NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
2
REPORT ON THE CIVIL VETERINARY DEPARTMENT (INCLUDING THE INSEIN
Maung Pe Than, Deputy Superintendent, was in charge of Meiktila,
Kyauksè, Toungoo and Myingyan districts with headquarters at
Meiktila. He was on leave for two months on average pay and
during that time Maung Kyaing, Deputy Superintendent, on probation,
held charge.
Maung Tun Aung, Deputy Superintendent, was in charge of
Pak&kku, Magwe, Minbu and Thayetmyo districts with headquarters
at Magwe and carried out his duties satisfactorily.
Maung Nyan Kyaw, Deputy Superintendent, was placed in charge
of the Irrawaddy Division with headquarters at Bassein. His work
during the year was also satisfactory.
Maung Kyaing, Deputy Superintendent on probation, after relin-
quishing charge at Meiktila assumed charge of Amherst, Thatôn,
Mergui, Tavoy and Salween districts with headquarters at Moulmein.
He unfortunately broke his arm in August which necessitated his
going on leave for two months. This Deputy Superintendent had a
very strenuous and anxious time dealing with rinderpest in his charge.
I.—VETERINARY INSTRUCTION.
Table I.
3. Veterinary Colleges And Schools.—There were on the 1st April
1922, 10 pupils in Class C, 15 in Class B, and 15 in Class A.
One pupil in Class B resigned in August as he was unfit for the work.
At the final examination of Class C in December all the pupils
passed very creditably, only one lad failing to obtain more than two-
thirds of the total number of marks in the written and practical
examinations.
A fresh batch of pupils was admitted in January. Of the 18 pupils
who joined one was found educationally unfit and had to leave. Two
others volunteered to stay on in the hope of obtaining scholarships
later on. It was found later that two of the selected candidates had
falsely obtained certificates of physical fitness and they were removed
with the concurrence of the Development Commissioner and the
matter brought to the notice of the Inspector-General of Civil Hospitals.
The two volunteers were therefore appointed to the vacant scholar-
ships. One Shan pupil was also admitted at the request of the
Superintendent of Northern Shan States, the States meeting the cost
of his training. This lad is particularly intelligent and I am glad he
has been sent to Insein for the full course ; if he continues as he has
started I think he will be a very valuable Assistant to the Northern
Shan States.
On the 31st March 1023 there were thus 14 pupils in Class C, 15
in Class B, and 16 (including the Shan) in Class A, total 45.
Three Shan Assistants from the Southern Shan States were sent
for a short refresher course in December by the Superintendent and
Political Officer, Southern Shan States, after which they returned to the
States.
The behaviour of the pupils has been uniformly good throughout
the year.
Early in March a Committee under the Chairmanship of the
Development Commissioner was appointed by Government to enquire
into the training of Veterinary Assistants at Insein and to consider the
VETERINARY SCHOOL), BURMA, FOR THE YEAR ENDED THE 31ST MARCH 1829.
3
advisability of altering the curriculum, the strengthening of the teaching
staff and the needs of the school as regards buildings, etc. Their
report has been submitted to Government.
Towards the end of the year building operations for the erection
of a pharmacy, dressing shed and operating room and a laboratory
were commenced. The provision of an adequate supply of water was
also under consideration.
Table V.
4. Hospital.—The
out-patient register showed a total daily
attendance of 4,855 animals, 1,872 being new cases and cattle the
majority of patients. The average number of out-patients treated
amounted to 13.30.
In the in-patients department 270 new cases were admitted, dogs
being in the majority. The daily average number of cases treated
amounted to 14.8 and the average daily attendance of both in and out-
patients amounted to 28.10.
Four suspected cases of rabies were brought during the year but
owing to the lack of proper facilities for safe-keeping of these danger-
ous animals they were not admitted. One pupil was bitten and
underwent treatment at the Pasteur Institute.
Amongst the out-patients brought to the school, the following
contagious diseases were detected, viz., rinderpest, foot-and-mouth
disease, surra (including a naturally infected case in a dog),
distemper, piroplasmosis, ankylostomiasis, filariasis, streptotrichosis,
necrobacillosis, fowl cholera, sarcoptic and demodectic mange.
5. Laboratory.—Six thousand two hundred and twenty slides were
examined during the year, viz., 4,080 from the districts and 2,140
from hospital cases.
The diseases detected by microscopical examination were :—
Trypanosomiasis
Piroplasmosis
Anthrax
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia
Ankylostomiasis
Filariasis
Streptococii (Strangles)
Mange
Streptotrichosis
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
143
76
46
20
33
14
3
17
1
II.—TREATMENT OF DISEASES.
(1) Contagious Diseases.
LOWER BURMA.
Table II.
6. Rinderpest.—The
continued reduction of mortality from this
disease during the past two years was unhappily not maintained.
Amherst district suffered very heavily in fact not since 1890 has such
a high mortality been recorded. In Kawkareik township 2,239 deaths
were registered and those in Kya-in township amounted to 1,986.
The disease started in Kya-in township in February 1922 and was
prevailing in a mild form at the close of last year. It unfortunately
became virulent and spread to other parts of the district notably the
4
REPORT ON THE CIVIL VETERINARY DEPARTMENT (INCLUDING THE INSEIN
Kawkareik township ; it reached its greatest virulence between June
and August after which it subsided and by October had practically
died out. There was a further recrudescence towards the close of the
year in the same townships where disease is still prevailing. Inocula-
tion parties have been sent down from time to time and the results of
their labours are detailed under preventive inoculation.
Several other outbreaks of varying virulence were also reported
from other districts, viz., Toungoo, Mergui, Salween and Thatôn but
except in the last named district the losses were not serious.
Anthrax.—Only
one district, vis. Mergui, reported a mortality
exceeding 1,000 from anthrax during the year. I consider these figures
utterly unreliable for the reason that anthrax, blackquarter and
hæmorrhagic septicæmia are practically undistinguishable from one
another except by microscopical examination and a reference to the
laboratory statistics shows no slides as having been received from
Mergui for examination for anthrax.
Further minor outbreaks were reported from Myaungmya township,
Myaungmya district (318 deaths), and from Tantabin township of the
Insein district (136 deaths). These figures are also open to suspicion
for the reason given above.
Foot-and-mouth
Disease was fairly general in the Irrawaddy
Division and in parts of Pegu and Tenasserim Divisions. The highest
mortality occurred in Myaungmya district, viz., 437 deaths.
Veterinary Inspectors, 12.—Akyab 1, Pegu 1, Insein 1, Labora-
tory 1, Prome 1, Bassein 1, Henzada 1, Ma-ubin 1, Amherst 1, Thatôn
1, Tavoy 1 and Toungoo 1.
Special
duty.—Nil.
Veterinary
Assistants.—102.
Arakan Division ... ...
Rangoon Division ... ...
Office ... ...
School ... ...
Pegu Division ... ...
Irrawaddy Division ... ...
Tenasserim Division ...
Total ...
District.
13
10
2
1
24
24
15
89
Reserve.
...
...
...
...
3
3
1
6
Frontier.
...
...
...
...
...
...
1
1
Flying
Column.
...
5
...
...
1
...
...
6
Special Duty, 5, viz., Arakan Division 1, Pegu Division 1,
Tenasserim Division 3.
UPPER BURMA.
Table 11.
7. Rinderpest.—Although
not so bad as last year the Upper
Chindwin again recorded the highest mortality in Upper Burma during
the year under report. Some 9,166 deaths are reported all but 1,200
having taken place in Paungbyin township. Most of the animals that
VETERINARY SCHOOL), BURMA, FOR THE YEAR ENDED THE 31ST MARCH 1983.
5
died are buffaloes, and agricultural operations are said to have suffered
seriously owing to their loss. The Deputy Commissioner remarks that
"all that could be done to prevent the spread of the disease was
undertaken and inoculation was carried on extensively " and " Carcases
of dead animals are buried as far as possible in accordance with the
rules. But during any abnormal epidemic similar to that which
occurred in Paungbyin carcases were found floating in the streams but
no action could be taken as the owners could not be traced." The
Deputy Commissioner further remarks that " the work of the veterinary
staff was not as good as one could wish for. Inspector Maung Pe did
a lot of inoculation but owing to his tactlessness and thoughtlessness
in dealing with the villagers he has not improved the popularity of the
Veterinary Department. He also quarrelled with his Veterinary
Assistants and finally when he was brought to book he tried to comit
suicide by jumping overboard from a Government steamer." This is
the second time Maung Pe has attempted suicide, he was tried,
convicted and bound over and was given medical leave for six months.
At the end of that time he will be examined by a medical board and if
declared unfit the case will be forwarded for the orders of Government.
The principal offender amongst the Veterinary Assistants has been
severely reprimanded and transferred elsewhere.
Anthrax. — A few sporadic outbreaks were reported. The Upper
Chindwin records the highest mortality, viz., 198.
Foot-and-mouth Disease was prevalent to some extent in the
Pakôkku district, the Pak6kku subdivision being chiefly affected. The
mortality amounted to 208 all from this subdivision.
Veterinary
Inspectors,
11.—Pakokku 1, Minbu 1, Magwe 1,
Mandalay 1, Katha 1, Bhamo 1, Sagaing 1, Shwebo 1, Mônywa 1,
Meiktila 1, and Yamèthin 1.
Special
Duty.—Nil.
Veterinary
Assistants.—91.
North-West Border Division
...
Mandalay Division ... ...
North-East Frontier Division ...
Total ...
District.
37
33
11
81
Reserve.
4
4
...
8
Frontier.
...
2
...
2
Flying
Column.
...
...
...
...
Special Duty 4, viz.. North-west Border Division 1, Mandalay
Division 2, North-East Frontier Division 1.
SHAN STATES.
8. Northern Shan States.—Tawngpeng
State was reported to be
free from contagious disease. The total number of deaths reported
from all causes was 157, viz, Rinderpest 93, Anthrax 29, Foot-and-
mouth 29, other causes 6. The Superintendent remarks, "the small-
ness in the rate of mortality was due to the prompt precautionary
measures taken by the owners and the Veterinary Assistants."
6
REPORT ON THE CIVIL VETERINARY DEPARTMENT (INCLUDING THE INSEIN
Segregation Rules.—The
working of the segregation rules is
reported to have been satisfactory on the whole and two offences
against the rules in Hsipaw and South Hsenwi respectively were
suitably dealt with.
Veterinary
Staff.—Veterinary
Inspector I, Veterinary Assis
tants 11.
Three passed pupils from the Taunggyi Veterinary School were
appointed during the year, two to North Hsenwi and one to South
Hsenwi, after a short practical training under the Inspector at Hsipaw.
The Assistant at Nawnghkio died during the year so that at the close
of the year there were thirteen Assistants in the States stationed as
under :—
Hsipaw State ...
North Hsenwi ...
5
5
South Hsenwi ...
Tawngpeng ...
2
1
One pupil from Nawnghkio and one from Taungpeng State were
sent to the Taunggyi Veterinary School and one lad with an Anglo-
Vernacular qualification from Hsipaw State was admitted to the Insein
School for the full course.
All the Assistants are reported to have worked well.
9. Southern Shan States.—These
States were practically free from
contagious cattle diseases, only some 11 deaths from rinderpest are
reported. Thirty-five deaths from surra are reported, 19 of these
being from the North-Eastern Subdivision.
Segregation Rules.—There
were two prosecutions in Samkha
State (Central Subdivision) and none in any of the other State.
Veterinary
Assistants.—Fifteen
Assistants were employed at the
beginning of the year. Four new appointments were made, viz. one
to Yawnghwe, one to Central and two to North-Eastern Subdivisions.
Casualties during the year amounted to three, two men being dismissed
while one resigned.
The strength of Veterinary Assistants together with their head
quarters is shown in the subjoined table :—
Western Subdivision ...
Yawnghwe Subdivision ...
Central Subdivision ...
North-Eastern Subdivision
South-tastern Subdivision
Kēngtūng Subdivision
...
Karenni Subdivision ...
Maung No ...
Maung Kyauk Sein ...
Maung Myo ...
Maung Nyun ...
Hsu Pin Nya ...
Sao Nyun ...
Maung Kyaw Hla ...
Maung Kyaw Zan ...
Maung Po Kun ...
Maung Ba ...
Hsang Htun ...
Maung Po Tu ...
Maung Po Yawk ...
Hsam Ywat ...
Hkam Mat ...
Maung Waing
...
Kalaw.
Town Circle.
Outer Circle.
Namhkok.
Taunggyi.
Samkha.
Loilem.
Mong Hsu.
Mong Nawng.
Mong Kung.
Mong Nawng.
Mong Nai.
Mawkmai.
Kēngtūng Town.
Outlying Circle.
Loikaw.
VETERINARY SCHOOL), BURMA, FOR THE YEAR ENDED THE 31ST MARCH 1923. 7
Maung Nyun of the Central Subdivision and Maung Kyauk Sein
of Yawnghwe are commended for having done good work and the
Superintendent, North-Eastern Subdivision, again particularly com-
mends Maung Kyaw Hla for his work during the year.
The Superintendent and Political Officer observes in his report
that, " Attempts are on foot to set an example in the matter of
caring for and rearing stock according to modern methods .
. . .
It has repeatedly been claimed that the Southern Shan States are a
magnificent field for agriculture but that branch of Shan States
produce has not yet been fully developed. Stock breeding is in my
view an important stage towards establishing the prosperity of these
States where the chief means of transport are still ox-carts, pack oxen
and mules and ponies." A piggery at Thamakhan and a poultry farm
at Heho are said to be working satisfactorily while application for the
lease of a large area near Kalaw is said to have been made for the
establishment of a Dairy Farm.
Veterinary School, Taunggyi.—Veterinary
Inspector Maung Po
Ku was in charge throughout the year and has performed his duties
satisfactorily. Of the six pupils under training three are from the
Northern and three from the Southern Shan States and with one
exception (from Mong Nai State) they are paid for by the Chiefs who
selected them for training.
(2) Other Contagious Diseases.
10. The undermentioned diseases were reported and confirmed by
examination in the laboratory, Insein School, as noted :—
Trypanosomiasis.—Rangoon,
Insein, Pegu, Prome, Tharrawaddy,
Bassein, Henzada, Pyapôn, Toungoo, Myitkyina, Falam, Htawgaw,
Karenni, Chin Hills, Katha, Kalewa, Homalin, Bhamo, Laukkhaung,
Shwebo, Kyauksè, Minbu, Gangaw and Lashio.
Several other cases of this disease were also reported from Bhamo,
Pakôkku, Upper Chindwin and Katha Districts but the diagnosis was
not confirmed by microscopical examination as no slides were sent.
Ptroplasmosis.—Rangoon,
Insein, Pegu, Prome, Akyab, Allanrnyo,
Toungoo, Myitkyina, Kindat, Mawlaik, Katha, Shwebo, Mônywa,
Yamèthin, Swa, Minbu, Gangaw, and Shwegu.
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia.—Insein,
Prome, Moulmein, Bassein,
Toungoo, Mokpalin, Mandalay, Bhamo, Budalin and Mawlaik.
Filariasts.—Rangoon,
Insein, Pegu and Pyinmana.
Mange (Demodectic),—Rangoon,
Insein and Pegu.
Mange (Sarcoptic).—Rangoon
and Insein.
Streptotrichosis.—Rangoon
and Insein.
Ankylostomiasis.—Rangoon,
Insein and Pyinmana.
(3) Preventive Inoculation.
Table III.
11. In addition to 80 villages in the Amherst district and 83 villages
in the Upper Chindwin district, the two chief centres of rinderpest
VETERINARY SCHOOL), BURMA, FOR THE YEAR ENDED THE 31ST MARCH 1923.
9
(4) Other Diseases.
12. The mortality from various causes other than Rinderpest,
Anthrax and Foot-and-mouth diseases in Lower Burma was 64,147
and in Upper Burma 15,311.
(5) Veterinary Hospitals and Dispensaries.
Table V.
13. The three Veterinary Dispensaries situated in Prome,
Myingyan and Pakôkku remained open during the year.
As regards the Myingyan Dispensary the Deputy Commissioner
remarks, " the Veterinary Dispensary at Myingyan has been a
sufficient success to make me desire the extension of the experiment
to other township headquarters notably Kyaukpadaung." Myingyan
is a large pony breeding centre and that the local pony breeder has
been quick to take advantage of the dispensary is shown by the
number of ponies brought for treatment.
The dispensary at Prome shows some improvement on last year's
figures, though not much, and the Deputy Commissioner remarks " it
has been a long felt necessity and as its existence is more widely
known it will be more and more appreciated."
Pakôkku Dispensary also shows some improvement. My own
personal opinion is these dispensaries will be a success when proper
buildings, stable accommodation, equipment and staff are provided.
At present these dispensaries are located in hired Burmese houses and
as every one knows there is no stable accommodation and very little
compound. Owners of sick animals have not the time to attend to
their nursing effectively, and also, I presume, find it difficult to bring the
animal daily for treatment in some cases. This has been our
experience at Insein and I have no doubt it is the same in the district.
When proper facilities have been provided as has been suggested out
of the profits of the Rice Control I have very little doubt these
dispensaries will show a great improvement. It must not be forgotten,
however, that the business of this department, as it is of all State
Veterinary Departments, is the suppression and prevention of
contagious disease and not the treatment of common every-day
ailments. These dispensaries are however useful in that they demon-
strate practically The benefit of western veterinary science. Seeing is
believing and it is very much easier to convice the cultivator by
practical work than by all the lectures and pamphlets ever published,
and for this reason alone I should be very glad to see these dispen-
saries increased in number and properly equipped.
The fourth dispensary was opened during the year at Pegu as
originally arranged and judging by the results of about four and a
half months I think the experiment will be a success.
III.—BREEDING OPERATIONS.
14. This branch of work was transferred during the year to the
department of the Director of Agriculture.
2
10 REPORT ON THE CIVIL VETERINARY DEPARTMENT (INCLUDING THE INSEIN.
IV.—SUBORDINATE ESTABLISHMENT.
Tables IV
& VII.
15. Veterinary Inspectors.—The attached table shows the strength
of Veterinary Inspectors during the year.
Inspectors.
(1)
Lower Burma
Upper Burma
Shan States
Total
Strength
on 1st
April
1922.
Permanent.
(3)
9
7
2
18
Acting.
(3)
3
4
...
7
Appoint-
ed dur-
ing the
year.
Permanent.
(4)
...
...
...
...
Acting.
(5)
2
2
...
4
Total.
Permanent.
(6)
9
7
2
18
Acting.
(7)
5
6
...
11
Casual-
ties or
promo-
tion.
Permanent.
(8)
...
...
...
Acting.
(9)
...
2
Transfer,
etc.
Permanent.
(10)
2
(trans-
ferred to
U.B.)
-2
Acting.
(11)
on
died leave +2
substitute.
...
—2
...
—2
...
...
Strength on
31st March
1923.
Permanent.
(12)
7
7
a
16
Acting.
(13)
5
4
...
9
Total.
(14)
12
11
2
25
I regret to note two of the newly appointed Inspectors died soon
after promotion ; one of the two had served in Mesopotamia for over
three years.
The Inspectors in Lower Burma toured on the average 256.18 days
attending 213 outbreaks and visiting 2,630 villages.
In Upper Burma Inspectors visited 2,409 villages, attending 169
outbreaks and toured for 236.36 days on the average.
Two Inspectors from Lower Burma replaced men in Upper Burma
granted leave during the year.
VETERINARY SCHOOL), BURMA. FOR THE YEAR ENDED THE 31ST MARCH 1923.
11
16. Veterinary
Assistants.—The
number employed is shown in
the table.
Veterinary
Assistants.
(1)
Lower
Burma.*
Upper
Burma.†
Strength on 1st
1922.
April
(2)
District
Flying column
Reserve
Frontier
Office
School
Total
District
Reserve
Frontier
Total
86
3
7
1
2
1
100
78
9
2
89
Appointed during
the year.
(3)
2
5
...
1
...
...
8
2
9
Total.
(4)
88
8
7
2
2
1
108
78
11
2
91
Casualties or
promotion.
(5)
3 died
...
..
1 died
...
...
4
1 died
1 died
...
2
Transfer.
(5)
+ 3 transfer red
— 2
do.
+ 1
do.
- 3
do.
- 1
do.
...
...
...
+ 4 transferred
- 6
do.
+3 transferred
— 1
do.
...
+ 2 transferred
Strength on 31st
March 1923.
(7)
86‡
6
6
I
2
1
102
80
9
2
91§
* Includes Thayetmyo District.
† Not including Thayetmyo District.
‡ Includes five Assistants acting as Veterinary Inspectors.
§ Includes four Assistants acting as Veterinary Inspectors.
Four Assistants died in Lower Burma and two in Upper Burma.
Out of ten new appointments eight went to Lower Burma and
two to Upper Burma.
Nine Assistants were employed on special duty, five in Lower
Burma, viz. Thatôn 1, Prome 1, Sandoway 1, Amherst 2, and 4 in
Upper Burma, viz., Myitkyina 1, Meiktila 1, Yamèthin 1 and Upper
Chindwin 1.
The Assistants in Lower Burma visited 20,562 villages, attended
989 outbreaks, and averaged 236.6 days on tour, while those in
Upper Burma visited 21,033 villages, attended 3,177 outbreaks
being on tour for 223.3 days on the average.
VI.—GENERAL REMARKS.
17. Cattle Disease.—In spite of the heavy losses suffered by two
districts the total casualty return for the whole Province is not much
more than that of last year. With regard to the outbreak in Amherst
the Deputy Commissioner remarks : " The reason for the severity of
the outbreak is undoubtedly the fact that the district has been
comparatively immune from attacks of the disease for some time.
Consequently the number of highly susceptible animals was large and
cattle disease rules had been forgotten." The contributory causes to