14
have given excellent results. As a curative, serum alone is employed in large
doses (50 to 100 c. c.). The intravenous method with 30 to 50 c. c., of
serum is especially recommended. The serum kept in a cool place, away from
light, is said to remain good for years. If the inoculation is carried out at the
beginning of the attack especially when administered intravenously, we may
be practically certain of a favourable result.
87. We may, in addition, at the commencement of the epidemic immedia-
tely carry out a serum alone inoculation with 10 to 15 c. c., which confers
a certain amount of immunity. It is true that this immunity does not persist
for long and after a few weeks the simultaneous method should be carried
out.
88. Experiments are being made in the Muktesar Laboratory by this
method and the results obtained in cattle are very encouraging. I think,
so far as can at present be seen, that this will be the most suitable method
for use in India; but we must know far more about the prevalence of
the disease in our districts, be able to obtain early information of outbreaks
which must be confirmed by microscopical and bacteriological examination,
and ascertain where the disease is enzootic and justifies the simultaneous method
being adopted, before any steps are taken to use it for general use in the field.
Moreover, should it be found advisable to carry it out, we shall require local
provincial laboratories with well trained Bacteriologists in charge of them and
a more highly trained subordinate native establishment.
89. It is evident that we cannot afford to entrust the materials in the
hands of inexperienced men nor can we afford to inoculate unless the diagnosis
is confirmed. Before a decision is come to, therefore, we must have the
reputed enzootic zones carefully examined, the disease correctly diagnosed and
the losses to which it gives rise recorded. This will take some time to carry
out. Full reports will be required dealing with the question from all points
of view. I have asked Superintendents to map out this disease gradually,
especially noting outbreaks where the diagnosis has been confirmed and have
advised in the meantime that serum be only used in undoubted outbreaks
and the results be carefully watched.
90. The serum has been adopted this year in 123 outbreaks and 6,327
cattle and 6 horses have been inoculated in the United Provinces, 8,461 in
Madras and 10,148 bovines and 105 horses in Eastern Bengal and Assam, the
results being reported to have been good.
91. Black Quarter.—This disease causes considerable loss of young stock
but owing to the more pressing demand of dealing with other work in
the greater part of India, it does not so far attract much attention. In the
Punjab and North-West Frontier Province, however, enquiries are being
made regarding its incidence and importance. Owing to the small staff
employed, progress must be slow. The total number of deaths brought to
the notice of this Department—omitting Burma, the Central Provinces,
Sind and Rajputana—is 8,314. In the Punjab and North-West Frontier
Province protective inoculations were undertaken in villages where the pre-
valence of the disease was found to justify them. In the Punjab 1,655 head
of young stock in 33 villages were protected by means of Blacklegoids. The
results in all cases were found satisfactory so far as can be ascertained at pre-
sent. Vaccinations will continue to be performed in infected places and the
results closely watched. In the North-West Frontier Province 3,080 young
stock were vaccinated in 23 villages of the Kurrum Valley and Peshawar
district where the disease regularly occurs. The results of the vaccinations are
being carefully watched.
92. Foot and Mouth disease.—As usual, this disease was very widespread
but it causes but little loss comparatively. The total mortality is reported to
be, exclusive of the Central Provinces, 21,780. The disease causes the greatest
mortality in Provinces like Eastern Bengal and Assam 9,074, Burma 4,603,