has been
directed during the year. Investigations and experiments connected with various
matters, such as the rô1e of biting flies in the transmission of Surra, the experi-
mental treatment of surra and filariasis in the camel, as well as the breeding of
that animal, can be more suitably dealt with in separate reports as the work
becomes complete.
2. A report on the experiments conducted at Mohand in connection with
the role of biting flies in the transmission of surra has already been submitted to
Government. The experiments are of considerable interest on account of the
proof which has been obtained that the Tabanus, Haematopota and also
Stomoxys are all capable of transmitting the disease mechanically,. It appears
certain that the importance of the various flies as vectors is not equal: the
Tabanus is the commonest and most potent factor in the spread of surra in the
camel, the Haematopota is next and the Stomoxys only an occasional agent.
These conclusions agree with those of observers in other countries.
3. Unfortunately, conditions were not suitable for the prosecution of
experiments to ascertain whether the trypanosoma of surra undergoes any
development in a particular fly which acts as a definitive host. Recent observa-
tions in Africa seem to show that there is a great probability that a Tsetse fly
does act as a definitive host for T. gambiense, T. brucei and a trypanosome
of T. dimorphon type. There do not appear to be the same grounds for suspect-
ing that the theory applies to surra, in fact the evidence so far available
points in the other direction and the only conclusion so far justifiable appears to
be that biting flies simply transmit the disease mechanically. Further researches
will however be made into this question during the next Surra season, but they
are surrounded with great difficulties and the lack of the assistance of a trained
Dipterologist is greatly felt in this direction. In present circumstances, it is
very difficult to get flies even named and great delay occurs.
4. The work of collecting information regarding surra-zones would be
much simplified by a more extensive knowledge of the comparative r6le played
by the different species of flies, but this work cannot make very rapid progress
at the present time owing to lack of experts who can devote their whole time to
the study of the subject.
5. Every effort has been made to disseminate practical knowledge of surra
and other diseases amongst officers and others working amongst camels and a
short pamphlet, in simple language, is now being printed for circulation amongst
those who are interested in the matter.
6. The subject of fostering camel-breeding has received considerable atten-
tion. The conclusion which has been come to is that the extension of irrigation
which breaks up the best of the camel-breeding areas in Northern India, pushes
out camel-breeding which is a rapidly declining industry. If suitable camels
are to be bred for military purposes, then we must throw open grazing grounds
in surra-free areas in country suitable for the production of military camels.
7. The knowledge which we have so far obtained concerning surra in this
animal must be strictly applied, known surra-zones avoided so far as possible
and the reservoirs of virus be ruthlessly weeded out.
8. Surra has been severe this year, partly owing to the heavy rainfall and
partly to some of the corps having taken part in the frontier expedition and worked
in fly-zones. Mr. Leese's review of the disease in the various corps is valuable.
9. Considerable time has been devoted to the study of the treatment of
surra in the camel by practical means but the experiments are not sufficiently
advanced to publish ; they are being continued. Filariasis has proved to be a
serious condition in camels and is being investigated by Mr. Leese.