145
of the Punjab. This Survey has been arranged under several heads, such as qua-
lity of cattle in each tehsil of the district, the class of bulls at present with the
herds, the desirability of re-organizing the present system of cattle-breeding, the
localities in which certain contagious diseases are prevalent, the system of medical
treatment adopted in each district, and the collection of such other information as
is thought to bear on this important subject. It is again to be regretted that simi-
lar information has not been collected concerning the districts of other Provinces,
and it is hoped that more Officers will be appointed so that this important work
will be no longer delayed.
CATTLE DISEASE AS REPORTED FROM VARIOUS PROVINCES.
North-Western
Provinces and
Oudh.
832. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North-Western
Provinces and Oudh, states:—
According to reports submitted by District Authorities during the year, 43,186 cattle were affected with dis-
ease in these Provinces. Of these 14,624 are reported to have died. As only 42 districts have sent reports out of 48
it will be seen that the numbers stated are really only a part of the actual number affected, or died.
The percentage of deaths this year was 33.86 against 31.9 last year. Last
year the numbers given were 75,017 affected, and 25,941 died, but as only 37
districts out of 48 sent in reports, these figures were also of little value.
833. It is greatly to be regretted that the question of appointing a separate
Officer and establishment for dealing with cattle diseases and cattle-breeding has
been so long deferred. This subject is one of the very greatest importance both
from a Military and Civil point of view. The Civil Veterinary Department is
greatly handicapped by the insufficiency of the present staff and the entire want of
skilled professional supervision. The necessity for providing an Officer who can
supervise the Subordinate Veterinary Staff in these districts which are not horse-
breeding centres and who will have time enough to deal fully with cattle diseases
and cattle-breeding is apparent to all and should be brought to the notice of the
Government.
Rinderpest.
Rinderpest was reported from 35 districts against 34 last year.
Twenty-five thousand seven hundred and eighty-three (25,783) animals, were
affected against 33,191 last year, and 13,101 died against 18,416 last year. The
percentage of deaths being 50.81 against 55.6 last year.
Foot and Mouth disease was reported from 29 districts against 24 last year.
The number of animals affected was 14,172, against 37,854 last year, and caused
970 deaths against 3,308 last year. The percentage of deaths this year was 6.84
against 8.7 last year.
Anthrax. Anthrax was reported from three places against 3 last year. Number
of cattle affected was 185 against 248 last year. Number of deaths 122 against
120 last year. The percentage of deaths being 65.94 against 48.3 last year.
Other diseases. Three thousand and forty-six (3,046) cattle were reported
as affected with other diseases against 3,724 last year, 431 died against 2,097 last
year, being a death percentage of 14.14 against 56.5 last year.
834. From the above it will be seen that notwithstanding that reports were
received from five more districts than last year, yet the number of cattle affected
with diseases was less this year by 31,831, and the number of deaths 9,517 less.
This is specially noticeable in Rinderpest, the attacks being 7,408 less and the
deaths 5,315 less. Also in Foot and Mouth disease the attacks being 23,682 less and
the deaths 2,338 less. I attribute the decrease to the more careful measures taken
by the Veterinary Assistants in promptly isolating the diseased animals from the
healthy.
835. It is also worth noticing the marked decrease in the number of deaths
under the heads "Other diseases," there being 1,666 less than last year. This is
I think accounted for by the diagnosis of the various diseases being more correct.
There is no doubt that in former years many cases of Rinderpest and Anthrax
were classed under this head.
Bengal.
836. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Bengal, states:—
Information which sometimes reaches me does not always confirm reports, and I am led to believe that there
have been serious losses from rinderpest and possibly from malignant sore-throat in places which, according to the
Gazette, would appear to have had little or no disease.
I doubt if any of these returns are very accurate, but they are better than nothing. During the year I visited
several places to investigate cattle disease, but in three or four cases I arrived after the outbreaks were practically
over; this was caused by the necessary information reaching me very late.