148
"Except for comparative purposes, these statistics are, I fear, of no great value ; but from a careful
analysis and study of the figures for a series of years, much might be learnt of the greatest value for the
purpose of the bacteriological survey. The statistics will, I believe, show clearly that in the Carnatic Binder-
pest is most fatal during the later months of the year, whilst in the Deccan it is during the hotter months that
outbreaks chiefly occur.
"During the year under report Rinderpest was much less fatal than in the two previous years. South
Arcot, Kistna and Ganjam reported the largest number of deaths from this disease, but, if the deaths attributed
to Diarrhœa and Dysentery be included the number of deaths in Kistna far exceeded those in any other district,
but to the districts already mentioned Kurnool, Cuddapah, Nellore, North Arcot and Tinuevelly should be added.
It is worthy of mention that an examination of the statistics for the last mentioned district clearly showed
the rise and progress of the outbreak, which the Stock Inspector's subsequent local inquiries only served to fill
in details for. Taking the diseases above specified together, the losses were least numerous during the second
quarter of the year, from July to September, and most severe from October to December, and during the last
three months of the year showed a very material decrease as compared with the mortality reported during the
corresponding months of 1898. In the case of anthrax, malignant sore-throat and black-quarter, by far the
heaviest losses were reported from July to September, with a marked decrease later on. The largest number of
deaths reported from these diseases appear against Godavari, Kistna and Ganjam in the north and against
Tanjore, South Arcot, Chingleput and Tinnevelly in the southern half of the Presidency. It may be doubted,
however, whether the diagnosis is at all reliable. Foot-and-mouth disease is not often fatal and the report of
3,725 deaths from the disease indicates very considerable outbreaks. Ganjam, South Arcot, Tinnevelly and the
two northern deltaic districts reported the largest number of deaths, and more than half of them occurred during
the second-half of the year and nearly one-third between October and December.
" To other unspecified diseases 38,770 deaths amongst cattle were attributed; more than half between July
and December. The districts reporting the greatest numbers being Nellore, Anantapur, South Arcot and Goda-
vari. Taken altogether, the mortality from disease in Government and minor inam villages showed a marked
decrease on the two preceding years, and was less during the last three months of the year than it had been in
either of the previous quarters. Bearing in mind the comparative areas to which these statistics relate, the
districts which suffered most are Ganjam, Kistna, Nellore and South Arcot; whilst Salem, Coimbatore and the
two West Coast districts show only small losses. The manner in which Coiurbatore seems to escape from
epizootics is well worthy of note.
"In regard to the other causes from which deaths amongst cattle are recorded, it is sufficient to note that
South Canara reports more than one-third and Malabar nearly one-fifth of the deaths caused by wild animals
and that of the 49 deaths put down to criminal poisoning, 23 were reported from Kumool."
662. Reports reach this Department too late to be incorporated in the
Administration Report for the year to which they refer, but as bearing generally
on the question of cattle disease and mortality generally in India, I feel com-
pelled to give the following extract from the annual report of the Director
of Land Records and Agriculture, Assam, for the year 1897-98:—
"The statement below shows the number of deaths of cattle reported from the several districts of the pro-
ince during the past two years, and the causes to which they are attributed :—
1
District.
Cachar .
Sylhet .
Goalpara .
Kamrup .
Darrang .
Nowgong .
Sibsagar .
Lakhimpur.
Naga Hills*
Khasi and
Jaintia
Hills†
.
Garo Hills‡
TOTAL .
2
Rinderpest.
1896-07.
...
9.413
2,139
1,401
2,324
133
354
200
...
...
...
15,964
1897-98.
163
6,743
7,487
6,717
2,907
720
3,476
34,684
...
...
...
60,986
3
Foot-and-
mouth
disease.
1996-97.
177
2,251
3,097
8,015
1,912
1,947
1,639
296
...
20
...
18,754
1897-98.
198
2,440
6,181
14,788
2,933
4,325
3,422
213
...
30
...
34,530
4
Swelling
of mouth
and throat.
1896-97.
207
6,403
1,547
2,596
688
722
543
285
...
...
12,891
1897-98.
693
6,178
4,386
18,009
432
813
1,213
2,296
...
...
34,010
5
Diarrhœa,
dysentery,
and
cholera.
1896-97.
390
7,785
1,848
7,772
1,216
2,857
1,766
499
...
3
...
24,136
1897-98.
952
4,729
3,824
24,341
4,907
2,579
6,742
646
...
38
...
48,819
6
Anthrax.
1696-97.
7
112
492
163
28
...
162
...
...
...
...
961
1897-98.
1
27
...
...
58
...
108
81
...
...
...
275
7
Catarrh.
1896 97.
40
614
1,092
...
102
...
99
...
...
...
...
1,847
1897-98.
1
998
2,669
...
118
...
108
...
...
...
...
3,894
8
Other
diseases.
1896-97.
123
8,208
22,832
6,035
1,87 2
2,389
4,114
4,199
...
...
...
49,772
1897-98,
65
11,593
35,704
15,400
2,330
4.2S4
4,894
2,772
...
...
...
77,048
9
Total.
1896-97.
944
34,686
33,047
24,982
8,042
8,048
8,077
5,479
...
23
...
1,23,328
1897-98.
2,073
31,708
60,250
78,256
13,841
12 721
19,962
40,692
...
68
...
12,59,570
10
Estimated
value of
cattle.
1898-97.
Rs.
18,080
2,95,787
2,88,147
1,91,321
62,988
72,432
87,266
68,270
...
320
...
10,74,611
1897-98.
Rs.
39,664
3,03,683
4,29,024
9,93,255
1,03,042
1,01,768
2,47,921
4,06,920
...
1,198
...
22,26,478
* The Deputy Commissioner is unable to furnish statistics.
† Statist ies are available for Jowai sub-division only.
‡ Information not available.
" The total number of deaths reported during the year was considerably more than in the preceding year.
There was a notable increase of mortality in every district except Sylhet, the highest increase being in Lakhim-
pur, where the North Lakhimpur sub-division suffered severely from a disease which seems to be rinderpest. A
proposal has been made in this district by the sudder Local Board to entertain a veterinary surgeon in view of
the heavy mortality recently among cattle."