(4)
a large number of goats in Garhwal and Dehra Dun. 1226 deaths from other
diseases were reported among the small domesticated animals and included rabies,
canine distemper, sheep-pox, fowl cholera and various parasitic ailments.
PREVENTATIVE INOCULATION.
See table III.
25. During the year under report inoculations have been conducted in 397
outbreaks of disease and 44,497 animals were treated by this method. With the
exception of the Garhwal district, where the disease continued persistently for
some months, there were very few serious outbreaks which were not speedily
suppressed by it, and in Garhwal alone 17,329 animals were inoculated against
rinderpest.
From the fact that little or no opposition was encountered anywhere it is
evident that this work still retains the confidence of the cattle-owning public.
Under the new arrangement anti-rinderpest serum is supplied free to local
bodies and the cost of the same is debited against the grant of Rs.37,500
sanctioned by the Provincial Government for the purpose.
During the year under report the ravages of rinderpest have not been so
severe as usual; hence the sum of Rs. 25,950 only was required against the grant
of Rs. 37,500.
OTHER DISEASES.
See table IV.
26. During the past year there has been a still greater increase in the
numbers of animals treated individually by veterinary assistants other than in
outbreaks and epidemics (which has been already dealt with). 19,786 villages
were visited and 23,415 cases were treated as compared with 20,892 reported last
year. In addition to this the subordinate staff have castrated 306 animals, and
attended 34,661 cases of contagious disease.
INVESTIGATION OF DISEASE.
27. The new laboratory at head quarters has now been completed and is in
working order for bacteriological and pathological investigation. During the year
under report a number of experiments have been carried out and observations made
in connection with certain diseases.
Several animals suffering from "Kumri" have been received at the laboratory
for treatment and observation and experiments have been carried out with a
view of discovering the cause of the disease and a remedy for it. In some tracts
considerable loss to horse owners annually results from the ravages of this malady,
which up to the present has been but vaguely understood. The Superintendent,
Civil Veterinary department, would be glad of any cases for investigation, if owners
would inform him when an outbreak or even a single case occurs.
Further experiments carried out on the lines suggested by the Imperial Bacte-
riologist to endeavour to establish a drug cure for "surra" have been continued
and the results appear more encouraging than those of last year. At an outbreak
at Fatehpur, one-third of the cases treated have not shown further symptoms
and are believed to be cured. This treatment when carried out in the field is
somewhat complicated and requires the presence constantly of a trained micro-
scopist. It is hoped however that the present knowledge we have gained will in
time lead to the discovery of some more easily applied and practicable method of
treatment. During the year much work has been carried out in the laboratory
in the examination of blood smears and other morbid material, viscera, and
intestinal and other parasites of animals, which have been from time to time sent
for examination and opinion, by veterinary inspectors, assistants, the police, district
officers and others. The results were noted, in many cases diagnosis made, or
confirmed; and the persons interested informed accordingly. Many cases of an
interesting nature were discovered at slaughter houses in the course of meat
inspection, by veterinary assistants specially deputed to visit these institutions.
28. Tuberculosis.—A thorough enquiry is now being instituted in regard to
this disease and arrangements are being made to depute specially trained veterinary-
assistants to visit the chief slaughter houses to ascertain how far bovine tubercu-
losis is prevalent in these provinces. The work of collecting blood-sucking flies
and other insects which are suspected of taking some part in the transmission of
animal disease is being proceeded with.