9
Table II and III.
14. Hæmorrhagic septicæmia.—7,063 deaths occurred during the year
against 19,531 during the previous year. The decrease is
due to the smaller number of outbreaks owing to a dryer
year and also to a larger number of vaccinations performed against the disease.
During the year 22,494 inoculations and 26,228 vaccinations were per-
formed against 24,065 inoculations and 3,003 vaccinations in the previous year.
Table II.
15. Foot and mouth disease.—675 deaths occurred this year against
521 during the last year. The increase is due to the out-
break in the hilly tracts of Kangra where the disease is
much more severe. The Chief Superintendent toured through these parts while
the disease was prevalent, and observed that the outbreak was very severe.
Sheep as well as cattle wera dying of the disease: young stock suffered the
most.
Table II and III.
16. Black-quarter —1,415 deaths were reported during the year against
2,007 during the previous year. Rohtak and Hissar
chiefly suffered from the disease. Again, the deaths during
the year are considerably less, which fact the Superintendent, South Punjab
partly attributes to a healthier year, and partly to a larger number of vaccina-
tions: 2,715 vaccinations were performed against 931 last year. The larger
number of vaccinations performed is creditable, and shows that the people
appreciate the help of the department. This statement also applies to hæmor-
rhagic septicæmia vaccinations and rinderpest inoculations.
Table II.
17. Anthrax.—This disease was discovered in a sheep in the Thal of
Jhang District.
Superintendent, South Punjab, states
"from what could be gathered this disease is by no means
uncommon in sheep throughout the Thal. The people consume the flesh, and,
according to their own statements, with impunity. Cattle appear to enjoy a
high degree of immunity, but there are records of human beings being affected.
The bearing which this disease has on the wool, hide, and bono trades, makes it
of sufficient importance to warrant special investigation."
18. Tuberculosis.—This is a disease which requires careful investiga-
tion. It is more prevalent than is imagined. Several cases have been detected
in the Ferozepore slaughter-house. As the question is of the greatest importance
to the public health, a systematic investigation is indicated.
The shortage of
the staff, owing to the extra work caused by the war, prevents the department
from doing more than it is. The Superintendent, South Punjab, reports that
about 3 per cent. of the animals slaughtered at Ferozepore, showed infection
with tubercle bacilli.
Sheep and goats,
19. Gillar is more prevalent amongst sheep than is reported. The
disease is very prevalent in low-lying areas. Sheep owners have been instruct-
ed to avoid taking their animals to low-lying swampy places for grazing, but
when there is no grazing elsewhere nothing will stop them. They have also
been instructed to give the sheep salt and hira kasis (the crude iron salt which
can be purchased in every village).
20. " Phutka " (contagious pneumonia) was again prevalent amongst
the goats in Kangra, Kulu and Lahoul, but the disease was not so serious as in
previous years. Goats are too plentiful in these parts so that it is just as well
that they are thinned out occasionally, as the damage they do in forests is con-
siderable.
Dogs.
21. Rabies has been prevalent as usual, and this state of affairs will
continue until stronger measures are adopted for destroying ownerless dogs in
villages. Municipalities do a great deal, but the large number of pariah dogs
at railway stations and in villages ought to be reduced, not only on account of
rabies, but because they spread other diseases in their wanderings.