MYSORE, CANARA, AND MALABAR. 
165 
The farmers who are in easy circumstances keep from ten to 
thirty breeding cows ; but the number of cattle has been exceed- 
ingly reduced by a most fatal disorder that prevailed among them 
last year. It is attributed by the natives to a contagion introduced 
by the Brinjaries , who followed the British army ; and no doubt 
it raged with the utmost violence in the camps before Seringapatcwri ; 
but a similar disease frequently occurs at the same season, although 
it was never before known to prove so fatal. Iafii therefore inclined 
to believe, that it is rather endemic than contagious; It commenced 
in April, and lasted three months. The cattle seized by this disease 
pass bloody, or at least very red, urine, and are reduced by a purging; 
but, although very few recover, the disease does not kill suddenly; 
they live under it from two to three months. It is alleged, that 
last year nine tenths of the whole cattle in this district perished: 
from this cause. 
The cows are always kept in a house at night, and by some are 
littered with straw ; but by others this is neglected. At night they 
always get straw to eat. In the morning, about an hour after sun- 
rise, all, except the working oxen, are turned out to the woods 
under the charge dfi a man, who takes care of fifty head. They are 
much exposed to tigers, and are not guarded by dogs. At noon 
they have water, and again in the evening, when they are brought 
home. The milch cows on this occasion have for their drink the 
water in which the grain of the family has been boiled. 
The cow begins to breed at about three years of age, but at no 
particular season of the year. She goes nine months with calf, and 
does not breed oftener than once in two or three years. She conti- 
nues to give milk,, until within three months of calving. For the 
first month the calf has all the milk ; afterwards it continues to have 
a little every day, till the mother becomes dry. A middling good 
cow gives, twice a day, three quarters of a Acer of milk, or about a 
pint and a half, besides what the calf draws. A cow lives until she 
is twenty years of age, but does not breed after sixteen. The idea 
CHAPTER 
III. 
June 12. 
Ox kind. 
4 
