159
" In practice, the cost would be small, considering the object to be attained.
Bearing upon the suggestion of saving cost of keep to the owner, it may be
remarked that compensation for slaughter is universal in Europe, as far as I
know, and offers a precedent for providing cost of keep in this country, where
slaughter is out of the question.
"No doubt it would be possible to suggest very much more stringent
methods, but I do not think they would have the slightest chance of being
adopted. The Director of Land Records has added that the land and ambulance
should be provided by the Municipality.
" Dr. Koch's inoculation in South Africa.—In a report to the Secretary,
Agricultural Department, South Africa, Dr. Koch, the Bacteriologist, reports that
healthy cattle may be rendered immune with the bile of such as have succumbed
to Rinderpest. In this case a single hypodermic injection of 10 c.c.m. is
sufficient. This immunity sets up on the 10th day at latest, and is to such an
extent, that even four weeks afterwards 40 c.c.m. of Rinderpest blood could be
injected without any injurious effect.
"The local result of an injection is merely a hard, somewhat painful, swell-
ing of the size of a man's fist, and which gradually disappears in the course of
a few weeks; provided, however, that the bile is not in a state of decomposition,
as is not uncommon when an animal suffers from Rinderpest. Under such cir-
cumstances, an abscess may form, which, however, does not seem to be detri-
mental to the process of immunisation. I have been following Professor Koch's
investigations with a view to benefiting Bengal; but means should be taken by
Government to have the system inquired into by a specially deputed person in
order to ascertain if any modifications are required for Indian cattle. If it is
found to be as safe in India as at the Cape, I proposed to employ this method
of treatment."
BURMA.
ARAKAN DIVISION.
Akyab.
744. This year, like the last, has been a disastrous one for the cattle of the
Akyab District.
Rinderpest—Has again caused heavy losses. The disease was prevailing
throughout the district at the close of the year, continued in a virulent form
for some months during the year under report. The Kaladan and Kyelat town-
ships were the only two which escaped the losses. In the former there was
little damage to be done, as during the previous year over 12,000 cattle perished.
Urittaung.—At the close of the last official year, the scourge was most
prevalent and severe in this township: six hundred and seventy-four deaths
were reported in March 1896. In April 1,049 animals succumbed, and though
there was a marked fall in June and July, still the deaths averaged 450 per
mensem. In August there was a great improvement, and from this time the
death-rate steadily decreased, till the end of January, after which no deaths were
recorded. The disease was most severe between April and August. The
average mortality per mensem during this period was about 480.
Pauktaw.—This township also suffered heavy losses. In March 1896, 172
deaths were registered. In April the death-rate increased to 244. This was
followed by a still heavier mortality in May, namely, 763, and in June it
reached 1,110. August showed a considerable fall, viz., 401, and from this on
till December there was a steady decrease. In this month the disease again
spread carrying off 192 animals. In January only 28 deaths were recorded,
and none in February This outbreak lasted from April till December; the
average number of deaths per month amounted to 443.
Rathedaung.—In March 1896, 120 deaths were registered, and in April
only 39. In May the disease spread rapidly, and continued to inflict heavy
losses till October, when there was a steady decrease, which was maintained
till the disease died out in February. In Rathedaung the highest mortality
occurred between June and October.
The average per mensem was 437.