(13)
133. I append a synopsis of transactions in connection with cattle disease
during the year under review; but it is open to serious doubt if the figures
are even approximately correct (Appendix XXVIIA).
134. In studying this synopsis, it will be noticed that Circular No. 4Agri.,
dated 6th February 1895, of the Bengal Revenue Department, is not interpreted
by all officers in the same way. It is, perhaps, more correct to say that the
opinions of officers differ as to what is and what is not serious disease, for it will
be seen that of 34 records in the synopsis, 21 were reported in the Calcutta
Gazette in the first instance, and then applications had to be made from this
office for information which in two or three cases remained unanswered.
135. I was able, except in one instance, to offer the services of a Veteri-
nary Assistant whenever they appeared to be required.
136. A tabulated statement showing districts where outbreaks of cattle
disease occurred during 1896-97 is appended (Appendix XXVIII) in the pre-
scribed form.
137. Since 1882, when Mr. Finucane, the then Director of Land Records
and Agriculture, Bengal, pointed out that the losses from cattle disease in
Bengal amounted to a great deal more than eight lacs per annum, the subject
has been steadily kept in view by Government, and my predecessor accumu-
lated a good deal of useful information. We now have several Veterinary
Assistants available to send into the districts.
138. As regards the laws bearing upon the subject of contagious cattle
disease, I have been referred by the Director of Land Records and Agriculture,
Bengal—
(1) to sections 268, 271 and 290 of the Indian Penal Code, Act XLV
of 1860;
(2) to Chapter XXXI of the Criminal Procedure Code;
(3) to the Acts for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, viz., India Act
XI of 1890, section 7, and Bengal Council Acts I (B.C.) of
1869, section IV, and III of 1869; and
(4) for the appointment of persons to deal with cattle disease, section 69,
(XI) of Act III (B.C.) of 1884, as amended by Act II (B.C.) of
1896.
139. The question arises whether the time has not arrived to make
greater use of the means at our disposal in an attempt to cope with rinderpest
to begin with, particularly as Foreign Governments show a disposition to inquire
what is being done.
140. With this object in view I have submitted the draft of a scheme,
which will be found in Appendix XXVIIIA.
141. The principles 1 would like to work on are:—
1st.—to secure the very earliest information of outbreaks; for the
sooner an outbreak is grappled with, the smaller will be the area
involved;
2nd.—to relieve the unit of a major part of the expense if early reports
are rendered;
3rd.—to save the unit as much inconvenience as possible consistent
with the object in view;
4th.—not to slaughter cattle, which is entirely out of the question in
Bengal.
142. In accordance with a request from the Director of Land Records, I
inquired of District Officers of Saran, Arrah, Birbhum and Darjeeling if
an extension of the section 7 of Act XI of 1890 to the fairs held in those
districts would be useful as a means of controlling contagious cattle disease.
As the result of a summary which I laid before the Director, I am led
to believe he considers the extension would not produce the result
desired.
143. Rinderpest in Calcutta.—During the months of February and March
1897, rinderpest existed in Chitpur, Cossipore and in the northern parts of
Calcutta itself. I am informed that outbreaks occur yearly.
144. Owing to the peculiar arrangement of the bustees in Calcutta, isola-
tion of sick animals is practically impossible, unless an enormous staff of police
be detailed for the purpose.