8
Hæmorrhagic septicæ-
mia, Table II.
46. Hæmorrhagic septicæmia was reported from every district in the
Province except two. As usual, it was most severe
in the irrigated districts of the Central Punjab. The
disease is always more prevalent in wet seasons and the year under report
was no exception. The total number of deaths reported was 20,822 out of 26,082
animals attacked against 8,133 cases and 7,351 deaths last year. No satisfactory
treatment has yet been discovered for this disease. As stated last year, it would
be less frequent if cattle were kept under better hygienic conditions.
Preventive inoculation,
Table III.
47. The issue of preventive serum for hæmorrhagic septicæmia was
suspended last year by the Inspector-General as it was of
doubtful efficacy. A certain amount of serum, however,
that was in hand, was utilised, as in many cases the people have faith in it. 6,075
contact animals in 40 outbreaks were inoculated, of which 13 died after
inoculation. A few doses of a new vaccine for this disease have been issued from
the Laboratory and the method is under trial in the field. A good preventive
agent would fulfil a great want as it causes great losses among cattle in this
Province. If it could be absolutely proved in what manner and by what agency
it was spread a great step in advance would have been made.
Foot and mouth disease,
Table II.
48. Foot and mouth disease was reported from every district. 70,606
cases were reported, of which 1,241 died, against 38,683
and 673, respectively, last year. It was normally prevalent
and the mortality not excessive. The veterinary staff does good service in treat-
ing animals suffering from this disease.
Black-quarter, Table II.
49. Black-quarter was reported from 18 districts. There were 965 cases
and 721 deaths against 678 cases and 632 deaths last
year.
Preventive vaccination,
Table III.
50. 2,606 vaccinations were performed in infected places with most satis-
factory results. In future, the vaccine for this disease
will be obtained from the Imperial Bacteriological Laboratory.
Anthrax, Table II.
51. 688 deaths were reported from anthrax in 15 districts. I have pre-
viously pointed out that anthrax in cattle is rare in the
Punjab and I become more convinced of this every year. It
appears likely that the local cattle possess a very strong natural immunity.
Other contagions disease,
Table II.
52. The large number of deaths in bovines under the head of "other con-
tagious disease," viz. 8,895, is due mainly to the existence of
'gillar' or parasitic disease in the Lahore and Sialkot districts.
The Montgomery, Amritsar and Gujranwala districts also suffered severely.
I was able to give this disease some attention whilst in the Amritsar District.
Wet seasons favour the development of internal parasites. In years when fodder
is scarce animals have not sufficient strength to withstand the attacks of these
parasites and they die in large numbers of semi-starvation complicated with para-
sitism. After further investigation, the principal parasites which cause the dis-
ease will be specified. The remedy is a liberal and nutritious diet. Consequently,
when fodder becomes available, the surviving animals usually recover. It is
a question if 'gillar' should be regarded as an epidemic disease. It is regarded
as such by many agriculturists, but the mortality is more strictly due to malnutri-
tion.
SECTION 1 (c).—CONTAGIOUS DISEASE. OTHER ANIMALS.
Contagious disease. Other
animals, Table II.
53. There were 14,781 deaths, mainly amongst goats and sheep, from
contagious disease in other animals. Again, the disease
which caused the greatest mortality was 'gillar'. In goats
and sheep "strangalus contortus" appears to be the causal parasite in the great
majority of cases.
SECTION 2.—OTHER DISEASE.
Treatment of disease in
villages, Table IV.
54. During the year, 9,366 villages were visited by veterinary assistants
on tour and 50,150 animals were treated. Last
year, 6,774 villages were visited and 38,387 animals
treated. It should be remembered that only one veterinary assistant regularly