No. 822-604-XIV.

      GOVERNMENT OF THE CENTRAL PROVINCES.
                          AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT.

                          Nagpur, the 28th October 1929.

READ—

Letter No. 658-B-1-3, dated the 7th August 1929, from the
Veterinary Adviser to Government, Central Provinces,
forwarding the report on the working of the Civil Veteri-
nary Department for the year ending the 31st March 1929.

                                 RESOLUTION.

The year 1928-29 was not a healthy one for cattle,
and the mortality reported from the principal diseases
was considerably in excess of that of the previous year.
The year coincided with a period of intense incidence in
the cycle of rinderpest occurrence, and this, combined
with the prevalence of other epizootic diseases, made
heavy demands on the preventive activities of the depart-
ment, which surpassed all previous records. The measure
of these activities can be gauged from the fact that the
number of inoculations performed reached a record figure
of over 274,000, of which no less than 171,238 were
serum alone inoculations for rinderpest. These figures
are an index of the decline in the prejudice against inocu-
lation which is now only prevalent in the more backward
tracts. Major Stirling has given interesting instances
both of the difficulties experienced and the success
achieved in countering the menace of rinderpest by
means of intensive inoculation.

2. As the map attached to the report shows, the
question of the protection of these provinces from epizootic
disease is a peculiarly difficult one in view of their
extensive landlocked boundaries and the fact that they
are, and must be to a large extent for many years remain
chiefly dependent on outside sources for their supply of
agricultural cattle. The question of legislation on lines
which have proved successful in other agricultural coun-
tries with a view to restricting the movements of disease-
carrying herds is at present under consideration. But the
application of powers for the detention, isolation and