6
mouth disease was again very prevalent, and accounts mainly for the large
increase in the number of cases.
Rinderpest was very generally reported, and very few districts escaped
the ravages of this disease. As stated last year, the increasing efficiency and
expansion of the department tends to disease being reported that otherwise
would have escaped notice. A new system for collecting statistics of disease
was submitted to Government during the year and was approved. Final orders
as to details which concern the revenue administration are required from
the Financail Commissioner before the system is adopted and these are awaited.
I am glad to be able to testify that increased confidence among agriculturists in
the work of this Department in connection with the treatment of contagious dis-
ease is being continually brought to my notice, and outbreaks of disease are now
spontaneously reported and assistance requested more frequently than in the past.
Investigation of disease.
32. With the limited staff capable of original investigation it has
been impossible to do much in this way, but something has
been done and will be reported separately in due course.
This report is strictly limited in length, and space does not permit of anything
but a superficial outline of the year's work being recorded. The subordinate
staff have been specially instructed how to send in specimens for examination, and
this part of their work is encouraged. During the year 42 specimens were sent
to the Lahore office for examination, and 17 of these were examined by me and
results recorded. The remaining specimens were sent to the Punjab Veterinary
College. When I am absent on tour all specimens received at head-quarters are
sent to the Punjab Veterinary College for examination, and the results are kindly
communicated by the Principal Any other specimens of special interest are also
invariably sent for examination and information. As a matter of fact Superin-
tendents, even if they had workable charges, have not much opportunity for
Laboratory work and consequently the co-operation of the officers at the Punjab
Veterinary College Laboratory is much appreciated.
1 (a). Equine Contagious disease.
Revised rules for dealing
with glanders, Surra and
lymphangitis epizootica.
33. During the year revised rules for dealing with glanders, surra and
lymphangitis epizootica were approved and notified. A
revised list of officers in the Province having powers of
Veterinary Practitioners or Inspectors under the Act was
also notified.
Glanders.—Table II.
34. 12 cases of glanders were detected. Those that occurred in "selected"
districts were reported to the Army Remount Department
for disposal, and they are not included in the statistical part
of this report. The other cases were dealt with as usual, after diagnosis was
confirmed by a Veterinary Practitioner.
Sarra.—Table II.
35. Outbreaks of surra were reported in the Gujranwala, Montgomery,
Muzaffargarh, Ferozepur and Ambala Districts. There is
no doubt that the nature of this disease is such that many
cases occur that do not come to the notice of this Department at the time. I
ascertained personally that there were many losses from this disease last year
among equines in Muzaffargarh District.
Lymphangitis Epizootica.
36. No cases of Lymphangitis Epizootica were
reported during the year.
Dourine.
37. Suspected cases of Dourine were examined by Officers of this Depart-
ment in the Hissar, Gurgaon, Ambala and Muzaffargarh
Districts, but in no case was a positive diagnosis made.
Other equine contagious
disease.—Table II.
38. Tetanus and Strangles mainly caused the few
deaths recorded under the head of other equine contagious
disease.
1 (b).—BOVINE CONTAGIOUS DISEASE.
Rinderpest.—Table II.
39. During the year Rinderpest was, as stated above, somewhat prevalent
and 25 Districts were affected. 15,890 cases occurred of
which 7,971 proved fatal against 8,447 cases last year with
4,392 deaths. Rinderpest is conveyed from place to place mainly through the
agency of itinerant cattle dealers, and it occurs to a greater extent when the
rainfall is abundant.