( 2 )
disease. Greater interest is however being taken in reporting both by
members of the Agricultural Associations and by private people.
EQUINES.
6. Glanders.—There were 75 cases of glanders this year, excluding 107
at the Sodepur Pinjrapole. The most serious outbreaks were at Rajshahi,
Murahidabad and Burdwan. Diagnosis was confirmed in all the cases. The
granting of compensation has continued to work satisfactorily, and greatly
facilitates the stamping out of the disease. In respect of the working of the
Glanders and Farcy Act, the attention of Government is drawn to the manner
in which the Burdwan, Jessore and Murahidabad Municipalities carry out any
suggestions made to them regarding the inspection and sanitation of their
stables. In Burdwan every obstacle is placed in our way by the Municipality.
They appointed a Veterinary Assistant, a man who was dismissed by the
Chairman, District Board, Motihari. Attention of the Director of Agriculture
was drawn to this at the time. The Veterinary Assistant in question was
subsequently dismissed by the Burdwan District Board.
7. Anthrax.—Two deaths have been reported from two districts of
Eastern Bengal against 13 from four districts of the previous year. The
diagnosis was confirmed microscopically in each case.
8. Surra.—No cases have been reported by the District Officers. But
in Bakarganj a case was reported by the. local Veterinary Assistant and the
disease was confirmed microscopically.
9. Sixty-four cases of other contagious diseases were reported to have
occurred during the year.
BOVINES.
10. Rinderpest.—This disease was prevalent more or less in all the
districts of Bengal, and caused 5,483 deaths. This, however, does not re-
present the real extent of its prevalence in the Province, as many cases occur
about which no information is available.
11. Foot-and-mouth disease.—This disease was reported from 20 districts
and caused 497 deaths. Here again no reliance can be placed on the number
of deaths reported.
12. Hæmorrhagic septicæmia.—One thousand seven hundred and fourteen
deaths were reported under this head. This disease is a very serious one, and
causes great loss to cultivators in almost all districts of the Province. In
several districts, e.g., Dacca, Mymensingh, Tippera and Malda, the diagnosis
was confirmed microscopically. The numbers given in Table IT appear to
under-estimate the death-rate.
13. Black quarter.—This disease was reported from six districts, and
caused 91 deaths against 1,025 of the previous year. The outbreak of Tippera
was diagnosed by microscopical examination. The cases in Bakarganj were
not reported previously, and no examination could be made.
14. Anthrax.—Anthrax
was reported from two districts of Eastern
Bengal and caused 26 deaths ; 324 deaths from five districts were reported in
the previous year. The diagnosis by microscopical examination was confirmed
at Bakarganj.
15. Other diseases.—Seven hundred and eleven deaths were reported under
this head. The decrease appears to be due to the fact that Veterinary
Assistants have now to classify and enquire into all police returns while they
are out on tour. It is necessary to call attention here to the frequency with
which cases of cattle poisoning are met with in the districts. It appears to be
very prevalent in the Presidency Division, especially in Jessore, Khulna and
the Sunderbans. Assistants have frequently had the disease reported to them
as Rinderpest, and in this way it has been brought to the notice of the
authorities.
PREVENTIVE INOCULATION.
16. Rinderpest.—Table III shows the result of preventive inoculation.
During the year 18,241 bovines were inoculated, 2,758 animals died before