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611. One of the principal factors in disseminating rabic virus is the
jackal. Many of the village dogs (pariahs) have a strong cross of the jackal.
It is impossible to accurately assert, but there can be little doubt that a very
large number of persons are annually bitten by rabid jackals. In one village
containing only a few houses, it is reported that two mad jackals were killed,
but not before they had attacked and bitten several people, and it is further
stated that Hydrophobia is not an uncommon disease in many neighbouring
villages.
612. This dreaded disease is much more prevalent than many suppose,
and this will be seen by a few extracts from reports which are here given.
613. The Principal of the Lahore Veterinary College reports that no less
than 42 cases of rabies were admitted into the canine hospital during the year
ending 31st January 1899. This for one town seems a very large number, but
it is impossible to state how many others may have been bitten and will be an
ever present source of danger.
614. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Bombay, states:—
The statistics with regard to cases of rabies amongst animals are not. as reliable as they should be, as many
isolated cases in all probability are never reported. The number of reported cases of all animals affected by
rabies is 87 during the past year. There was only one case reported among wild animals and this was a jackal.
The district of Thana gave the highest number, viz., 58.
615. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Burma, states:—
During the past year I have only met two cases of rabies, both in dogs belonging to Europeans.
Again, he reports that a Circular was distributed to the Veterinary Assist-
ants in that Province, and from 36 of these, replies from various parts have
been received reporting 63 cases, but he remarks that this number must only
be considered to be approximate. As no records are kept, it is impossible to
express an opinion as to whether or no the disease is on the increase.
616. The Principal, Bombay Veterinary College, states:—
I forward statistics for the last ten years of the cases of rabies admitted in the hospital here, from which it
will be seen that the admissions during the year 1898 show an increase of six as compared with the previous
year.
617. Commencing from 1889 consecutively to 1898, we have the follow-
ing figures, respectively, 2, 8, 2, 11, 9, 20, 13, 15, 15 and 21. It will be seen
that since 1894 the numbers have largely increased.
618. The increase in the number of cases of rabies in the Lahore Veteri-
nary College since 1892 is very notable, particularly during the past two years.
Commencing from 1892 to 1898, we have 18, 10, 14, 13, 9, 29, 40, respectively,
and this alone will prove the necessity for doing something towards the stamp-
ing out of the dreaded scourge as far as possible. The Principal states:—
That no less than 40 cases of rabies have been disposed of during the year. Most of these came into
hospital during the cold weather. Many other cases have occurred in Lahore, and at one time the disease was
so common that it was deemed advisable to warn the public of its prevalence through the medium of the press.
619. The above will give a fair idea of the prevalence of rabies, but it is
only a sample of the reports received by this Office. Isolated cases, in-
numerable, are reported from all parts of India, affecting horses, cattle, buffaloes
and dogs, and it is surely time now that some steps should be taken to prevent
the pariah, as far as possible, becoming a source of danger.
620. A memorandum as to the conditions which have been prescribed, in
order to prevent the introduction of rabies, has been drawn up by the Board of
Agriculture in England, and these have been promulgated in India General
orders. The conditions imposed are extremely stringent and should be care-
fully studied by owners before taking dogs home to England. But these have
no bearing on our case, and it remains for the Government of India to promul-
gate such instructions as may be deemed adequate to prevent the spread of
rabies in this country. That there will be innumerable difficulties to face is
certain, but nobody will deny that the destruction of thousands of wretched,
mangy, hungry and homeless pariahs will be attended with much benefit to
the community at large, and do away with an important source of danger, both
to animals and human beings.
Warbles.
621. This subject was opened by a communication from Messrs. Cooper,
Allen & Co. of Cawnpore, to the Secretary to the Government of India,
Military Department. In this it was complained that some of the best hides
obtained for army equipment purposes from certain stations in the Punjab
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