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injected in animals exposed to infection." The information
was misleading because " citrate of potash " turned out to be
the agent used, and not " citric acid." Moreover, the quantity
of the drug was not stated. However, I experimented with a
number of combinations of citric acid and citrate of potash,
and found that small quantity of " citrate of potash " prevents
coagulation, but it appears to have no appreciable effect in
preventing decomposition ; and as blood outside a laboratory
can only be prevented from decomposing rapidly with difficulty
in this Province, even when a percentage of citrate of potash
is added, this method, though interesting and ingenious, does
not appear to be suitable for Bengal at present.
(h) In one of his reports from South Africa Professor Koch does not
appear to have finally decided if pigs may acquire rinderpest.
I have inoculated six young pigs with large doses of rinderpest
blood, in order to solve the question if they are subject to the
disease in this Province. One pig was found dead on the loth
day without showing premonitory symptoms. Post-mortem show-
ed severe congestion of the lungs, liver, spleen, and heart ; the
stomach was congested with some petechial spots on the mucous
membrane, the intestines were slightly congested.
These
symptoms do not point to rinderpest, and as the others remained
healthy, it appears that pigs do not suffer fom this disease.
(i) An animal that has recovered from an attack of rinderpest does not
re act in a typical manner when re-infected, but he does not
seem to become absolutely immune against a blood injection ; for
I find that a hypodermic injection of virulent rinderpest blood
causes an important rise of temperature in a recovered animal,
and in one case diarrhoea also occurred.
222. The Bengal Government granted a sum of Rs. 540 for experimental
purposes. This money was expended. It will be seen that the number of ex-
periments I have been able to carry out successfully with the assistance of
Mr. Toomey would have involved a much larger sum had they failed.
222a. Besides the rinderpest experiments, I have studied the effects
produced on animals by datura and abrus precatorius, but owing to want of
time, enough has not yet been done to make a report worth perusal.
223. In June 1897 I was requested by the Principal Veterinary Officer,
Army Veterinary Department, India, to test some mallein which had been
issued by the General Medical Store-keeper. This I did, and reported to the
effect that the sample sent to me was not reliable.
224. In July I was requested to test three horses belonging to the Battery
at Barrackpore for glanders, as a control experiment. The horses were sent
here, and treated with mallein, and I was able to report they were not suffering
from the disease.
225. A few experiments have been made with tuberculine. According to
results obtained, I find it re-acts in cases of tuberculous cattle in Bengal in
much the same way as elsewhere.
226. A question of extreme importance to the hide trade of India has
originated through two or three colonies closing their ports against this
merchandise owing to the fear that rinderpest might be imported.
227. I have been directed to investigate if any such danger exists.
228. An estimate of the cost of the experiments has been prepared and
submitted, and Government orders are being awaited.
CATTLE FAIRS, SHOWS, &c.
229. I have to report that I have only had time to visit five fairs this year,
owing to pressure of work. A great many other fairs have remained unvisited,
which is highly regrettable, as these assemblies are probably one of the chief
means of spreading epizootic disease.
230. I have, however, applied for two assistants in my letter No. 416V.D.,
dated 17th March 1898, and if they are sanctioned, a portion of their time
might be devoted to this important purpose.
231. I append a list of fairs in Bengal (Appendix XXXVI).
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