20
Anthrax.—Outbreaks were reported from 11 districts, viz., East Khándesh,
Ahmednagar, Poona, Sátára, Belgaum, Bijápur, Dhárwár, Ratnágiri, Kolába,
Thána and Ahmedabad. There were 743 attacks and 523 deaths as against 417
attacks and 238 deaths last year.
Black Quarter.—This disease occurred in ten districts, viz., Násik, Abmed-
nagar, Poona,Sholapur, Sátára. Bijápur, K&nara, Ratnágiri, Thána and Ahmed-
abad. There were 1,345 attacks and 1,125 deaths as against 679 attacks and
444 deaths lastyear.
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia.—This disease occurred in fifteen districts, viz, t
West Khándesh, Abmednagar, Sátára, Bijápur, Belgaum,. Dhárwár, Kánara,
Ratnágiri, Kolába, Thána, Surat, Broach, Panch Mahals, Kaira and Ahmedabad.
There were 4,511 attacks and 3,651 deaths as against 3,229 attacks and 2,600
deaths last year.
Foot and Mouth Disease.—This disease occurred in twelve districts as
well as the City of Bombay. The districts affected were East Khándesh, Násik,
Abmednagar, Sátára, Belgaum, Bijápur, Dhárwár, Kánara, Ratnágiri, Kolába,
Thána and Panch Mahals. There were 5,586 attacks and 62 deaths as against
4,388 attacks and 137 deaths last year.
Rinderpest.—This disease occurred in thirteen districts besides the City of
Bombay. The districts affected were West Khándesh, Bast Khándesh, Násik
Ahmednagar, Belgaum, Dhárwár, Kánara, Ratnágiri, Kolába, Thána,
Broach,K
9,075 attacks and 4,825 deaths last year ; 41,598 attacks and 19,413 deaths in
1907-08; 50,144 attacks and 25,416 deaths in 1906-07. The only district in
which the disease assumed serious proportions was Dhárwár in which there
were 1,375 attacks and 605 deaths.
Rabies.—Accurate statistics are not available but 86 cases were reported
from Veterinary dispensaries as against 77 cases last year.
7. The year 1909-10 shows a decrease in the mortality among cattle from
contagious disease. This is chiefly due to a continued decrease in the mortality
from rinderpest which disease although outbreaks have cropped up here and
there has shown but little tendency to spread. There has however been an
increase in the mortality from Anthrax, Black quarter, and Hæmorrhagic
Septicæmia and Foot and Mouth disease has been more prevalent. Among
equines the increase and spread of Surra is again noticeable.
8. The accuracy of the numbers of animals reported to be affected conti-
nues to be unsatisfactory but improvement in this direction is taking place from
year to year as interest in the Department increases and it is probable that this
is partly responsible for the increased mortality recorded from some diseases.
9. The accuracy of diagnosis of Black Quarter, Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia
and Anthrax still leaves much to be desired, but improvement has taken place
and in most outbreaks bacteriological examination has been attempted, but not
infrequently the material forwarded to the Laboratory by the Veterinary Assist-
ants has been unsatisfactorily prepared and in consequence accurate diagnosis
has not been always possible.
10. The numbers of outbreaks of contagious disease attended by Veteri-
nary Assistants has greatly increased during the year under report. In all 602
outbreaks have been attended as against 386 last year. Of these outbreaks 82
were Rinderpest, 28 Anthrax, 80 Black quarter, 190 Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia,
172 Foot and Mouth disease, 29 Surra and 23 others. These figures may be
considered satisfactory considering that epizootic disease has not been extensive
during the year and that the Department is in its first year of working as such.
11. The number of anti-rinderpest inoculations performed amounts to 1,872
as against 4,736 last year ; 26,558 in 1907-08 and 39,992 in 1906-07. Although
82 outbreaks of rinderpest were attended anti-rinderpest inoculation was per-
mitted in 35 outbreaks only. The number of anti-rinderpest inoculations per-
formed is small but this is largely due to the non-prevalence of the disease. It
is also clue to religious prejudice on the part of the people especially those under
Jain and Lingáyat influence. In some villages also prejudice against the process