3
time, and when it was brought to notice, the steps taken were insufficient
for its suppression, with the result that a great number of villages became
affected and hundreds of cattle died. In October, an investigation of an out-
break of Anthrax at Pursa Factory, Champaran, by Mr. Pool, led to its
discovery in that part of the district. An enquiry was started, and it was then
disclosed that it had been in existence for about nine months, and had caused
considerable mortality in all parts of the Bettiah Sub-division. Active steps
were immediately taken to deal with it, by drafting in Assistants from other
districts, while the first Inspector, Babu. P. N. Das was placed in charge of the
operations. It is satisfactory to note that in spite of severe opposition, a large
number of inoculations were successfully performed, and that the disease at the
end of the year was well in hand.
The number of deaths from Rinderpest in Champaran as given in Table
II, have been compiled from figures collected by the Inspectors, the
Veterinary Assistants, and the Police ; but these do not represent, in my
opinion, the total mortality by nearly one-half, as during the enquiry which
I made, there was hardly a villager questioned, who did not complain of his
losses. Some who took cattle to the grazing grounds returned without any.
The disease was particularly severe on buffaloes. I therefore think that the
deaths were at least 10,000. Taking Rs. 40 as the average price of each
animal that died, cattle owners in Champaran, and especially in Bettiah
Sub-division, must have lost Rs. 4,00 000 worth of stock from this disease
alone, during the short time it was prevalent.
The other districts which have shown a high death rate are Hazaribagh,
Ranchi, Palamau, Gaya, Monghyr, Angul, Manbhum, Cuttack, Bhagalpur
and Puri ; but in these districts the number of deaths appear to me to have
been underestimated also. In Banki Sub-division of Cuttack District, the
deaths were supposed to have been about 3,000 according to the Deputy
Registrar of Co-operative Credit Societies. Therefore, although the total
number of deaths for the whole province is given as 23,085 it appears to
me that 35,000 would be nearer the correct figure. Taking this number
as the actual, and Rs. 30 as the average price of each animal, the total loss
to cultivators during the year in Bihar and Orissa falls not far short in my
opinion of Rs. 10,50,000 from Binderpest alone.
Foot and Mouth Disease.—This disease was not responsible for many
deaths during the year, but there is still a slight increase over the figures for
1913-14. Its prevalence in the districts does not call for special comment.
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia.—The mortality from this disease is, this
year, considerably less than that reported in 1913-14, as only 4,306 deaths have
been recorded against 6,612. It was prevalent chiefly in Ranchi, Bhagalpur,
Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Patna, Shahabad and Cuttack.
The number of deaths appear to have been under-estimated. It was
diagnosed microscopically on three occasions.
Black Quarter.—Only 67 deaths from this disease were reported this year-
It was confirmed by microscopical examination in four outbreaks.
Anthrax.—Deaths
from this disease are reported from 10 districts
with a total mortality of 149, against 27 of the last year. It was diagnosed
microscopically in 13 outbreaks.
Other Contagious Diseases.—Under this head 287 deaths have been
recorded, but I am unable to get any information whereby the figures could
be referred to their proper heads.
TABLE III.
INOCULATION.
Every effort that has been possible has been made during the year under
report to increase the number of inoculations in villages, which have been
affected with contagious disease. Pamphlets have been widely distributed,
and Inspectors have personally visited many outbreaks, in order that they
might use their influence with such villagers as have still refused to take up