Sessional_Paper_1904 — Page 772

No. 1904

42

HONGKONG.

REPORT ON A CATTLE DISEASE IN THE COLONY OF HONGKONG. (In continuation of Sessional Paper No. 40 of 1903).

Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Governor.

GOVERNMENT PUBLIC MORTUARY,

HONGKONG, 5th September, 1904.

SIR, We have the honour to submit, for the information of His Excellency the Governor, a report in continuation of our preliminary report on Cattle Disease in the Colony of Hongkong dated 31st October, 1903.

Up to date, several further outbreaks of cattle disease have occurred, not only amongst native bred animals, but also in European cows.

Our attention was particularly directed to the occurrence of sickness amongst these European animals, in order to determine the exact nature of the disease, and the points of similarity or dissimilarity in its Etiology, with the condition of Hæmorrhagic Septicemia, so prevalent in Chinese bullocks.

The following is a short resumé of the outbreaks of cattle disease since the date of publication of our preliminary report.

I.-OUTBREAK IN KENNEDY'S DAIRY.

Towards the end of November, 1903, from information received as to the existence of sickness amongst the herd of cattle in this dairy, one of us—the Colonial Veterinary Surgeon-visited the place and made a thorough inspection. The herd was composed of European cattle, either imported from Australia, or reared in the Colony.

There were 55 cattle in all. On the first visit to the Dairy, it was found that several of the animals had already succumbed to some form of disease. Many others were sick, but beyond a decided elevation of temperature varying from 103° F. to 105.5° F. little of a definite nature could be ascertained by clinical inspection.

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The outbreak was at first confined to one part of the Dairy only. The neces- sary Sanitary Restrictions were made in order to prevent the spread of the disease.

Notwithstanding these endeavours, however, healthy cows belonging to adjoin- ing sheds of the Dairy fell sick, presenting clinical appearances identical with those primarily infected.

Ultimately over 90% of the cows became ill, and it was decided on preventive grounds to slaughter the whole herd. Bacteriological investigations on the lines indicated in our preliminary report were made.

This disease proved to be the same form of Hæmorrhagic Septicemia as already investigated.

II.—OUTBREAK IN KENNEDY TOWN CATTLE DEPOT.

During the month of February, 1904, a recrudescence of cattle disease occurred amongst the cattle housed in this Depôt.

The outbreak was not extensive. It was of the same nature as that described in our preliminary report, requiring therefore no further comment.

III. OUTBREAK IN LANTAO ISLAND, ETC.

In March, 1904, an outbreak of disease occurred amongst the herds of cattle on the neighbouring islands of Hongkong. These islands were visited by the Colonial Veterinary Surgeon. The extent and probable nature of the disease has already been reported. The disease appeared to be similar to that found in Hongkong, namely one of the forms of Hæmorrhagic Septicemia. Under the circumstances, however, a careful bacteriological examination was impossible. The total number of cattle affected during this outbreak is indefinite. Probably several hundred animals succumbed during the Epizootic.