95
543. The fact that only 9 cases were discovered amongst cab horses goes to
prove, I think, that many cases remain undetected. Veterinary-Major Mills, who
is in charge of this Department in Bombay, recommends that its powers should be
extended, and that its officials should be allowed to inspect private stables. I am
not aware of the view which the Local Government will take of this suggestion;
but if it does not meet with their approval, I think the Inspectors should be
directed to carefully inspect all Hackney carriage horses on the various stands,
especially at night. This would, I feel, lead to the detection of a number of cases
that now remain undetected.
544. I regret to find that the practice of turning horses affected with the
disease loose into the streets is still adopted; this of course is done with a view of
preventing any further trouble, such as would be entailed by the disinfection of
stabling, &c. Strict instructions were issued to the Inspectors to be most careful to
endeavour to find out the owners of diseased horses found straying in the streets
and attempts were made to trace them, but, as is usual in such cases, they were not
successful.
545. The outbreak at Moombra in the Thana Collectorate was one of the
most severe, as out of 100 horses removed to that place from Bombay, about 50
died, and although it is impossible to say that all died from Glanders, still we have
evidence of so many cases occurring that it is to be surmised that the majority did
die from this disease.
546. This may be said to conclude the record of cases which have been
brought to the notice of the Department during the year; that the disease is
widespread in India we cannot, I think, deny, considering that we have evidence
of its existence in the North-Western Provinces, Punjab, Central Provinces and
Bengal, and that it is known to exist to a great extent in Calcutta and Bombay.
Every endeavour should be made to detect its existence, in order that attempts may
be made to eradicate it, but with the very small staff at our disposal it is difficult
to do so.
SURRA.
547. Further progress in the collection of information regarding the above
disease has been made during the past years. Veterinary Assistants have been
supplied with printed circulars on which were printed questions concerning
contagious diseases, which they were desired to answer, and among other things
they were particularly ordered to make enquiries regarding this fatal horse
disorder. Many replies have been received and much useful information has been
collected, showing how wide-spread is this fatal malady. The information has been
gathered chiefly from the Punjab and North Western Provinces, but it would be
interesting to ascertain whether the disease affected animals elsewhere in the Indian
Peninsula, and to what extent. It is hoped that the information will be
forthcoming when the Bacteriological Survey has made more progress.
548. The vernacular names by which the disease is known are :—Phenta
Phera, Sokra and Sar. Other names are also given to this disease, but the above are
those commonly mentioned in the reports.
549. Geographical distribution. The distribution of this disease seems to be
mainly confined to low-lying country which is influenced by recurring floods and
inundations. Gujranwala has again the unenviable reputation of having had most
deaths from this disease. Umballa, Ludhiana, Lahore and Peshawar have all had
over a hundred deaths due to Surra.
OUTBREAKS OF SURRA REPORTED DURING 1897-98.
Umballa. The disease affected 103 donkeys at Aurungabad in 1894. In 1895
the disease appeared in Radour and caused the deaths of 7 horses out of the total
of 20 in the village. In 1896 all the horses and one mule of Chibha village were
attacked, and in every instance the animals attacked died.
The tehsil of Pipli, where the land is low-lying, seems to be particularly
unfortunate. Animals in eight villages were attacked during the past three years,
principally ponies and horses. In the village of Gamela 30 out of 31 perished from
Surra, while Ghilour and Baitoh lost 15 and 12, respectively. Out of 385 animals
belonging to 10 villages where the disease was recognised, no less than 204 died.