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
THE 31ST MARCH 1924.
General Administration ... ... ... ...
I.—VETERINARY INSTRUCTION.
Veterinary Colleges and Schools ... ... ...
Hospital ... ... ... ... ...
Laboratory ... ... ... ... ...
II.—TREATMENT OF DISEASES.
(1) CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.
Lower Burma ... ... ... ... ...
Upper Burma
...
... ... ... ...
Southern Shan States ... ... ... ...
Northern Shan States ... ... ... ...
(2) OTHER CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.
General Notes ... ... ... ... ...
(3) PREVENTIVE INOCULATION.
Serum Injection performed during outbreaks of diseases ...
(4) OTHER DISEASES.
Number of Deaths ... ... ... ... ...
(5) VETERINARY HOSPITALS AND DISPENSARIES.
Myingyan ... ... ... ... ...
Pakôkku ... ... ... ... ...
Prome
...
...
...
...
... ...
Pegu ... ... ... ... ... ...
III—BREEDING OPERATIONS.
General Notes
PARA.
1 &2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
ib.
ib.
ib.
14
PAGE
1
2
4
5
5
7
8
10
11
11
12
13
ib.
ib.
ib.
13
IV.—SUBORDINATE ESTABLISHMENT.
Distribution and Work of Veterinary Inspectors and Assistants ...
V.—EXPENDITURE OF THE DEPARTMENT.
(Vide Table XIVA of the Appendices.)
VI.—GENERAL REMARKS.
Cattle Disease ... ... ... ... ...
Segregation Rules ... ... ... ... ...
Registration of Cattle Deaths ... ... ... ...
Examination of Thugyis and others ... ... ...
Subordinate Establishment ... ... ... ...
Interest taken in the Department by District Officials ... ...
15 & 16 14 & 15
17
18
19
20
21
22
15
17
19
ib.
21
22
RESOLUTION
ON THE
REPORT ON THE CIVIL VETERINARY
DEPARTMENT, BURMA
(INCLUDING THE INSEIN VETERINARY SCHOOL)
For the year ended the 31st March 1924.
Extract from the Proceedings of the Government of Burma (Ministry of Agriculture),
No. 258O., dated the 30th August 1924.
READ—
(i) The Report by the Special Officer, Civil Veterinary Department, Burma,
on the Civil Veterinary Department, Burma (including the Insein
Veterinary School), for the year ended the 31st March 1924.
(ii) The Review of the Report by the Development Commissioner, Burma,
contained in his Secretary's letter No. 561—IV, dated the 25th July
1924.
RESOLVED that—
The Report and the Review be published.
By order of the Government of Burma (Ministry
of Agriculture, Excise and Forests).
H. O. REYNOLDS,
Secretary to the Govt. of Burma,
Department of Agriculture, Excise and Forests.
From J. F. SHEEHY, Esq., I.C.S., Secretary to the Development Commissioner,
Burma, to the Secretary to the Government of Burma, Department of Agri-
culture, Excise and Forests,—No. 561—IV, dated the 25th July 1924,
SUBJECT :—Report on the Civil Veterinary Department for the year
ended the 31st March 1924.
The change foreshadowed in last year's report took place during
the year, Mr. Blake, being appointed as Special Officer, Civil Veterinary
Department, Burma, on the 1st September, the post of Veterinary
Adviser to the Government being left unfilled for the time being.
2. The re-organization of the Department both for work in the
school and the field, is a matter of pressing urgency. The report of the
Committee on the future organization of the Insein Veterinary School
is having the consideration of the Committee that has been appointed
to examine the working of the Agricultural and the Veterinary Depart-
ments, and the question of the field staff will also come before it for
decision. The proposals that Mr. Blake is making in this respect are
designed not only to allow the Department the expansion in numbers,
which it needs at present but also to improve the supervision and
control of the staff, so that full advantage may be taken of the resources
of the Department whenever special circumstances make a call on them.
For it is recognised that a greater measure of elasticity is required in
the utilization of the services of the Veterinary Assistants than has been
possible in the past with their somewhat rigid location. The imme-
diate controlling authority must have the means of utilizing the avail-
able men to the best advantage, and it is in this way that it is hoped
to effect a general improvement in the working of the staff. No less
important are the proposals that are being made for the establishment
of stock-breeding farms ; present conditions in the province emphasise
the importance of this matter in no uncertain way.
3. The energies of the staff were chiefly confined during the year to
stamping out the remains of the outbreaks of the previous year and it is
satisfactory to note that the epidemics have been brought under
control. In this connection it is a question whether permanent
quarantine stations should not be established on the main trade routes
leading from Siam into Burma, as the disastrous outbreak of cattle disease
that occurred in the Amherst District, spreading thence to all the sur-
rounding districts and being transmitted probably to more distant
districts, was due to importations of diseased cattle from that country.
It is difficult in fact to see how the province can be protected from
these ravaging epidemics unless a strict watch is kept on imports in
this quarter.
( 2 )
4. It is unnecessary to emphasise here the great drain that these
annual losses of cattle from disease must be on the agricultural
resources of the country. This is fully recognised, and the staff is doing
what lies in its power to lessen it. The reorganization of the Depart-
ment which is now under consideration will no doubt lead to more
comprehensive and intensive effort. In his report Mr. Blake points to
the necessity of an increase in the number of local dispensaries. It is
hoped that it will be found possible to extend these institutions, which
it would seem are finding favour with the people.
5. The Special Officer in meeting the needs of the country has a
heavy task in front of him, but Mr. Blake has approached it in a way
that makes for success and will bring relief to the present distressful
conditions.
REPORT
ON THE
CIVIL VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, BURMA
(INCLUDING THE INSEIN VETERINARY SCHOOL)
For the Year ended the 31st March 1924.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION.
1. Mr. C. J. N. Cameron was in charge of the Department as
Officiating Veterinary Adviser till the 28th of August, on which date he
proceeded on leave for two years and four months, handing over charge
to Mr. A. McKerral, I.A.S., Director of Agriculture, Burma.
Mr. Blake assumed charge as Special Officer in the Civil Veterinary
Department, Burma, from the 1st September.
Mr. Cameron inspected the office of the Third Superintendent,
Mandalay, in April and the Veterinary School at Taunggyi in May.
He
was on tour for 31 days, visiting four districts and inspecting the work
of the Deputy Superintendent at Moulmein, three Veterinary Inspectors
and ten Veterinary Assistants. He travelled 1,940 miles by rail, 204 by
boat and 214 by road.
Mr. A. Blake, soon after assuming charge as Special Officer, visited
the Ngathainggyaung-Kyônpyaw Hooded area accompanied by the
Deputy Superintendent, Bassein. A separate report on the subject has
already been submitted to the Local Government. He travelled 3,867
miles by rail, 2,590 by steamer and 223 by road, visiting 16 districts
and inspecting the office and work of the Third Superintendent at
Mandalay, the Deputy Superintendent at Bassein, 13 Veterinary
Inspectors and 64 Veterinary Assistants. During the year the Veterinary
Dispensaries at Pegu, Pakôkku, and Prome, the Agricultural Farms at
Mahlaing and Mandalay, and the Military Police Ponies Reserve
Battalion at Pyawbwe were also inspected by him. He also attended
the Agricultural and Cattle Shows at Meiktila, Mandalay and Allanmyo,
and a meeting of the Public Health Board held at Maymyo. In all he
was out on tour for 132 days.
The services of Captain A. O'Neill, the Third Superintendent, posted
at Mandalay, were dispensed with, he having failed to pass the
prescribed test in Burmese, and he relinquished charge of his duties to
2
REPORT ON THE CIVIL VETERINARY DEPT., BURMA,
Mating Pe Than, Deputy Superintendent, Meiktila, on the 2nd July.
He visited three districts, and was out on tour for 17 days, travelling.
1,538 miles by rail and 20 by road.
Captain S. R. Rippon reported his arrival on the 18th February
1924. He was posted to duty, with headquarters at Rangoon, and is at
present under training in the office.
Maung Pe Than held charge as Deputy Superintendent at Meiktila
till the 2nd July, on which date he was appointed to officiate as
Superintendent and was posted to Mandalay. As Officiating Superin-
tendent he visited 24 districts, inspected the work of 3 Veterinary
Inspectors and 13 Veterinary Assistants. He travelled 6,679 miles by
rail, 1,967 by steamer and 600 by road.
2. Mr. J. C. Batlivala, Deputy Superintendent, was in charge of the
School at Insein throughout the year, having been granted a second
year's extension of service. The success of the school is largely due to
his untiring energies, whilst his thoroughness inspires confidence in the
people who bring their animals to the hospital for treatment.
Sardar Bahadur Bhagwan Singh, Deputy Superintendent, who was
given another extension of service for one year, held charge of the
Military Police Ponies throughout the year. He attended an outbreak
of Glanders in the Myitkyina Battalion Ponies, and also in ponies
belonging to private owners at Yegyi.
Maung Tun Aung, Deputy Superintendent, continued in charge of
the Pakôkku, Minbu, Magwe and Thayetmyo Districts, with head-
quarters at Magwe. I regret to say that owing to ill-health he had to
go on three months' leave, but was fortunately able to resume his duties
on the expiry of his leave.
Maung Nyan Kyaw, Deputy Superintendent, in charge of the
Irrawaddy Division, with headquarters at Bassein, was obliged to go on
eight months' leave with threatened tuberculosis. Maung Nyan Kyaw
is a useful officer and worked very hard in connection with the relief
work amongst cattle and other animals in the flooded area at
Ngathainggyaung. It was immediately on completion of this work that
his health gave way.
Maung Kyaing, Deputy Superintendent, Moulmein, is in charge of
the Tenasserim Division. He is still on probation, but carried out the
arduous duties in connection with the suppression of disease in the
Amherst District with promptness and zeal.
I.—VETERINARY INSTRUCTION.
Table 1.
3. Veterinary Colleges and Schools, — On the 1st April there were
45 pupils on the roll, viz., Class C, 14 ; Class B, 15 ; Class A, 16.
Class C.—The final examination was held in July. Excepting two
pupils, all passed the written examination. Three obtained more than
three-fourths the total marks (500), two more than two-thirds and seven
FOR THE YEAR ENDED THE 31ST MARCH 1924.
3
more than half. One of the pupils who failed was found copying,
and his paper in that subject—Medicine and Surgery—was not examined.
Four pupils, including the two failures, did not do so well in the
practical examination, and they were kept back. They were again
examined towards the end of August, when three passed, and were
given appointments. The one failure was re-examined in November,
and, having shown improvement, was posted to a district. Of this
batch, two pupils were sent for training by the Co-operative Society,
but towards the end of their training, the Society finding that its
funds would not permit of their being employed for the Society's work,
their services were absorbed in the regular cadre of Veterinary
Assistants.
Class B includes a pupil under training sent by the Forest
Department.
Class A.—One pupil, a Shan, quite a smart lad, and who was
sent by the Superintendent, Northern Shan States, for training, was,
I regret to say, declared medically unfit owing to heart trouble, and
he was consequently allowed to return to his home with the permission
of the Superintendent.
A fresh batch of 15 pupils was admitted in August. Of these, one is
a Kachin from Bhamo, and the other a Shan from Thein-Ni, Northern
Shan States. They have all passed the VII Standard Vernacular
examination with one exception who has only passed the VI Standard,
but he was keen on the work and well recommended, and so far has
been found to be doing quite satisfactorily. One pupil, a Taking, from
Thatôn District, volunteered to remain at his own expense in the hope of
getting the scholarship later on in the event of any pupil leaving,
but finding that no vacancy occurred he left in October.
On the 31st March there were 45 pupils, viz., 15 in Class C including
the Forest student, 15 in Class B and 15 in Class A.
Since the beginning of the year under report the school was
deprived of the services of Mr. Cameron on his officiating as Veterinary
Adviser and subsequent departure on leave. This has necessitated
extra work for the existing staff, and the urgent need for the additions,
as recommended by the Special Committee which sat during the
year, has become increasingly apparent.
The behaviour of the boys is reported as having been very good
on the whole.
Their attendance at lectures and demonstrations has been regular and
they display considerable interest in the theoretical side of their work,
but unfortunately seem averse to devoting much of their time to the
important subject of handling of animals and other practical work.
At the request of the Chief Conservator of Forests, it was arranged
that some of the Forest Officers and subordinates should be given a
short course in the Veterinary School on the more important contagious
diseases, including those affecting elephants, and the practical methods
4
REPORT ON THE CIVIL VETERINARY DEPT., BURMA,
to be adopted in obtaining and forwarding material, e.g., blood, faeces,
etc., to the laboratory for examination.
These were sent down for training, the first batch, consisting of
six officers and twelve Burmans, attended from 13th to 20th August ;
the second, eight officers and five subordinates, between 5th and 16th
November ; and the third of four officers and ten Burmans, between
23rd and 30th November. Mr. Cameron and Mr. Batlivala undertook
the instruction of the English-speaking officers and Maung San Hla, one
of the lecturers at the school, took all the three classes of the Burmese
subordinates.
In July the school was honoured by a visit from His Excellency the
Governor, who, after a thorough inspection, expressed the opinion that
the existing facilities were totally inadequate and hoped that the
proposals for rebuilding the school, as recommended by the Special
Committee, would receive the sympathetic consideration of the Honour-
able Minister and the Finance Department.
The Honourable Minister for Agriculture. Excise and Forests also
visited the school during the year, as also did the Development
Commissioner.
During the year, the Headmaster of the American Baptist Mission
Union High School, Rangoon, asked permission to allow 30 of his High
School boys to visit the Hospital and to learn some facts regarding cattle
diseases. On the 1st December these boys were shown round the
hospital, and some of the salient points regarding contagious diseases
amongst the agricultural stock, and how to deal with them, were
lectured upon by Mr. Batlivala.
The report of the Committee appointed last year to inquire into the
training of the Veterinary Assistants, and the needs of the school
as regards buildings, etc., was submitted to Government during the year.
Two buildings, viz., the Pharmacy with dressing shed, and Bacterio-
logical Laboratory are now under construction ; and a tube-well, which
is reported as successful, has been sunk in the school compound. The
question of the provision of the other buildings as recommended by
the Committee is still under consideration.
Three outbreaks of Rinderpest occurred in the vicinity of Insein
during the year and advantage was taken to instruct the students of C
and B classes in anti-rinderpest serum inoculation, as follows :—
May, June and July—Dairy cattle, Insein. August—the cattle in
the Diamond Jubilee Pinjrapole, at Thingangyun, and in February and
March—the Dairy cattle at the Lunatic Asylum, Rangoon.
In all 530 cattle were inoculated.
Table V.
4. Hospital.—During the year 3,257 animals were brought to the
Hospital, viz., 2,968 as out-patients and 289 as in-patients, the daily
average number receiving treatment being 31.26.
As in previous years cattle formed the majority of the out-patients,
viz., 1,501, dogs coming next with 991.
FOR THE YEAR ENDED THE 31ST MARCH 1924.
5
Amongst the important specific diseases met with were Cattle Plague,
Foot-and-Mouth disease, Glanders, Anthrax, Surra, Distemper, Piroplas-
mosis and Mange, whilst the remaining cases treated may be classified
as follows :—
Diseases of the Digestive system ...
Diseases of the Respiratory system ...
Diseases of the skin ...
Diseases of the eye ...
Minor injuries ...
Serious injuries requiring operation ...
Parturition cases ...
848
42
316
72
455
162
9
In-patients.—Of the 289 cases treated 276 were new admissions. 15
castrations, 13 in ponies and 2 in bulls, were performed. Owing to want
of proper accommodation and facilities cases of a contagious nature
were not admitted.
5. Laboratory.—The usefulness of the laboratory as an aid to diagno-
sis and as a necessary adjunct to Held work may be appreciated from
the fact that during the year 6.279 slides were examined, viz., 4,076
smears of blood or pus received from various districts, and 2,203 slides
of blood, pus, faeces, or diseased portions of skin from hospital cases ;
diseases detected being :—Trypanosomiasis, Piroplasmosis, Anthrax,
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia, Glanders, Epizootic Lymphangitis, Strangles
and other endo-and ecto-parasitic diseases.
The present room which serves as a laboratory is very cramped and
unsuitable for dealing with the steadily increasing amount of material
now being sent in from the districts.
With the completion of the new building now under construction
and, if possible, the appointment of a special officer, it is hoped that the
increased facilities will enable this important work to be carried on with
the minimum of error and the maximum of despatch.
The assistant teachers, Maung San Hla, Maung Bwin Gyi and Maung
Tun Nyein, have all done excellent work.
II.—TREATMENT OF DISEASES.
(1) Contagious Diseases.
LOWER BURMA.
Table II.
6. Rinderpest.—It is pleasing to record that the mortality from this
disease has dropped to nearly half that recorded last year. The only
district that reported over a thousand deaths is Amherst, where the
disease had broken out during the previous year. Of the 2,309 deaths
reported from that district during the year, the Kya-in township registered
1,525, of which 1,145 deaths took place between April and July, both
months inclusive. During the same period the disease was also ,rife in
the other parts of the district especially the Mudôn, Kawkareik and
6
REPORT ON THE CIVIL VETERINARY DEPT., BURMA,
Kyaikmaraw townships, the losses being 250, 169 and 136 respectively.
The Deputy Commissioner remarks that " the reason for the severity of
the outbreak is due to the people opposing inoculation, segregation of
cattle, and systematic disposal of carcasses." He further remarks that
" the practice of allowing cattle to stray in jungles caused unnecessary
delay in the detection of disease by owners and a consequent delay in
report."
In addition to the district staff comprising a Deputy Superintendent,
one Veterinary Inspector and seven Assistants, five assistants and three
senior students were sent to assist in coping with the outbreaks and to
help in inoculation operations.
The Deputy Superintendent, Amherst, reports, " Restriction of
routes by which cattle are imported from Siam into Burma was carried
out under Rule 13 of Burma Revenue Department Notification No. 83
of 1914 and Thingunnymaing, Kweshan and Tadangu villages were
selected as quarantine stations and two Veterinary Assistants were
deputed as inspecting officers. The Veterinary Assistant at Kawkareik
was also ordered to co-operate with them in inspection occasionally. The
latter, on discovering Rinderpest amongst Siamese cattle at Tadangu,
took the necessary steps for segregation.
" Restriction of movement of cattle on the main lines of communi-
cation near places where the disease prevailed was extensively carried
out when necessary, with beneficial results, especially in Amherst, Mudôn,
Kyaikmaraw and Kawkareik townships."
Sporadic outbreaks occurred in parts of Pegu District between August
and November and Thatôn District during the early part of the year.
Anthrax.—Only
outbreaks of a sporadic nature were reported, the
highest mortality recorded during the year being from the Amherst
District, viz., 225, of which 89 died during October alone in the Amherst
township.
In the Mergui District an outbreak occurring in August in the Palaw
township carried off 13 head of cattle. In September the mortality rose
to 45, after which fortunately no more cases were reported.
Foot-and-Mouth
Disease.—In no case was the disease virulent or
widespread. In the Pa-an township of the Thatôn District 93 deaths
were reported in November and December. The disease was prevalent
in the Bassein West township of the Bassein District in May and June,
and in parts of Prome District in August, September and October. In
the Sandoway District it was reported from 10 villages in the Taungup
township and in four villages in Sandoway township between May and
July. In January it broke out in Gwa and four neighbouring villages
and particular attention was paid by the Deputy Commissioner to the
cattle route leading from Gwa to the Bassein District being protected.
Veterinary Inspectors, 12.—Akyab 1, Insein Laboratory 1, Flying
Column 1, Pegu 1, Prome 1, Toungoo 1, Bassein 1, Henzada 1,
Ma-ubin 1, Thatôn 1, Moulmein 1, and Tavoy 1.
FOR THE YEAR ENDED THE 31ST MARCH 1924.
7
Special
Duty.—Nil.
Veterinary Assistants, 110.
Arakan Division ...
Rangoon Division ...
Office ... ...
School ... ...
Pegu Division ... ...
Irrawaddy Division ...
Tenasserim Division ...
Total ...
District.
13
12
3
1
26 25
17
97
Reserve
...
...
...
...
2
2
1
5
Frontier.
...
...
...
...
1
...
...
1
Flying
Column.
...
6
...
...
1
...
...
7
Special duty, 7.—Viz, Irrawaddy Division 2 and Tenasserim
Division 5.
UPPER BURMA.
Table II.
7. Rinderpest.—The
highest mortality in the Province, viz., over
10,000, was reported from the Upper Chindwin District.
The disease, which was prevailing in a virulent form during last year
and which had more or less abated towards its close, again broke out
afresh in the Paungbyin township. From there it spread northwards
to the Homalin township and caused great ravages there, the losses
being 6,133 during the year under report.
The Deputy Commissioner remarks that " the mortality was mostly
among buffaloes that are used for agricultural purposes, but the disease
died out before it had seriously hampered agricultural operations this
year. " He further adds that, " Rinderpest has now taken its toll of
buffaloes right through the district working gradually from the south
northwards. So it is hoped that the district will not be afflicted with
this scourge again for some years."
Amongst the reasons assigned for the high mortality the Deputy
Commissioner writes : " Carcasses of animals that died of disease were
generally buried, but at a time when cattle were dying by scores,
carcasses of cattle were found floating down streams and rivers. . . .
such cases were numerous and difficult to deal with, as ownership of
the animals could not be established for punitive purposes. Bad
communications and backwardness of the people are obstacles in
the way of effective measures being taken rapidly in time of
emergency."
In some village tracts in the Paungbyin township large herds of
buffaloes which are allowed to run about in a semi-wild state are said to
have been decimated by the scourge.
In addition to the five Veterinary Assistants posted to the district
five Assistants were sent on special duty to cope with the outbreaks.
The Veterinary Inspector paid frequent visits and spent long periods in