35 -2, RINDERPEST.

We are of opinion that the present “serum alone” method of protective inoculation employed in the Sudan is the most suitable under the present conditions.

On the other hand, should a large concentration of cattle occur, as conceivably might in the Gezirah, we would recommend that the double inoculation (virulent blood and serum) should be employed, 1 his would be particularly applicable to large numbers of working oxen amongst which an acute epidemic would bring about a stoppage of work just at a critical stage of land cultivation.

It might be thought that very acute epidemics of this disease would not occur in the Sudan where the disease is endemic, but this is not so, as acute epidemics occurred in 1911 in Kenya, where the disease had been endemic for 20 years, involving the loss of 90% of the cattle in many areas.

In the Sudan the difficulty ol the production of virulent blood necessary for the double inoculation suggests itself. Recent investiga¬ tion has been carried out on this subject, and it would appear that the blood of sheep inoculated with Rinderpest blood can be used for this purpose.

1 he inoculated sheep are easily transported to the place where required for the double inoculation, and their fresh citrated blood then employed as the virus.

Further investigations are, however, required on this subject, and it is proposed to carry out investigations at Khartoum, especially to work out the details of technique required to suit local conditions.

We might briefly mention one or two points in connection with the establishment of an Institute for the Production of anti-rinderpest serum.

W e are aware that it is not considered economic and advisable to establish such an Institute at present, but it is quite possible that such an Institute will be necessary to the Sudan in the future.

It is conceivable that the Institute in Cairo may be closed, as conditions in Egypt make it possible to completely eradicate the disease, as has been done throughout the Union of South Africa, with the consequent closing of the serum Institute in that country.

One of the chief difficulties in the Sudan in the working ol a serum Institute has been the obtaining economically of susceptible cattle. This difficulty could be overcome by some of the following possibilities : (a). Recent work by Poole in India lias shewn that partially susceptible cattle might be employed, »