112 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [Aug. i, 1894. 
visited theae oattle, and as he found they were not 
properly isolated he had them removed to the infir- 
mary shed, Of theBe five one was sick, whioh had 
since recovered, and there were also three calves 
of which one died. The r'port then proceeds :— 
It is a diffioult matter to accouot for the intro- 
duction of the disease (murrain), and so far as I can 
see there are four ways in whioh it could have 
8rI (T) D 'rrJhat ^ Wl8 introduced through oontact with 
diseased animals in Colombo, 
(2) That it waa introduced with the cattle last 
imported. . 
(3) That it originated spontaneously. 
(4) That it waa maliciously introduced. 
To these I may reply:— 
(1) That so far as I am aware no dieeaee has 
existed in Colombo or the district for some months 
previous to this outbreak. _ 
(2) I am oonvinced that it was not introduced with 
the cows laat imported. As previously explained, nooe 
of the animals exhibited symptoms or died of murrain. 
They were shipped at Bombay on the 22nd Decem- 
ber and those which were in milk were removed 
from the quarantine shed to the dairy on January 
6th being six in number—" Bola " and "Koomaria " 
being amongst them. They had therefore 
fifteen days' quarantine, being five days beyond tl e 
average period of inoobation of murrain, which n 
from four to eight or ten daya. Farther, there v. as 
no outbreak of murrain or rinderpest in Bombay 
until January 24th, being a period of tbiity-three 
days after I left Bombay with the cattle, nor hal 
there been any in Kurachi or in the district where 
1 pnrohased the oows since Decembtr, 1892. 
(3) The highest authorities state that it does not atiee 
spontaneously. . ... 
(4) This is merely a hypothesis, but in view 
of the faot of the known antipathy or the native 
to the dairy it is poaaible that the disease may 
have been maliciously introduced, which would not 
be a very difficult matter. 
PBECAUTIONARY A.ND HEM R DIAL MEASURES. 
The first and most important point in outbreaks 
of infectious and oontagious diseases is to take every 
possible precautionary measure to prevent its spread, 
and the atook must at onoe be divided into three 
heads viz* 
(1) 'Diseased cattle. (2) Cattle whioh have been in 
oontact with the disease and, although ttey may not 
show signs of illness, must be regarded aa suspected. 
(3) Convalescent cattle. 
These three batches must have separated and 
thoroughly detaohed quarters: eaoh must have 
Beparate utensils, and no communication muat be 
allowed between one and the other either by the 
attendants employed or others. 
This cannot be too strongly enforced, as the infec- 
tion can quite easily be conveyed from the diseased 
to the healthy oattle by an utensil from the diseased 
quarter* being used for the healthy, or even on the 
clothes or feet of the coolies. 
Disinfectants to be freely used in all the enclosures. 
Refuse, fodder, dung, &c, soraped up and burnt twice 
dailv The system of isolation tor outlying districts 
which I suggested in my report of May, 1892, I still 
consider best, viz., a double ring fence to be erected 
for each of (1) diseased. (2) suspected, (3) convalescent. 
For remedial measures the folWnj prescriptions 
which were used with success during the recent 
outbreak at the Government Dairy, will be fourd 
useful when procurable. Prescription No. 1 to be 
eiveo. to animals showing the least signs ot illness, 
and to be continued until purging cooomenoes, when 
No 2 should be admhis'ered and continued until 
the aoim»l is better or commence', to pass blood 
with foeaea. when No. 3 should be givea until the 
animal is convalescent or deed. 
Prescription No. 1. Tinciure of aconite 1 drachm, 
or aconite leases 1 drachm. Nitrate of potash 2 
draobms. Chlorate of potash 2 draohma. Sulphate ot 
magnesia 2 ounces. Carbolio acid 1 drachm. Tinc- 
ture of quinine 1J ounce, or quinine 1 drachm 
Gruel or water 2 pints. To be given twice a day. 
Prescription No. 2.— Tincture of aconite 1 drachm, 
or aconite leavea 1 drachm. Carbolio acid 1 draebm 
Tanio acid 2 drachms. Tincture of belladona 1} ounce. 
Gruel or water 2 pints. — To be given twice a day. 
Prescription No. 3. — Powdered ipecacuanha 2 
drachms. Powdered opium 2 draobms. Acetate of lead 
1 dracbm. Powdered gentian 1 ounce. — To be given 
twice a day in a quart of gruel or water. Diet.— Rioe, 
canary seeds, bael fruits, congee, boviuia and bran. 
11. Convalescent cows were allowed good bay 
(when procurable) damped, or a little grass partially 
dry, and an increased supply of bovinia. The foregone 
rules are equally applicable for the Government stock 
as for the protection and saving of the cattle of the 
gereral community. 
12. In addition to tbia I would suggeat that the 
Governuent Dairy be properly encloses! by a permanent 
ring fence trected, where poasihle, at a diatai.ee of 
200 yards from th- extremities of the dairy buildings 
and various exercising enclosures. This fenoe to be 
of sufficient height and material to prevent aoceae 
through it of animals to the dairy, and to have two 
properly secured gatea, one fcr access to the gr* M 
lands at the back and the prinoipal one at the preaent 
main entrance to the dairy, situated at the top of the 
School drive. I would suggest that the key of tbe 
back gate be in charge of the Manager and that of 
the front gate be in charge of a watchman who 
would, besides watching the entrance, take delivery 
of all sundries for tbe dairy at the gate. Tbii 
watchman to allow no mes'engers or carte ioaide 
the gates. I woild also suggest that a aubstantial 
thtd capable of holding 40 cattle be erected as far 
as possible from the dairy and from tbe high road, 
and tj be surrounded by a fenoe at the same dis- 
tance from the shed aa that ef the dairy fenoe. 
Tbis she 1 to be used as an infirmary and as a qua- 
rantine sh d as occasions may require. 
I al«o have tbe honoar to suggest that in futore 
cases of sickness amongst tbe dairy stcck the Manager 
be relieved of his tupt rvision over the siok cattle 
immediately they are removed from the dairy. 
I am glad to be able to report that the atock still 
continues in gcod health, and that, unlets anything 
unforeseen occurs, the whole area of the School of 
Agriculture cau be deolarel free from infection on 
the 17th of March. 
VARIOUS PLANTING NOTES. 
Calcutta Botanic Gardens. — From the order 
of the Bengal Government on the Annual Report of 
the Royal Botanic Garden, Caloutta, for the year 
1893-4, we learn that — 
Dr. King's report gives an interesting account of 
the operations during the past year. A severe storm 
oocured in May, and though in the conservatories 
little damage waa done; several trres outside were 
completely uprooted. Among the principal improve- 
ments effected during the year may be mentioned 
tbe repairs to Colonel Kyd's monument — a beautiful 
urn and obelisk— raised in memory of the founder 
of the garden. Attention was given as usual to 
the cultivation and distribution of plants having an 
economic, value, which are suitable for cultivation in 
the plains of India. Of these the principal were 
plants of the rhea, of sissal hemp, of the cola nut, 
seeds of Ihabar grasa (Ischtemum angurstifolium.) 
and coca. Dr. Kini? remarks with reference to the 
latter that this alda'oid oan never come into general 
use, and that the demand is at present greatly below 
the supply. The Lient.-Gcvernor shares his. regret 
that bis efforts to extend in Bengal the cultivation 
of the Japan-paper mulberry tree have met with so 
little suooess as this tree (of which a small atook still 
is available) provides an admirable fibre for paper. 
Th-i collection in tie Herbarium was increased by 
mere than 16,000 spLCim >ns. Durirg a portion of the 
ye ir Dr. Prain was deputed to undertake an enquiry 
into the eultivition and storage of ganja, and he sub- 
mitted an interesting and valuable report, the final 
orders of Government upon which have been post- 
poned till the report of the Indian Hemp Drugs. 
Commission has beep received, 
