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8. Epizootics among cattle and more especially rinderpest and foot and
mouth disease may be frequently traced to infection from adjoining Native
States where there is little or no veterinary staff available. At present restric-
tion on movements of cattle appears to be impracticable. The department is
frequently applied to for assistance by Native States but it can be given rarely
as men cannot be spared. Government have sanctioned the deputation of men
when they can be spared under certain conditions which have been communi-
cated.
Equine contagious disease.
9. There was an increase in the number of deaths from glanders and
surra in horses in Bombay City in the year under report. No cases from
glanders were detected in the districts of the Presidency and the deaths from
surra showed a slight decrease. No cases of dourine or anthrax were reported
among equines. One case of epizootic lymphangitis was reported from Bom-
bay City. An outbreak of strangles appeared among the animals employed
on the Talod-Modása dák line in the Ahmedabad district, but the number of
deaths was not reported. The rules for dealing with disease scheduled under
the Glanders and Farcy Act are being revised.
Bovine contagious disease.
10. Rinderpest.—As already stated there was an increase in the number
of deaths from this disease. 16,560 animals were attacked, of which 6,833 died
against 4,644 attacks and 2,103 deaths in the previous year. The rate of
mortality, viz. 41 per cent., was remarkably small. Sátára was the only
district that escaped. It was particularly wide spread in the Ahmednagar,
Dhárwár, Kolába and Thána districts.
11. Foot and mouth disease was reported from every district except
Ahmedabad 7,348 animals being attacked against 12,293 in the previous year.
Only 99 deaths were reported.
12. Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia appeared in all districts except East
Khándesh and the City of Bombay. The number of deaths was 1,494 out of
1,969 attacked against 1,008 deaths in the previous year. The diagnosis was
confirmed by microscopical examination in 83 outbreaks out of 199 attended.
In many cases the disease had disappeared before the arrival of the Veterinary
Assistant
13. Black quarter was reported from 8 districts and 32 outbreaks
were attended. There were 193 deaths against 167 in the previous year.
14. Anthrax caused 584 deaths in 11 districts. 32 outbreaks were
attended and the diagnosis was confirmed in 14.
Contagious disease in other animals.
15. Fifteen deaths were reported in sheep from contagious pleuro-
pneumonia in the Kaira district. 74 cases of rabies were reported by
Veterinary Assistants. In 27 instances brains were sent to the Bombay
Bacteriological Laboratory at the request of the owners.
Preventive measures.
16. In order to deal with serious outbreaks of disease more promptly
and effectively arrangements for the formation of "emergency corps" have
been made. An " emergency corps" is formed by a Veterinary Inspector
from the reserve men under training in his division without reference to
the head office. With a sufficient number of assistants to work under his
immediate orders a Veterinary Inspector is able to undertake inoculation and
other necessary work with a large prospect of success provided that he gets the
necessary help and sympathy from the people themselves. Good results have
already resulted from the adoption of this system but the department is
handicapped at present by paucity of reserve staff. It is hoped that in course
of time the system may be developed to meet all emergencies. One of the
many points in favour of it is its educative value to the people and the
veterinary staff.