21
Contagious disease in other animals.
15. Contagious disease in other animals than equines and bovines is rarely-
reported to this department. Pleuropneumonia and variola in goats and sheep
and rabies in dogs are sometimes notified. Spirochætosis in fowls was observed
at Dhárwár and diagnosed by the Veterinary Inspector.
Preventive measures.
See Table III.
16. Preventive inoculation against rinderpest and hæmorrhagic septi-
cæmia was adopted generally with considerable
success. The several " emergency corps " of reserves
under Inspectors were frequently employed with advantage particularly in the
Dhárwár and Kánara Districts where a large number of animals were inoculated.
79,706 inoculations against rinderpest were carried out in 421 outbreaks. It
was ascertained that 448 inoculated animals died within 21 days of inoculation
but many of these must have been in the incubative stage of the disease when
inoculated. Accurate results are difficult to obtain owing to the vague reports
of the owners. 6,555 uninoculated contact animals died.
17. It has been decided by Government that the expenditure on rinder-
pest serum shall be limited to Rs. 15,000 per annum and it is proposed to
concentrate our efforts on localities where cattle are valuable and where success
is most likely to be obtained. A heavy expenditure at present in districts
where the disease is enzootic and the cattle inferior does not appear to be
justified.
18. Serum inoculation in 14 outbreaks of hæmorrhagic septicæmia was
adopted with very satisfactory results only one death occurring in an inoculated
animal, while 141 uninoculated animals died of the disease. The supply of this
serum was limited or more inoculations would have been carried out.
19. Surveys are being conducted in regard to the incidence of hæmor¬
rhagic septicæmia and black quarter in certain localities with a view to the
adoption of vaccination against these diseases. It has been demonstrated that,
in regard to the latter disease especially, they are not so seasonal as was
expected which adds to the difficulties of instituting vaccination. It is doubtful
if very striking results can be hoped for but the matter is still under consider-
ation and investigation.
Other disease.
See Table IV.
20. The number of villages visited by veterinary assistants during the
year was 3,445 against 3,779 in the previous year.
The decrease in the number is due to the fact that
longer periods had to be spent in the villages affected with epizootics. A
number of villages was visited in connection with the cattle survey that is
being conducted by the staff and, in the case of new dispensaries, to acquaint
the inhabitants with their existence.
During their tours the veterinary assistants treated 27,481 cases for conta-
gious diseases—mainly foot and mouth disease—and 16,124 for non-contagious
ailments. 123 animals were castrated on tour. The increase in the numbers
over last year is satisfactory but more castration may be justifiably expected
as the confidence of cattle owners is obtained.
Investigation.
21. As previuosly stated some progress has been made in investigating
the seasonal incidence of certain diseases and some useful cattle survey work
has been done. Some cases of poisoning in cattle from eating a plant called
"Singia" (Vinca Pusilla) were brought to notice in the Panch Maháls District.
Outbreak duty and routine work have taken up most of the time of every one
concerned. As stated last year a special staff for investigation is indicated.
The matter will be represented in due course.
Four hundred and nineteen specimens were sent by the subordinate staff
to the Sir Dinshaw Maneckji Petit Patho Bacteriological Laboratory at Parel
for diagnosis and 69 specimens to the museum.
N 32—6