(3)
BOVINE.
23. Rinderpest.—It is gratifying to notice that during the year under report
there has been a considerable decrease in the mortality from this disease. The total
number of deaths reported during the year were 15,296 as against 32,572 last year;
17 districts were affected. It assumed a virulent form in the districs of Dehra Dun,
Bijnor, Jhansi, Banda, Mirzapur, Garhwal, and Kheri. Vigorous campaigns were
organised for the suppression of the disease and veterinary assistants were deputed
from the provincial headquarters staff under inspectors to combat the disease. In
many of the oases where the district board staff was considered insufficient or in-
capable of dealing with it thoroughly, the deputy superintendents personally attended
outbreaks to supervise the operations. Inoculations were carried out in 39 districts.
See table III.
24. Haemorrhagic Septicaemia.—One thousand three hundred and twenty-
four deaths from this disease have occurred against 1,627 of last year. Many
districts escaped its attack. This disease usually occurs in wet season in low-
lying and marshy bracts. Fifty-eight outbreaks were visited and 4,620 animals
were inoculated.
See table III.
25. Blackquarter.—This disease was reported from 10 districts with a
mortality of 201.
26. Anthrax.—Reports of this disease were received from 19 districts and
454 animals perished. Owing to the nature of this malady, its sudden onset and
rapidly fatal termination it is only in a few cases the veterinary assistants were
able to reach the seat of the trouble in time to be of any assistance.
27. Foot-and-mouth disease.—Daring the year under report, 35 districts
reported the existence of foot-and-mouth disease, the mortality being estimated
at 1,446. 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 stock-owners.
23. Other contagious diseases.—Two hundred and twenty-one head of cattle
are reported as having died from other contagious diseases which include pleuro-
pneumonia, tuberculosis, contagious abortion, etc.
29. Contagious diseases amongst other animals.—During the year under
report, 446 animals died from various diseases which include rabies, distemper,
fowl cholera, piroplasmosis, tetanus, and certain parasitic diseases including seven
cases of surra amongst camels in Agra.
See table III.
30 Preventive inuculation.—During the year under report protective in-
oculations chiefly against rinderpest have been carried out. Operations of this
nature were undertaken in 525 outbreaks and 56,985 animals were inoculated as
against 54,398 last year. In the Jhansi district alone more than 15,000 animals
were inoculated against rinderpest.
See table IT,"
31. Other diseases.—During the past year the veterinary assistants visited
15,647 villages and treated 25,967 animals for diseases other than those already
reported on. In addition to this, they castrated 422 animals and attended 28,069
cases of contagious diseases exclusive of those treated in hospitals, and dispen-
saries.
32. Investigation of disease—During the year under report, the work of the
laboratory has much increased and a great number of specimens of blood, morbid
tissues, intestinal parasites, and other materials were received from district
veterinary staff, veterinary inspectors, and private persons for examination and
opinion. In these cases the results were noted and, where possible, diagnosis
confirmed and persons concerned were accordingly informed. The prophylactic
and curative effects of distemper, tetanus, and strangles vaccines were tested.
Satisfactory work has also been carried out at the Research Station, Badshahbagh,
where 49 oases were received and treated with satisfactory results.
33. In accordance with a resolution passed at the first sectional meeting of
veterinary officers held at Lahore in March, 1919 on the subject of investigation of
tuberculosis in India and the orders of Local Government thereon an inspector of
the department was deputed to Allahabad and Cawapore for two months to investi-
gate into the prevalence of tuberculosis amongst milch-cattle in public cattle byres
and those brought to the slaughter-houses for slaughter. He inspected and
examined 3,493 animals and submitted 50 specimens for bacteriological examination,
out of which 12 were positive. It is proposed to carry on further investigation
this year on a larger scale. A separate report is being submitted to Government.