74
469. The above will show that the three systems are eminently successful in
dealing with outbreaks, but that owing to the fact that immunity is not
acquired by the Bile methods until 10 days after inoculation, the percentage of
attacks is greater during that period than it is by the simultaneous method.
Bombay.
470. Preventive inoculation has been carried in certain of the cattle camps
in Bombay. Two hundred and eighteen head of cattle were inoculated by the
simultaneous method by Veterinary Major Hagger, Assistant to the Inspector-
General, Civil Veterinary Department, at Ahmedabad. Remarking on this
subject, the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, states :—
"Owing to the great difficulty experienced in obtaining virulent blood as no case of Rinderpest existed at
the time in any of the Government camps, it was only possible to inoculate the above number with the
simultaneous method.
Cows . . . . . . .
Heifers . . . . . .
Calves . . . . . . .
Bulls . . . . . . .
Bullocks . . . . .
TOTALl
111
14
55
3
2
185
"The marginally noted animals were inoculated with
serum only. Beyond slight swelling at the point of
inoculation no systematic disturbance was noticeable.
" No conclusions can as yet be drawn from the experi-
ments, but as all the animals are the property of Govern-
ment and will probably remain so until September or
October, they have been placed in charge of a thoroughly
skilled Veterinary Graduate with strict orders to report at
once should any disease break out amongst them.
"The Acting Superintendent also inoculated 80 animals in this Camp with defebrinated blood obtained
from two salted animals which he took up with him, but was unable to do more as he had not sufficient material
at hand. There was no rinderpest present during the time he inoculated, and none of the animals left in the
camp which he operated upon contracted the disease. I no not think it is necessary to discuss this process as
it is for many reasons both dangerous and inapplicable to this country.
"Owing to the prevalence of rinderpest amongst the large number of bullocks belonging to the Bombay
Municipality, I have, in consultation with the Municipal Commissioner, arranged to inoculate them. It is
proposed that all these animals be inoculated, branded, and a very careful register kept. This experiment will
prove most valuable in that these animals are kept for years, are under strict veterinary supervision and any
doubt as to the exact period of immunity conferred by the simultaneous process, will to a great extent be
decided.
"Arrangements for carrying out preventive inoculation are now complete in this Presidency and every
effort will be made to thoroughly test the process, and I trust that considerable progress will be made during the
ensuing year."
Madras.
471. A beginning has been made in this Province. Three hundred and
thirty-nine head of cattle were inoculated by the Superintendent, Civil
Veterinary Department, with excellent results.
Inoculations by the
Imperial and the
Assistant
Bacteriologist.
472. Protective inoculation was also carried out by the Imperial and the
Assistant Bacteriologist in various districts of the North-Western Provinces
with very satisfactory results. Altogether about 600 head of cattle were
inoculated by them.
473. More would have been accomplished during the year under review had
it not been that the Laboratory was burnt to the ground: this, naturally, delayed
the preparation of serum, but I trust that the Government of India will agree
with me in thinking that the inoculation of 3,384 head of cattle for the first
year must be considered satisfactory.
474. We are greatly in want of more field workers and to meet this demand
I have recommended that a certain number of Veterinary Assistants should be
trained at the Laboratory at Muktesar.
475. The opposition which we anticipated especially from the Hindu popula-
tion is likely to be but trifling owing to the success which has been met with.
At Bhoojawala in the Dun, the disease was very virulent, as during the
first twelve days 26 head of cattle were attacked and 13 deaths took place;
the inoculation of the remaining cattle, 145 in number, resulted in no deaths
after the fourth day; this made such an impression that the following petition
signed by Hindu cultivators, was submitted by them to the Superintendent,
Western Dun :—
We beg to report that rinderpest is prevalent in the villages of Rampur, Bhanwala, Nabinagar and
the adjacent villages. We heard from the Zemindars of Bason and Ambari, etc., that during the last cold
season some Veterinary Officer had inoculated the cattle of the infected villages and that the cattle of those
villages escaped from being affected with rinderpest. We therefore beg that the same officer be again deputed
for the inoculation of cattle in the villages of Rampur and Bhanwala, etc.
Tick Plague.
476. During the year under review a decision as to the precautionary
measures to be adopted in India against the introduction of the tick pest from
Queensland has been arrived at. The Government of that Colony has pointed out
that horses can only be shipped from the ports of Brisbane, Gladstone, Rockhamp-
ton, Bowen and Townsville, at each of which is stationed a Government Veteri-