12
ignorance of and prejudices against inoculation, pamphlets are being issued.
As a matter of fact the conditions existing in the Bombay Presidency are no
more unfavourable for the extension of inoculation against Rinderpest than
those which exist in many other parts of India. The Director does not seem
to realize that better results have been obtained in some Native States, where
prejudices are surely as deep rooted. No attempt whatever, worthy of the name
has so far been made to deal with the serious animal plagues which exist in the
Presidency. There are 35 Veterinary Assistants employed of which 33 are
engaged in Dispensary work under local bodies. There are obviously too few
men to attempt to cope with outbreaks of Rinderpest, and there has been so far
absolutely no organisation whatever. It is hopeless to expect to make any
headway in these circumstances, and the amount of success achieved is not
less than might have been expected.
107. It is reported that 41 outbreaks were attended to, and 7,009 cattle were
inoculated.
108. Anthrax.—This disease was dealt with more or less fully in my last
Annual Report and I have little to add to the remarks therein made. The orders
in regard to this disease are that every effort should be made to obtain accurate
information regarding its prevalence and importance. Arrangements are being
made in the more advanced Provinces to do this, and material is being sent in
either to Head Quarters or to one or other of the College Laboratories for
diagnosis. It is hoped that the tracts in which the disease occurs may be
mapped out in the course of time and an idea obtained as to what steps should be
taken in regard to it. But this will necessarily take a long time and meanwhile
as it is impossible to adopt any of the known methods of prevention by living
vaccines, we have to content ourselves with the use of Serum in the course of
such outbreaks as are definitely diagnosed by competent persons.
109. So far as the present figures show, Madras is the only Presidency where
there is much Anthrax, but I am very doubtful about the figures as there has
been no confirmation of the diagnosis. Only 17,790 cases were reported from
the whole of India and of these Madras contributed 12,511. The best progress
in diagnosis has been made in Eastern Bengal and Assam, whence the Superin-
tendent reports that there were 37 outbreaks in 5 districts where preventive
inoculation was carried out during the year. The diagnosis was confirmed in the
outbreak at Dacca, two outbreaks in North Sylhet and one at Sibsagar. All
the outbreaks in Cachar and Sylhet are reported to have been diagnosed micro-
scopically. Two hundred and thirty-four horses, 7,126 cattle and 88 other ani-
mals were inoculated, and of these 8 horses, 26 cattle and 2 others died.
110. The Superintendent of the Madras Presidency reports that inoculations
for Anthrax were carried out in five districts and 2,353 animals were inoculated,
but no details regarding diagnosis are forthcoming.
111. Black Quarter.—Enquiries are being made in those Provinces which
are sufficiently advanced regarding villages where this disease is serious enough
to warrant the adoption of preventive measures. Owing to the manner in which
it appears and the rapidity with which deaths result, reports are seldom made
to this Department. Only 10,299 cases were reported during the year.
112. The method of inoculation against this disease is that by a single vac-
cine, and we have until recently, been using Blacklegoids which have generally
given good results. During the year the Imperial Bacteriologist has prepared a
single vaccine which he claims to be superior to the Blacklegoids. It is now
being tried in the field.
113. Only 6,211 inoculations were performed during the year. 2,606 in the
Punjab and 3,605 in the North-West Frontier Province. Major Walker reports
that the results have been most satisfactory, and Mr. Carless states that his
inoculations were carried out in 24 villages where the disease occurs regularly,
and that the results are being carefully checked.
114. Hæmorrhagic Septiæmia.—As our knowledge of the diseases of
animals in this country extends, it becomes more and more evident that this