3
Rinderpest—This disease shows an increase of 2,759 deaths over the figures of
the previous year.
At the beginning of the year under review the Rinderpest Mobile Corps was
working in Kistna district, but the disease had already broken out in a severe form
in Bellary and Kurnool districts.
As it began to assume alarming proportions there, especially in the latter district,
the head-quarters of the corps were moved to Kurnool in July 1913, and two of its
assistants were sent to help the touring Veterinary Assistant in Bellary. The disease
was eventually overcome in Bellary but the same success was not obtained in
Kurnool, and in addition it spread to the adjoining district of Anantapur.
To make matters worse the Imperial Bacteriologist informed this office in
October that the centrifuges had broken down at the Muktesar laboratory, and that
no more serum would be obtainable for some time to come.
By careful conservation the stock at Guindy was made to last out until the
beginning of February but from then until 16th March there was no anti-rinderpest
serum in the Presidency. This state of affairs accounts for the small number of
inoculations performed in Anantapur district compared with the number of deaths
that occurred there, for as much serum as possible was sent to Kurnool, where the
disease was more virulent.
In this last mentioned district over 3,000 deaths are reported from the disease
and 13,369 inoculations were performed against it
The only other district, not mentioned so far, to be affected with rinderpest
severely during the year was North Arcot. The number of inoculations performed
in this district was small, owing to the unsatisfactory work of the touring assistant,
whose services were afterwards dispensed with.
Anthrax.—As mentioned above, there is a considerable decrease reported under
this head. Kurnool, Tanjore, Kistna and Nellore report the largest number of deaths.
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia.—Guntūr again this year reports the largest number
of deaths from this disease, and others badly affected were Ganjām, Kistna and
Tanjore. Nellore reports only half the number returned last year, which may be
due to the 3,000 inoculations which Srinivasa Rao, touring Veterinary Assistant of
that district managed to perform.
Black-quarter.—Chittoor, Kurnool and Guntūr suffered to the greatest extent
as last year. A few vaccinations were carried out by Veterinary Inspectors
Kylasamier in Nellore and Richards in Coimbatore, but attempts at prevention of
this disease are not popular owing to its sporadic nature.
Foot and Mouth disease.—Ganjām (459) and Malabar (206) are the only districts
to return noticeable figures. Not much was heard of the disease in Ganjām and it
is probable that the figures reported are far from correct owing to the illiteracy of
village officers in many parts of that district, but the disease was distinctly trouble
some in Malabar.
Surra.—A case of surra is reported from Anantapur but it did not come to the
notice of this office.
The case confirmed by microscopical examination was discovered at the Tiruvan-
nāmalai hospital.
In addition the authorities of the Madras Veterinary College report that six
cases of this disease were diagnosed there during the year.
Piroplasmosis.—Of the two cases confirmed, one was in a horse and the other in
a bullock.
Tumours.—A marked increase in the number of tumours submitted this year
by the subordinate staff is noticeable, but the figures are not nearly as large yet as
they ought to be.
Of the 14 which were classed as neoplasms, i.e., not granulation or inflammatory
tissue, ten were malignant and four benign.
(ii) Other diseases.—The total number of cases treated on tour by Inspectors
and touring assistants was 12,264 as against 8,868 last year, while the number of
castrations performed by the same agency rose from 1,496 to 4,436.