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"4. I would suggest that in the event of transport by animals being continued from Quetta to Sibi, viâ
the Bolan and to Peshin, etc., on a large scale, as at present, some permanent provision for the
supply of pure water should be made at different halting stations en route. This would, no doubt,
entail considerable expense, but in the event of any urgent Military or other movement, it would
be advisable that the risk of losing animals or having them incapacitated at such an important
moment from preventible disease, should be minimised."
724. These recommendations are all practical and are worthy of considera-
tion. The bullock lines are reported by Dr. Lingard as being situated in the
open plain and as having small doors and windows, the latter opening, more or
less, on all sides; these are in yards surrounded with walls about 5 feet in
height, but which afford little or no protection from the wind. The alterations
advocated in recommendation No. 3 appear to be called for.
725. Recommendation No. 2, to the effect that dogs be kept away from
the bullock lines, etc., is necessary. Also of No. 1, that offal affected with
hydatid cysts, should be destroyed, are necessary as, to quote from Dr. Lingard's
report, we find that:—
"If flesh, lung, liver, or brain, containing cystic worms, be eaten by carnivorous animals, then a new course
of development begins. The head of the young worm is liberated from the cyst, which is digested by the
gastric juice, the head being protected from the action of the juice by the carbonate of lime, with which it is
thickly covered. The head being now free, attaches itself to the intestinal wall and begins rapidly to form a
chain of segments, which develop their sexual organs and their eggs, the cystic worm having now become an
adult Tænia. The ripe segments containing the eggs become detached, and are removed from the body with the
excreta, and the eggs are now again ready to commence anew their life cycle."
726. The above investigation is, in my opinion, most interesting, proving,
as it does, that "Hydatids," when situated in vital organs, in any large
numbers, are likely to cause death. The investigation is, however, not only of
interest from a professional point of view, but is one of the very greatest
interest to the Military Department, as I agree with Veterinary Captain
Maxwell that if the whole of the siege train and transport bullocks, now in
Quetta, were suddenly subjected to hard work and exposure, such as an advance
into Afghanistan would entail, they would die in large numbers. I therefore
trust that Dr. Lingard's recommendations will be carefully carried, as 1 feel
that if they are, they will go far to prevent the bullocks being attacked in the
numbers in which they are attacked at present.
Oroxylum indi-
cum, a cure for
Dumree.
727. There is a disease principally affecting calves which is very prevalent
in some parts of India, notably the tract along the foot of the Himalayas. It
is known by the name of Dumree, and seems to be of a highly contagious
nature. A correspondent writing to the Reporter on Economic Products to
the Government of India says:—
"Your letter of the 8th January 1897 to hand yesterday. I know that the tree known here as Dumree is
oroxylum indicum. After sending you the pod, I had come to the conclusion it was bignonia indica from what
K. L. Dey says in his book on the indigenous drugs, and from Brandis' description of the tree.
"I am not wrong in saying the seed of the tree cures the disease known here as Dumree, for that I am
quite certain of, but I may be wrong in thinking the disease is Ring-worm. The disease is common amongst
native owned cattle, but I never had a case in my herd until one year when I was given a Brittany bull and cow
lately imported by Government. A calf was born three months after arrival of the pair, and very soon after
the birth, the calf got spots about the size of a 4 to 8-anna bit on the face, ears and neck from which the hair
disappeared, and which had a slightly red look. I was told the disease was Dumree, and that I should find
a hard circle about four annas in size on the roof of the mouth, and I was also told that probably all my calves
would get the disease, and sure enough all did. Natives said the seed of Dumree was the cure, but none
could then be got. These circles spread all over the animal till at last the calves looked most peculiar. I
washed with phenyle, and gave sulphur internally, but could not see much benefit. I then continued the sulphur
internally, paid great attention to keeping of the calves' houses clean, and once or twice a week either burnt-
sulphur or sprayed with phenyle, and in about 4 or 5 months the disease was beaten, but not before the worst
cases had died. I was told that next year I might get the disease again in my calves, so I kept my eye on the
houses, and twice a month fumigated them, and in December laid in a stock of Dumree seed. The disease
did appear, and on the first ring showing itself, I did as the natives suggested, and gave a seed or two with
ground "Bhut" (Glycine hispada) for a few days; few calves got more than two or three rings, and these dis-
appeared soon, and the calves which were not attacked, I presume, from getting a few seeds, were never affected.
Now I do not fear the disease in the least, for directly it appears, I dose every young animal with the seeds.
Veterinary Surgeon Rayment was this way one year and I mentioned the disease to him, but could not show
him a case; he said it might be ring-worm and so I called it that, but it may be something quite different.
"The calves, attacked badly, if not given Dumree, are covered with these rings which look exactly as if
one had taken a metal seal and burnt the calf all over ; the calves at first do not seem out of sorts, but as the
number of rings increase they get thinner, have no spirits and the smaller ones will die, but calves of six to
nine months will generally pull through, but they are miserably thin when over it. Nothing is used of the tree
this way except the seeds, and they are only used for the disease known as Dumree.
"It is many years ago, probably 8, since I tried to cure the disease Dumree with sulphur, Iodine, etc.,
since I have had the disease attacked my calves many times and have always cured them quickly with Dumrss
seed alone."