8
II.—OTHER CONTAGIOUS DISEASE.
27. Sheep scab gives a great deal of trouble in Kulu and Kangra, and a
large number of sheep die of this disease. The chief superintendent has paid
special attention to this, and has advised owners what to do. The bowals or
shepherds are as a rule lazy and ignorant men, and the chief superintendent
is of opinion that the great number of deaths amongst sheep is chiefly due
to the extreme laziness on the part of the shepherds, who apparently, beyond
accompanying the sheep while grazing, never interest themselves in anything
else. It is to be hoped that sheep owners will stir up the bowals to do more
than at present.
28. The thatches (encampments) are crawling with ticks, and no attempt
is made to eradicate them. In addition to scab, many sheep are killed whilst graz -
ing on the hill sides by the falling of stones. There is also a great loss from tym-
panitis. This is due to the sheep gaining access to rich and new pastures
after feeding in places where grazing is scarce. The chief superintendent
has shown the bowals what to do for this disease, and a special itinerating
veterinary assistant has been appointed to give special attention to all sheep
diseases.
29. Gillar and Fluke give a lot of trouble and are confined to swampy
land. The worst places in the Punjab are Sialkot, Gurdaspur, Lahore,
Amritsar, Gujranwala, Hoshiarpur, Ferozepore and Ludhiana.
III.—NON-CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.
Equines.
30. Bots (Oestrus Equi).—This is an especially common complaint in
the province and is caused by a fly (Gastrophilus Equi) which deposits its
eggs on the ends of the hairs on those parts of the horse's body to which the
animal has easy access. The top-heavy hair is wafted by the wind and causes
irritation. To remove this irritation the animal bites at the part, and in this
way the eggs are taken into the mouth and swallowed as larvæ which on
reaching the stomach attach themselves to the internal coat of the
organ. A large number collect there, causing irritation, indigestion and debili-
ty. Whenever animals with eggs attached to their coats are observed, the
treatment is explained to the owner, and the eggs are destroyed by singeing.
Unless youngsters are thoroughly well cared for, causes arise which retard
their development; these will be fully dealt with under "breeding".
31. Wounds.—These are chiefly caused by badly fitting harness and so-
called pack saddles. It is not an uncommon thing to see poor wretched animals,
often too young to work, carrying loads too heavy for them, with the result
that they stagger along with their fetlocks and hocks rubbing against each
other. Under these conditions wounds are quickly caused.
32. The worst cruelty cases brought for treatment are animals which
have been detected, while working, by the officers of this department and the
S. P. C. A. Although the S. P. C. A. and this department are doing
their utmost to prevent cruetly cases, the chief superintendent wishes to
obtain more help in this matter, and will feel very grateful if all officers in
the districts will kindly send any cases of cruelty, which they observe, to the
hospital, where the animals will not only be properly treated, but will also be
given a rest which they thoroughly deserve. The chief culprits in these
cases are kumhars. These people never attempt to remove the cause of wounds,
but cover them with any filth, chiefly fæces, with the result that the wounds
become infested with maggots (chiefly the larvæ of the Sarcophagus liniata-
collis). The agony caused by these can readily be imagined. Kumhars work
these animals as long as possible, after which they are left on the road until
death puts an end to their sufferings.