2
have had little or no connection with agriculture and consequently do not
come into the Department with any great liking for it, though some have
exceeded expectations. It appears to be desirable that the prospects offered
to them should be reconsidered, and, that an increase of pay and travelling
allowance is necessary, if the cadre is to improve in the future. There are so
many openings in other Departments, and in commerce, that only those
take to the Veterinary profession for a living, who in many cases are not
good enough to obtain appointments. Good Assistants are badly needed
in all districts of the Province.
PART II.
TREATMENT OF DISEASE.
Although outbreaks of cattle disease have been reported more regularly
than formerly, there is still a great deal to be done to bring the system into
proper working order. The various Associations during the year have had
frequent attention drawn to the necessity of reporting disease. Greater in-
terest is however being taken in reporting, both by members of the Agricul-
tural Associations and by private people.
In Bihar many Planters do not take as much interest as they might do,
in sending information, and in helping to suppress disease. In Champaran,
however, very considerable assistance has been afforded to the Veterinary
Assistants by them, in inoculation work, especially against hæmorrhagic
septicaemia, and in the treatment of foot-and-mouth disease in the villages,
by distributing medicines. Until a sufficient number of Assistants are avail-
able very little can be done in attending all outbreaks as the areas to be
covered are too large.
EQUINES.
Disease of a contagious character among equines this year has been
remarkably low, only one case of glanders (previously tested with mallein),
at Bhagalpur, being recorded. No information is available regarding the
9 deaths from "other contagious disease" and they could not on this account
be classified.
BOVINES.
Rinderpest.—This disease was not so widespread as in former years, but
the figures, 2,771 deaths, do not I think represent the real extent of its pre-
valence in the Province, as many cases occur about which no information is
available. In Bihar, however, it is very seldom met with, but in the Sonthal
Parganas, Manbhum, Hazaribagh, Gaya, Palamau, Bhagalpur, and Purnea, i
occurs with great regularity, affecting usually a large- number of cattle. A
regards inoculation, the people of Purnea accept this mode of treatment mor
readily than those of other parts of the Province. In North Bhagalpur even
with the aid of Planters and Government officials, very little progress has been
made in inducing owners to take up this line of treatment.
Foot-and-mouth disease.—This disease was reported from 18 as agains
16 districts of the previous year. The mortality in most districts wa
very low except in Sambalpur, where 226 cattle died. The total for the Prov
ince is 672 deaths.
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia.—This disease appears to be the most serious
with which cultivators have to contend, and is responsible for a very heavy
mortality in almost all districts of the Province. The number given in Table
II appears to underestimate the death-rate. In most outbreaks the
disease affects only a small number of cattle in a village, but out of these very
few escape. Inoculations against it have been undertaken extensively with
very satisfactory results, especially in Cuttack. Further efforts will be made
this year to extend the use of the vaccine, which confers a more lasting
immunity than the serum previously employed.