214 ECONOMICS OF EAST COAST FEVER. 



to give some idea of the magnitude of the losses sustained 

 before we sketch the economic effects in relation to wealth, 

 agriculture, health, education, and government. An outline of 

 the expenses involved in dealing with the disease will be fol- 

 lowed by an attempt to look forward. 



I. The Ma<;nitude of the Losses. 



The magnitude of the losses may be estimated by a con- 

 sideration of the area aft'ected, and by the numbers of cattle 

 which have actually died as a result of the disease ; for it must 

 not be thought that the only loss is that of the value of the 

 lost stock. P"or the whole system of transport in a Territory 

 to be disorganised involves of necessity delays in the delivery 

 of goods, increased costs in freight, a slower turn over, and 

 other disabilities which, taken together, mean a direct setback 

 to the commerce. 



Well, then, to consider the area affected we must realise 

 that 2T, Magisterial districts, out of the 27, were involved, for the 

 East Coast Fever found its way into all except Tsomo, Xalanga, 

 Mount bletcher, and Matatiele Districts on the Northern border 

 of the Territories. In this area there reside a native popula- 

 tion of '/y2,22j\. persons, many of whom lost cattle belonging to 

 themselves, and all of whom were closely aft'ected by those losses. 

 It will thus be readily seen how the whole population were 

 vitally and personall}' interested, and the effect of personal 

 losses u]Jon units nuist be great when considered in the mass 

 of the i)eo])le in their relation to, and thoughts of. the Govern- 

 ment. 



Up to the present 1 have not been able to discover a re- 

 liable and comprehensive estimate as to the number of cattle 

 which have died, and tlierefore I do not propose to venture u|)on 

 figures which may be proved inaccurate. It is sufticient if we 

 limit ourselves to that which is more sure, and in estimates of 

 the kind one may reasonably expect the official figures, given 

 by the Magistrates concerned, to err on the safe side. The 

 danger of exaggeration is probably reduced to a minimum. 



Bizana District reported a loss of 56,000 hend of cattle. 

 Flagstaff is said to have suffered to the extent of 35,000 head. 

 Ngqeleni reports 



The tcrrilile loss to the district occasioned bv tlie destruction of cattle 

 from East Coast Fever. The estimated losses as stated probably exceed 

 40,000 head, which, based upon the high prices of cattle prior to the 

 appearance of the disease, would represent n stim not far short of a piiarter 

 of a inillioii strrliit^. 



Elliotdale reports : 



.Some three jears ago the estimated number of horned stock in this 

 district was about 60,000; at the end of the year Tqi2, owing to the rav- 

 ages of East Coast Fever, numbers alive might be placed at about 1,800. 



The ■Magistrate of Tsolo contents himself with the report 



that 



