3
These have been translated into Bengali, Assamese and Khasi. Being in
pamphlet form they are more easily distributed and more likely to be read by
the villagers. They are also intended to assist thana officers in differentiating the
various diseases and so lead to more accurate reporting of outbreaks.
PART II.—TREATMENT OF DISEASE.
12. Table II shows the number of deaths from contagious diseases during the year.
Reports have been received from 23 districts this year. Last year the same number
of districts reported disease. Reports have not been obtainable from five districts.
In comparison with last year disease has been more prevalent and the total mortality
shown is greater.
EQUINES.
13. The mortality from contagious diseases amongst equines is reported to be
229 from all causes in comparison with 301 last year.
14. Glanders.—Twenty-one cases have been reported from six districts. Diagno-
sis was confirmed in all the districts except two—those at Sibsagar and Lakhimpur,
died before being seen. Last year forty-nine cases were reported from nine districts.
The most serious outbreak occurred at Rangpur in three gariwallas' staples. Some
opposition has been shown, and it has been deemed advisable at first not to test the
incontact animals but only to inspect the stables regularly. In such cases compen-
sation would save the owners a continued loss, and the disease would be stamped out.
At present, cases will develop from time to time and this will be repeated indefinitely.
15. Anthrax.—The reported number of deaths from this disease is thirty-six
from seven districts. Those in Dacca, Sylhet and some in Sibsagar were diagnosed,
the others were not. Last year fifty deaths were reported from eight district.
Microscopic slides have been distributed to facilitate the sending of specimens of
blood.
16. Surra.—This disease has been confined to five districts and caused seventy
deaths. The cases in Kamrup, Khasi and Jaintia Hills, Sylhet and Cachar were
confirmed by microscopical examination. The two cases in Sibsagar were not
diagnosed. Last year the disease was reported from six districts and caused ninety-
eight deaths. Several cases were treated in Sylhet by the Veterinary Officer of the
Tea Association, their condition was temporarily improved but they relapsed, and
either died or were destroyed. No permanent remedy has yet been discovered for
this disease, althongh a cure almost seems to be within the grasp of research workers.
17. Dourine.—During the last two years no cases of Dourine or Epizootic
Lymphangitis have been discovered.
Bovines.
18. Rinderpest.—This disease has again been prevalent throughout the entire
Province and with the exception of two districts (Sibsagar and Cachar) all
show an increased mortality. It was especially severe in Barisal where large numbers
of both bullocks and buffaloes died. Heavy mortalities are also reported from Goal-
para, Nowgong, Kamrup and Darrang. In the first two places there have been no
permanent Veterinary Assistants during the year, but men from the staff were sent
temporarily and in the last two districts, Veterinary Assistants were only able to get
over a part of the areas involved. This year the total mortality from Rinderpest has
been placed at 44,126. Last year it was reported as having caused 32,823 deaths.
19. Foot-and-mouth disease.—This disease has been reported from nineteen
districts as causing 11,852 deaths. Last year it was reported from seventeen districts
as causing 9,074 deaths. Nowgong, Kamrup and Darrang are the districts which
report the heaviest mortalities. Usually the mortality from this disease is low, so
a considerable number may have been erroneously diagnosed. On two occasions this
year I have seen animals suffering from foot-and-mouth disease dying at a rate of
35 per cent. Through carelessness and ignorance the wounds had been allowed to
become contaminated by flies and the animals were really dying from blood poisoning.
One of these outbreaks occurred amongst the cattle in the coolie lines of a tea garden.
20. Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia.—This
disease was reported from nineteen
districts as causing 8,040 deaths. For the third year in succession the heaviest mor-
tality has been in Kamrup. In the previous year it was reported from eleven districts
as causing 4,648 deaths.