( 3 )
16. With reference tothe outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Puri last
year, it was found that the total number of deaths was 406 instead of 2,311
reported by the police. The attention of the authorities was drawn to these
errors and suitable action was taken.
17. An outbreak occurred among the Siripur Farm cattle during the year,
but it was quickly suppressed by the Veterinary Assistant of Larpur Dispensary.
18. Hæmorrhagic Septiæmia.—Three thousand one hundred and thirty
deaths occurred from this disease, against 1,546 of the previous year. It caused
heavy mortality in the districts of Jessore, Patna and Saran. In Gaya which
sent no returns for contagious diseases last year, the number of deaths is 489.
19. Preventive inoculation against this disease is under experiment at
Muktesar, but owing to the extremely rapid course of the malady, and to the
short duration of the outbreaks, which in many cases last only a few days to
reappear about the same period, or not at all the following year, it is unlikely
that inoculation will be of much benefit unless the immunity conferred by the
serum will last for a considerable time. The increase in the number of deaths
is not due in my opinion to any increase in the number of outbreaks, but to
the fact that assistants have been visiting thanas, and bringing the attention of
the police to the necessity of the chaukidars promptly reporting outbreaks
20. Black Quarter,—This disease is reported from three districts only
and caused 737 deaths, against 227 of the previous year. The disease has
been confirmed by bacteriological examination of slides sent by the Veterinary
Assistant of Muzaffarpur. The First Inspector, Mr. N. L. Mitter, was ordered
to make special enquiries as to its prevalence in his circle, and he reports that
outbreaks are constantly occurring among cattle along the banks of the Bagh-
mati and in other lowlying parts of the districts of Bihar.
Inoculation against Black Quarter by means of a vaccine prepared at
Muktesar was carried out on a small scale in Muzaffarpur district, but owing
to the opposition of the people, the number inoculated is low. No deaths are
reported from among the inoculated animals.
21. Anthrax.—This disease was fairly prevalent throughout the province,
but we have no accurate information as yet, as to the extent of its ravages
among Indian cattle. Nine districts only sent in returns. Misroscopical exa-
mination has proved the existence of the disease in the Terai, Ranchi and
Palamau. I was present at two severe outbreaks of this disease at Palamau
and on some tea gardens in the Terai in May 1909.
In the Terai the outbreak was very severe, with a high mortality among
the animals attacked. On one garden the Manager lost a large number of
animals but no information was sent although circulars had been issued to the
various Associations giving them instructions on the advisibility of reporting
outbreak's early. Returns of this disease are now submitted monthly to the
American Consul-General under orders of Government.
22. Other contagious diseases—Caused l,723 deaths, against 2,059 of the
previous year. No information can be obtained regarding these diseases,
23. I regret to say that though frequently circularized during the year,
very few reports came from members of the District Agricultural Associations,
the reason of this is, I think, that pleaders and other persons having but
little interest in cattle or their diseases or in Agriculture, form the bulk of the
members. The following gentlemen sent information:—
Babu Tarak Nath Banerjee, 24-Parganas.
„ Rasik Lal Sen Gupta of Forbesgunge (two outbreaks), Purnea.
H. R Cave, Esq., Forbesgunge, Purnea.
President, Basna Union, district Hooghly.
Babu Haribar Prasad of Dumraon.
Mr. Mackay of Hajipur, Muzaffarpur.
24. As in previous years large numbers of pamphlets have been distri-
buted, while at fairs and hâts, the Assistants and Inspectors when present, gave
lectures on the diseases most commonly met with in cattle and the other
domesticated animals.
PREVENTIVE INOCULATION.
25. Table III shows the result of serum inoculation in the province during
the year ; 83 outbreaks of rinderpest at which inoculation was performed,
were reported; 12,549 bovines only were protected, against 11,659 of
the previous year. Of these, after careful enquiries were made, 93 animals only