(14)
145. On the other hand, the Commissioner of Police reported to the
Director of Land Records and Agriculture, Bengal, that "provided the removal
and treatment of cattle be carried out without cost to the owners, they will
gladly avail themselves of the advantages that may be expected."
146. In connexion with the remarks of the Commissioner of Police, I
suggested to the Director of Land Records and Agriculture, Bengal, (i) that
a piece of land (which is available opposite the Bengal Veterinary Institution) be
acquired as an isolation ground, and (2) that ambulances be procured to
take sick animals there, so as to prevent possibility of their infecting others
on the way, and (3) that animals be treated by my students (a most desirable
arrangement for teaching purposes) and fed free of cost if an early report
be made by the owner.
147. In practice, the cost would be small, considering the object to be
attained. Bearing upon the suggestion of saving cost of keep to the owner,
it may be remarked that compensation for slaughter is universal in Europe,
as far as I know, and offers a precedent for providing cost of keep in this
country, where slaughter is out of the question.
148. No doubt it would be possible to suggest very much more stringent
methods, but I do not think they would have the slightest chance of being
adopted.
149. The Director of Land Records has remarked that the land and am-
bulance should bo provided by the Municipality.
150. Dr. Koch's inoculation in South Africa.—In a report to the Secretary,
Agricultural Department, South Africa, Dr. Koch, the Bacteriologist, reports
that healthy cattle may be rendered immune with the bile of such as have suc-
cumbed to rinderpest. In this case a single hypodermic injection of 10c. c.m. is
sufficient. This immunity sets upon the 10th day at latest, and at least four
weeks afterwards 40c. c.m. of rinderpest blood could be injected without
any injurious effect.
151. The local result of an injection is merely a. hard, somewhat painful
swelling of the size of a man's fist, and which gradually disappears in the
course of a few weeks, provided, however, that the bile is not in a state of
decomposition, as is not uncommon when an animal suffers from rinderpest.
Under such circumstances, an abscess may form, I have been following Professor
Koch's investigations with a view to benefiting Bengal; but means should be
taken by Government to have the system inquired into by a specially deputed
person in order to ascertain if any modications are required for Indian cattle.
If it is found to be as safe in India as at the Cape, I propose to employ this
method of treatment.
LOODIANAH DISEASE.
152. In Circular No. 17/128-4 of 25th November 1896, the Government of India
announces its desire to ascertain whether the so-called Loodianah disease was or
was not true anthrax, and in Bengal Government Circular No. 56Agri., dated
the 3rd December 1896, a request was made to all District Officers that they
might telegraph to Dr. Lingard the occurrence of all outbreaks of either
disease.
153. In his No. 264A. of 17th February 1897, the Director of Land
Records requested me to draw up brief instructions describing symptoms, &c.,
of the disease for circulation to all Collectors.
154. This was done, and a copy of the report is appended (Appendix
XXIX).
TICK PLAGUE.
155. During the year under review a disease amongst cattle in Queensland
and other parts of Australia was referred to me for report by Government,
and I append the information which is available (vide Appendix XXX).
INTELLIGENCE.
156. While considering the question of Tick plague, I became aware of the
fact that we had no means of gaining early intelligence by official or by other
Foct-note.—The Government has authorized me to see Professor Koch, in Bombay.