5
against these diseases is smaller. Outbreaks of this disease also subside quicker
than is the case in rinderpest; naturally the same necessity for anti-serum
inoculation is not so frequent.
26. Anthrax.—The reported mortality was 3,059 as against 3,817 in 1919-20.
Kistna district returned the largest number of deaths, viz., 529. One hundred and
seventy-nine reports were received and J 06 attended and the number of inoculations
carried out was 199.
27. Black-quarter.—The mortality was 1,384 as against 2,317 in the preceding
year. In all 59 reports were received and 39 attended.
28. Foot-and-mouth disease.—The number of deaths recorded was 1,186 as
against 2,198 the previous year. The staff received 325 reports and attended 290
of them. In India this disease is mild in its severity and in its contagious and
infectious nature, when compared with its existence in Western countries, and deaths
from the disease itself in this country must be of comparatively rare occurrence if the
patients are nursed and attended to. That so many deaths as 1,186 have occurred
indicates want of treatment, and in all probability the animals succumbed from
complications due to neglect or the deaths have been wrongly classified.
29. Glanders.—We are fortunate in having had no cases of this disease. In the
year 1917-18 a bad centre of the disease was discovered in the Nellore district
through a pony with the disease coming from there to Madras where it was
detected. It is estimated that the owner lost Rs. 20,000 in valuable ponies which
had to be destroyed. This knowledge muse make a thinking man realise how
fortunate it was that this centre of the disease was discovered and dealt with before
the disease got disseminated widely through the district and country by infected
animals being sold, an occurrence which might easily happen owing to the disease
being often only sub-acute or latent when there is very little indeed to draw the
attention of the uninitiated man.
30. Dourine or horse syphilis—so called from its method of transmission—
fortunately as far as we know does not exist in Southern India, and no case of the
disease has yet been detected. It is common however in Northern India, especially
in Rajaputana, where it recently brought Army Remount horse breeding to a stand-
still.
31. Surra.—Seven cases were confirmed microscopically during the year.
32. Epizootic Lymphangitis.—One case in the veterinary hospital at Cuddalore
was detected and microscopically confirmed. This being another disease scheduled
under the Glanders and Farcy Act, it may be considered satisfactory that no more
than one case occurred in the Presidency during the year.
33. Piroplasmosis.—Some years this disease is very much worse than in others
chiefly due to weather conditions which affect the number of ticks about, these
creatures providing the source of transmission of the disease from one animal to
another. Indigenous cattle are practically immune and cases are met with in
imported dogs and horses. Only five cases were detected.
34. Kumri—Fourteen cases were detected by the staff. Unfortunately the
cause of this disease has yet to be discovered, and in its existence lies a field for
research.
35. Sheep-pox.—Only one outbreak was reported from Ramnad, but it was not
severe.
36. Rabies.—The brains of 81 dogs, eight other domestic animals and two jackals
sent by the staff to the Pasteur Institute, Coonoor, for examination were certified to
be rabid. In the previous year, the figures were 71 dogs and two other domestic
animals. During the year in addition to the number mentioned above, a diagnosis
of rabies was made in 50 dogs and 15 other domestic animals. Confirmation of the
disease microscopically in these cases was not necessary owing to the advanced stage
of the symptoms.
37. Pleuro-pneumonia of sheep.—This disease has long been giving trouble at
the Agricultural Farm at Bantanahal. Mr. Ware visited the Farm and left certain
instructions with the Manager for guidance. At an outbreak which caused about
2