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issued that rules be drafted for its working there. Subsequently, however, steps in this direction were post-
poned, as it was considered that no separate action in regard to these districts was necessary, it having been
decided to extend the Act to the whole of the Presidency and to issue rules generally applicable to all the
districts."
431. On the working of Act XX of 1879 (Glanders and Farcy) Veterinary
Major Brodie-Mills states:—
"The law relating to glanders and farcy has been amended by Act XIII of 1899. The additional powers
now given to Inspectors under section 5 of the Act permits them "to enter and search any field, building or
other place for the purpose of ascertaining whether there is therein any horse which is diseased," and does away
with the limitations heretofore placed upon entry and search. The revised Act also provides for the use of
tests and isolation of horses subjected thereto, and for the recovery of the expense of detaining, isolating and
testing horses from owners or persons in charge. These new powers will, I feel sure, tend to facilitate the work-
ing of the Department, and, in time, to eradicate glanders from the city, a disease which but a few years back
was enzootic here."
These new powers were urgently required and will be the means of still im-
proving the work of the Inspectors.
432. On other questions connected with general sanitation, Veterinary
Major Brodie-Mills states:—
"It is satisfactory to report that steps are being taken by the Municipality on the recommendations made
by this Department through Government to improve the sanitary condition of the commission, livery and hack
carriage stables.
"I mentioned in my report for the year 1897-98 that the removal of stable refuse during the importing
season in the dealers' stables was not quick enough, and the practice of accumulating large quantities of it still
obtains to an extent in the native owners' stables.
"The question of the disinfection of railway horse-boxes, referred to in paragraph 6 of the Government of
India's Resolution No. 10-124—4, dated 7th June 1898, Revenue and Agricultural Department, to which my
attention was drawn in Government Resolution, Revenue Department, No. 4330, dated 1st July 1898, had.
received my attention as far back as 1892, i.e., when the department for the suppression of glanders was formed.
Both the Railway Companies here have always given effect to my recommendations in this direction."
433. Bombay may be said to be the only city possessing the organization
necessary to deal with glanders and farcy, and Veterinary Major Brodie-Mills
is to be congatulated for the success which has been obtained.
434. The Principal and his subordinate staff have done some useful work
in addition to that connected with glanders and farcy in endeavouring to pre-
vent the introduction of contagious diseases into this country. On this point
he states:—
"The most careful inspection of all shipments of horses from the Colonies have been carried out by me and
my staff with the view to detect the presence of ticks. None, however, were discovered in spite of the most
minute search being made. In a few cases, where there was some slight question of doubt, the microscope was
brought into use, but with negative results.
"The packing too closely together of horses in some of the steamers coming from the Persian Gulf is to be
condemned, and it is my intention to make thorough enquiries into the matter during the next importing season
with the view to bring pressure to bear on the Shipping Companies concerned, so as to mitigate this evil.
"An Act, the Live-stock Importation Act of 1898, has been passed with a view to deal more minutely and
specifically with animal diseases likely to be brought to this country from aboard.
"Under Government Resolution, Revenue Department, No. 4871, dated 27th July 1898, I was deputed to
form one of the members of the Committee, which assembled at Poona to draw up the draft rules under
section 4 of the Bill (Live-stock), which are now before Government for approval.
"The draft rules were circulated, under the orders of Government, to all the leading firms and others
interested in the horse trade of Bombay, and, practically speaking, they were accepted as they stood."
Surra in Bombay.
435. On this subject Veterinary Major Brodie-Mills states:—
"A serious outbreak of Surra took place at Bassein amongst the tonga ponies there. Out of 74 ponies in
the town, 42 were attacked and died from the disease, or 56 per cent. I visited Bassein and made an inspection
with the view of finding out the cause, a report of which was conveyed to Government in my letters Nos. 421-L.
and 427-L., dated 4th and 10th November 1898, respectively.
"Several cases of Surra occurred in the hack gharry stables at Bandra.
"The disease also prevailed in Bombay and makes its appearance annually."
INSPECTION OF DÂK LINES.
436. Most careful inspections are made of the Dâk Lines as far as the time
of the various Superintendents will admit.
Saharanpur-Raipur
Dak Line.
437. This line is a standing disgrace to any civilized community. Having
heard most adverse accounts of this line, I determined to inspect it myself, and
on completion of my inspection I addressed the Government of the North-
Western Provinces on the subject, pointing out that, with the exception of
Messrs. Smith Rodwell's ponies, not more than 20 per cent. of the ponies
belonging to the remaining four native licensed proprietors were suitable for
the work. The ponies are small, they do not possess sufficient weight for the
hard work expected of them, they are underfed and their use in dâk gharris is
an absolute act of cruelty.
438, The North-Western Provinces Government informed me that rules
were being prepared prescribing the description of ponies to be used in future