9
Anthrax.
Appendix VII, L.
49. During the year under report there were 477 cases of anthrax reported,
of which 467 died. Last year's mortality statement showed
4,787 cases and 4,227 deaths. The reason of this apparent
fall in figures is that this year the figures for hœmorrhagic septicœmia have not,
unlike last year, been included in those for anthrax, but, in the absence of a special
column, are included amongst " Other diseases." It is now strikingly apparent
that anthrax is a comparatively rare disease in the Punjab, as compared with
rinderpest and hœmorrhagic septicœmia. No inoculations against anthrax have
been performed during the year under report as an opportunity did not arise.
Hœmorrhagic septicœ-
mia.
50. Outbreaks of this disease were reported from 24 districts with 4,714
seizures and 4,126 deaths. It prevailed most in the districts
of Amritsar, Lahore and Ludhiána, where the mortality was
547, 408 and 385, out of 623, 541 and 458 cases, respectively. Serum is not yet
available for this disease for general use. Something is done in the way of treat-
ment when Veterinary Assistants get to outbreaks in time, but I fear with indiffer-
ent success. Advice with regard to preventive measures and treatment is always
given and sometimes appreciated.
Foot and mouth disease.
51. This year, 8,494 cases with a mortality of 0.44 per cent. were reported
against 6,546 cases with a mortality of 0.62per cent. in the
preceding year. The largest outbreaks occurred in Kángra,
Ludhiána and Hoshiárpur. Cases, as a rule, readily yield to treatment, and the
services of the Veterinary Assistants are valuable in treating animals and giving
advice with regard to preventive measures.
Blackquarter or charbon
symptomatique.
52. Outbreaks from this disease were reported from 12 districts. The
total number of cases was 805 with a mortality of 91.3 per
cent. against 425 cases with a mortality of 78.26 per cent.
Certain places seem to harbour the disease, and it appears in them with great
regularity, e.g., in the Hoshiárpur District. Some doses of " black legine," a
preventive inoculation, have been obtained from Europe and will be tried as soon
as possible Excellent results have been obtained in Great Britain with this
preventive and equally good results may be expected in India.
Pleuro-pneumonia conta-
giosa.
53. Outbreaks of this disease were reported from two districts, Gurgáon
and Ferozepore. In the former district 40 animals were
affected, of which 12 died. So far as I have been able to
ascertain I incline to the opinion that the contagious pleuro-pneumonia found in this
country amongst cattle is, in many cases, not the disease which at one time was so
prevalent in Great Britain, but the pneumonia form of hœmorrhagic septicœmia.
Time and opportunity will prove this.
Liver fluke.
54. Under this head, exclusive of hœmorrhagic septicœmia, may be men-
tioned outbreaks of " liver fluke " in the Ferozepore and
Jhelum Districts which carried away 795 animals out of 909
attacked.
Bovine tick fever (red-
water.)
55. An outbreak of " redwater " was also reported from Ferozepore, of
which eight animals died. I visited this outbreak myself,
hence the diagnosis. This disease will be scheduled in future
as "bovine tick fever" should more cases be found which I do not doubt, as it is
a specific disease which the term "redwater" does not necessarily imply. My
diagnosis was made on hearsay evidence carefully collected on the spot, as there
was no case when I arrived. I am justified in my own opinion of the diagnosis,
but I have yet to confirm it microscopically. Bovine tick fever is common in
parts of America and Australia where it is a very serious disease ; perhaps the most
serious cattle disease in those countries. It has been diagnosed by Veterinary
Officers in Bengal and Madras, and I have been on the look out for it in the Punjab
for some time. Veterinary Assistants have received information in regard to it, and
it should now be properly recognized and dealt with accordingly.
Glanders.
56. During the year, cases of glanders have been dealt with by me at
Amritsar, Lahore and Hoshiárpur. Suspected cases reported
at Batála and near Ludhiána were inspected and the diagnosis
of glanders negatived. Equine contagious disease, except in the municipal limits