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90. Tetanus antitoxin.—This antitoxin has been prepared for the first time
at the laboratory this year and 22,164 c.c. are ready for testing. It will prove
very useful in places where Tetanus is prevalent after injuries and operations,
Bombay for instance. So far the demand has been small but probably it will
be required in moderate quantity as the operations of the Department extend.
91. Mallein.—The demand for Mallein increased considerably, 7,220 doses
were asked for. The supply from outside sources has now been discontinued.
92. Cost of serum.—Calculated on the total expenditure of the laboratory,
the cost of serum, per dose, is only 3 annas 8 pies which is very cheap
comparatively.
93. In addition to the administration and general routine work, such time
as has been available has been devoted to research work. It has been ascertained
that serum kept at Karachi for two years had lost 55 to 60 per cent. of its
protective power. An opportunity was taken to inoculate an elephant with a
large dose of rinderpest blood to ascertain whether she would take the disease.
The result was negative, which proves that she possessed either natural or
acquired immunity.
94. Spirochætosis is reported in cattle. As opportunities offered, Piroplas-
mosis and Trypanosomiasis in bovines was studied.
95. Some experiments in the treatment of Trypanosomiasis (surra) by the
administration of Atoxyl were carried out; further experiments are required
in this direction. The susceptibility of the Indian elephant to surra (equine)
was tested and the results point to the conclusion that old elephants have consi-
derable or total immunity to the disease.
96. Experiments were also made to ascertain whether equine and Came-
line Surra are due to the same Trypanosoma, but are not conclusive; the
evidence points to the possibility of their being due to different organisms.
97. A number of papers on the subject of Tropical diseases have been
published during the year. It will be seen that the work done has been very
great and valuable, and the results reflect great credit on Dr. Lingard and his
Assistants.
GOVERNMENT CATTLE FARM, HISSAR.
98. The following note has been written by Colonel J. W. A. Morgan :—
This is the 8th year that the Farm has been in charge of the Department and
its further retention for a period of 4 years has recently been sanctioned by the
Government of India.
99. The rainfall for the third year in succession was very scanty, and the
Barani and hay crops failures. The stock under these conditions have to be
fed almost entirely on fodder obtained from the cultivated lands : this entails a
considerable increase of work on the whole establishment.
100. Slight outbreaks of Charbon Symptomatique and foot and mouth
disease occurred but by careful supervision and treatment they were kept in
check and the loss was small. It is difficult to prevent these outbreaks as there
are several public roads through the Bir along which village cattle are con-
stantly passing, and which must be used by our own cattle when going to and
fro to their various grazing grounds.
101. Breeding herd—Cows.— (Table XVI) There were 1,038 cows present
on 31st March 1907, an increase of 149 over the previous year. They are all
obtained from heifers bred on the farm. One hundred and twelve cows were sold
as unfit from age and other causes for brood purposes, 2 destroyed for incurable
disease and 10 died. The programme laid down for the breeding herd has limited
it to 1,200 head, so that by March 1908 it should reach its maximum. There
were 736 female and 315 young male stock present at the end of the year and
582 calves were born. Fifty-two young stock were sold as not up to standard
and unfit for retention on the farm. It is highly satisfactory to note that it
has only been necessary to cast this small number, as it clearly shows how
rapidly the herd is being graded up to a uniform type.