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also an outbreak in the district, and Table II shows 1,734 head of cattle in all
succumbed to it, 70 in the town and 1,664 in the district, against 8 deaths reported
last year in the town.
The outbreak in the town was not no serious as one frequently finds it in
many other places, and the reason for this is that the cattle seem to be excep-
tionally immune. Out of the cases I examined, several presented marked
clinical symptoms—indeed severe symptoms—but recovered. The Veterinary
Graduate deserves credit for working energetically whilst the outbreak was on.
With regard to the disease in the district, Mr. Haji was deputed to attend it,
but he was unable to persuade the owners of the advantages to be derived from
protective inoculation, so he was withdrawn from the scene. It would have
been better had he remained on the spot as I think he might have succeeded
eventually in inducing the owners to accept his advice as he is a man possessed
of certain powers of persuasion. Mr. Haji has got round a large number of
cattle owners in Karáchi (City) who he says took a deal of persuading in the
beginning to have their cattle protected. I know how difficult it is to get
ignorant villagers to listen to advise but patient persistence and time have
worked wonders in many places in India and the objections raised to have
animals inoculated are disappearing.
The saving of agricultural stock from fatal epidemics is far more import-
ant than paying attention to animals brought to a hospital for ordinary illnesses
and lameness. Wholesale deaths of cattle is not only a loss to the owners, but
it is also an economic loss to the State. Mr. Haji has estimated the value of
the buffaloes lost in this outbreak to be nearly a lakh of rupees. I do not think
he is far out. It is true that rinderpest, foot and mouth and rabies were existing
simultaneously in Karachi Town, but I hardly fancy the rinderpest there would
have played serious havoc as these cattle appear to possess a very fair amount
of immunity. Foot and mouth is a benign ailment, easily amenable to simple
treatment. Rabies was certainly bad from September to November but vigorous
action to destroy ownerless dogs, and the seeing that the dog taxes are regularly
levied and collected, should have very materially checked it, if it was not
possible to get it under.
An inexperienced Veterinary Graduate was engaged during the time the
rinderpest was at its height in the district to visit the scenes, but as he was
unqualified to practice inocculation he should not have been deputed. He was
however sufficiently competent to run a Veterinary Hospital temporarily and
Mr. Haji could have come in occasionally to inspect his charge.
Other animals.
Distemper.—Vide Table II, 7 deaths have been reported from this disease
in the Hyderabad District.
Rabies.—Fifty-four deaths in all are reported to have occurred amongst other
animals, 51 in Karachi, 1 in Hyderabad, and 2 in Sukkur District as compared
to 10 deaths reported last year.
This is a disease which more than any other calls for strict legislation being
brought into force, especially in large towns, as it is a menace to human life.
Rinderpest.—One death has been reported under this head.
Surra.—Three deaths from this disease are reported.
Pleuro-Pneumonia Contagiosa.—One hundred and eight deaths are reported
from this disease in Karachi District against none last year. At an outbreak in
goats in Karachi District the young Veterinary Graduate who was temporarily
employed to combat rinderpest worked at this disease and when he has gained
experience should prove a very useful veterinary officer. His name is Baluch.
6. Preventive inoculations.—Vide Table III, 1,787 bovines and 17 other
animals were inoculated for rinderpest during the outbreak and its recrudes-
cence in Karáchi, against 200 head of cattle inoculated last year. Of the
number inoculated during the year under report 2 died from the effects of the
disease.