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The following table shows the numbers of animals slaughtered during the past ten years :-
YEAR.
Cattle.
Sheep & Goats.
Swine.
1894
16,898
10,937
125,725
1895
19,218
12,592
129,835
1896
19,546
14,693
129,103
1897
20,094
14,226
,137,748
1898
21,541
15,956
153,485
1899
23,582
17,353
156,292
1900
23,939
18,364
165,760
1901
24,938
18,544
172,205
1902
25,669
20,780
202,495
1903
28,335
22,918
187,265
I should like here to call attention to the prevalence of the Distoma Hepaticum among cattle. It is rarely observed here in the pig and sheep. In Britain the sheep is the chief sufferer and the condition brought about, usually known as Liver Rot, is frequently a fatal one. In the cattle here, however, the disease appears to be less deadly since in the livers of at least 75 per cent, of the adult cattle killed in the Slaughter-house these parasites are found in the bile ducts. The Distoma Hepaticum can only multiply in conjunction with undrained land with surface water courses, and the little streams for irrigating the rice fields offer ideal breeding places for this parasite. The cattle are largely pastured on the raised grassy banks between the paddy fields beside the irrigating streamlets, and are thus favourably placed for contracting the disease. This parasite is not directly com- municable from oxen to man.
I am pleased to have to report that Tuberculosis is exceedingly rare among pure bred Chinese cattle as killed in the Hongkong Slaughter-houses. I have not yet seen seen a case, but one case was, I believe, observed by Dr. HUNTER in 1902. This disease, however, is by no means unknown among imported cattle.
Dairies and Cattle Sheds.
During the year, two outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease occurred one at the Dairy Farm Company's premises at Pokfulam and the other at their premises at Sassoon's Villas. In both cases the disease was confined to the sheds in which it first appeared. This disease takes a more acute form among the European cattle than among pure native animals. No deaths however occurred.
During the autumn of the year, in two of the European dairies in the Colony a condition appeared among the cows that had many of the symptoms of malaria in the human subject. Towards evening the temperature rose to 103° or 105° F. and returned to normal or almost in the morning. The animals lost flesh rapidly and the yield of milk was interfered with. I advised large doses of quinine and there was a rapid improvement in the condition. Recovery was soon complete and there has been no recurrence of the affection. While the animals were sick I ex- amined smears of blood microscopically but was unable to find any trace of a parasite. Somewhat distrustful of my microscopic examinations I asked Dr. HUNTER to assist ine. Many preparations were made but nothing could be found. Considerable quantities of quinine had been given before Dr. HUNTER made his examination so that this may have influenced the result. This condition seems to merit further enquiry should opportunity again present itself.
In December a severe outbreak of disease occurred at Kennedy's Dairy, Causeway Bay. The disease was that form of Hæmorrhagic Septicemia which is the subject of investigation. It was thought advisable to slaughter all the herd. This was accordingly done and the owners compensated.
The dairies and cowsheds have been regularly inspected during the their condition has been fairly satisfactory.
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