4
25. The figures for the above diseases are absolutely unreliable. " Surra "
is widespread in a great number of tracts of country almost every year and the
mortality amongst soliped animals is very considerable as all attacked die.
This disease has been scheduled under the Glanders and Farcy Act XIII of
1899.
26. " Dourine " is probably not very widespread in the non-selected districts
but the mortality has surely been greater than 3 in the whole of India. I have
seen more stallions than this destroyed or dead myself.
27. Other contagious diseases.—455 horses are reported to have died from
other contagious diseases not specified. Of these, the most common appears to
have been Strangles which is, in some parts, very severe and fatal owing to com-
plications. Two cases only of Epizootic Lymphangitis have been reported in
our districts so far, which is curious, considering that the Imperial Bacteriologist
reports having examined 124 specimens, the greater number being pus from
cases of Epizootic Lymphangitis. We cannot, however, hope with our present
staff to get reliable information in regard to prevalence of disease but a very
sharp look out must be kept for this which is a most insidious and dangerous
one. Horse pox has been found prevalent and a report submitted on it by
Major Pease and Captain Baldrey which will be printed and circulated. A
very fatal disease, Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia in foals which is causing serious
losses in private studs is also being investigated by the latter officer.
Contagious dis
ease in Bovines
outbreaks, pre
ventive inocu
lation, mortali
ty, &c.
28. The number of actual outbreaks of contagious diseases amongst cattle
reported cannot be ascertained from the reports. The new rules for the pre-
paration and submission of Annual Reports by the Officers of the Department
were only issued in March 1905 and as the information on which the reports
are based was maintained according to the old procedure, much difficulty has
been experienced in the compilation of the new Tables. It has not been
practicable in some cases to furnish the required information, although every
effort has been made to do so. The supervising and executive staff of the
Department is still far below requirements and consequently the machinery
employed for the collection of statistics has been insufficient to ensure even
approximate accuracy. Time is required for this to be possible. Altogether
2,09,799 head of cattle are reported to have died from contagious diseases (Table
II) against 95,000 last year. This great apparent increase is doubtless due to
better registration but no doubt the returns are still very incomplete and the
total loss is greater than represented.
29. Table III shows the number of outbreaks in which preventive inocula-
tions were undertaken.
30. In the case of protective inoculation, information regarding the number
of animals attacked and died uninoculated in the course of outbreaks is not
available in United Provinces and Burma.
31. Protective inoculations against Rinderpest and Anthrax in cattle were
carried out in the United Provinces, Sind, Bengal, Madras, Central Provinces,
Burma, North-West Frontier Province and the Punjab. None in Rajputana
and Bombay.
32. Rinderpest alone accounted for 92,090 head against 52,702 last year.
It was most virulent in Burma where 51,977 cattle perished against 14,678 last
year. There was also a slight increase in Madras. 480 outbreaks of this disease
were attended and preventive inoculation carried out. In these it was ascer-
tained that in those Provinces in which records could be obtained, 1,03,082
died uninoculated during the course of the outbreaks. This does not include
deaths which occurred in the United Provinces where the information is not
available. 69,124 were inoculated and only 370 died of the disease after having
been inoculated. It will be seen that considerable progress has been made in
this direction, 90 more outbreaks being attended and 21,764 more cattle protect-
ed than last year.
33. The serum has continued to be very efficacious in preventing spread of
the disease and saving life. I am glad to be able to report that the opposition to
its use is fast disappearing and in most places the agricultural community now
welcome inoculation as a preventive measure.