7

                       V.—GENERAL REMARKS

43.    A condition of cattle termed loosely "cancer of the horn
and face" which is almost invariably fatal, is causing anxiety to the
officers of the department.

It appears to be most common, or at least it is brought to our
notice most frequently, in Berar, where valuable plough and draft
bullocks are mainly affected.

44.     Mineral deficiency is another affection regarding which
we are still much in doubt. When a reference was made to this
department in the year 1933 by the International Veterinary Bureau
it had to be confessed that we had no definite information although
we had recognised the condition.

45.     Foot-and-mouth disease in this part of India is not of
the same importance economically as it is in western countries. At
the same time it must be admitted that, after the febrile or acute
stage has passed, sequelae are present which cause diminution of
working power and of milk production. This latter is an important
point from the public health side especially in these provinces where
the supply of milk, even when the cattle are in health, is not adequate
to the needs of the population. Enquiries in villages go to show
that the quantity of "nature's best food" consumed by juveniles is
far below that of other countries.

The three conditions mentioned above require thorough investi-
gation carried on over a series of years. For this purpose it would
be possible perhaps to get grants from the Imperial Council of
Agricultural Research, if we had a small laboratory in which research
officers could work.

The estimate for such a set of rooms is under a lakh of rupees.
When financial conditions improve, it will repay the Government
to provide facilities such as will enable it to approach the Agricultural
Council for grants.

46.    The goat virus scheme submitted by Major Stirling has
been kindly approved by the Imperial Council of Agricultural Re-
search and the necessary finances have been placed at the disposal
of the Local Government to work out this scheme. From the 15th
of March 1935 the work has been taken in hand and the Veterinary
Investigation Officer has been put in charge. Ten men recruited
for this were trained at Nagpur before they commenced their activities
in the field.

47.     It is noted with great satisfaction that a Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has been started since the last
annual report and it is being worked out very smoothly under the
able guidance of Mr. W. H. Shoobert, I.C.S., Deputy Commissioner,
Nagpur. The services of a Veterinary Assistant Surgeon have
been lent to work under the Society as Inspector.

3