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last outbreak began in October 1896 and is still proceeding. I am speaking from
actual admissions into the Belgatchia Infirmary, but it is not unfair to suggest
that the disease prevailed before the date I give.
165. Unfortunately the Local Police appears to have no special means of
gaining information about cattle disease, and there appears to be no necessity
for reporting cattle disease to the Civil Veterinary Department. 1 have no
knowledge that any efforts have been made during the year under review to
combat Rinderpest in Calcutta. In fact one of the Chairmen of the Cor-
poration doubted if the word " epizootic" in paragraph 334 of the Municipal
Act of 1888 applied.
156. In continuation of steps that were recorded in last Annual Report
by direction of the Agricultural Department, I enquired of the Commissioner of
Police if he could given me any information as to the number of outbreaks
and deaths from Rinderpest during recent years ; he told me that he could not
do so, as there were no records in his office.
157. I then made the best arrangements I could for gaining the required
information, and I ascertained that during the last four years about 16, 767
animals had died of Rinderpest in Calcutta and Suburbs and these animals if
valued at Rs. 25 a head represent a loss of Rs. 4, 18, 925 ; but, of course, the
indirect loss and inconvenience also represent a large sum. Needless to say,
that the loss is not confined to private cattle; I have ascertained that the
animals in the Municipal gowkhanas and in the jails, &c., also suffer. The
Calcutta Municipality appears to suffer a loss of some Rs. 722 per annum, if
I may judge from information to hand.
158. Rinderpest appeared amongst the animals of the Cossipore Munici-
pality, during the year, but the outbreak was reported to me by that body, and
I was able to send Veterinary students to treat the cases.
159. The disease also attacked the cattle of the Baranagore Municipality.
Here again, I was able to render assistance.
160. I have been directed to draw up, in consultation with the Director of
Land Records, clauses for combating epizootic cattle disease in Calcutta for
consideration in connection with the New Calcutta Municipal Act.
161. I have sent on my suggestions, the loading idea being to substitute
for compulsory slaughter with compensation as in Europe, compulsory isolation
and free treatment, &c., as it is obvious that cattle cannot be slaughtered in this
Province.
INVESTIGATIONS, &c.
RINDERPEST EXPERIMENTS.
162. In paragraph 151, page 14 of my Annual Report of 1896-97,
I remarked: "I have been following Professor Koch's investigations with a
view to benefiting Bengal. If it is found to be as safe in India as at the Cape,
I propose to employ this method of treatment.
163. On the 1st May 1897 I saw the news of Dr. Koch's arrival in the
papers, and wired to the Director of Land Records for permission to proceed to
Bombay. This being sanctioned, I left on the 3rd, reached Bombay on the
6th, saw Professor Koch, and was able to wire to Darjeeling that he was willing
to demonstrate his methods. The Bengal Government at once expressed
willingness to defray expenses. I left Bombay on the 7th and reached Calcutta
on the 10th May.
164. It was finally arranged by the Government of India that Professor
Koch should demonstrate his method at Muktesar near Naini Tal, and I left
Calcutta on the 7th June for that place.
165. I remained at Muktesar until the 19th June and reached Calcutta on
22nd. The demonstration which Professor Koch gave was most interesting.
166. In my letter No. 771V.D. of 26th June 1897, I reported " Professor
Koch's work, though successful in the Laboratory, has still to be studied in its
relations to Bengal cattle." Professor Koch impressed on me that much
remained to be done in this direction.
167. Just prior to Professor Koch's arrival it had been announced in the
Pioneer and other papers that Dr. Simpson of Calcutta had isolated and