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still until lately it has not been recognised. This has been brought forcibly to
my mind by reading an account of a meeting held at Marlborough House in
December last to further the objects of the Association for the Prevention of
Consumption and other forms of Tuberculosis. At this meeting, His Royal
Highness the Prince of Wales stated that Her Majesty the Queen had sanctioned
the destruction of 36 out of 50 dairy cows at her Home Farm because they had,
on being tested with Tuberculin, been found to be tuberculous. Of these 36,
thirty-four were classed as decidedly tuberculous and two were shown as doubt-
ful; in 35 cases tuberculous lesions were discovered on post-mortem examin-
ations, and I can therefore say nothing more in advocating the use of Tuber-
culin as a test; its efficacy is undeniable. In the 36th case, although no tuber-
culous lesions were discovered, still other disease was found which no doubt gave
rise to the reaction. This case demonstrates one of the possible sources of
error against which we have to guard, and for this reason I urge the necessity
of the appointment of more Veterinary officers for the investigation of cattle
disease, a subject which will be found dealt with elsewhere in this report.
647. If further evidence is required as to the importance of the subject,
I would quote the following evidence of the Royal Commission on the
subject:—
"The milk of cows with tuberculosis of the udder possesses a virulence which can be described as extra-
ordinary.
"No doubt the largest part of the Tuberculosis which man obtains through his food is by means of milk
containing tuberculous matter."
648. Referring to this subject, Veterinary Major Brodie-Mills, Principal,
Bombay Veterinary College, states:—
"It is a pity that the use of tuberculin is not more generally known than it is at present. As to its
value, one case that came under notice during the year is worthy of record. A cow was brought for inspection
with the following history. It had been purchased from a native dealer some weeks previously with a calf at
her foot. The milk she yielded was given to a European infant which brought on diarrhœa of a persistent
character. The calf also suffered from the same malady and died. On examining the cow, the udder was
distinctly tuberculous and the immediate discontinuance of the use of her milk was urged upon the infant's
mother, with the result that the diarrhœa from which it suffered soon ceased. The cow was now subjected to
two separate tuberculin tests, to both of which there was the distinctive reaction. The owner then consented to
the animal's destruction and the autopsy revealed not only in the udder but in the lungs the true characteris-
tics of tuberculosis. Many lives might be saved and much human misery averted by a judicious use of tuber-
culin, as it must not be forgotten that one of the most prolific sources for the propagation of tuberculosis is
through the medium of milk drawn from cows suffering from the disease.
" The cost per dose of tuberculin as a detective agent is so trifling that there would seem to be no great
bar to its introduction generally, but in the hands of a skilled agency."
CATTLE DISEASE AS REPORTED FROM VARIOUS PROVINCES,
North-Western
Provinces.
649. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North-Western
Provinces and Oudh, states: —
" According to reports submitted by District Authorities during the year, 70,107 cattle were affected with
disease in these Provinces. Of these 21, 421 are reported to have died. As only 37 districts, out of 48, have
sent in reports it will be seen that the numbers stated are really only a part of the numbers affected or died.
"The percentage of deaths this year was 30.05 against 33.86 last year, a decrease of between 3 and 4 per
cent. Last year, the numbers given were 43,186 affected and 14,624 died ; but as only 42 out of the 48 dis-
tricts sent in reports, the figures were also of little value.
"I would again draw attention to the very important question of appointing a separate officer and establish-
ment for dealing with cattle disease and cattle breeding. The late Director, J. S. Meston, Esq., C.S., in
submitting my annual report of last year to the Chief Secretary to Government, North-Western Provinces and
Oudh, makes the following remarks:—
"The Superintendent in his paragraph 42 urges the necessity of the appointment of a special officer and
establishment for dealing with cattle diseases and cattle breeding. From an agricultural point of view I
concur in every word he says on the subject. The additional duty that will be thrown on the Superintendent
by the new rules under the Glanders and Farcy Act forms another argument for giving him expert assistance
whenever financial considerations admit.'
"I would especially bring to the notice of Government the very great necessity for providing an officer to
supervise the subordinate veterinary staff in those districts which are not horse breeding centres and who
could devote his time and energies to deal exhaustively with that most important branch of vetarinary science
viz., the investigation of Cattle Diseases. With the enormous amount of work now imposed on the Superin-
tendent, it is absolutely out of the question for one European Officer to attempt to deal with this important
subject.
"Rinderpest was reported from 34 districts against 35 districts last year. 81,564 animals were affected
against 25,783 and 16,752 died against 13,101 last year. The percentage of deaths being 53.07 against 50.81
last year and 55.6 for 1896-97.
"Foot and Mouth disease.—Foot and mouth disease was reported from 35 districts against 29 districts
last year. The number of animals affected was 34,808 against 14,172 last year, and caused 2,336 deaths against
970 last year. The percentage of deaths being 6.71 against 6 84 last year and 8.7 for the year 1896-97.
"Anthrax.—Anthrax
was reported from 21 districts against 3 last year. Number of cattle affected was
3,084 against 185 last year. Number of deaths 1,977 against 122 last year. The percentage of deaths being
64 1 against 65.94 last year.