3
died and in the latter 414. In the Sundarbans where the Deputy Superinten-
dent was deputed to work in connection with this outbreak, he noticed that
carcasses were either thrown into the river or allowed to be devoured by the
vultures. This resulted in the spread of the infection in the surrounding
localities. The importance of cremation and the deep burial of the carcasses as
instructed by the officers of this Department was recognised by Sir Daniel
Hamilton, and he issued prompt orders to that effect to his raiyats at Gosaba,
but unfortunately in the neighbouring abad of Basanti little or no attention
was paid to this instruction.
14. Other Contagious Diseases.—Are reported to have caused the deaths
of 446 bovines, of which 271 deaths occurred in the districts of Tippera and
Khulna. No details are available.
15. Contagious disease amongst other animals.—These include rabies
and distemper in canines and rinderpest in bovines. Two hundred and five
animals died during the year as against 63 in the previous year.
Table III.
16. Preventive inoculation.—Table III shows in detail the results of
preventive inoculation performed during the year. There were altogether 440
outbreaks in which inoculation was undertaken, and 63,406 head of cattle were
inoculated as against 29,718 cattle inoculated in 225 outbreaks in the previous
year. The details of inoculation are given below :—
Rinderpest ... ...
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia
Anthrax ... ...
Total
...
...
...
...
1916-17.
20,498
9,070
150
29,718
1917-18.
53,124
9,300
982
63,406
In addition to the above figures 5,518 animals were inoculated by the
College staff in Calcutta and its suburbs.
The death rate amongst the inoculated was very small, being 237 in all or
0'3 per cent.
17. A sum of Rs. 22,743-2 was paid during the year to the Imperial
Bacteriologist at Mukteswar on account of cost of serum. Of this
amount a sum of Rs. 21,875 represents the cost of anti-rinderpest serum,
while the balance of Rs. 865-2, represents the cost of other sera and
vaccines the price of which has been ordered by Government to be realised
from the local bodies with effect from 1st September last.
Table IV.
18. Treatment Of diseases On tour.—Table IV shows the work done by
the Veterinary Assistants in mufassal. During the year there were 61 itinerant
Veterinary Assistants and 13 stationary Veterinary Assistants in charge of
dispensaries who toured in the interior either at fixed period or at the time
of outbreaks. These officers visited 11,520 villages as against 10,047 in the
previous year, and treated 67,333 cases as against 57,462. The increase in the
number of cases treated proves that the usefulness of this Department is
being increasingly appreciated by the public.
Table V.
19. Hospitals and Dispensaries.—Table V shows the working of the
hospitals and dispensaries in this Province. Two new out-door dispensaries
in the district of Bakarganj—one at Bhola and another at Perojpur—were
opened in August and December respectively, thus bringing the total number
to 27. The site selected for a third dispensary at Patuakhali in the same
District was also acquired in the course of this year, and construction of the
building is in progress.