(3)
16. Epizootic Lymphangitis.—One case of this disease was reported from
Dehra Dun.
17. Other contagious disease.—Under this heading cases of equine piroplas-
mosis, horse-pox, influenza, external and internal parasitic diseases have occurred
to some extent, but up to now no reliable returns regarding them are furnished.
BOVINE.
18. Rinderpest.—It is gratifying to notice that during the year under
report there has been a considerable decrease in the mortality from this disease.
Five thousand six hundred and eighty-nine deaths have taken place against 15,675
reported last year. Fifteen districts remained free from its ravages, whereas in
twenty-eight others the whole mortality in each did not reach a hundred animals.
It appeared in a virulent form in the Garhwal, Naini Tal, Hamirpur and Banda
districts. In Garhwal a vigorous campaign was conducted in order to combat the
disease, and a strong staff of veterinary assistants under an inspector was sent
from head quarters to assist the local staff, who were numerically insufficient to
cope with it. The results obtained were encouraging, not only in practically
eradicating the disease, but in overcoming the prejudices of the people, whose
confidence in this method of treatment has now become established.
19. Hæmorrhagic septicæmia.—Three thousand six hundred and seventy-
nine deaths from this disease have occurred against 6,303 of last year. Many
districts escaped its attack, and it only appeared in anything approaching a
virulent form in Aligarh, Bareilly, Jalaun, Etawah and Partabgarh. All the
outbreaks which could be reached in time were attended and treatment by
inoculation or otherwise was adopted.
20. Black quarter.—Outbreaks of this malady were reported from 18
districts, most of which however were of slight duration. The total mortality was
considerably less in this disease also than that of last year, being 875 as against
2,030. This decrease is perhaps for the main part due to climatic influence; at
the same time it must be mentioned that in many places where the disease
regularly appears annually the cattle were previously subjected to immunization
methods by the injection of black quarter pellets.
21. Anthrax.—During the year 573 cattle were reported to have succumbed
to this disease. As I have often previously mentioned, little reliance can be placed
on these figures owing to the fact that the disease, usually occurring sporadically,
is of sudden onset and runs a rapidly fatal course often before the veterinary
assistant can reach the outbreak; it is therefore not likely that all the cases
occurring are correctly reported.
22. Foot and mouth disease.—During the year under report, with the
exception of Muzaffarnagar, Bulandshahr, Bijnor, Budaun, Moradabad, Etawah
and Sultanpur, all districts reported the existence of more or less foot and mouth
disease; the mortality being estimated at 1,741. Deaths from this malady are
usually confined to young calves or old, weakly and decrepit animals. Where
possible advice and treatment were given, and medicines were distributed free of
charge to the stock owners.
In the absence of compulsory prohibition of movement of infected animals,
prevention of the spread of this disease is not easy. In large towns and where it
is practicable movement of animals should be restricted as far as possible,
inspection posts established on the main roads, and quarantine and treatment
camps maintained at convenient centres. In a country such as India however
these methods will be very difficult to put into practice until stock owners have
become more enlightened than they are at present.
OTHER COTAGIOUS DISEASE.
23. Three hundred and thirty deaths were reported to have occurred from
various other contagious diseases, which include pleuropneumonia, contagious
abortion, piroplasmosis, variola, &c.
CONTAGIOUS DISEASE AMONST OTHER ANIMALS.
24. Widespread disease in various districts among goats and sheep has
been met with this year. These ailments, which are generally fatal, have been
personally investigated by the Second Superintendent and myself and seem to
be chiefly due to the presence of intestinal parasites. Rinderpest destroyed