3
the outbreaks and his report disclosed evidence of widespread disease, particu-
larly Rinderpest and Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia. I visited the south of the
district with Father Hoffmann, and although there were no outbreaks at the
time, there was ample proof that Hæmorrhagic Septiæmia is the cause of very
great mortality among cattle in the Biru tract. Rinderpest does not appear
to be so common, as very few cattle-arc brought there from outside.
Further enquiries in other parts of Chota Nagpur have shown that Rinder-
pest reaches the district through the Native States on the west and from
Hazaribagh and Palamau on the north. Though strict enquiries have been
made into its prevalence in Gaya, I could get no evidence of any outbreaks
having occurred in that district, though there was severe mortality in Shahabad
and Palamau. The inference to be derived from this is that the cattle in the
plains, which are better fed and looked after, can carry the disease without
showing any very striking clinical symptoms themselves, and that they infect
the more susceptible cattle of the Chota Nagpur Plateau when brought up there
for sale. Disease usually makes its first appearance on the roads leading from
the districts to the north and north-west.
In the districts of Tirhut Rinderpest has not appeared so far, but the
danger is very great, as there is a constant stream of cattle passing through
them on their way to Bengal and Assam from the United Provinces during the
cold weather months.
The dearth of a large staff of Assistants at head-quarters is a constant
source of trouble. They would be invaluable in dealing with outbreaks, as they
could be deputed to any part of the province at short notice.
A new register for keeping statistics of animals that die from contagious
disease was introduced in March. The figures given in the attached statement
have been obtained mainly from the Police. In future these will be supple-
mented by those which the Assistant will have obtained himself when on tour,
but which have not been reported by the chaukidars. New rules are also being
drawn up with a view to eliminating many sources of error in the present
system.
EQUINES.
Three outbreaks of Glanders were reported during the year, one from
Jamui, District Monghyr, one from Ranchi and one from Giridih. After test-
ing the suspected animals with Mallein they were found free from the disease.
The 14 deaths from " Other diseases " could not be classified for want of parti-
culars.
BOVINES.
Rinderpest.—This disease was prevalent in 1G out of the 21 districts of
the province and caused heaviest mortality in Sambalpur. The figures for
Bhagalpur, as far as can be ascertained from enquiries, arc incorrect, and point
to a confusion with Foot and Mouth disease. Similar remarks apply to
Monghyr.
The returns for the Chota Nagpur Districts and for Shahabad do not
represent the losses which occurred, as the disease was very widespread, especially
in Palamau and Ranchi and in the Sasaram Subdivision of the Shahabad
District. The total number of deaths is 2,770 against 2,771 in 1911-12.
Foot and Mouth disease. — Foot and Mouth disease was prevalent in almost
all districts in this Province. Seven hundred and fifty-seven deaths were reported
against 672 in 1911-12. Though more deaths are recorded this year, there
appears to have been a great decline in the number of animals attacked, judging
from the reports which Veterinary Assistants sent of the falling off in the
number of cases treated by them in the dispensaries.
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia.—Three thousand five hundred and fifty-one
deaths are reported - this year against 3,125 in 1911-12. I believe that even
this number represents but a small part of the total mortality returns of this fatal
disease; and that if reliable statistics were forthcoming it would prove to be the