20
Four thousand and seventy-four deaths from epidemic disease were reported
against 4,050 in the previous year.
Equine opidemic disease.—
Table II.
6. One hundred and forty-four equines are reported to have died from
epidemic disease during the year. Last year 44
deaths only were reported. The increase is due to
Surra.
Glanders occurred in the City of Bombay, where there were 13 cases dealt
with under the Act. No cases were reported elsewhere in the Presidency
proper.
Surra appeared in the City of Bombay and in the Kolába and Thána districts;
127 deaths were reported some of which were destructions under the Act, which
is applicable to these areas.
Anthrax in equines was reported by the Military authorities of the Poona
Division.
Dourine.—No cases were detected and the Presidency proper may be
regarded as free from this disease.
Other contagious disease.—A case of Epizootic Lymphangitis was reported
from Bombay City. It was destroyed under the Act.
Bovine epidemie disease.—
Table II.
Preventive inoculation.—
Table III.
7. Rinderpast was reported from Bombay and every district in the Presi-
dency proper except Sátára, Bijápur and Broach ; 4,644
animals were attacked of which 2,103 died—a slight
decrease on the previous year. The rate of mortality
was normal; 201 outbreaks were attended by the veterinary staff and preventive
inoculation was carried out in 72.
12,405 animals
were inoculated of which 47 died after inoculation.
824 uninoculated contact animals died of the disease.
It is much to be regretted that the work of inoculation against rinderpest
suffered owing to the failure of the supply of serum from the Muktesar Labora-
tory. None could be obtained for a period of about 6 months.
Foot and Mouth Disease occurred in all the districts and the number of
animals attacked numbered 12,293. The mortality from this disease was 153.
Most of the outbreaks were attended by the veterinary staff and suitable treat-
ment prescribed.
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia appeared in all the districts except West and
East Khándesh, Násik, Sátára and the Island of Bombay. There were 1,00S
deaths—a slight increase over last year. Kaira and Belgaum districts were the
most affected. 205 outbreaks were attended and in 58 the diagnosis was confirm-
ed at the Veterinary College Laboratory. No inoculations or vaccinations
were performed against this disease. It is difficult to deal with owing to the
rapidity of its course. It is proposed to locate the areas most affected in future
with a view to more effective preventive measures being adopted.
Black Quarter was reported from nine districts, viz., Násik, Ahmednagar,
Poona, Sholápur, Sátára, Belgaum, Ratnágiri, Thána and Kaira, but the
mortality was not severe. This disease is sometimes confused with Hæmorr-
hagic Septicæmia. 30 outbreaks were attended and in 7. the diagnosis was
confirmed by bacteriological examination. It is necessary to study its epide-
miology in order that preventive vaccination may be undertaken in places where
it is prevalent, if feasible.
Anthrax occurred in the Násik, Ahmednagar, Poona, Sholápur, Belgaum,
Dhárwár, Kánara, Ratnágiri, Kolába and Thána districts and caused 495 deaths
against 674 deaths last year. The Veterinary Assistants visited 30 outbreaks
and in most cases material for examination was sent to the Bombay Veterinary
College. Only 7 were found to be positive. It is probable that errors in
diagnosis in this disease are not infrequent.
Epidemic disease (others).
—Table II.
8. Epidemic disease in others than equines and bovines was not reported.
The economic importance of sheep and goats should,
not be neglected and the necessity of reporting disease
in flocks might be brought to the notice of the respon-
sible officers.