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disease ranks next in importance to Rinderpest. It is satisfactory to note there-
fore that a contribution to the study of the malady has been made by Mr. Gaiger
of the Punjab Veterinary College which is being published in the Journal of
Tropical Veterinary Science. Nothing definite regarding the manner of spread
in the field has been discovered, but it appears pretty certain that the virus is
not taken in through the digestive system but that it is a wound infection.
115. The Imperial Bacteriologist has also studied the disease from the point
of view of obtaining a method of giving protection against it. He claims to have
discovered a vaccine which will confer solid immunity up to at least three
months, and this is as much as we can expect from a dead vaccine. The details
of this work are published in his Memoir No. 1. The vaccine is now being
issued for trial in the field. If it confer the immunity claimed, it will be of
great use in the districts, for if used in young buffaloes during the rains it will
carry them through the dangerous season and many will have a chance of get-
ting the immunity which animals naturally acquire against this disease as they
grow older. A vaccine which gives the immunity claimed for this one, is a
great advance on anything we previously possessed, and the various Superinten-
dents who so earnestly desire a means of protection should be glad to give it a
fair trial.
116. Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia is reported to have caused 34,124 deaths;
the great majority of which occurred in the central inundated districts of the
Punjab—20,822 deaths.
117. Eastern Bengal and Assam report 8,040 deaths but in the other Pro-
vinces the staff has been too small to collect much information.
118. The new vaccine has been given a trial in the Punjab and United Pro-
vinces, and as far as can be ascertained at present the results have been satis-
factory in the latter. It is, however, too early to allow of a definite conclusion
being arrived at. The issue of the old serum was stopped last year but a certain
amount which was in hand was used in the Punjab at the special request of the
people who had faith in it. This accounts for the number of inoculations
shown in that Province.
119. Foot and Mouth disease.—This disease has been exceedingly
prevalent practically all over India and 26,472 deaths were reported to this
Department. The figures are very inaccurate as deaths are not usually
reported. The disease sweeps as a huge wave over a large extent of country
and practically nothing can be done to prevent spread owing to its extremely
contagious nature. Fortunately, as the very great majority of cases are amen-
able to treatment, many lives can be saved by the adoption of simple remedies,
and the Veterinary staff do very good service in treating or advising treatment
for animals suffering from it. The simplest bazaar medicines are useful and
many animals which would otherwise die or become useless are cured.
120. The Superintendent, Eastern Bengal and Assam remarks:—"On two
occasions this year I have seen animals suffering from Foot and Mouth disease
dying at the rate of 35 per cent. Through carelessness and ignorance the wounds
had been allowed to become contaminated by flies and the animals were really
dying from blood poisoning." This shows what may happen when skilled
assistance is not forthcoming.
121. Piroplasmosis.—This disease exists to some extent in certain parts of
the country, but so far as can at present be ascertained by the small staff at our
disposal, it does not cause any serious loss. It is mentioned in the reports of
Bombay, Punjab, and the United Provinces.
122. In the United Provinces a few cases have been brought to the notice
of the Department and there is no doubt that the disease is responsible for a
certain amount of mortality.
123. Some cases have been observed in the Central Provinces but the disease
was, as a rule, of a mild type and it was only when it was complicated with
some other infection, that loss occurred. It is, however, said to be responsible
for emaciation and debility.