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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :--

C.O. 885

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

20 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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4. It appears to Lord Crewe that, should the Civil Service Commission have no objection, advantage might be taken of the examination which he understands is held at regular intervals for candidates for veterinary appointments under the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries. I am, however, to observe that as vacancies in veterinary posts in the Crown Colonies and Protectorates do not occur with any great frequency, it would not be possible to announce the number, if any, of vacancies which would occur before each examination.

5. Lord Crewe would propose that gentlemen who have made application for employment in a Crown Colony should be instructed to attend the next examination, and should be required to satisfy the Civil Service Commission in that examination. If the candidates fulfilled this requirement, they would be appointed by the Secre- tary of State as vacancies arose, but the fact that a candidate had passed the examination could not be regarded as binding the Secretary of State to appoint the successful candidate to any particular vacancy or, indeed, to give him any appointment. The examination would simply be a necessary preliminary without which no candidate could be considered for an appointment.

6. I am to enquire whether the Civil Service Commission would have any objection to the admittance to the examination on these terms of candidates for appointment to veterinary posts in the Crown Colonies and Protectorates.

32240

No. 6.

I am, &c.,

H. BERTRAM COX.

NORTHERN NIGERIA.

THE ACTING GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 30 September, 1909.)

(No. 526.)

MY LORD,

Government House, Zungeru, 28 August, 1909.

I HAVE the honour to transmit copies of correspondence relating to an out- break of pleuro-pneumonia (contagious) that recently occurred amongst the transport bullocks at Zaria.

2. Mr. Brand, in his report of the 9th of February, 1908,* which formed an enclosure to your Lordship's despatch No. 308 of the 18th of June, 1908,† expressed an opinion that the number of cases might be reduced if the transport oxen were vaccinated.

3. There is not at present any veterinary officer in the service of this Adminis- tration, as Sir Percy Girouard did not consider that such an officer could be profitably employed. The annual recurrence of this epizootic amongst Government transport oxen and the cattle of the Fulani herdsmen is responsible for very serious losses, and I should be glad if full particulars of the methods of vaccination could be obtained and forwarded to the Protectorate for the information of transport and political officers serving in the districts in which this disease appears. I would also ask that if procurable a supply of the necessary lymph should be obtained and sent to the Protectorate.

4. The portion of a lung and pulmonary gland preserved in alcohol referred to in Mr. Woodell's memorandum of the 15th of July is being forwarded under separate cover, and I should be glad to learn whether the diagnosis is correct.

I have, &c.,

G. R. MATHEWS,

Acting Secretary, for Acting Governor.

Enclosure in No. 6.

THE CHIEF TRAnsport Officer to the SECRETARY TO THE ADMINISTRATION, Zungeru.

(No. C.T. 532/1909.)

SIR,

Chief Transport Office, Zungeru, 27th July, 1909. REFERRING to my No. 444/09 of 17th June and 16th July, 1909, reporting an outbreak of pleuro-pneumonia among the Government cattle at Zaria, I have the

†4839: not printed,

No. 213 in Miscellaneous No. 229.

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honour to forward a report from Mr. Woodell, Transport Officer at that Depôt, detailing the symptoms and course of the disease, for the information of His Excellency the Governor.

2. Mr. Brand, in his report on the veterinary survey of Northern Nigeria dated 9th February, 1908, contained in M/P 2880/07, refers to this disease, and describes its symptoms and post-mortem appearances as being somewhat different to outbreaks that he had previously seen.

3. Mr. Woodell's report may therefore be of some value to the Colonial Office, and in order that his diagnosis may be verified, I would suggest that both the report and the portion of the lung and the pulmonary gland referred to, also sent herewith, be forwarded to them. Mr. Brand's suggestion as to the inoculation of transport cattle as a preventive measure against this disease has, owing to there being no veterinary officer in this Department, not been carried out.

4. There having been no fresh cases in Zungeru for the past fifteen days, nor any in Zaria for the past ten, I am inclined to believe that the outbreak has now been got under control.

I have, &c.,

D. A. WALLBACH,

Chief Transport Officer.

THE TRANSPORT OFFICER, Zaria, to the CHIEF Transport OFFICER, Zungeru.

I forward herewith extracts from my diary re the sickness which has broken

out amongst the cattle at this depôt, as it appears to me to be the most simple way

explaining to you the symptoms and duration of the disease.

of

am also sending you by bearer a portion of lung and pulmonary gland of a deceased bullock, as perhaps you would care to have the same forwarded to England, with a view of having the diagnosis determined; if so, I would suggest that you have the solid contents of the bottle removed and placed in a 5 per cent. solution of formalin before despatch.

I should like to bring to your notice that Dr. Parsons gave me most valuable assistance at the post-mortem, and that the Resident is doing all in his power to assist me in every way.

Zaria, 15 July, 1909.

EXTRACT FROM Diary.

L. L. WOODELL,

Transport Officer.

any

Saturday, July 10th, 1909.~All bulls fit. No appreciable sign of off colour. Attendant with Sunday, July 11th, 1909, 5 p.m.-Two bulls off their feed. grazing party reports that these two beasts went off their grazing during the after- noon, but took water freely; one animal constipated, had him back-raked and administered ol Lini OI. No noticeable signs of chest trouble.

Monday, July 12th, 5.30 a.m.-Both animals decidedly sick; respiration 43, tem- perature 105. Pulse oppressive, beat indistinct, coat rough, lower extremities cold, nasal membrane leaden colour, appetite gone, tears from eyes, slight discharge from nose, bowels nothing noteworthy, slightly suppressed cough with saliva continually dribbling from mouth, urine apparently normal. Carefully inspected all animals, and picked out four which appear off colour; took the remainder four miles out north of Zaria Town (across the Shika River) and made a bush camp, as I had suspicions of pleuro-pneumonia.

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p.m. same day. The four bulls which I picked out this morning have now marked signs of chest trouble, their temperatures run between 1026° to 103°; all are off feed, but take water freely; respiration between 25 and 30; pulse-artery full but beat rather indistinct; bowels and urine practically normal, except one, who has rather frequent discharge of liquid excrement with some mucous; eyes dull and watery.

The first two bulls are now down, breathing very laboured; temperature of No. 1, 105 4, No. 2, 105°; conjunctivia of both eyes distinctly brick-red colour and slightly infiltrated; pulse somewhat fluttering and almost imperceptible.

Tuesday, 13th, 5.30 a.m.-Nos. 1 and 2 are past all hope, pulse not perceptible; temperature, 103° and 1026° respectively; both have distinct discharge from nose;

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