12
Simultaneous—virulent
blood and serum.
Cows
... ...
Heifers ...
Bulls
...
...
Bullocks ...
Total ...
132
77
1
8
218
ventive inoculation in the field in this Presidency, it would be wiser to allow
Veterinary Major Hagger, who had carried out experiments in the North, to
commence the process at Ahmedabad. This arrangement was concluded, and
after considerable delay owing to the serum from Muktesar being forwarded by
the railway authorities to Allahabad instead of Ahmedabad and the inability of
Veterinary Major Hagger owing to other duties to
come to Ahmedabad during the time rinderpest was
actually present, nothing was done until 27th April,
when the marginally noted animals were inoculated.
Slight re-action took place in a few cases only, as evid-
enced by the following symptoms:—rise of temperature,
slight running from the eyes and nose and decrease of
milk in the milch-cattle for two or three days.
42. Owing to the great difficulty experienced in obtaining virulent blood,
as no case of rinderpest existed at the time in any of the Government camps, it
was only possible to inoculate the above number with the simultaneous method;
the blood used for this purpose was obtained from the Pinjrápol by the aid of
the late Mr. Manibhai, the head of the Jain community, who are much opposed
to the process. Time and the advantages to be derived from inoculation will no
doubt soon allay all opposition in this district.
Cows ...
Heifers ...
Calves ...
Bulls ...
Bullocks ...
... ...
...
...
... ...
...
...
...
...
Total
... 111
...
14
...
55
... 8
... 2
... 185
43. The marginally noted animals were
inoculated with serum only. Beyond slight
swelling at the point of inoculation no sys-
temic disturbance was noticeable.
44. No conclusions can yet be drawn from the experiments, but as all the
animals are the property of Government and will probably remain so until
September or October, they have been placed in charge of a thoroughly skilled
Veterinary Graduate with strict orders to report at once, should any disease
break out amongst them.
45. The Acting Superintendent also inoculated 80 animals in this camp
with defibrinated blood obtained from two salted animals which he took up with
him, but was unable to do more, as he had not sufficient material at hand.
There was no rinderpest present during the time he inoculated, and none of the
animals left in the camp which he operated upon contracted the disease. I do
not think it is necessary to discuss this process, as it is, for many reasons, both
dangerous and inapplicable to this country.
46. Owing to the prevalence of rinderpest amongst the large number of
bullocks belonging to the Bombay Municipality 1 have, in consultation with
the Municipal Commissioner, arranged to inoculate them. It is proposed that
all these animals be inoculated, branded and a very careful register kept.
This experiment will prove most valuable, in that these animals are kept for,
years, are under strict veterinary supervision, and any doubt as to the exact
period of immunity conferred by the simultaneous process will to a great extent
be decided.
47. Arrangements for carrying out preventive inoculation are now com-
plete in this Presidency, and every effort will be made to thoroughly test the
process, and I trust that considerable progress will be made during the year.
IV—CATTLE-BREEDING, INCLUDING CATTLE PAIRS AND SHOWS,
Cattle-breeding.
48. In continuation of the Acting Superintendent's remarks last year the
circular issued to all Collectors asking them to assist, through the medium of the
Local Boards, to try and improve the breeds of cattle in this Presidency, has not
met with the success that I anticipated. The following is a short summary of
the replies received:—