A NOTE ON BOVINE TRYPANOSOMIASIS IN HYDERABAD
                                                 STATE.

                                                    BY

                                M. R. MAHAJAN, M.R.C.V.S.,

Veterinary Investigation Officer, H. E. H. the Nizam's Dominions, Hyderabad.

                        (Received for publication on 8th February 1934.)

                                        (With Plate XVIII.)

This condition has recently been brought to light in the forest covered district
of Asifabad of this State. The two areas affected are in Sirpoor taluq, comprising
the villages of Muthanpet, Lonvelly, Arelli and Kanky; and Luxettipet, Rubanpalli,
Dhorpalli and Jogiapet in Luxettipet taluq.

In November 1932, some outbreaks were reported as anthrax from the above
areas, but blood smear examination revealed them to be trypanosomiasis.

The general impression in India has been that cattle (especially buffaloes) acted
as a reservoir only for trypanosomes. Hutyra and Marek report that outbreaks of
an acute form with a high mortality are met with.

Stirling [1927] mentions regarding a severe outbreak of this disease in the
western districts of Central Provinces and Berar.

Gopalkrishnan [1927] also refers to outbreaks of this disease in the Central
Provinces.

As the condition in Asifabad appeared to be acute, investigation was under-
taken during September 1933.

The mortality in the year 1932 is said to be about 300 cattle, mostly bullocks.
Two ponies are also reported to have died.

The disease usually occurs during the early winter months when biting flies are
plentiful and the plough-bullocks are worked hard.

Blood smears of 297 cattle, 2 ponies and 3 dogs were examined during this
investigation.

An important point noted has been that the disease affects mostly (90 per
cent.) working bullocks.

The specimens of biting flies collected and identified are as follows :—
        (i) Tabanus tenens.
        (ii) Tabanus bicallosus.
        (iii) Tabanus sp. (?)
        (iv) Musca crassirostris.

                                                ( 242)