( 5 )
numerically absolutely inadequate to deal successfully with the out-
break extending as it did over such a large area of mountainous tracts
although the inspector was all through helping them and a temporary
veterinary assistant surgeon was entertained by the board for the purpose.
The ordinary dose of protective serum required for hill cattle being
eighteen times that for plains animals, the demand for the material became
so large that we were unable to supply it in time until fresh grant for the
cost was received from Government.
28. Foot-and-mouth disease.—As usual this affection has been
very widespread in these provinces and appeared with varying intensity
throughout the whole area, only three districts escaped. The reported
losses from the disease was 6,590, the mortality being chiefly confined to
young stock or old and decrepit animals. Apart from the losses by death
from this disease it causes much inconvenience to agriculturists, especially
during the harvest or ploughing season. Cattle fairs and markets are
responsible for much of the spread of the disease, and the appearance of
one case in a village is often soon followed by general infection throughout
the whole of the village cattle. The veterinary assistants have been kept
very busy throughout the year in attending and treating cases of this
disease.
29. Haemorrhagic septicaemia.—This year this disease appeared in
40 districts with a total mortality of 4,053 as against 3,054 of last year.
30. Blackquarter.— This malady appeared in 20 districts and 404
animals are reported to have died. This malady causes considerable
losses amongst young stock in certain locality and sometimes recurs
periodically. In places where it has been ascertained that it recurs
periodically, cattle were vaccinated as a preventive measure.
31. Anthrax.—Reports
of this disease were received from 29
districts and 1,879 animals perished. Owing to the nature of this
disease its sudden onset and rapidly fatal termination it is only in a few
cases that veterinary assistant surgeons are able to reach the locality of
the trouble in time to be of any use. It cannot easily be diagnosed by
laymen and is consequently often confused with other diseases. Conse-
quently very little reliance can be placed on these figures as pointed out
on previous occasions. Notification of anthrax cases is given monthly
to the American Consul.
31A. Other contagious diseases.—One thousand, one hundred and
fifty-seven head of cattle were reported as having died from other con-
tagious diseases which include pleuro-pneumonia, tuberculosis, contagious
abortion, etc.
32. Contagious diseases amongst other animals.—During
the year
under report 953 deaths are reported to have occurred from various
diseases such as rabies, distemper, fowl-cholera, piroplasmosis, pleuro-
pneumonia, rinderpest, not counting the large number of sheep and goats
which die annually from pleuro-pneumonia in the districts of Garhwal and
Almora, where it is impossible due to the vast mountainous area and
paucity of staff to give any true or even approximate figures.
PREVENTIVE INOCULATION.
See table III.
33, Preventive inoculation against the contagious diseases was as
vigorously carried out as the staff and funds at the disposal of the depart-
ment permitted. The total number of inoculations and vaccinations carried