§ Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what charge was made, during the recent out 110W break of rabies in the Southern Highlands Province of Tanganyika, for the inoculation of dogs; and whether he is satisfied that this has not deterred a large number of natives from bringing their dogs to be inoculated.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe standard charges in Tanganyika are ten shillings for a single inoculation or seven shillings fifty cents when more than eight dogs are presented together. The Tanganyika Government has made bulk supplies available to the native authorities at cost price (originally two shillings fifty cents for a single dose; later, three shillings, due to increased land cost).
The Rungwe Native Authority refused to buy vaccine in bulk and individuals in that area had to pay the standard charges. The co-operation of dog owners was excellent however, and the disease was eliminated rapidly.
The Mbeya Native Authority purchased supplies in bulk and also provided a subsidy, making the cost of inoculation one shilling fifty cents. Despite this relative low cost, dog owners in the area were indifferent and responded poorly.
The Njombe, Iringa and Chunga Native Authorities bought supplies in bulk and passed these on at cost. The response was good in Njombe and Chunga, and poor at first in Iringa; but the situation in that area has since improved considerably and the campaign there should be completed by the end of August.
There is no evidence to suggest that these charges have seriously deterred Africans from bringing their dogs to be inoculated.