22
Influenza.—An outbreak of this disease occurred among the horses of the
Mounted Police in Bombay and also in the locality of Byculla, but reliable
statistics are not available. Outbreaks also occurred among the horses of the
Military Department at Kirkee and elsewhere.
Anthrax.—Outbreaks were reported from 7 districts, viz., Násik, Belgaum,
Bijápur, Dhárwár, Ratnágiri, Kolába, and Panch Maháls. There were 417
attacks and 238 deaths as against 292 attacks and 235 deaths last year.
Black Quarter occurred in 12 districts, viz., West Khándesh, East Khándesh,
Násik, Ahmednagar, Poona, Sholápur, Sátára, Dhárwár, Kánara, Ratnágiri,
Broach and Ahmedabad. There were 679 attacks and 444 deaths as against
1,245 attacks and 866 deaths last year.
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia.—This disease occurred in 13 districts, viz.,
Kaira, Ahmednagar, Poona, Sholápur, Sátára, Belgaum, Bijápur, Dhárwár,
Ratnágiri, Thána, Surat, Panch Mahals and Ahmedabad. There were 3,229
attacks and 2,660 deaths, as against 1,695 attacks and 1,464 deaths last year.
The Kaira district was more severely affected than elsewhere, as last year,
there being 2,099 attacks and 1,747 deaths.
Piroplasmosis.—An outbreak of this disease occurred among the cattle of
the vaccine dep6t at Belgaum.
Foot and Mouth disease occurred in 10 districts, viz., West Khándesh,
Násik, Ahmednagar, Poona, Sátára, Ratnágiri, Kolaba, Thána, Kaira, Panch
Mahals, and the City of Bombay. There were 4,338 attacks and 137 deaths as
against 1,115 attacks and 72 deaths last year.
Rinderpest.—This disease was reported in all the districts of the Presi-
dency (except Sholápur) as well as the City of Bombay. There were 9,075
attacks and 4,825 deaths as against 41,598 attacks and 19,413 deaths last year
and 50,144 attacks and 25,416 deaths in 1906-07. The following are some of
the worst affected districts:—Kánara 1,427 attacks and 846 deaths; Broach
1,267 attacks and 582 deaths; Bijápur 814 attacks and 407 deaths, Dhárwár 702
attacks and 318 deaths; Ahmedabad 686 attacks and 262 deaths; Kaira 680
attacks and 216 deaths, Thána 569 attacks and 434 deaths, Kolába 567 attacks
and 394 deaths; Belgaum 531 attacks and 297 deaths.
Rabies,—This disease is not regularly reported and statistics are not
available. However, 77 cases in dogs, one case in horse, and one in cow came
under notice.
Variola Ovina.—An outbreak of this disease occurred in Kaira but
statistics are not available.
8. The year 1908-09 shows a considerable decrease in the mortality from
contagious disease among cattle, chiefly owing to the severe outbreak of rinder-
pest which was prevalent during the two preceding years having died out to a
considerable extent. There is however a considerable increase in mortality from
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia, and Foot and Mouth disease has been more prevalent.
The increase and spread of Surra among equines is noticeable.
9. The accuracy of diagnosis of the various diseases recorded is often
untrustworthy and Black Quarter, Hæmorrhagie Septicæmia, and Anthrax are
often confused. It has been found during the year impossible to obtain
material from many outbreaks of these diseases for diagnostic purposes, and
although Veterinary Assistants have been repeatedly ordered to forward material
in all cases, they have not done so. This is partly on account of the length of
time information of an outbreak takes to filter through to the Veterinary
Assistant and also partly to the Veterinary Assistants' neglect.
10. The accuracy of the reported numbers of animals affected is also far
from satisfactory, although some improvement has taken place in this direction
in recent years. The number of deaths from Surra in reality far exceeds those
noted, and cases of contagious animal disease of all kinds are much more
numerous and the losses more severe than generally supposed.
11. The method known as the " Serum alone method " has been employed
to combat rinderpest, but has not met with any marked success in preventing*
the spread of or limiting the mortality from the disease. This is not due to
inefficiency of the material itself but chiefly to the fact that for the successful
use of this method all the animals in and around an affected place should be