145
" Other diseases.—Six hundred and fifty one cattle were reported as affected with "Other Diseases"
against 3,046 last year and 3,724 in 1896-97. Three hundred and fifty six died against 431 last year, giving
a death percentage of 54.63 against 14.14 last year and 56.3 for 1896-97. This decrease in the number under
'other diseases' is I consider most satisfactory as it points to more careful and correct diagnosis of the various
classes of diseases.
"From the above it will be seen that the number of cattle affected with disease was more this year by
26,921 and the number of deaths 6,797 more. The increase in each disease is as detailed below:—
Name of disease.
" Rindsrpest . . . . . .
" Foot and mouth . . . . .
" Anthrax . . . . . .
Increase in No. of
attacks.
5,781
20,636
2,899
Increase in No. of
deaths.
3,051
1,366
1,855
"Twenty one thousand four hundred and twenty one animals died in the 37 districts from which reports
have been received, if the same proportion of deaths occurred in those 11 districts which have not submitted
returns we have the enormous number of 27,789 deaths from disease during the year. Putting the value of
the stock at an average of twelve rupees a head, this means a loss of Rs. 3,33, 468 (nearly 3½ lakhs) to the
Agriculturists of these Provinces for the past year. This I think clearly points to the necessity for the appoint-
ment of a separate officer to deal with cattle diseases."
650. It is to be regretted that reports are not available from all districts
but the number from which returns are received seem to show how great the
mortality has been amongst cattle. For some years past I have shown the
necessity for the appointment of a Veterinary Officer whose duties would be
solely dealing with cattle diseases. A scheme is now being drawn up in the
Punjab for the appointment of such an officer, and when it is worked out I
trust that the North-Western Provinces Government will take the question
up. The good work which could be performed by a properly organized Subor-
dinate Veterinary Staff under a Veterinary Officer would be valuable out of
all proportion to the cost entailed.
Punjab
Northern Circle.
651. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North Punjab,
states:—
"My time has been so fully occupied again with horse and mule breeding operations that I have had
absolutely none to devote to this branch.
Information collected.
"Vide Table M for detail showing numbers of bead attacked and died with
the percentage of death rates.
Outbreaks during the year. "1,384 deaths are shown from Rinderpest out of a total of 2,512 attacked.
Gujranwala and Hazara are responsible for the largest
numbers, nearly half of the deaths having occurred in
those two districts. Sialkot reports only 4. These figures are quite insignificant taking the enormous
number of cattle in my Circle.
Rinderpest.
"The total number of deaths from these diseases is shown to be only 2,008. I consider that this is
absolutely unreliable, as it would represent roughly 2 deaths
per annum per thousand, supposing there was only one million
head in my Circle.
Anthrax, Foot and Mouth, Pleuro Pneumonia and Charbou.
Other diseases.
"1,104 deaths are shown as having occurred out of 12,925
attacked-about 7 deaths per district per month.
"Treatment has been carried on by District Board Salutris. The instituting of Veterinary Dispensaries is
about the only method to get the people to understand the advantages to be gained by adopting our remedies
in treating animals, and until every Tehsil has at least one Veterinary Dispensary, we shall be handicapped
and make little or no progress in teaching the people the best ways to treat their sick animals."
Punjab
Southern Circle.
652. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, South Punjab,
states: —
Information collected. " Reports on cattle diseases have been received from the office of Director of
Land Records and Agriculture. Punjab, monthly ; the Police Authorities, weekly; and District Veterinary
Assistants and Salutris, through the Deputy Commissioners, monthly.
Outbreaks during the year. " Details showing districts where outbreaks of cattle diseases have occurred
during the year are in Table M.
Rinderpest.
" This disease has been reported by the. Deputy Commissioners (as shown in Table M.) from
every district excepting Multau, Dera Ghazi Khan, Amritsar and Hissar.
"As in previous years the greatest number of cases was reported from the Kangra district, although the
number has considerably decreased this year as 1,0-10 to 2,193. Whether this is to be attributed : —
" (a) to the work done by Veterinary Assistants,
" (b) to favourable climatic influences, or
"(c) to the disease having been prevalent so long in this district, many animals having acquired a cer-
tain immunity,
"I am not prepared to say.
" A serious outbreak occurred in Gurgaon and Delhi districts resulting in a high percentage of deaths.
I personally investigated this outbreak which I found to have been very sudden in its onslaught, attacking
a large number of animals and many villages in a short space of time. At the time I was much impressed
travelling, as I was with the one and only local Veterinary Assistant, with the little help that could be
afforded in the way of assistance to owners of cattle. Isolation was out of the question, treatment was
attempted as far as practicable, and advice given.
T