45
PART I—IMPERIAL REPORT.
VI.—EQUINE DISEASES.
Glanders and Farcy
General.
351. Glanders and Farcy have prevailed to a great extent in India during
the past year, in fact I may say that I have never known the disease to be so
widespread as it has been; whether this is due to the more satisfactory working
of the Glanders and Farcy Act or not it is impossible to say: my impression
is that it is so; unfortunately the disease has spread to our Remount Depôts.
352. The following will give an idea of the large area over which this
malady has been found to exist during the year under review :—
Baluchistan
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
sind . . . . . .
Punjab . . . . . . .
Kashmir
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
North-Western Provinces
.
.
.
.
.
. . . .
Bengal
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
27 cases.
4 „
16 „
19 „
27 „
43 „
Baluchistan.
353. The outbreak in Quetta was mainly confined to the 6th Bombay
Cavalry, but cases were found in the bazar. I am pleased to be able to report
that, although the strictest supervision was exercised amongst the indigenous
and locally-bred stock in Quetta-Pishin, not a single case was discovered.
Sind.
354. Karachi was responsible for three out of the four cases reported in
Sind. It is in large towns where the disease is most prevalent, and extra
supervision is therefore called for.
Punjab.
355. In the Punjab, glanders existed to a great extent on the dâk line
from Rawalpindi to Kashmir, but in addition to this, four cases were discovered
both in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
Kashmir.
356. In Kashmir, the disease was mainly confined to the dâk line although
cases were discovered amongst ekka ponies proceeding from Rawalpindi.
N.-W. Provinces.
357. In the North-Western Provinces, glanders was mainly confined to the
City of Benares. Twenty-three out of the 27 cases reported having been dis-
covered in that city.
Bengal.
358. The majority of cases reported from Bengal were from Calcutta. The
Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Bengal, attaches some corres-
pondence with the Municipal Authorities in Calcutta which discloses the fact
that glanders is very prevalent in that city. Although only 43 cases were
reported in Bengal—this number only represents such cases that were brought
to Veterinary Major Raymond's notice—but, from a letter from the Health
Officer to the Corporation of Calcutta to his address, it would appear that the
disease is very prevalent in their stables, as last year 102 ponies were destroyed
for this disease.
359. In no other part of India is such a deplorable state of affairs to be
found, and considering that Calcutta is the centre of the largest horse trade in
the country, I think it behoves the authorities to take such measures as will
eradicate the disease from this city. That it can be done is proved by the
results obtained in Bombay, but to ensure success any Subordinate Establish-
ment that may be appointed should work under the Superintendent, Civil
Veterinary Department, Bengal.
Bombay.
360. The report received from the Principal, Bombay Veterinary College,
on the working of the Glanders and Farcy Act in the port and city is full of
interest. No horses were destroyed for glanders during the year under report.
This clearly shows that if only strenuous efforts are made at the onset, the
disease can be eradicated.
361. Five suspicious cases were admitted to the Lazaretto, but on being
tested with Mallein, were found not to be affected. Two ownerless horses were
also sent to the Lazaretto, but were simply cases of starving animals.