676 
CATTLE DISEASES IN INDIA. 
Referring to the general state of Indian affairs, the 
Pall Mall Gazette says, “ The agricultural department has 
commenced operations, but as it has made no sign yet, it 
may be assumed that the subjects which engage its attention 
are still in the region of discussion. It is probable it will 
have shortly to undertake charge of the whole opium depart- 
ment, which is now managed by the Bengal Government, 
but which has outgrown the limits of that province. It will 
also have to take up a question in which Lord Mayo is 
known to have a strong interest — namely, the proper mode 
of dealing with those epidemics among cattle which are so 
much more formidable in many parts of India than is at all 
generally known. The facts brought out by the Cattle 
Plague Commission assembled last year show how terrible 
the loss of horned cattle has been in some of the districts of 
Bengal, and this means something more than dear beef; it 
means fields unploughed and unirrigated, crops uncarried 
and markets unsupplied. There is no reason to suppose 
that rinderpest could not be as thoroughly stamped out in 
India as in England ; for though religious prejudices would 
prevent the killing of infected cattle, there would be nothing 
to prevent their being swept within certain limits to be 
rigorously maintained so long as circumstances might require 
it. But a first step towards the reduction of these epidemics 
is the diffusion of some veterinary knowledge among the 
6 beast-leeches 9 of the country. Here and there, in the lines 
of the native cavalry or in the stalls of some rich native, you 
will find a salutri, or native c vet/ with an almost intuitive 
insight into certain horse diseases ; but even his knowledge 
is empirical and very limited, while as a general rule the 
ignorance of those who affect to treat horses or cattle is 
absolutely complete. A scheme is, 1 am told, under con- 
sideration in the agricultural department for establishing a 
veterinary college here for the instruction of natives in the 
art, much in the same way as the medical profession has 
been popularised among them. The idea is a good one ; 
after a very short time there would be no sort of difficulty in 
getting any number of students, and as the institution is one 
which would commend itself thoroughly to the natives of all 
ranks, whether Hindoo or Mohammedan, as all would 
have a direct interest in it, it would soon become self- 
supporting.” 
