7

11.     On a reference to the figures it will be seen that the most strik-
ing decrease was under head " Rinderpest." The death rate from
Hæmorrhagic septicæmia was, however, somewhat heavy this year,
the disease being reported to be rather severe in the districts of Khulna,
Bakarganj and Mymensingh. Foot and mouth disease was fairly wide-
spread but mortality on this account is not generally heavy.

It may be noted that a decrease in the number of cases of contagious
disease does not mean that the trouble is dying out. These diseases
frequently come in cycles, and a year in which only a few cases occur
is commonly followed by a year in which outbreaks are very extensive.

                                      Equine Diseases.

12.     Glanders.—The Eastern Range was absolutely free from this
disease during the year. In the Western Range two reports of out-
break were received, in which only three animals died.

No expenditure had to be incurred this year as compensation for the
destruction of any animals under the Act.

13-14. Anthrax and Dourine.—No cases were reported during the
year.

15.     Surra.—Only two cases were reported from the Meherpur sub-
division of the Nadia district. In none of these cases was the diagnosis
confirmed by bacteriological examination.

16.     Other diseases.—The loss under this head amounted to three as
against five in the year previous. Of this number one was on account of
tetanus at the Dacca Hospital.

                                     Bovine Diseases.

17.     Rinderpest was prevalent in all the districts but not in so severe
a form as in the past year. Whenever it occurred usual preventive
measures including inoculation were undertaken with the satisfactory
result that only 11,790 animals died as against 33,405 last year.

18.     Foot and mouth.—As already stated the disease was fairly
widespread and caused the death of 693 animals as against 442 in the
preceding year. Deaths from this malady are usually confined to young
calves or old, weak and decrepit animals.

19.     Hæmorrhagic septicæmia.—With the exception of Howrah and
Darjeeling all the districts were more or less affected and the aggregate
mortality on this account was 1,899 as against 1,492 in the year previous.
The loss was highest in the district of Khulna, where 318 cases occurred.

20.     Blackquarter appeared in nine districts of this Presidency. Of
the 37 deaths that were recorded under this head 17 were in Jalpaiguri
alone. Inoculation was undertaken and 198 head of cattle were protec-
ted with anti-serum in this district.

21.     Anthrax.—There was a slight increase in the number of deaths
this year, being 134 as against 85 in the preceding year.

22.     Other contagious diseases.—As usual details are not available
and little reliance can be placed on the figures which show a great
increase, being 906 as against 268 in the previous year.