18
that the disease was contracted, in the first instance, by a jackal which had
eaten an animal dead of surra, and had been subsequently pulled down by the
hounds and eaten by them. Both fleas and lice were found on the affected
animals and as these insects have been conclusively proved to be capable of
transmitting surra from dog to dog, rat to rat, and rat to dog, it seems highly
probable that they spread it amongst these hounds, every one of which con-
tracted the disease and died from it.
145. Musgrave and Clegg's experiments regarding the transmission of
the disease by fleas, were carefully conducted and all sources of error were
eliminated. They placed dogs in an area covered by sand and protected
from insects by screens: a dog proved to be free from surra by animal
experiment was separated from a surra dog by means of a screen to prevent
them from touching each other, but at the same time allowing free
passage to fleas. The healthy dog developed the disease on the 6th day. The
experiment was repeated a number of times with positive results. All animals
were then removed from the flea infected area and only healthy ones introduced
after periods varying from 24 hours to 4 weeks. Although the fleas in the
sand remained quite plentiful no infection occurred. It seems improbable
therefore that the transmission is other than mechanical; there certainly being
no evidence of distant transmission or of a life cycle in the flea.
The Fowl.
146. Fowls.—Fowl spirochætosis is widespread, and causes much loss in
imported fowls. Information is gradually being collected in regard to distribu-
tion. The attention of the public has been directed to the importance of getting
rid of the Ticks Argaspersicus. An article on the subject has been published
in the Journal of Agriculture.
147. Chicken-pox.—Attention has also been directed to the extremely conta-
gious nature of Epithelioma contagiosum, and the persistence of the infective
material in infected fowl runs. The necessity for disinfection and destruction
of dead birds is urgent as the disease is common and causes considerable loss
in chickens.
148. Other diseases.—Table IV gives the number of animals treated and
castrated by Veterinary Assistants on tour. The number of Veterinary Assist-
ants employed was 472 against 403 last year. They visited 64,380 villages
against 52,827 last year; treating 342,247 cases, of which (excluding 2,550
castrations) 189,124 were of contagious diseases and 150,573 non-contagious
maladies, against 136,481 and 156,497 respectively last year. This increase
of 46,719 may be regarded as very satisfactory.
Veterinary
Hospitals and
Dispensaries.
149. Table V gives the number of these institutions, the Veterinary
Assistants employed, and the number of cases treated.
150. From this it will be seen that there are 380 of these institutions
now at work in the whole of India and Burma against 336 last year; or an
increase of 44. There has been an increase of 5 in the United Provinces;
9 in the Punjab; 2 in Bengal; 3 in Bombay; 5 in Madras; 1 in the Central
Provinces, and 3 in the North-West Frontier Province. The number in Burma
shows an increase of 15.
151. The total number of in and out-patients treated is 428,402 against
335,035 last year. The increase in the Punjab is very great, 48,252 more
than last year. The work of providing suitable accommodation in that
province is progressing satisfactorily. Out of the 86 Veterinary Hospitals 54
are built according to the standard plan which provides excellent accommoda-
tion.
152. Of the remainder, 7 are accommodated in suitable buildings and the
others are in temporary quarters. With the help of the Government grant supple-
mented in some cases from local funds, it is hoped that suitable accommodation
will in time be provided for all. This is one of the few provinces, which
has placed a reasonable proportion of the special grant made by the Govern-
ment of India for the development of Agriculture and Veterinary Services,
at the disposal of the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department for Veteri-
nary purposes. I understand that a lac of rupees has been sanctioned for five