98
During the year reports were received by the Imperial Bacteriologist which
have been tabulated as below :—
Date of
outbreak.
1st April, 1897
6th June, „
10th Aug., „
21st „
„
22nd „ „
13th March, „
17th „
„
18th „ „
Seat of outbreak.
Ratnagiri ...
Dehra Dun ...
Bellary ...
Delhi ...
Bellary ...
Rawalpindi ...
„ ...
„ ...
By whom reported.
President, District Board ...
The Officer Commanding His
Excellency's Body Guard
The Officer Commanding ...
The Deputy Commissioner ...
The Officer Commanding ...
Chief Commissariat Officer ...
„ „ „ ...
„ „ „ ...
No.
affected.
4
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
No.
died.
2
1
1
10
1
1
1
1
Remarks.
Telegram
552. It is regretted that no progress can be reported, and it is feared that
the investigation will have to be deferred as Dr. Lingard's time will now be fully
occupied in his work on Rinderpest inoculation.
Inspection of
Dak Lines.
553. Although there were not many dak lines remaining in India, still
the inspection of such as do remain is of the utmost importance; disease is apt to
be rife amongst the horses, and as the majority of these lines lead to hill stations
the danger exists that disease will be communicated to ponies the property of
Officers, when marching along the various routes, and that it will by this means
be spread over a wide area.
554. The most important dak lines now existing are:—The Saharunpore-
Rajpur line, the Simla-Kalka line, the Kathgodam and Naini Tal line, the Rawal-
-indi and Srinagar line, the lines leading from Pathankote, and the Piparia and
Pachmari line. All these have been carefully inspected during the year.
555. The Saharunpore-Rajpur line is one of the worst in India. This is due
to the fact that in addition to Messrs. Smith Rodwell and Co., whose horses are well
looked after, four Native Contractors hold licenses. The law, as it now stands,
renders it impossible for Magistrates to deal with cases of cruelty as they appear. The
North-Western Provinces Government therefore proposes to pass an Act which will
bring licensed proprietors more under control than they are at present. During
the year under review, 20 cases of Surra, 3 of Glanders and 1 of Mange occurred
on this line. This line is regularly inspected by the Superintendent, Civil Vete-
rinary Department, North-Western Provinces and Oudh.
556. The Simla-Kalka line is inspected by the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, South Punjab. It is one of the best managed lines in India, and is
always particularly free from disease. An outbreak of Mange was reported as
having occurred amongst the bullocks on this line during the year, but there is
reason to doubt the nature of the disease.
557. Kathgodam-Naini Tal line is the property of the Rohilkhand-Kumaon
Railway, and is excellently managed. Unfortunately for the proprietors, this
line is liable to very severe outbreaks of Surra. In 1896 as many as ninety-six
deaths occurred from this disease. Last year the line was particularly free. It is
regularly inspected by the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North-
Western Provinces and Oudh.
558. The Rawalpindi-Srinagar line. This line runs for 66 miles through
British territory, and for 130 miles through Kashmir. Frequent cases of conta-
gious disease are reported necessitating the deputation of an Officer of the Civil
Veterinary Department; for this, as well as for other reasons, it has been proposed
that an Officer should be lent to the Durbar.
559. The lines in the Central Provinces, including that leading to Pachmari,
have hitherto not been under professional supervision, the result being that an
extensive outbreak of disease occurred in 1896, of which nothing was known for
months after it had subsided. Correspondence is now proceeding with the Chief
Commissioner, which I trust, will lead to efficient supervision being exercised in
future.