147
Veterinary Department, that officer stated that no such report had reached him.
This led me to enquire what orders on the subject were in existence for the pro-
per reporting of cattle disease in Balucbistan. Finding that no system was in
force, I requested that the matter might be referred to the Agent to the Govern-
or General, and I am pleased to be able to state that District Officers have now
received orders that on the appearance of any contagious or infectious disease
among cattle in their jurisdiction, they should lose no time in placing them-
selves in direct communication with the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, Baluchistan and Sind, with a view to the adoption of such preven-
tive measures as may be considered advisable.
658. Veterinary Captain Maxwell who is Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, of both Baluchistan and Sind, is mainly occupied with the develop-
ment of horse and mule breeding in these Provinces, but on the transfer of Sind,
which took place on 1st April 1898, the Bombay Government considered that
it would be advisable that he should assume charge of all Civil duties in this
Province. He has therefore done so under the orders of the Commissioner in
Sind, and the Director of Land Records and Agriculture, Bombay.
659. I found on enquiry that all that had hitherto been done with refer-
ence to cattle, their diseases, etc., by the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, Bombay, whilst in charge of the Civil Veterinary Department
duties in Sind, was to inspect the various Dispensaries when on tour.
660. I have therefore addressed Veterinary Captain Maxwell on the subject
pointing out to him that the Veterinary Officer in charge of a Province should
be the professional adviser of District Officers in all matters connected with the
improvement of cattle, and with the suppression of disease. I have laid down
for him special lines showing in what way he might best advance the interests
of the agriculturists. They are:—
(1)—"Cattle disease investigation and prevention, together with information collected, outbreaks during
the year, etc., and in this connection I might note that there appears to me great scope for
original research.
(2)—" Cattle breeding including Cattle Fairs and Shows.—You should ascertain what Fairs or
markets are held and should attend as many as possible in order to make yourself acquainted with
the different breeds of cattle in the Province.
(3)—" Veterinary Dispensaries.—The more you can induce District Officers to extend these useful insti-
tutions the more benefit will the ryots derive provided efficient supervision is exercised."
and I trust that as soon as he has placed horse and mule breeding in Sind on a
satisfactory basis, he will turn his attention to the welfare of the cattle in that
Province.
Madras.
661. Mr. Benson, Deputy Director of Land Records and Agriculture, has
kindly furnished the following information regarding the prevalence of cattle
disease in that Presidency during the past year. Mr. Benson has been in charge
of the Office of Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, since 30th Jan-
uary 1899, and will continue to hold charge until Veterinary Lieutenant Holmes
joins on 1st July.
"Cattle mortality.—As usual reviews of the mortality reported to have occurred amongst cattle and horses
have been submitted every three months and in them some endeavour has been made to utilise these statistics.
In the following statement a comparative abstract of the total deaths reported amongst cattle from disease, and
other special causes is given ;
Causes of death.
Diseases.
Rinderpest . . . . . . . .
Diarrhoea and Dysentery . . . . . .
Anthrax . . . . . . . .
Malignant sore-throat . . . . . .
Black-quarter . . . . . . . .
Epizootic aphtha . . . . . . .
Variola . . . . . . . . .
Others . . . . . . . . .
TOTAL .
Other Causes.
Snake-bite . . . . . . . .
Wild animals . . . . . . . .
Criminal poisoning
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
TOTAL .
GRAND TOTAL .
1891-95.
13,123
9,582
15,258
7,252
1,781
35,221
82,217
2,491
10,414
32
12,937
95,154
1895-96.
21,216
10,743
17,058
3,379
2,020
35,677
90,102
2,524
10,293
21
12,838
102,940
1896-97.
42,749
17,241
21,429
2,596
3,963
34,748
122,726
1,911
9,209
19
11,199
133,925
1897-93.
31,616
20,749
20,965
4,233
43,453
121,046
2,124
9,614
22
11,760
132,806
1898-99.
21,739
20,853
17,318
3,873
1,170
3,725
38,770
107,448
2,056
11,370
49
13,475
120,923
T 2