NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
5
tabanidæ are only capable of spreading the disease by di-
rect transmission ; whereas in the new species of tick, trans-
mission is not direct but there is probably a cycle of the
trypanosome within the tick.
1.—Transmission of surra by Tabanus nemocallosus.
A full report regarding the transmission of surra by this
species of tabanus is in the press.
Thirty-one experiments were carried out, nine consisted
of interrupted feeds and twenty-two of non-interrupted feeds.
Out of the nine interrupted feed experiments five gave posi-
tive results, whereas out of the twenty-two non-interrupted
feed experiments no positive results were obtained.
As the results of these experiments it would appear that
the transmission of surra by this species of tabanus depends
upon—
(1) the number of trypanosomes per field in the blood
of the surra infected animal at the time the flies
are feeding.
(2) the interval of time between the interrupted surra
infected feed and the feed on the healthy animal.
(3) the number of flies that are interrupted in
their feed on the surra infected animal and
proceed to finish their feed on a healthy
animal ; the greater the number of flies that
are interrupted in their meal on the surra
infected animal and finish their meal on a
healthy animal, the greater the chance of
transmission.
2. Transmission of surra by a new species of Ornithodorus.
A report regarding the transmission of surra by this
new species of ornithodorus has been published during the
year as Veterinary Bulletin No. 6. These ticks were cap-
able of transmitting surra to healthy rabbits 67, 83 and 101
days after feeding on a surra infected animal, but were
not infective after intervals of 1 minute to 46 days ; this
would show that there is apparently a life cycle of the trypa-
nosome within the tick. The fact that this new species
of ornithodorus is capable of transmitting surra after a long
interval may explain why surra breaks out yearly or
6
periodically in the same stables and in the same districts,
though fresh cases of surra have not been imported into
these stables or districts ; the tick may act as the reservoir
of the disease which is thus carried over from year to year.
When an animal becomes infected through the tick, the
disease may rapidly spread from animal to animal in the hot
and rainy season, through the agency of tabanidæ by direct
transmission.
Further experiments will be carried out
with regard to—
(1) the length of time this species of tick can remain
infective.
(2) the changes that the trypanosomes undergoes in
the tick.
(3) whether other ticks are capable of transmitting
the disease.
The course that camel surra runs in other animals.
Further experiments have been carried out in this con-
nection and details are being printed in Veterinary Bulletin
No. 8. These experiments show that the blood of buffaloes,
sheep and goats remains infective for many months, though
these animals may appear perfectly healthy and no trypano-
somes can be found in their blood.
Incidence of surra amongst private owned animals.
Owing to the political situation the taking of blood smears
from private-owned animals for examination, to determine
the incidence of surra had to be postponed. It is to be re-
gretted that this work had to be postponed to a later date,
as our knowledge regarding the incidence of surra amongst
private-owned animals is at present very meagre.
Fly survey.
A detailed report will be submitted during the coming
year giving the areas surveyed and the different tabanidæ
ticks etc., collected in these areas.
New species of flies, etc., discovered.
(1) Hypoderma of goats—
Specimens of this fly were sent to Major Patton of
Edinburgh University for examination ; he states
it is a new species and has named it Hypoderma
crossii.
7
(2) A new species of Ornithodorus —
Specimens of this tick were sent to Professor Brumpt
of Paris University who states it is a new species
and proposes to name it Ornithodorus crossii.
(3) Tabanus sufis (Jænæke).—
This fly was found in Jhelum District. Specimens
were sent to Major Patton who identified it and
stated that as far as he was aware this species
of Tabanus had never before been reported from
India.
(4) Lipoptena caprina (Austen)—
This Hippoboscid was found on goats in Jhelum Dis-
trict. Specimens were examined by Major Austen
of the British Museum ; he identified them as
Lipoptena caprina, which up till then had only
been found in Palestine.
(5) Ornithodorus savignyi, which as far as I am
aware has not previously been reported from the
Punjab, was found in Ferozepore District.
(6) A large number of tabanidæ, which are pro-
bably new, have been sent to Europe for report.
Bot flies.
Bot flies and the different stage larvae, of the camel,
sheep, goat, horse and oorial (wild sheep) have been collect-
ed.
A pamphlet on the Bot flies of the Punjab is almost
complete and will be published during the coming year.
Hypoderma of goats.
The maggots or larvæ of these flies cause considerable
damage to skins, which are depreciated in value from 50 to
70 per cent., so that the financial loss to the province is very
great. A report on hypoderma larvæ in goats and the means
by which the loss caused by these larvae can be reduced was
published during the year as Veterinary Bulletin No. 3 of
1921. Further investigations regarding hypoderma of goats
have been carried out and it has been found that goats kept
in hilly tracts are nearly all infected, but in areas where
there are no hills the percentage of goats infected was very
8
small ; moreover the Gujrati goat even when kept with
flocks that were heavily infected were either not infected at
all or only very slightly infected. Whether the colour of
the Gujrati goat has anything to do with their not being at-
tacked to the same extent as other goats remains to be
ascertained. During the coming year a large number of
goats in every district in the Punjab will be examined, so
that definite data regarding the prevalence of hypoderma in
goats may be obtained. In Jhelum District the maggots of
larvæ are found under the skin of the back from October to
January. How the maggots reach this position is not
known ; in the case of the warble fly attacking cattle it is
stated by the "Warble Fly" Committee of the Ministry of
Agriculture and Fisheries, England, that the fly lays its
eggs on the hind legs of cattle, from these eggs hatch out
larvæ which make their way under the skin to the gullet
wall where they are said to remain for several months;
after several months in the gullet wall they make their way
to under the skin of the back. Though very careful search
has been made for eggs on the goat, no eggs of hypoderma
could be found, and I am of opinion that with regard to
hypoderma larvæ in goats that the fly is probably not ovipa-
rous but viparous and that the fly deposits the living larvæ
either on or under the skin of the back It is hoped that
definite information regarding the life cycle of this fly will
be forthcoming as the result of further investigations next
year.
Hypoderma larvae in cattle.
The cattle of the Jhelum District are heavily infected
with hypoderma larvæ. Next year it is proposed to ex-
amine a large number of cattle throughout the province
to determine the percentage of cattle infected. The damage
done to the hides by these maggots is very great and the
financial loss to the Province must be very large. The
Warble Fly Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture
and Fisheries, England, found a dressing consisting of a
wash prepared from tobacco powder mixed with lime, most
effective. To reduce the loss caused by this fly in the
Punjab it would be well worth while for district Veterinary
Assistants to give short lectures on the life history of the
fly to zamindars and to demonstrate to them the efficacy
of the dressing by applying the dressing to cattle infected
with larvæ. If the zamindars objected to the application
9
of the dressing it is quite possible that they would be
willing to squeeze out the maggots (this is quite easy when
they are ripe) and destroy them, this method could also be
demonstrated to them by the district Veterinary Assistants.
If the larvæ were systematically destroyed for a few years
the fly would become extinct.
Publications.
The following bulletins were published during the
year:—
1. Veterinary Bulletin ... "Spirochætosis of fowls."
No. 2 of 1921.
2. Veterinary Bulletin ... "A report on Hypoderma
No. 3 of 1921.
in goats"
3. Veterinary Bulletin ... "A note on the transmis-
No. 6 of 1921
sion of Surra by ticks."
The following bulletins are in the press :—
1. Surra transmission experiments.
2. Transmission of surra by Tabanus nemocallosus.
3. Camel surra-diagnosis, symptoms and treatment.
4. Note on Argasidæ found in the Punjab.
Mange.
The camel dip was erected by the Public Works Depart-
ment during the year, but as only completed at the end
of the mange season, further experiments regarding the
best treatment of mange could not therefore be carried out.
General Remarks.
1. Owing to the high price of fodder the cost of feed-
ing animals amounted to a considerable sum, in future
the amount required for fodder will be greatly reduced as
the military authorities have agreed to pay for the rations
of all military animals sent to the laboratory for treatment
or experimental work.
2. During the year under report cholera was prevalent
in the district, three cases occurred amongst the menial
staff of which one proved fatal. All necessary precautions
to prevent the disease from spreading were taken.
10
3. The work of the staff was satisfactory throughout
the year. I wish to specially bring to notice the excellent
work done by Veterinary Inspector Kahan Singh, Veteri-
nary Assistant Abdulla Khan and Laboratory Assistant Mu-
hammad Zaman. Mr. Patel rendered very great assistance
in connection with the fly survey. Veterinary Assistant
Kishen Singh gave me valuable assistance on tour, often
under very trying conditions.
The clerical work was satisfactorily carried out under
the supervision of Babu Sham Shanker.
Statement of expenditure incurred by the office of the Camel
Specialist, together with fly survey of the Punjab, during
the year 1921-22.
Sub-Head of the Budget.
Salaries and local allowances of officers
Pay of establishment
Travelling allowances of officers
Travelling allowances of establishment
Supplies, etc. (Chemical and Apparatus)
Contingencies
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Purchase and stable feed and keep of animals
...
...
...
...
...
...
Total
Amount.
Rs.
15,925
12,370
2,039
4,259
1,881
10,170
29,979
76,627
A.
12
12
2
13
8
6
10
1
P.
11
4
0
6
4
8
0
9
H. E. CROSS,
M.R., C.V.S., D.V.H., A.Sc., I.C.V.D.,
Camel Specialist.
20 DA—395—17-8-22—SGPP Lahore.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
CAMEL SPECIALIST
For the year 1922-23.
Lahore :
PRINTED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT GOVERNMENT PRINTING, PUNJAB.
1923.
Price : Re. 0-4-0 or 4d.
Annual Report of the Camel Specialist
for the year 1922-23.
Revised List of Agents for the sale of Punjab Government
Publications.
IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
CONSTABLE & Co., 10, Orange
Street, Leicester Square, London,
W.C.
KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRÜBNER
& Co., Limited, 68-74, Carter
Lane, E.C., and 39, New Oxford
Street, London, W.C.
BERNARD QUARITCH, 11, Grafton
Street, New Bond Street, London,
W.
T. FISHER UNWIN, Limited, No. 1,
Adelphi Terrace, London, W.C.
P. S. KING & SON, 2 & 4, Great
Smith Street, Westminster, Lon-
don, S.W.
H. S. KING & Co., 65, Cornhill,
and 9, Pall Mall, London.
GRINDLAY & Co., 54, Parliament
Street, London, S.W.
W. THACKER & Co., 2, Creed Lane,
London, E.C.
LUZAC & Co., 46, Great Russell
Street, London, W.C.
B. H. BLACKWELL, 50 and 51, Broad
Street, Oxford.
DEIGHTON BELL & Co., Limited,
Cambridge.
OLIVER & BOYD, Tweeddale Court,
Edinburgh.
E. PONSONBY, Limited, 116, Grafton
Street, Dublin.
Messrs. WHELDON & WESLEY
Limited, 2, 3 & 4, Arthur Street,
new Oxford Street, London., W. C.
2.
ON THE CONTINENT.
ERNEST LEROUX, 28, Rue Bonaparte,
Paris, France.
MARTINUS NIJHOFF, The Hague,
Holland.
OTTO HARRASSOWITZ, Leipzig.
FRIEDLANDER & SOHAN, Berlin.
IN
INDIA.
The Manager, Imperial Book Depot,
Delhi.
GULAB SINGH & SONS, Mufid-i-'Am
Press, Lahore.
MANAGER, Punjab Law Book Depôt,
Anarkali Bazar, Lahore.
RAMA KRISHNA & SONS, Book-sellers
and News Agents, Anarkali Street,
Lahore.
HONORARY SECRETARY, Punjab
Religious Book Society, Anarkali,
Lahore.
M. ABDUL AZIZ, Manager, The
Vakil and Roze Bazar Electric
Press, Amritsar.
L. LABHU RAM, Book-seller,
Ludhiana.
N. B. MATHUR, Superintendent and
Proprietor, Nazir Kanun Hind
Press, Allahabad.
D. B. TARAPOREVALA, SONS & Co.,
Bombay.
THACKER, SPINK & Co., Calcutta and
Simla.
NEWMAN & Co., Calcutta.
R. CAMBRAY & Co., Calcutta.
THACKER & Co., Bombay.
HIGGINBOTHAMS, Limited, Madras
T. FISHER UNWIN, Calcutta.
V. KALYANARAM IYER & Co., 189,
Esplanade Row, Madras.
G. A. NATESAN & Co., Madras.
SUPERINTENDENT, American Bap-
tist Mission Press, Rangoon.
THE MANAGER "Hitavada," Nag-
pur, Central Provinces.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
CAMEL SPECIALIST
For the year 1922-23.
Lahore :
PRINTED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT GOVERNMENT PRINTING, PUNJAB.
1923.
No. 718-17—8455.
FINANCIAL COMMISSIONERS' OFFICE, PUNJAB :
Dated Lahore, 6th July 1923.
FROM
H. P. TOLLINTON, ESQ., C.I.E., I.C.S.,
Financial Commissioner and Secretary to
Government, Punjab, Development Department,
To
THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE,
PUNJAB.
(Ministry of Agriculture.)
SIR,
I AM directed to acknowledge receipt of 5 advance
copies of the Annual Report of the Camel Specialist for the
year 1922-23 forwarded with your letter No. 15-45/78, dated
the 13th June 1923.
I have the honour to be,
SIR,
Your most obedient servant,
H. P. TOLLINTON,
Financial Commissioner and Secretary to
Government, Punjab, Development Department.
117 FC—251—18-7-23—SGPP Lahore.
No. 2193.
FROM
C. A. H. TOWNSEND, ESQ., I.C.S.,
Director of Agriculture, Punjab,
To
THE FINANCIAL COMMISSIONER AND SECRE-
TARY TO GOVERNMENT, PUNJAB, DEVE-
LOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
Dated Lahore, the 2nd May 1923.
I HAVE the honour to forward the report of the Camel Spe-
cialist, Sohawa, for the year 1922-23. It bears ample evidence
of the value of Mr. Cross's work to the province, especially as
regards the treatment of surra in camels. It will be his last
report, I regret to say, as he has left for England on leave, on
the expiry of which he retires on a proportionate pension. It is
in the highest degree regrettable that an officer of such value to
India should be leaving the country.
2. I sincerely trust that it may be found possible to con-
tinue the existence of the Camel Specialist and his work at
Sohawa, if a properly qualified and enthusiastic officer is forth-
coming for the work. Not only as regards the diseases attacking
camels, but also in respect of the many insect-bred diseases that
affect our Punjab cattle, an infinity of work still remains to be
done.
I have the honour to be,
SIR,
Your most obedient servant,
C. A. H. TOWNSEND,
Director of Argiculture, Punjab.
Annual Report of the Camel Specialist
for the year 1922-23.
I HELD charge of the office of the Camel Specialist through-
out the year.
2. Temporary Veterinary Assistant Ali Haider Khan re-
signed his appointment on the 31st July 1922, and Veterinary
Assistant Sultan Mahmud Khan was appointed in his place.
3. Veterinary Assistant Parja Ram was appointed to a
vacant post in the fly survey staff on 1st June 1922.
4. I regret to report that Mr. P. G. Patel (whose services
had been lent to this office by the Agricultural Adviser to the
Government of India) was taken ill in March 1922 and died on
the 13th September 1922.
5. I regret to report the death of Veterinary Assistant
Himat Singh on the 3rd February 1923.
6. Ninety animals belonging to private owners were treated
for various diseases.
7. I attended the examination of the students of the Punjab
Veterinary College as a member of the board of examiners.
8. I travelled 3,449 miles by rail and 1,312 miles by road.
9. I accompanied the Director of Veterinary Services, at
the latter's request, during his tour of inspection of the camels of
the Waziristan Field Force.
Courses of Training.
The following officers were deputed for training in the diag-
nosis and treatment of surra during the year :—
Deputy Superintendent Janki Nath.
Officiating Deputy Superintendent Mohamed Abdulla.
S. Riazul Hassan, Assistant Professor of Pathology, Punjab
Veterinary College, Lahore.
Veterinary Assistant Fazal Illahi.
Veterinary Assistant Mohamed Sarwar Shah.
2
Veterinary Assistant Innayat Ullah.
Veterinary Assistant Afzal Beg.
Veterinary Assistant Abdul Qadir.
Demonstrations in connection with the treatment of surra
were given to the following officers :—
Major Leckie, R.A.V.C.
Captain Southall, R.A.V.C.
Veterinary Assistant Ghulam Qadir.
Treatment of Surra.
A number of camels were submitted to treatment by in-
travenous injections by tartar emetic as described in Veterinary
Bulletin No. 8 of 1922, to confirm previous results. Fifty surra
infected camels sent by the Military authorities from Waziristan
were submitted to treatment. Before being returned to the
Military authorities they were inspected by Colonel Martin,
D.D.V.S., Northern Command, who reported upon them, to the
Director of Veterinary Services, as follows.
No. 018467-10-Vety., dated the 5th June 1922.
From—Colonel Martin, D.D.V.S., Northern Command, Murree,
To—The Director of Veterinnary Services, Army Head-quarters, Simla.
WITH reference to your No. 20512-Q. M. G. 14, dated the 18th May
1922, I have to report that I proceeded to Sohawa on the 1st June. I was
shewn 48 camels out of a batch of 50 animals that had been sent from
Waziristan Force last November.
Two out of the batch had been destroyed as being too old and debilitat-
ed for treatment.
I found the 48 camels in excellent condition with good muscular develop-
ment. I consider all fit for service with the exception of one suffering from
an old standing breast pad injury; this case had been operated on several
times with no benefit so I asked Captain Cross to have it destroyed.
I was informed by Captain Cross that all these animals were micros-
copically confirmed surra cases and they had almost all arrived in poor con-
dition, in many complicated with mange. Evidence of the last named disease
was to be found in their coats.
I consider the condition and muscular development of these camels
is striking testimony to the new treatment of surra that has been devisel
and introduced by Captain Cross.
One other camel that had been left from a previous batch was passed
fit for service bringing the number up to 48 that will be returned to the
Camel Depôt under orders of the Quarter-master General.
3
The Royal Army Veterinary Corps have adopted the treat-
ment as a routine method of treatment. I have been informed
by Colonel Sawyer, Director of Veterinary Services, that a very
large number of camels have been treated at Dera Ismail Khan
and other places, by officers of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps,
with satisfactory results, and he very kindly sent me Captain
Howe's report on the treatment by tartar emetic of Somali surra-
infected camels at Aden. Captain Howe, Royal Army Veteri-
nary Corps, submitted 95 camels to treatment and obtained 92
cures. These cured camels have been several months under ob-
servation. Captain Howe's report to the Director of Veterinary
Services is herewith attached.
No. 772-42-H-V. D., dated the 30th November 1922.
From—Captain W. B. I. Howe, R.A.V.C., Veterinary Officer incharge Aden Brigade Area,
To—The Director of Veterinary Services, Army Head-quarters, Simla.
WITH reference to your No. 20512-Q. M. G. 14, dated 7th November
1922, I have the honour to forward the following information regarding the
camels treated by me for surra by the Cross method.
In order to enable the results on the treatment to be clearly seen I attach
a tabulated record up to date.
It will be seen from the record that almost all the camels are of the So-
mali type.
This type of camel appears to have a very delicate constitution and a
large number of camels did not tolerate the treatment without constitutional
disturbances occuring (off feed, constipation, diarrhœa, etc.,) which necessitat-
ed the duration of the treatment being lengthened.
The condition of the camels prior to the commencement of the treat-
ment was good and during the course of the treatment improved in condition,
the majority developing enormous humps.
I would mention that no injuries were caused to any of the cases as a
result of carrying out the treatment. No case of suppuration at the seat of
injection occurred.
On the termination of treatment the camels were permitted to work and
were subject to strict daily observation.
All treated camels on being returned to unit lines have been kept to
gether and brought on to the strength of the troop, thus facilitating carry-
ing out of the daily observation up to date.
All the camels maintain their good condition.
A number of experiments have been carried out to evolve a
method by which tartar emetic can be given intramuscularly or sub¬
cutaneously and thus shortening the period of treatment. Up to
the present no solution of tartar emetic has been obtained, which,
when injected intramuscularly or subcutaneously, did not produce
suppuration.
4
Experiments with Stibenyl and Bayer 205.
Stibenyl is a compound of antimony and is prepared by
Messrs. Allan and Hanbury, Chemists, London. From the ex-
periments carried out it was found that large doses are necessary
for camels; on account of the cost of the drug, it is of no practi-
cal value in the treatment of surra in camels.
No experiments could be carried out with Bayer 205, as this
drug could not be obtained during the year under report.
Publications.
The following bulletins were published during the year:—
(1) Surra transmission experiments.
(2) Transmission of surra by Tabanus nemocallosus.
(3) Camel surra—diagnosis, symptoms and treatment.
(4) A note on Argasidæ found in the Punjab.
(5) Caponing of fowls (in vernacular).
(6) Treatment of surra by tartar emetic (in vernacular).
(7) Surra transmission experiments with Tabanus albi
medius and ticks.
(8) The Bot-flies of the Punjab (in Press).
Mange.
The camel dip erected by the Public Works Department
when tested was found to leak very badly and had to be disman-
tled ; it has only just been completed by the Public Works De-
partment, and next year will be used. A number of experiments
were carried out with taramira oil; the following were the conclu¬
sions obtained:—
(1) Taramira oil is an excellent dressing for mange in
camels, three dressings at intervals of a week are
sufficient to effect a cure.
(2) Camels in poor condition should not be smeared all
over; half the body should only be done at a time.
(3) The temperature rises after smearing camels with this
oil.
(4) Camels should not be exposed to the sun when
smeared with taramira oil.