7
even approximate accuracy. 192 outbreaks were attended and 22,613 cattle
inoculated by the serum alone method ; the number of animals which died
after inoculation being 166.
42. In the Central Provinces, 8,886 cattle are reported to have died from
Rinderpest. The greatest mortality was in Balaghat where 4,608 head were
lost. 791 died in Seoni and 619 in Bhandara. The Deputy Commissioner of
Balaghat, however, states that the disease was at least three times as severe
as the figures would show and the Superintendent remarks that this is also the
case in other districts. Considerable mortality amongst cattle is reported to
have occurred in the Betul district where no Veterinary Assistant was em-
ployed and no help could be given. Considerable progress has, however, been
made in the reporting of outbreaks and in inoculation work. Last year, only
3,770 inoculations were performed whilst this year 582 outbreaks were attended
and 12,460 animals received serum treatment, and only 12 deaths occurred
among inoculated animals. Owing to lack of staff, many outbreaks could not
be attended by Veterinary Assistants.
43. In Madras, the number of deaths reported is 19,050 The number of
outbreaks is not shown but the Superintendent reports that the mortality was
severe in Ganjam, Godavery, Nellore, Kistna, Kurnool, Bellary, Anantpur,
South Arcot and Madura. The staff is very small and he could only arrange
satisfactorily for inoculation work to be carried out in Ganjam, Godavery and
Nellore. None was done in the remaining districts with the exception of
Anantpur, Kurnool and South Arcot. 130 outbreaks were attended and 12,689
cattle inoculated.
44. In the Punjab, rinderpest prevailed to a greater extent and the morta-
lity from it is higher than last year. 4,155 deaths are reported against 997 last
year. The increase in the numbers is accounted for by improved reporting and
increase in subordinate staff. 166 outbreaks were attended and 49,5 9 cattle
and 709 sheep and goats were inoculated; the mortality among inoculated
animals being shown as only 42.
45. In the North-West Frontier Province, the disease appeared in the
Peshawar and Bannu districts and a severe outbreak occurred in the Kurrum
Valley, where 667 deaths are reported. In all, 2,056 cases occurred, of which
910 died. The Political Officer interested himself in the suppression of the
Kurrum Valley outbreak and the Veterinary Inspector of the Bannu district
took energetic measures in the shape of inoculation. Recrudescence of disease
occurred owing to the traffic in cattle from across the border, but each out-
break was dealt with as soon as it was discovered. A serious outbreak occurred
in the Peshawar district but the disease was successfully dealt with by the staff.
55 outbreaks were attended and 15,116 cattle inoculated, the mortality in
inoculated animals being reported to be 18. The Superintendent reports that
there is no doubt that the serum inoculation successfully combated several
severe outbreaks which otherwise nothing could have been done to stop.
46. In the United Provinces, the disease is reported to have been less,
prevalent than last year, 1,686 deaths only being reported against 3,798 last
year. It occurred in 22 districts against 30 last year, but the. outbreaks were
reported to be slight. 60 outbreaks were attended and 5,814 animals inoculated;
of which, 54 died.
47. The disease appeared in the Bombay Presidency during the year,
having been introduced by grazing cattle into the Sholapur and Ahmednagar
districts, whence it spread to Bombay and Thana. The Superintendent reports
that it will certainly extend. Every endeavour was made to check the spread
of the disease at the commencement of the outbreak but without success, partly
on account of the inadequacy of the staff available and partly on account of the
opposition of the people to the measures recommended. They showed great
unwillingness to have their animals inoculated and in most cases flatly refused
to permit it. In 2 outbreaks, 89 cattle were inoculated. Considering that the
inoculation is something quite new to the majority of the cattle owners of the
Presidency and, as is always the case with new measures, they are distrustful