<xi MONTHLY. 
Vol. XIX. 
COLOMBO, MARCH 1st, 1900. 
No. 9. 
RINDERPEST. 
By G. W. STURGESS, m.u.c.v.s., 
government veterinary surgeon, ceylon. 
S I am constantly being asked 
for information as to what 
should be done with the 
view of gfuarding against an 
attack of this disease and 
its suppression after it has 
broken out, I propose in a, 
few notes upon the subject to state as simply 
and clearly as possible the position at the present 
time, and the precautions which owners of cattle 
can adopt. 
•CATTLE DISEASE. 
Kandy, Feb. 23. 
The Editor, Tropical Agricultitrist, Colombo. 
Sir, — With reference to the annexed copy 
of minute and resolution passed at a recent 
meeting of the Committee of the Planters' 
Association, I write to ask you whether the 
accompanying paper on Rinderpest would 
be acceptable to you for reproduction in the 
Tropical Agriculturist. — I am, sir, yours 
faithfully, A. PHILIP, 
Secretary to the Planters' Association of 
Ceylon. 
MINUTE AND RESOLUTION REFERRED TO. 
Read letter from the Government Veteri- 
nary Surgeon, Colombo, transmitting his 
paper on Rinderpest and adding that he was 
leaving the island for South Africa, and that 
' owners of cattle should report any case of 
Rinderpest to the Government Agent with- 
out delay who would inform the Veterinary 
Department; trained inoculators are kept in 
readiness and would be sent when required. 
Resolved: — "That the thanks of the Associ- 
ation conveyed to Mr. G. W. Sturgess, m.b.c, 
v.s. Government Veterinary Surgeon, Ceylon, 
lie confirmed and that his paper be pub- 
lished." 
[Dr. Sturgess's paper, which we now publish, 
will be of interest and value to all stockholders 
— Europecan and Native.— Ed. T.A,] 
Quarantine, — The question of the subjection to 
quarantine of all cattle imported into this country 
I have recently raised, and it is under the con- 
sideration of Government. Apart from that, I 
would advise that all fresh cattle purchased should 
be kept apart from the remainder of the estate 
cattle for a clear week as a precaution not only 
against rinderpest but several other less serious 
diseases. A cadjan shed can without much cost be 
provided for this purpose whenever cattle are pur- 
chased. If after this period the cattle exhibit the 
usual signs of health and have a normal temper- 
atuie they may be regarded as perfectly safe. 
Temperature. — The average temperature of 
cattle in health is 102 F. As a maximum 103 F. and 
as a minimum lOlF. may be taken. Any animal 
with a temperature over 103 F. should be regarded 
with suspicion. The temperature is taken at the 
rectum by means of a clinical thermometer. 
Rinderpest. — It is a highly contagious and 
infectious disease. It principally attacks cattle, 
but during a bad outbreak the smaller animals 
such as sheep, deer, goats may also be attacked, 
yet do not suffer so severely as cattle. It is 
communicated from one animal to another mainly 
by cohabitation ; it may be carried short distances 
by the air. It may be spread by animal agency 
and by discharges from sick animals for long 
distances. The period of incubation is from five 
to ten days, and cattle recover or die in about 
the same time. The vitality of the virus in the 
nasal and other discharges is probably about a 
fortnight when exposed to the air, especially to 
the tropical sun ; in buried carcasses it is probably 
several months. 
Symptoms.— There is elevation of tem])erature 
some days before the more marked symptoms 
appear, and animals may be ill and capable of 
communicating the disease before the more severe 
symptoms are exhibited. One of the earliest in 
many cases is puffing of the stomach resembling 
