2
8. Under Government. Order No. 1662, dated the 13th February 1915,
Veterinary Assistant Balm S. N. Chaudhuri was deputed to Madras to
undergo a course of training for 9 months in the treatment of elephants. He
completed his course in March 1916 and joined his new appointment, under
the Commissioner of the Rajshahi Division, on the 1st April 1916, for treat-
ment of Government elephants in Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling districts.
Part II—Treatment of Diseases.
9. Table II shows the number of deaths from contagious diseases
reported during the year.
10. The number of deaths of equines and bovines were 118 and 10,540
against 229 and 15,707 of the previous year, respectively. The decrease is
due to the occurrence of a less number of outbreaks than in the previous year.
As far as possible, the figures were checked by the District Veterinary
assistants.
11. Much still remains to be done for improving the existing system of
reporting outbreaks. In 1913-14 Government issued a circular to touring
officers of other Departments to report outbreaks promptly and they were
supplied with printed postcard forms accordingly. Up to date very few
reports have been received from them. The authorities concerned may again
be approached on the subject
Equine.
12. Glanders.—This disease was confined to two districts, viz.,
Bakarganj and Dacca. Deaths from this disease were 9 only, as compared
to 38 in the previous year. The deaths in the Sodepur Pinjrapole were also
less, being 71 against 167 of the previous year. It is hoped that this
decrease is a sign that the disease is being gradually stamped out from the
Province by the suppressive measures taken by the Department. Rupees 240
was paid as compensation for destruction of these animals under the Act.
13. Anthrax.—Only three deaths were reported—one from Cooch
Behar and two from Jalpaiguri.
14. Surra.—There have been severe outbreaks of this disease in the
districts of Khulna and Tipiera, 27 deaths being reported. All possible
means for its suppression were promptly taken.
15. Other Contagious Diseases.—Only 8 deaths are reported to have
occurred during the year, but no details thereof are available.
Bovine.
16. Rinderpest.—This disease, though fairly distributed throughout the
province, was less prevalent than in the previous year. Loss under this
head was considerably less, being 8,893 against 13,662 of the previous year.
Midnapore, Dacca, Mymensingh, Darjeeling, .Jalpaiguri and Burdwan suffered
most heavily. As suggested in Government Order No. 12211 Agri., dated the
14th December 1915, endeavours are being made by the staff of this
Department to discourage the dangerous practice of indiscriminate removal
of hides of infected animals by clearly explaining to the raiyats the prominent
part it plays towards the spread of the disease.
17. Foot-and-mouth Disease.—The mortality was 556 against 587 of
the last year. Excluding the Sodepur Pinjrapole the highest number of
deaths (147) occurred in Pabna.
18. Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia.—Though the mortality was much less
than in the previous year, being 880 against. 1,021, almost all the districts in
the province suffered more or less from this disease.
19. Blackquarter.—This disease was reported from Chittagong only
where 28 animals died of the disease.