6
good work by lecturing in the villages, which to a great extent is the cause of
the decrease of contagious disease. The importance of isolation and the neces-
sity for intimation when disease first appears have been pointed out to the
people.
In a country like India, where pariah dogs and jackals are numerous, it
is almost impossible to have strict isolation, as these animals invariably get
into the village enlcosures at night. The chief superintendent would like to
see a great reduction made in the number of pariahs and jackals as he feels
sure that the harm done by them is enormous. Birds such as mainas, crows,
kites and vultures also spread contagion.
9. If inoculations are to be carried out to the greatest advantage,
prompt action is essential. A great deal is to be desired in this respect, not
due to any fault of the veterinary staff, but owing to the dilatoriness in
reporting outbreaks of disease on the part of the patwaris and people. The
Importance and urgency of this work do not seem to have been fully realized.
Many outbreaks are not reported at all. It is hoped that the system of lectures
and demonstrations of those facts adopted during the year will improve
matters.
Equines.
Table II.
10. Glanders—Has been dealt with in such a methodical manner on
the Pathankot-Dalhousie and Pathankot-Dharmsala tonga
lines that it has been stamped out. This is very credit-
able, as the disease has been going on for some years. All horses newly
purchased by the Indian horse dâk company were isolated for a month and
tested by the department,
11. Glanders has been prevalent in Lahore, 10 cases having been
detected and destroyed. All the stables in Lahore have been carefully ins-
pected, and all suspicious cases tested by Mr. W. Taylor. The staff of the
veterinary college detected cases which were taken to them for the treatment
of other diseases. Cases have been detected by this department in Amritsar,
and as this is a selected district, they were handed over to the army remount
department.
12. This department makes every endeavour to trace the history of
glanders cases, so as to enable it to deal with all animals which have been in
contact. This, as can be imagined, requires very careful investigation and tact.
Table II.
13. Surra—Has again been prevalent in the Muzaffargarh district.
This year the outbreak was of more than usual importance,
as it attacked a very valuable stud belonging to Mian
Sheikh Ahmad of Thatta Gurmani. Of 17 animals only 2 escaped in-
fection. Many donkeys in the surrounding villages were found to be infected.
14. Strangles—Has, as usual, been prevalent, and every possible care
has been taken in dealing with the disease. Until every hospital in the
province has an isolation ward it will be difficult for the department to
deal with cases in a more satisfactory manner, as animals cannot be detained
in hospitals for treatment. Owners of affected animals are warned to keep
animals carefully isolated. These cases give more trouble when detected at
fairs. The disease does not cause a heavy mortality, but handicaps the develop-
ment of young stock.
15. Tetanus—Is a more common disease than is supposed, and in
many instances veterinary assistants report that the disease is not detected in
time to enable them to treat the cases successfully. Until the animal is
"in extremis", owners do not seek help. The disease is a very puzzling one to
the layman, and very often the animals' stiff joints are put down to rheuma-
tism. The owners then think that work is the best treatment for it. This, of
course, is the last straw, and the more serious symptoms quickly develop.
It is at this stage the owners ask for advice. The disease is caused by an
organism, which is often introduced into a wound through the medium of
filth, which is commonly used by Indians as a dressing.