39
Prevention of Surra.
From what I know of this malady I am convinced that it is impossible to prevent its occurrence in
tracts where the disease is endemic. As Government transport have to pass through such tracts every
season carrying rations to stations in the Chin Hills, Bernardmyo and Kengtung, I am of opinion that
much can be done towards reducing the terrible annual mortality.
To begin with, now that there are permanent camping grounds on the roads to the Chin Hills and
Bernardmyo, and the date on which the rationing will commence is known for some time previous, I
see no reason why a certain number of muleteers under good non-commissioned officers should not be sent
off a month before the animals are expected to arrive to each of the suspicious camping grounds. During
this period grass could be collected, dried, stacked in sheds at a trifling cost. Ten men working at each
camp ought to collect 15,000 to 18,000 lbs. of grass in a month. In places where paddy straw is pro-
curable it might also be stacked and used as chaff. I would recommend that these grass-cutting parties
be permanently employed during the working season. Good fodder can be procured during the months
of October, November, December, and part of January. If this suggestion is carried out sufficient
fodder could be collected to carry the animals through the remaining months of the open season. All
men selected or volunteering for this employment should be subjected to strict medical examination,
ánd only those who are strong and who have not been subjected to fever be allowed to proceed. In
order to prevent mules grazing while on the march, I would suggest that a muzzle be provided for each
animal ; they should be put on before the mules leave their standings, and on no account removed till
they are tied up at their pickets at the next camp.
As matters now stand, it is impossible to condemn a day's grass supply, no matter how bad it may
be, as the animals would have to go without.
Water-supply.—A good well should be sunk at each of the bad camps. The open wells now found
in camps are not to be trusted, as in a great many cases they have been sunk in such low-lying places
that during the rains no trace of them can be seen ; thus all manner of filth and organic matter gain
entrance into what is supposed to be a good drinking water. Tube wells might be employed; they are
portable, inexpensive, and, I understand, easily sunk. These would yield a purer and clearer water than
that obtained from open wells, ponds, &c., &c. Two or three troughs or dug-outs for watering purposes
could easily be made. A non-commissioned officer should be held responsible that mules are not allowed
to water at any place than that provided for the purpose. In the Chin Hills I have seen native trader's
ponies, Panthe mules, caravan cattle, all drinking from the same places that Government animals are
watered at. All wells, &c., where Government animals are watered at, should, if possible, be fenced in,
and drinking places provided for outside animals.
Sanitation.—The importance of keeping all camps in a clean state should be impressed on all per-
sons in charge of convoys. Every standing should be cleaned and all stable refuse, litter, dung, &c.,
&c., must be burned daily by a fatigue party. There is no excuse for allowing refuse to accumulate
month after month. Where space permits, camping grounds or rather the standings should occasionally
be changed. Panthes and caravan people should not be allowed to camp on our grounds. Animals must
not be crowded, plenty of room between pickets should be allowed to permit free circulation of air.
Animals which are to be sent on rationing might be put on Arsenic for some little time before starting ;
it should also be given in small quantities, now and again, while the animals are working in these un-
healthy places, but this of course could only be done when proper supervision is provided. I am of
opinion that this drug should not be placed in the hands of salutris and other natives.
The rationing should be done as quickly as possible, as I feel sure that there would be less Surra if
arrangements were made to enable animals to be moved from infected areas by the first week in April.
The June outbreaks point to the disease being contracted during the latter end of April and early part
of May. Heavy thunderstorms occur about this time, followed by excessive moist heat. Organisms
which lie dormant during the hot season suddenly become active, and assume fresh phases of develop-
ment; the rain being particularly heavy, all kinds of active organic matter is washed into tanks,
marshes, &c., &c. The tired muleteers are only too delighted to obtain grass near at hand, and are not
in the least particular as to how they cut it ; the result is that quantities of grass are cut beneath the sur-
face of the water, and as there is no time to dry it, it is placed before the animals with the portions that
have been submerged, covered with slime and other filth, which is well-known to harbour all manner of
low organisms. Fatigue, exposure, indifferent and insufficient food, no doubt as with other ailments
act as predisposing causes.
In the Military Police we find that the earlier we bring ponies down to the dry zone the less animals
we lose. This year, as far as I am aware, we have not lost any animals out of those brought down from
stations like Katha. Last year we did not get them down till end of May and beginning of June, the
losses were very heavy. This season the transport working on the Ruby Mines Road did not return to
head-quarters till some time in June, the losses amongst these animals will be terrible. (Between
April 1896 and April 1897, 220 mules succumbed to Surra in Mandalay).
Undoubtedly one great fault is the utter want of knowledge of animal management on the part of
the natives in charge ; some in time may gain experience, still it is expensive for Government. The
salutris and jemadars I have met over here are incompetent to give any sound advice on matters affect-
ing the health and welfare of animals, and are only just able to treat the most simple ailments. As long