158
923. The total number of cattle attacked has increased by 3,880, the
difference being mainly under Rinderpest where the figures are larger by 3,493. It
is satisfactory to note a large decrease under Anthrax, only 26 cases being reported
this year. All other diseases show a slight increase on last year's figures. The
percentage of mortality shows a very slight improvement, but it has been high during
both the past years. The failure of late rains in 1896 caused a great scarcity of
fodder during the hot weather of 1897, and the supply of water being also short, the
cattle were so reduced in condition that they were unable to withstand even the
mildest forms of disease. The condition of the cattle in the Wun district, when the
Veterinary Assistant visited it, was found to be miserable in the extreme through
want of fodder, and there was doubtless a large loss from starvation beyond the
figures of our return. The number of attacks and deaths in this district was con-
siderably more than half the figures for the whole Province. The speedy appoint-
ment of a Veterinary Assistant to Yeotmal appears to be highly desirable. The
highest percentage of deaths occurred in Ellichpur, and the lowest in Basim; and it
is peculiar that this should have been the case last year also. The chief disease in
the Buldana district was Rinderpest; reports of four outbreaks were received and
attended to. Foot and Mouth disease was most prevalent in the Amraoti and Basim
districts, but it was not of a very fatal nature. The Veterinary Inspector attended
to these outbreaks and apparently his treatment and instruction had the desired
effect of reducing the mortality.
Bombay.
924. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Bombay, states:—
Reports were received in the prescribed form, from all districts except four noted in the margin. The total
number of attacks from various diseases amounted to 12.648 against 18,513 last year,
of which 5.918 or 46.79 per cent. proved fatal. In addition to the above numbers, reports
were received too late for incorporation in last year's annual report, to the effect that
2.200 cattle were attacked with Rinderpest in the Upper Sind Frontier, out of which
1,400 died. By adding these figures to last year's total, viz: 18,513 it makes a
grand total of 20,713 attacks, and 10,211 deaths last year against 12,648 attacks and 5,918 deaths this year. This
shows a very satisfactory decrease, as I am of opinion that these statistics are getting more accurate every
year and that a certain amount of reliance can be placed on them as giving approximately the true mortality of the
Presidency. All Veterinary Graduates reported that. Rinderpest during the past year assumed a very much milder
form than in previous years and was more amenable to treatment. This statement does not tally with the figures,
as the percentage of deaths was 67.25 against 50.72 last year. Sufficient figures are not yet forthcoming to prove
the somewhat risky statement that I am about to make, viz, that Rinderpest in this country will, in the course of
years, become milder and milder in each successive generation, through the fact of a very large percentage of the
animals getting the disease and recovering, thereby becoming immune, and that they will, to a certain extent,
transmit this immunity to their offspring. The sketch map in the pocket of the Report, will show the tracts affected
by cattle disease during the year under report and the degree of severity with which they were affected.
1. Sholapur.
2. Sural.
3. Hyderabad.
4. Thar and Parkar.
925. Rinderpest.—This disease was prevalent in almost all districts throughout
the Presidency, being very serious in the Upper Sind Frontier and Shikarpur
districts in Sind, Thana, and Kanara in the Konkan. The total number of attacks
and deaths was 7,295 and 4,906, respectively.
Anthrax.—Reported from the Belgaum district only 39 animals were attacked
of which 20 died.
Foot and Mouth disease.—Prevailed more or less in most of the districts in
the Presidency proper. The innocuous nature of the disease was apparent through-
out except in Ahmednagar and Kanara where the death rate reached as far as 20
and 44 per cent. respectively. This no doubt was due to the fact that the animals
attacked were suffering from the severe effects of the famine, and were in a
wretched and emaciated condition. The total number of animals attacked was 3,986
of which only 132 or 3.31 per cent. died.
Pleuro-pneumonia.—Only 4 attacks and 2 deaths have been reported from
Belgaum. Charbon Symptomatique was reported from the districts of Nasik,
Kanara and Kaira. The total number of attacks is 55, all of which proved fatal.
Other Diseases.—Includes 35 cases of Glanders all of which were destroyed
under the Act, also cases of Variola and Gloss Anthrax in Poona, Ludhiana disease in
Dharwar, Spleenic Appoplexy in Ratnagiri, and Variola Vaccinia in Ahmedabad.
Treatment, Vaccination, &c.—Out of 19 districts from which cattle disease
reports were received during the year, 11 districts had the advantage of the
services of Veterinary Graduates. The Veterinary Graduate especially deputed
to Ratnagiri still continues to work in that district, and a Graduate has lately been
deputed to treat outbreaks in the Kolaba district. It is to be regretted that the
Collector of Kanara, in whose district cattle disease has been so severe during the
past three or four years, has expressed his disinclination to move the Local Board
to employ the services of a Veterinary Graduate for a few years as suggested by