Sessional_Paper_1907 — Page 892

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Annexe O.

REPORT OF THE COLONIAL VETERINARY SURGEON.

GENERAL STATISTICS.

There was an increase in the numbers of cattle and swine during 1905 and a decrease in the numbers of sheep and goats. The decrease in these animals seems to be due to the importation of frozen mutton from Australia. The demand for cattle from Manila has been brisk throughout the year and the high prices the Manila dealers offer secure for the Phil- lipines the best of the cattle in the Hongkong market. Greater numbers of cattle now show evidences of handfeeding, a practice encouraged by the fact that exporters are willing to pay more per pound for such cattle.

The total number of cattle admitted to the Kennedy Town Cattle Depôt was 52,594, an increase on 1905 of 3,092, Out of these admissions 213 were rejected on arrival as unfit for food. The rejections in 1905 amounted to 672. At Hung Hom Depôt 4,962 cattle were admitted against 5,046 in 1905. The rejections at Hung Hom were 21.

DISEASES.

While investigating, along with Dr. Hunter and Dr. Heanley, a somewhat obscure sickness met with among the calves at the Bacteriological Institute, a spirochaete was discovered by Dr. Healey in smears made from the blood and spleen pulp.

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Acting on the instructions of The Honourable the Principal Civil Medical Officer, an en- quiry was made by Dr. Heanley and myself into the different breeds of rats found in Hongkong and the different varieties of fleas to which they acted as hosts. A report on the results of the enquiry was submitted to The Honourable the Principal Civil Medical Officer.

The following communicable diseases were met with in the Depôts and Slaughter Houses:-

Anthrax-Five cases occurred, one each in January, June and October, and two in March. All the cases occurred in cattle almost immediately after landing. They appear to have brought the disease with them.

Foot and Mouth Disease.-In former reports I have mentioned that this disease as found among Chinese cattle was of an exceedingly mild type. It seems to be becoming milder as fewer cases have been met with than in former years and many are only discover- able in the slaughter house..

Tuberculosis.--One case was seen in a European cow and none among Chinese cattle. The rarity of Tuberculosis among native cattle is very remarkable.

PARASITES.

The frequent incidence of the liver fluke in cattle in Hongkong is doubtless one result of the favourite method of Chinese agriculture, namely, irrigation. A liver from an adult bullock or cow which does not either actually contain the Distoma Hepaticum or show traces of its former presence is a rarity. Many animals harbour in addition the Distoma Pancreaticum in the pancreas and the Amphistoma Conicum in the rumen.

Strongylus Contortus.--This parasite is found in the abomasum of ruminants. In Hongkong its chief host is young calves. It is a blood sucking parasite and gives rise to anæmia when, present in large numbers. So far as one is able to judge native calves seein to tolerate this worm without suffering very much, possibly because it is seldom found in very large numbers in any one auimal,

The other parasites seen, have all been noted in former reports. Taken collectively these parasites form a very serious factor in stock raising in the neighbourhood of Hong- kong.