146
"It is in these outbreaks that an organized subordinate Veterinary staff is needed so that any time a
call can be made for the temporary service of Veterinary Assistants from other districts, the whole working
under a Superintendent who could devote his whole time to the suppression of each outbreak as it occurs.
"In the whole of my Circle there has been 3,915 cases reported as against 5,125 a decrease of 1,210
cases. I have no reason to doubt these figures which certainly point to some favourable influence having been
at work this year, but with my short experience of the Punjab I could not commit myself to an explanation.
Anthrax. "This disease was reported by the Deputy Commissioners from every district but Rohtak,
Gurgaon, Delhi, Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzafargarh and Montgomery. The greatest number of cases occurred,
respectively, in the Kurnal, Amritsar, Kangra, Jullunder and Umballa districts.
"There was a greater number of cases this year than last, but fewer than the year before that.
"As usual, the percentage of deaths was very high. The only hope of combating this disease is by
educating the owners of cattle as to its contagious nature, when they should see the advantage to themselves
of adopting precautionary measures against its spread.
Foot and Mouth disease. " This disease has been very prevalent, no district having escaped free. In
all, 35,958 cases have been reported ; in Kangra alone 20,902 cases occurred, next comes Ludhiana with 3,135,
Ferozepore with 2,266, Muzafargarh with 1,906, Amritsar 1,501. Hoshiarpur 1,190, Umballa 1,127 and Kurnal
with 1,065 cases.
"It has apparently taken a very mild form; although so contagious, the percentage of deaths given is
1.10.
Pleuro-Pneumonia.
" Only 46 cases reported as compared with 62 during the previous year. Most of
the cases occurred in the Kurnal and Hissar districts. Although reported as pleuro-pneumonia I very much
doubt if it was the contagious form of this disease, otherwise more cases would have occurred considering its
very contagious nature.
Charbon Symptomatique. " 12 cases of this disease (each resulting in death) was reported, of these, 9
cases occurred in the Ludhiana district and 3 in the Kurnal district.
Other diseases. " The total number of cases under this head show a decrease of 2,463 on the previous
year, with the low percentage of 3.37 of deaths.
Total number attacked. " The total number attacked, including all diseases, is reported to have been
54,802 with 4,596 deaths, a percentage of deaths from all causes of 8.36.
Treatment. " Treatment was carried out by itinerant Veterinary Assistants and Salutris and in Veteri-
nary Dispensaries in charge of Veterinary Assistants."
653. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Baluchistan and
Sind, states:—
" No Veterinary Assistants have as yet been employed in the Agency paid from District Funds, hence no
returns referring to investigations and prevention of cattle diseases are prepared.
" The scheme for the appointment of District Salutris for investigations and prevention of cattle diseases
is before the Government of India, and if their entertainment is sanctioned, I hope I shall in future be able to
furnish information under these heads."
654. In Baluchistan the number of cattle is very limited, but excellent
cattle are to be found in the Nari tract of Kachhi.
655. In Sind we find the following diseases to have been prevalent:—
Information collected.—" Reports were received, in the prescribed form, from all districts. The total number
of attacks from various diseases amounted to 4,013 against 4,653 last year, of which 384 or 9.56 per cent. proved
fatal, i.e,. showing a satisfactory decrease of 640 cases over last year, in the numbers attacked, There is also
a considerable decrease in the number of deaths, viz., the percentage of deaths this year is 9.56 against 69.80 last
year.
Rinderpest.—" This disease was prevalent in Karachi and Hyderabad district, being more serious in Hyder-
abad than in Karachi. The total number of attacks and deaths in both the above districts was as follows:—
From the details given below, it appears that the disease was not more serious this year than last:—
District.
Karachi . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hyderabad . . . . . . . . . . .
Shikarpur . . . . . . . . . . .
Upper Sind Frontier . . . . . . . . . .
Attacks.
1898-99.
1897-98.
78
250
...
...
209
...
1,657
2,787
Deaths.
1898-99.
38
112
...
...
1897-98.
86
...
1,143
2,010
Anthrax.—" This disease was prevalent in the Hyderabad district only. Nineteen animals were attacked,
nine of which died.
Foot and Mouth disease.—" Prevailed in the two districts of the Province, viz., Karachi and Hyderabad.
The total number of animals attacked was 115, of which only two or 1.74 died.
Other diseases.—" The total number of attacks this year was 3,551 and deaths 213, showing a percentage
of 5.99."
656. On the transfer of horse and mule breeding in Sind from the Local
Government to Imperial control, the question was raised whether Veterinary
Captain Maxwell was to assume charge of all civil duties in that Province; it
was decided that he was to do so, but as this decision was only arrived at late
in the year, he could do but little.
Reports of Cattle
disease in Baluchis-
tan and Sind.
657. An outbreak of disease was reported in his Diary by the Political
Agent, Zhob, but on the matter being referred to the Superintendent, Civil