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                    PART II.—EPIZOOTIC DISEASES.

SUBJECT II (a).-ANTHRAX. (1) PREVALENCE AMONG LIVE-STOCK
    IN INDIA; (2) THE NECESSITY OF INSTITUTING LEGISLATION
    TO DEAL WITH THE DISEASE; SCOPE AND NATURE OF SUCH
    MEASURES.

    The Chairman said: "As you are well aware anthrax was one of
the first diseases to be recognized as being due to a specific organism.
At one time a number of other diseases including hæmorrhagic
septicæmia were classified as anthrax in India, and it was not
until 1904 that I was instrumental in obtaining a separate heading
in our statistical tables for hæmorrhagic septicæmia. We all
know that the mortality in cattle from hæmorrhagic septicæmia
far exceeds that from anthrax, and most of us will probably agree
that anthrax does not cause grave mortality in animals in India
as compared with several other epizootic diseases. We know that
some Indian cattle appear to possess a considerable degree of
immunity also. We must admit that it exists in most parts of the
country, however, and for that reason it is a real and potential
danger particularly from the industrial point of view. It will be
interesting to learn the experience of members of the conference
in respect to the prevalence of the disease in the various parts of
the country represented by them.

    "Granted that measures are necessary for the protection of
workers, as recommended by the Advisory Committee, convened
by the Third International Labour Conference, the question is what
can be done in India.

    "Colonel Hutchinson was a member of the Committee which
sat in London last December and we shall be very glad to hear
what suggestions he has to make."

    Mr. Edwards, as sponsor of this section, summarized from
the Government of India files the efforts which had recently been
made by the Government of India to introduce legislation to combat
anthrax infection in India. In 1920 the Karachi Chamber of
Commerce had become much exercised on account of representa-
tions made to them by the Karachi Wool Association with regard
to the reported presence of anthrax in sheep in Sind and the possi-
bility that the Home authorities were contemplating measures
which would have for their ultimate effect the prohibition of impor-
tation of Indian hair, wools and hides. The advice of the Superin-
tendents, Civil Veterinary Department, of the Bombay Presidency
and of Sind, Baluchistan, and Rajputana was sought by the Govern-

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