11

"Sediments.—In all, scanty, chiefly vegetable débris.

"A few paramonia in No. 1.

"From these results, all four appear to be samples of water very
similar in quality to the ordinary Vehar supply of Bombay. The
albumenoid ammonia results are perhaps very slightly higher, indicat-
ing slightly more organic contamination. Were the case one of an
outbreak of fever among human beings, I should say that it was very
improbable that any connection existed between the outbreak and the
water-supply."

Climatic conditions last year (1888).—The monsoon last year was
an unusually light one, the aggregate rainfall being 59 inches, against
an average of 75 inches. In September scarcely any rain fell, the total
fall registered that month amounting to 3½ inches only. There was
no rain in October, and the temperature, which throughout the month
was unusually high, touched a maximum of 93° in the shade. Early in
October, portions of the city were visited with a mosquito plague. The
innumerable quantity of these insects in the air indicated something
unusual in the climatic conditions, or in conditions of the marshes
which skirt Bombay. The weather commenced to get cooler in Novem-
ber, and in the middle of December cold north-east and north-west
winds set in, and have since continued, the former blowing during the
night, and the latter during the day.

Breed of the horses attacked.—The Company had last October a
stud of 739 horses; of these 570 were Australians, and 169 of
Asiatic breeds. Of the 14 horses attacked with surra in November and
December, 13 were Australians, and 1 was a Persian. The majority
were young horses, well bred, and in excellent condition.

Preventive measures adopted.—As soon as we were satisfied that
"Surra" had appeared amongst our horses, and that the causes pro-
ducing it seemed in especial force at our Parel stables, we carried
out a most careful and thorough examination of the watering and
drainage arrangements at that stable. The results of the examina-
tion of the water have been given above. The stable drainage was
found in good order, no stoppage anywhere; all drains clean and free
from smell. A drain in the neighbouring property to the north was, we
found, not working well, and we had it attended to. We disinfected
the stables throughout on more than one occasion with phenyle and
water, 1 part to 50, sending showers of it through the air in every
direction from a manual fire-engine, and thoroughly drenching the roof
and stable fittings. Carbolic powder was also sprinkled in all the stalls
and sulphur and tar burnt in braziers in the passage-ways. We noticed
that the majority of the horses attacked had been standing in portions
of the stable most exposed to the north-west and north-west winds, and