7
Examination and collec-
tion of specimens.
36. During the year, 77 specimens were submitted for examination and,
of these, 52 were examined by officers of the department
and 25 were sent to the Punjab Veterinary College. Certain
material was called for from the Imperial Bacteriological Laboratory for experi-
mental purposes and this was obtained and submitted. Some specimens of reput-
ed poisonous plants have been received for classification and record.
Collection of biting flies,
etc.
37. A certain number of equipments for collecting blood-sucking insects
were received from the Imperial Entomologist and a begin-
ning has been made towards making a collection. It will
be very useful to have the indigenous varieties correctly identified with a view to
determining eventually the particular diseases for the spread of which many are no
doubt responsible.
Maps showing distribu-
tion of disease.
38. Maps showing the distribution of certain epidemic diseases in the
Punjab were prepared and submitted to the Inspector-Gene-
ral, Civil Veterinary Department.
SECTION 1 (a).—EQUINE CONTAGIOUS DISEASE.
Mortality, Table II.
39. 224 deaths from equine contagious disease were reported against
107 in the previous year. Patwaris rarely include deaths in
equines in their returns as they do not appreciate their con-
tagious nature. The figures for equines are prepared, therefore, mainly from in-
formation received from the veterinary staff. The statistics in the selected dis-
tricts are not included as equine disease in them is dealt with by the Army Re-
mount Department. Cases dealt with in Lahore city, on the Rawalpindi-Murree
tonga line, and at veterinary hospitals are, however, included as they concern this
department.
Glanders, Table II.
40. During the year, 33 cases of glanders were reported from the Lahore,
Sialkot and Rawalpindi districts. The cases were destroy-
ed after being certified by a Veterinary Practitioner.
Surra, Table II.
41. 163 deaths from surra were reported against 90 in the previous year.
There was a serious outbreak in the Montgomery District.
Dourine, Table II.
42. No cases of dourine were detected during the
year.
SECTION 1 (b).-BOVINE CONTAGIOUS DISEASE.
Rinderpest, Table II.
43. During the year, 17,247 cases of rinderpest occurred, of which 8,739
died against 3,531 cases, and 1,714 deaths in the preceding
year. The mortality from this disease during the year was
not extraordinarily heavy. The year 1907-08, with which a comparison is made,
was a particularly healthy one, and the freedom of the Province from rinderpest
exceptional.
Preventive inoculations,
Table III.
44. Contact animals were inoculated against this disease in 270 outbreaks
and 60,258 animals were treated. Last year, 14,815 in-
oculations were performed in 70 outbreaks. 4,535 unin-
oculated animals died in the course of outbreaks which were dealt with, thus de-
monstrating the virulence of the disease. 613 animals died after inoculation 567
being in the Mianwali District alone. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, North Punjab, who visited some of the villages, reports that the
deaths were due to parasitic disease which co-existed with rinderpest. In any
case, it is most unlikely, if the serum were properly given and in sufficiently
large doses, that the animals died of rinderpest. The administration of anti-rinder-
pest serum to cattle exposed to infection from another disease is deprecated
and it is against the standing orders of this department as has tisfactory results
are likely to destroy confidence. In this case, however, the likelyhood of the
animals being attacked by another disease could not be foretold probably.
Attitude of the public
towards rinderpest inocula-
tion.
45. Opposition to preventive inoculation work is still met with, in out- f-
the-way places mainly. As the operations of the depart-
ment expand, this will decline to a minimum is the method
is usually attended by most successful result an is uni-
formly appreciated.