NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
REPORT ON THE CIVIL VETERINARY DEPARTMENT (INCLUDING THE
INSEIN VETERINARY SCHOOL), BURMA, FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31st MARCH 1926.
General Administration
II.—VETERINARY INSTRUCTION.
VETERINARY COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS.
The Insein Veterinary School
...
...
...
The Taunggyi Veterinary School ... ... ...
III.—TREATMENT OF DISEASES.
(1) CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.
Arakan Sub-Circle ... ... ... ...
South-Eastern Circle ... ... ... ...
South-Western Circle ... ... ... ...
Central and Northern Circles ... ... ... ...
Northern Shan States
...
...
...
...
Southern Shan States ... ... ... ...
(2) PREVENTIVE INOCULATION.
Serum Injection performed during outbreaks of disease ...
(3) OTHER DISEASES.
Number of deaths ... ... ... ... ...
(4) VETERINARY HOSPITALS AND DISPENSARIES.
Insein Veterinary Hospital ... ... ... ...
District Dispensaries ... ... ... ...
IV.—GENERAL NOTES.
Cattle Disease ... ... ... ... ...
Segregation Rules ... ... ... ... ...
Subordinate Establishment
...
...
...
...
The Department placed under the Agricultural Department
...
Interest taken in the Department by District Officials
...
PARA.
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Resolution
ON THE
Report of the Civil Veterinary Department, Burma
(including the Insein Veterinary School)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED THE 31ST
MARCH
1926.
Extract from the Proceedings of the Government of Burma, Agricultural Depart-
ment (Ministry of Forests) No. 219-O, dated the 16th October 1926.
READ—
(i) The Report by the Director of Agriculture and Officer-in-charge, Civil
Veterinary Department, Burma, on the Civil Veterinary Department,
Burma (including the Insein Veterinary School), for the year ended the
31st March 1926.
(ii) The review of the Report by the Development Commissioner, Burma,
contained in his Secretary's letter No. 270—IV-38, dated the 6th
October 1926.
Resolved that the Report and the Review be published.
By order,
H. O. REYNOLDS,
Secretary to the Government of Burma,
Department of Agriculture, Excise and Forests.
BURMA
No. 270—IV.-38 (R.N. 345).
FROM
W. Q. TAGGART, Esq., M.C., I.C.S.,
Officiating Secretary to the Development Commissioner, Burma,
To
THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF BURMA,
Department of Agriculture, Excise and Forests.
Dated Rangoon, the 6th October 1926.
SUBJECT.—Report on the working of the Civil Veterinary Department for
the year ended the 31st March 1926.
SIR,
I am directed to submit the report on the Civil Veterinary
Department for the year ended the 31st March 1926 and to offer the
following remarks :—
2. The year has been a particularly disastrous one from the point of
view of the prevalence of contagious disease. The total number of
deaths from this source recorded is 50,942 as against 18,360 and 20,141
in the years 1924-25 and 1923-24, respectively. Rinderpest accounted
for almost 90 per cent. of the total deaths from contagious disease and
the Northern Shan States, and the Akyab, Thayetmyo, Bassein and
Tharrawaddy Districts were the areas worst affected. In two at least of
these Districts (Akyab and Bassein) and in the Northern Shan States the
segregation rules are reported not to have been strictly observed.
Neglect of these rules by the cultivators of these and probably of other
districts has cost them dear during the year under review and better
experience is apparently still necessary in many parts of the Province to
convince cattle-owners that prompt action on the lines of the rules
prescribed is their main hope in outbreaks of contagious disease and
that once the disease gets a hold in any area it is exceedingly difficult to
dislodge and causes not only direct loss through the death of cattle, but
also a further indirect loss in the smaller yield of crops which results
from insufficient ploughing.
3. It is rather surprising to note that the mortality in the Northern
Shan States was almost three times as great as that recorded in the
Southern Shan States during the year considering that the latter area is
much more open to infection from foreign sources. The freedom of
Tawnpeng State from disease is more apparent than real as there are
practically no cattle in this State.
4. It is gratifying to note that the number of anti-rinderpest inocula-
tions performed shows a considerable increase over the previous year's
figure and that in many districts opposition to this method of fighting
the disease is vanishing. The Development Commissioner however
regrets to have to comment once again on the unsatisfactory nature of
the arrangements for the supply of serum from Muktesar. The blame
cannot be, entirely at any rate, assigned to the provincial authorities
concerned, and the fact that supplies can be held up at Calcutta owing
to "Puja" or any other holidays or sent by mistake to Singapore
instead of Rangoon while the cattle of this province are perishing by
( 2 )
the hundred for lack of it, appears to the Development Commissioner to
indicate that the question of establishing our own serum depot in Burma
must be taken up seriously. Shortage of officers in the Imperial Service
is at present a serious obstacle, but when this has been overcome by
the appointment of the research officers now under recruitment, there
appears to be no reason why a depot for the manufacture and storage
of serum should not be opened in connection with the Veterinary School,
Insein. An additional argument in favour of the establishment of such
a depot is the high cost of the serum obtained from Muktesar. During
the year under review no less than Rs. 77,500 was spent on this alone
and the Development Commissioner considers that the Department
would probably effect a considerable saving here if it possessed its own
depot.
5. The position as regards dispensaries is not encouraging. The
number of cases treated during the year shows an appreciable decrease
on the 1924-25 figures. Until these institutions are better appreciated
and more extensively used by the public, the Development Commissioner
deprecates, any further expansion of the Department's activities in this
branch of its work.
6. The Department suffered considerably during the year under
review from a shortage of superior staff which finally necessitated it
being placed temporarily under the control of the Director of Agriculture.
In spite of difficulties however the Department has on the whole done a
good year's work and the Development Commissioner is pleased to note
that a goodly number of Inspectors and Assistants are singled out for
special mention. The Development Commissioner himself desires to
place on record his acknowledgment of good work done by
Mr. McKerral, who took over charge of the Department, in addition to
his already onerous duties as Director of Agriculture on the 1st January
1926, and by Captain Rippon who has been the backbone of the Depart-
ment throughout a difficult year.
7. There is, however, one criticism which the Development Commis-
sioner wishes to make and this concerns the touring of Veterinary
Inspectors and Assistants. The averages generally represent a consider-
able improvement on those given in last year's report particularly in the
case of Inspectors in Lower Burma but are still not entirely satisfactory.
A Veterinary Inspector should even in a normal year be on tour at least
240 days and Mr. Chalmers is disposed to consider that in a year such
as 1925-26 in which contagious disease has been so rife both Veterinary
Inspectors and Assistants should have been on tour more than they
have been. Possibly, however, shortage of rinderpest serum has
hampered touring.
The Development Commissioner also notes with regret that it has
been found necessary to send out students on protracted inoculation
tours but realises that at present this cannot be helped.
I have the honour to be,
SIR,
Your most obedient servant,
W. Q. TAGGART,
Officiating Secretary.
Report
ON THE
Civil Veterinary Department, Burma
(INCLUDING THE INSEIN VETERINARY SCHOOL)
For the Year ended the 31st March 1926.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION.
1. During the year under report no fewer than four different officers
have been in charge of the Department. Mr. A. Blake held charge
until the 13th July 1925, as Special Officer, when he handed over to
Mr. T. Rennie, who on return from leave had assumed charge of his
duties as Veterinary Adviser on 6th July.
Mr. Rennie's health unfortunately soon broke down and he was
compelled to proceed on leave on 20th October 1925, after making over
to Captain Rippon who held charge of the office until January 1st, 1926,
when Mr. McKerral, Director of Agriculture, assumed charge of the
department in addition to his own duties. Mr. McKerral was in charge
until the end of the year.
Mr. C. J. N, Cameron retired from the Department on 29th December
1925.
Captain J. B. Idle had his headquarters at Rangoon until 11th
January 1926, when he was transferred to Meiktila. He proceeded on
leave on 10th March 1926.
Captain S. R. Rippon's headquarters have remained at Rangoon
throughout the year. In May he was sent in response to an urgent
telegram from the Chief Commissioner to investigate an outbreak of
disease amongst the Military Police ponies at Port Blair in the Andaman
Islands. On 5th June 1925 he took over charge of the Veterinary
School at Insein, and upon Mr. Rennie proceeding on leave in October
he was placed temporarily in charge of the Office of Veterinary Adviser.
He visited the Veterinary School at Taunggyi, Southern Shan States,
in January, in order to hold the final examination of pupils who had
completed their course of study. In March he proceeded to the Siamese
frontier to inspect the quarantine stations established at Thingan-
nyinaung and Shanywathit in Amherst and Thatôn Districts respectively.
2
REPORT ON THE CIVIL VETERINARY DEPT., BURMA,
2. U Pe Than, Officiating Superintendent, continued to be stationed
at Mandalay. He took over the Veterinary duties of Captain Idle, in
addition to his own, when the latter officer proceeded on leave in March
1926.
Mr. J. C. Batlivala, Deputy Superintendent, was in charge of the
Veterinary School, Insein, until the 4th June 1925, when he proceeded
on leave for 3 months and 4 days preparatory to retirement. During
his 34 years' service he had a large share in the training of the majority
of the subordinate staff of the Department and was well liked and
respected by his seniors and juniors alike. He always gave of his best
and will carry with him the best wishes of all with whom he was
associated during the course of his long and meritorious career.
U Tun Aung, Deputy Superintendent, continued in charge of the
Pakôkku, Minbu, Magwe and Thayetmyo Districts with headquarters at
Magwe.
As in the previous year U Nyan Kyaw was in charge of Bassein,
Henzada, Myaungmya, Ma-ubin and Pyapôn Districts with headquarters
at Bassein.
U Kyaing, Deputy Superintendent, was in charge of the Tenasserim
Sub-Circle throughout the year.
U San Hla, Deputy Superintendent, on probation, continued in charge
of his duties at the Veterinary School as Lecturer and Laboratory
Assistant during the year. He was confirmed in his appointment with
effect from the 13th October 1925.
U Pe (2), Deputy Superintendent, on probation, continued to be in
charge of Mandalay, Bhamo, Katha, Myitkyina and Putao Districts with
headquarters at Mandalay till the end of January 1926. He assumed
charge of the Shwebo Sub-Circle with headquarters at Shwebo on the
forenoon of the 4th February 1926. He was confirmed in his appoint-
ment with effect from the 29th November 1925.
U Po Thin, Deputy Superintendent, on probation, was from the
beginning of the year in charge of the Lower and Upper Chindwin,
Sagaing and Shwebo Districts with headquarters at Sagaing. He was
subsequently placed in charge of the Lower Chindwin Sub-Circle
comprising Mandalay, Sagaing, Lower Chindwin, Upper Chindwin and
the Chin Hills with headquarters at Mônywa where he assumed charge
on the forenoon of the 4th February 1926. He was confirmed in his
appointment with effect from the 1st January 1926.
Tables IV &
VII.
3. Subordinate Establishment.—During the year there were 11
Veterinary Inspectors (including the Flying Column Inspector) employed
in Lower Burma and 11 Veterinary Inspectors in Upper Burma, one in
the Northern and one in the Southern Shan States, making a total of 24
Inspectors. The Flying Column Veterinary Inspector was engaged in
inoculation work from the beginning of the year to about the middle of
September 1925 in Meiktila and Myingyan Districts. Later he was
FOR THE YEAR ENDED THE 31ST MARCH 1926.
3
deputed to Thayetmyo and Pakôkku Districts and at the end of the year
he was still employed in the latter district.
Veterinary Inspector U Ko Ko Gyi who had been placed on special
duty in connection with cattle mortality and insurance at the request of
the Registrar of Co-operative Societies completed these duties on 4th
August 1925 and in the same month proceeded to Akyab District for
inoculation duty on which he was engaged until the end of November.
The Inspectors in Lower Burma visited 2,068 villages, and attended
381 outbreaks.
Each Inspector was out on an average of 232.1 days.
In Upper Burma Inspectors visited 2,051 villages, attended 489
outbreaks and were out for a total of 2,468 days, or an average of 205.7
days for each Inspector. This includes the work done by the Flying
Column Inspector.
Veterinary Assistants.—Thirteen
passed pupils were appointed as
Veterinary Assistants during the year, viz. nine to Lower Burma and
four to Upper Burma, but one was unable to take up his appointment on
account of a severe type of malaria which he contracted while on
inoculation duty as a student in Akyab District.
There were four casualties during the year, viz 2 by deaths and 2 by
retirement.
In addition to the 4 casualties, three assistants were deputed as an
emergency measure to districts where contagious disease was prevalent
during the year, viz. one from Upper Burma to Lower Burma and 2 from
Lower Burma to Upper Burma.
The Assistants in Lower Burma visited 19,918 villages, attended
1,619 outbreaks of contagious disease and were out for 21,275 days, the
average number of days spent on tour being 1951 days.
In Upper Burma the assistants visited 20,332 villages, attended 1,804
outbreaks and were out on tour for 21,798 days, the average number of
days spent on tour being 220.2 days.
The total number of cases treated on tour was 125,896 against
113,519 cases in the previous year.
II.—VETERINARY INSTRUCTION.
VETERINARY COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS.
Table I.
4. Insein Veterinary School.—On the 1st April there were 28 pupils
on the roll, viz. Class C, 13 ; Class B, 15.
Class C.—The final examination was held in December and all
the pupils passed.
Six obtained more than three-fourths the total
marks, four more than two-thirds, and the remainder more than half.
These passed pupils were allowed three weeks holidays before being
given appointments on January 1st as, owing to the absence of a first
year class, they had been required to remain in residence for half the
annual vacation in April and May, and again during the October
holidays to assist with the daily hospital work.
4
REPORT ON THE CIVIL VETERINARY DEPT., BURMA,
Class B.—This became Class C in December after the final examin-
ations had been concluded. The pupils in this class will complete their
three years' training in July 1926.
On the 31st March 1926, there were therefore 15 pupils in residence.
No fresh batch of pupils has been admitted during the year, pending
the orders of Government regarding the preliminary educational
qualifications of future candidates, and the proposed increase in the
cadre of assistants.
Considerable progress has been made during the year with the new
buildings. The operation and laboratory blocks have been in use since
July, but a good deal of excavation in connection with the drainage
scheme is still going on round these buildings.
The machinery for the pump house was installed and put into
operation, but the water-supply did not come up to expectations and
special pumping operations were rendered necessary. There has since
been an improvement, but it remains to be seen whether the supply will
be sufficient for the new main building.
The old school building has been dismantled and the new main
building on the same site is nearing completion.
The segregation block has been built, but its drainage arrangements
are not yet completed.
A block of menials' quarters for eight families has been constructed,
and a start made on the Principal's house. The siting of lecturers'
quarters and the new hostel has not yet been finally settled. In connec-
tion with these latter buildings visits have been made to the spot by
the Hon'ble Finance Member and the Development Commissioner, and
additional land for the purpose and for possible extensions is being
acquired.
Anti-rinderpest inoculation was carried out on six occasions by the
school staff and pupils in checking local outbreaks, the number of cattle
inoculated being 394.
Owing to the shortage of the district staff it also became necessary
to send four final-year pupils to assist in dealing with an outbreak in
Arakan. Volunteers were called for, and they were inoculating there
during August, September and October when, owing to their approach-
ing examination they were recalled and were replaced by four Class B
pupils. The latter were engaged on inoculation duty for three weeks
in November, after which they returned to their studies.
It is desirable that pupils should get as much practical knowledge as
possible while they are at the school, and local outbreaks afford them
an excellent opportunity of doing so, but it is to be deplored that it
should be necessary to call upon them to assist in dealing with pro-
tracted outbreaks at a distance, necessitating a serious interruption in
their studies as did the one in Arakan.
The remaining student at the Bengal Veterinary College was not
successful in his final examination, and in view of adverse reports
FOR THE YEAR ENDED THE 31ST MARCH 1926.
5
received from the Principal of the College and other members of the
staff, it was decided that he should not be given any appointment in the
Veterinary Department.
During the year the Museum has been enriched by the addition of
a camel skeleton. The animal had been destroyed at the Zoological
Gardens and its bones presented to the school. The bones were pre-
pared and set up by U Tun Nyein of the school staff.
The Assistant Teachers.—U San Hla, U Bwin Gyi and U Tun Nyein
have again carried out their duties ably and have shown unflagging
energy and zeal.
5. The Taunggyi Veterinary School.—The Veterinary School, Taunggyi,
was inspected twice during the year, first by Mr. Blake in May 1925 and
later by Captain Rippon in January 1926.
During the year 5 pupils were admitted into the school, 2 passed
the final examination leaving 11 pupils under instruction at the end of
the year.
The Superintendent, South-Eastern Circle, who examined the final-
year pupils, reports that they showed a good knowledge of their work
and passed creditably. Nine pupils who had completed one year's
training were tested to see what progress they were making. It was
found that they knew their drugs very well, and could answer questions
on this subject without hesitation, but their knowledge of anatomy and
physiology was only fair, and in some cases poor. This is undoubtedly
due to lack of practical instruction and hardly avoidable while the
school remains so poorly equipped as regards skeletons, models, etc.
Towards the end of 1925 a small model of the horse which was no
longer needed in the Insein School was sent to the Taunggyi School,
but much is still required and a larger stock of instruments would also
be a decided acquisition.
As in the previous year U Po Ku, Veterinary Inspector, was in
charge of the school throughout the year.
III.—TREATMENT OF DISEASES.
(1) Contagious Diseases.
ARAKAN SUB-CIRCLE.
Table II.
6. Rinderpest.—Outbreaks occurred in Akyab, Kyaukpyu and Sando-
way Districts. The local staff were insufficient to cope with them and
as the emergency staff of the department were fully occupied dealing
with outbreaks elsewhere, it was found to be necessary to send up a
special inoculation party from Rangoon in August, consisting of a Flying
Column Inspector and four students from the Veterinary School.
Akyab District suffered most severely, losing 4,763 cattle. Out of
7,612 cattle inoculated in this district only 103 died or under 1.4 per
cent. It is probable that a fair proportion of the latter were already in
6
REPORT ON THE CIVIL VETERINARY DEPT., BURMA,
the incubative stage of the disease. The Deputy Commissioner, Akyab,
remarks that " The epidemic might have been checked at the outset if
the co-operation of the village headmen and the cattle owners could
have been obtained, but it has been difficult to persuade an extremely
ignorant people of the advantages to be derived from segregation and
inoculation ".
The disease was introduced into Kyaukpyu District by traders
bringing diseased cattle from Akyab District and resulted in 612 deaths,
whilst 679 inoculations were carried out. The outbreak confined itself
to the An and Myebôn Townships where communications when existent
are bad. The Deputy Commissioner states that although these two
townships are tinder a single Veterinary Assistant they are liable to far
more disease and danger of disease than the remaining three townships
put together. It is proposed to post a further Assistant to the charge
of the Myebôn Township.
Sandoway District also suffered heavily, losing 818 cattle in three
townships. The Deputy Commissioner mentions particularly good
work done by the headmen in Taungup Township, and by the district
Veterinary Assistant in suppressing the outbreak. Altogether 1,002
cattle were inoculated.
Anthrax.—The highest mortality is recorded from Akyab District,
viz, 219. Only 18 deaths are reported from Sandoway District, whilst
Kyaukpyu District records only 4.
Foot and Mouth Disease.—This disease caused 111 deaths in Akyab
District, and there were also outbreaks in 30 villages in Sandoway
District. 269 cases occurring with but 6 deaths.
SOUTH-EASTERN CIRCLE.
Table II.
7. Rinderpest.—The disease was introduced into the Salween District
by caravans coming from Siam and accounted for 1,154 deaths.
An inoculation party was sent up, and the Deputy Commissioner states
that all possible assistance was given by taikthugyis and village head-
men to the Veterinary Department in case of outbreaks, and that the
people are becoming more willing to have cattle inoculated.
It seems that what is required to check the introduction of rinder-
pest from Siam via the Salween in future is the establishment of a
quarantine station on the main cattle route, and to close the other roads
to caravans during the open season, as has been done with apparent
success in Amherst District. The appointment of a Frontier Veterinary
Assistant, to be in charge of the quarantine stations, is also indicated.
The Deputy Commissioner, Pegu, remarks " There were outbreaks
of infectious diseases, notably rinderpest, in numerous places in the
District, but it was found possible to prevent their assuming a serious
proportion owing to the prompt and effective measures taken by the
Veterinary Inspector and his Assistants." Nevertheless, there were
830 deaths from this disease.