91
and as both zilladars have been in both districts for many years, I feel confi-
dent in stating that neither of these districts need be under the suspicion of
being affected with the disease. I therefore addressed the Principal Veteri-
nary Officer in India, asking him to assist in tracing the origin of the disease,
and from a return subsequently received, I find that the regiment lost 7 in
1893, 1 in 1895, 1 in 1896, and 7 in February 1897, total 16. Of these, 11
were bought at the fairs held at Quetta, Sibi, and Sindh, 2 at Shahpur, 2 at
Dera Ghazi Khan, and 1 at Lahore. From the above it will be seen that 11
were Northern horses imported from Meshed and Herat, and it is only feasible
to expect that the source of danger lies in that direction; it will therefore
behove Officers purchasing horses at any fair, where the Northern horse is
offered for sale, to be very careful to have them inspected by a Veterinary
Officer before leaving, and to segregate them for some time when they arrive
at their destination.
BOMBAY.
502. During the year under review, the Department has been placed on a
more satisfactory basis, and is likely to be able to perform its duties more
thoroughly than it has hitherto done; knowing, as we do, that Glanders and
Farcy exist largely amongst Arabs and Persians, and as Bombay is one of the
most important horse markets in India, we cannot possibly exercise too much
supervision to prevent the disease extending to all parts of the country reached
by horses bought in this city.
503. The report which is submitted by the Principal, Bombay Veterinary
College, embraces the working for 15 months, as it has been decided to alter
the date of its submission from 1st January to 1st April, in order to assimilate
it with all others submitted to this office.
504. The control of the Department appointed to work the Glanders and
Farcy Act has been transferred from the Commissioner of Police to the
Principal, Bombay Veterinary College. Hitherto, its working was entrusted
to Police Inspectors of the city; this was unsatisfactory, as with their multi-
farious duties it was found impossible that they should do more than pay
attention to cases which were brought to their notice. A special body of
Police, consisting of 2 Havildars, 3 Naiks and 2 Sepoys, have been appointed:
these men are distinguished by a chevron on the right arm with the letters
" V. P." They are under the sole control of the Department.
505. The staff of Inspectors has been posted in four divisions, one of these
officers being also in subordinate charge of the Government Lazaretto. The
harbour has been made a separate division: the duty of the Inspector of this
division is to inspect all imports.
506. One Chief Veterinary Inspector is appointed; this officer is respon-
sible for the immediate supervision of the Inspectors and Police.
It will therefore be seen that the working staff consists of:—
1 Chief Inspector,
4 Inspectors,
1 Harbour Inspector,
7 Police.
In addition to the Principal and Assistant Principal, Bombay Veterinary
College, three Veterinary Surgeons, in private practice, have been appointed
Veterinary Surgeons under the Act. The two former are, in addition,
appointed Veterinary Surgeons for the town of Bandra in Thana and Nasik.
507. It will be seen that Bombay now possesses a thoroughly workable
staff, and I trust that its appointment will lead to the detection of all cases
of Glanders before they leave the city. I am not aware whether an Inspector
is present daily at the Byculla Railway Station, from which nearly all horses
and ponies proceeding up country, are boxed; if not, this should be done;
this would be one of the most perfect systems of inspection that could possibly
be effected.