16
98. Other diseases said to be contagious have also been observed:—
Wail.—A disease with symptoms resembling those of Surra is attributed
to the attacks of a Strongyle which possesses a bursa closely resembling that of
Strongylus cervicornis except that the posterior ribs have an additional lobe of
their own.
Tuberculosis.—Has also been met with and definitely diagnosed.
Mange.—Is the subject of experimental treatment by means of crude oil
emulsion, with a view to obtaining a dressing the dilution of which before use
is so high as to render a large quantity easy to transport, a great point for
transport work.
99. The other diseases noticed are an acute infectious pulmonary disease,
Anthrax, Jhoolak, a peculiar form of skin disease, Camel pox, Swollen throat
and Filariasis.
100. A very good beginning has been made in the five months during
which Mr Leese has been at work. It has been represented that another officer
is badly required to work at the treatment of Surra and when it is considered
that Mr. Leese's work has necessitated his travelling 1,001 miles by road and
6,711 by rail in five months, it will be evident that it is not possible for him to
carry out experimental treatment as well.
101. Five hundred camels exported to Western Australia are reported to
have carried Surra with them, causing serious dislocation of traffic as all the
other States quarantined the Western State. All the animals were segregated
and the diseased destroyed.
102. The Dog.—Rabies—The most serious disease met with during the year
in this animal is Rabies which is very prevalent and widespread. No measures
are so far practicable but the destruction of ownerless mongrels and pariahs is
carried out in some of the towns.
103. Piroplasmosis.—This disease due to Piroplasma canis has been found
to be fairly prevalent in the country and causes great mortality when it attacks
imported dogs. It has been found in pariah dogs by Dr. Christophers in
Madras but does not cause such serious disease in them as they appear to be
tolerant of the parasite. The disease is carried from diseased to healthy dogs
by the common dog tick of the country Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Measures to
be taken against it are to be directed against the attacks of the tick, a difficult
matter in hunting dogs. The whole of the Madras hounds were carried off by
this disease, an account of which has been published in the Journal of Tropical
Veterinary Science, Volume III. It is also prevalent in the Punjab, Bombay
and Central India.
104.--Dysentery.--A very fatal form of dysentery also attacks dogs and is
very prevalent. Its true nature has not so far been ascertained.
105.--Distemper.--Is widespread and very fatal.
106. Fowls.--Fowl spirochœosis has been found to be very prevalent in
fowls. It is due to a parasite in the blood and is carried from the diseased to
healthy birds by the common fowl tick of the country, the Argas persicus.
A note has been published on the subject by Mr. Montgomery in the Journal
of Tropical Veterinary Science, Volume III. Measures of prevention consist in
care to avoid ticks in fowl houses, by either building them tick proof or tho-
roughly cleansing and coating them with hot tar and filling up all cracks and
crevices with it occasionally. Care in introducing fresh birds from infected
localities and on which larvæ may be present is necessary.
Other diseases.
107. Table IV gives the number of animals treated and castrated by
Veterinary Assistants on tour during the year. The 403 Veterinary Assistants
employed visited 52,827 villages, castrated 2,227 animals of which 1,153 were
equines, 940 bovines and 134 others. They treated a total of 295,205 cases of
which 136,481 were for contagious diseases, i.e. 1,757 in horses, 131,904 cattle
and 2,820 others. They also treated 156,497 animals for non-contagious disease,
i.e., 32,480 horses, 115,190 cattle and 8,827 others. This is an increase in the