NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 31ST MARCH 1931.
17
an average decrease in mortality on last year's figures from rinderpest
of over 50 per cent. In this circle an increase of mortality from 690 to
2,804 is recorded in the year under report. The South-Eastern and
South-Western Circles up to the end of 1929 were combined in one
charge under a Deputy Director with headquarters at Insein. It was
recognised that the area to be controlled was very much too large and
as rinderpest was becoming increasingly prevalent in the South-
western Circle the two circles were separated and an experienced
officer placed in charge of each.
The Department must at present accept the presence of rinderpest
infection throughout Burma as an essential safeguard against the
occurrence of an epizootic and the activities of the Department are
at present limited to controlling undue mortality by isolation, segregation
and inoculation of sick and incontact animals in individual outbreaks.
A misconception to which references have been made on many
occasions in recent reports of this Department is the eradication of
rinderpest from South Africa by the serum-virus method. Protection
by glycerinated bile, serum or serum-virus against the disease were
only contributory factors, the principal one being that
the
Veterinary authorities had to deal with a progressive, law-abiding
European community who in the early stages of a devastating epizootic
quickly realised the necessity for Veterinary assistance. Native cattle
owners were willing to do as they were told without question as they
were confident that the Veterinary authorities were endeavouring to
help them. A further remark is made in the 1928-29 report of the
Officer-in-charge, Civil Veterinary Department, which might, if it was
allowed to pass unquestioned, be responsible for further misconceptions
and is now also corrected. The Officer-in-Charge accepts under
Chapter II, Segregation Rules, Report of 1928-29, that rinderpest arose
spontaneously in the Putao District and advocates that measures for
the control of border movements shall be discontinued. This concep-
tion is scientifically incorrect. The virus of rinderpest requires a
constant supply of susceptible animals in order to maintain its life
which, outside the body of an animal, is a very short one and effective
standstill measures in outbreaks with general control of cattle move-
ments within and into the province would result in the elimination of
the disease in a comparatively short period.
Complete eradication of rinderpest, if this was possible in Burma,
would be dangerous in the absence of powers, and the necessary
machinery for enforcing them, for stopping cattle movements where
necessary into or within any part of the Province. It is to be
hoped that this will not be demonstrated in Arakan in a few years' time
owing to reintroduction of infection by illicit movements of diseased
animals through any point of the border from Bassein, Henzada or
Minbu.
18
REPORT ON THE VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, BURMA,
As will be noted from the maps in the appendices rinderpest and
foot-and-mouth disease are widely distributed throughout the Province,
but on comparison with the map in 1929-30 report it will be seen that in
rinderpest the areas affected show a considerable reduction in extent
even in the case of the South-Western Circle. The distribution of
this disease indicates that main roads, rail and river are the main
avenues of spread.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease continues to be a menace to the stock
throughout the Province and until more effective control of movements
of animals can be enforced this disease will show little annual variation
in incidence.
The mortality
from Anthrax,
Hæmorrhagic
Septicæmia
and
Blackquarter
during the year shows a slight decrease over last
year's figures but a heavy annual mortality will continue to be recorded
until cattle owners appreciate the value of
annual
preventive
inoculations.
Surra was recorded only from the Northern and Central Districts,
but as this disease is present in a chronic form in blood of cattle through-
out the Province, and cases in villagers' ponies are seldom recorded, the
figures are of no value to indicate the incidence of the disease in the
various districts. The figures for the year show a considerable drop in
mortality.
(B) NON-CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.—The work of the subordinate staff
in the treatment of ordinary cases of illness in stock is recorded in the
appendices. With increasing practical experience one becomes more
and more strongly convinced that the expenditure in this connection
cannot be justified by results but the principle of maintaining this service
until a more efficient method can be substituted may be accepted.
The dispensaries in the province have been reduced by two, as these
were not considered to be fulfilling any useful purpose.
Developments
in that connection are at present under consideration and it may be
possible in the future when a better trained staff is available to organise
a Veterinary Dispensary in each district headquarters at which free
treatment for animals of villagers would be given at weekly intervals.
The western methods of treatment of animals by competent
veterinarians is considered to be an important section of propaganda
work which would in time advance
veterinary knowledge and
promote confidence in the efforts of the Department among the village
cattle owners.
WORK OF THE VETERINARY STAFF.—The system of vernacular
tuition in elementary Veterinary Science in a three years' course under
which the subordinate section of the staff have been trained and the
supervision of the lower rank of this class by officers of similar
educational and professional training has resulted in the production of
a more or less numerically strong but professionally incompetent class
of Veterinary Assistants.
FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 31ST MARCH 1931. 19
The educational value of peripatetic veterinary duties in the
villages carried out by Veterinary Assistants for which these officers
have not had the requisite basic training has been disappointing, and
in the absence of the essential stimulus of frequent and strict supervision
a large proportion have reached such a low degree of efficiency that
refresher courses have become a permanent necessity.
The circle officers who have during this year, only, been brought
up to full strength, have been responsible for the supervision of
approximately 1½ million cattle and buffaloes each—a task which in
other countries would be delegated to 6—8 qualified Veterinary Officers.
Under these conditions disease control in animals in Burma is a
stupendous task and only a moderate degree of efficiency can be
expected. Cattle owners as a general rule show a marked degree of
indifference and apathy to the offers of assistance by Departmental
officers. The existing cattle Disease Rules are rarely understood and
seldom acted upon except in the presence of District or Departmental
officers when a show is made with the object of creating a favourable
impression. It cannot however be expected that cattle owners in Burma
would accept opinions and recommendations with celerity when it is
realised that their knowledge on the subject is extremely rudimentary but
by precept and demonstration it is usually possible to get their consent
to necessary measures being taken for control of disease.
The difficulties which the staff have met with in carrying out their
duties in connection with control of disease consist of (a) late reporting
of outbreaks by headmen, (b) the free movements of infected animals
between villages and townships or along trade routes, (c) resistance of
cattle owners to inoculation of animals, (d) the disturbance of normal
activities in the latter months of the year by the rebellion in many delta
districts, (e) shortage of competent subordinate officers for townships
and district duties and of clerical staff in the circle offices. When these
factors are eliminated it will be possible to show permanent progress in
the Department.
Serum Inoculations against Rinderpest.—The
animals inoculatad by
this method against rinderpest in the Province totalled 78,053
representing an increase of 6,015 over last year's figures and a decrease
of 28,425 on the total for 1928-29.
The largest numbers of inoculations were carried out in the Northern
Circle, 33,812 against an average of 14,000 odd in the remaining
circles.
In comparing the figures for the previous year it will be noted that
the inoculations carried out in the South-Western Circle were very
much below the average, viz., 6,124, of which 4,194 were done in one
district alone, and this appears to have contributed towards the increase
in the incidence of the disease in this Circle during the year under
report.
20
REPORT ON THE VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, BURMA,
Promptness in reporting outbreaks by the headman concerned and
early inoculation of the contacts by the Veterinary Staff before the
disease has assumed epizootic proportions will result in considerable
saving in the expenditure on serum. This has been emphasised to the
staff but there are many difficulties in giving effect to the principle.
Developments in the Department during the year—Reorganisation
of
the Department.—Various
schemes for reorganisation of the Department
have been under the consideration of the Local Government for some
years. These have been examined and during the year have had to be
turned clown as incomplete or inadequate to meet the purposes required
The main objection from a Departmental point of view was that the
Veterinary requirements of the service had not been sufficiently
considered. Further reorganisation purposes were prepared and sub-
mitted during the year in which a complete scheme for the service was
set out on lines successfully employed by the Veterinary administrations
in the I ominions and adapted for local requirements. It is anticipated
that decisions of Government on the lines of future development of the
Department will be made known in time to complete the arrangements
for Veterinary education of students before the opening of the College
in June of 1932.
Rules for Control of Diseases in Animals.—Pending
the issue of an
All-India Act for the control of contagious disease in animals it was
decided to revise the existing rules framed under the various acts
applying to diseases of domesticated animals in this Province.
This work will be completed early in the coming year and the
revised rules will be submitted for the consideration of the Local
Government.
Immunisation against Anthrax by a Protective Vaccine.—The vaccina-
tion of elephants, cattle and buffaloes against this disease with locally
produced spore vaccine has given very promising results. In elephants
the inoculations were applied by the firms concerned more extensively
than the Department had intended during the first year and, although
the immediate results in elephants cannot be considered entirely
satisfactory from a Veterinary point of view, the immunity conferred by
the single inoculation held good throughout the year, against natura
infection. Owners of inoculated animals are satisfied with the results
of the inoculation and they now contemplate an extensive application of
this method of immunisation in their elephants before the next anthrax
season. Vaccination of cattle and buffaloes against anthrax gave very
satisfactory results.
Co-ordination
of Departmental
Duties.—With
increased superior
staff for circle duties it has been possible to initiate measures for
improving the efficiency of reporting general activities of the inspecting
and subordinate officers.
FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 31ST MARCH 1931.
21
As a result, the head office in Rangoon is now able to keep in
touch with current developments in the districts and is able to exercise
direction which was not possible previously.
The Department is now only settling down to co-ordinated duties
and the stage where each circle officer organised his charge as a
separate unit is ceasing to exist.
Additional clerical staff for circle officers is an essential to further
development. At present the records of service of the subordinate
staff, the payment of their salary and other bills, questions in connec-
tion with leave, pension, etc., etc., are dealt with in the office of the
Deputy Commissioner and the system has been found to have many
drawbacks.
Propaganda.—It was not possible to act on the orders of
Government in the resolution on the 1929-30 report in regard to the
publication of leaflets for propaganda work as the instructions were
transmitted only after the close of the year under report. This work
will be undertaken during the coming year. A handbook for cattle
owners consisting of a series of short articles on veterinary subjects by
Departmental officers was compiled during the year and is now in
course of publication.
I have to express my thanks to District Officers throughout the
Province who have, by their co-operation and in many cases personal
assistance, contributed very largely to the successful carrying out of the
duties of the Department.
I have also to thank all members of the Veterinary Staff for their
work during the year and in particular I would mention the following
officers:—
U Tun Hlaing, Veterinary Inspector, Research, for assistance
rendered to me during demonstrations of anthrax vaccination on
elephants and for reliable inoculation work and supervision in
rinderpest and anthrax tests under field conditions.
U Aung Tun U, Veterinary Superintendent, Akyab, for bringing the
Rinderpest epizootic in Arakan to a successful conclusion at the
beginning of the year 1930.
U Nyan Kyaw, Veterinary Superintendent, Central Circle, for
satisfactorily carrying out the duties of a Circle Officer while he
officiated in the Central Circle and for his enthusiastic work during that
period.
Mr. S. R. Rippon, I.V.S., Deputy Director of Veterinary Services,
South-Eastern Circle, for the efficient and successful discharge of his
Circle duties and for his helpful co-operation in matters relating to
circle administration.
D. T. MITCHELL,
Director of Veterinary
Services.
APPENDICES.
CHAPTER VII.
TABLE 1.—Statement showing the distribution of the staff of the Depart-
ment on the 31st March 1931 ... ... ...
TABLE 2.—Statement showing general animal mortality during the year
1930-31 ... ... ... ... ...
TABLE 3.—Statement showing medical and surgical treatments of animals
in Dispensaries during the year 1930-31 ... ...
TABLE 4.—Statement showing medical and surgical treatment of animals
in Townships by Veterinary Assistants on tour during the
year 1930-31 ... ... ... ...
TABLE 5.—Statement showing mortality due to contagious diseases
amongst animals in the Province during the year 1930-31
TABLE 6.—Statement showing preventive inoculations performed during the
year 1930-31 ... ... ... ...
TABLE 7.—Statement showing the work of the Veterinary College and the
results during the year 1930-31 ... ... ...
TABLE 8.—Statement showing the deaths from disease in the Mounted
Infantry Ponies and Transport ... ... ...
TABLE 9.—Statement showing the number of animals treated and deaths
from contagious diseases in the Southern Shan States
during the year 1930-31 ... ... ...
TABLE 10.—Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the year ending 31st
March 1931 ... ... ... ...
CHAPTER VIII.
(a) Map showing the districts in which Rinderpest occurred.
(b) Map showing the districts in which Foot-and-Mouth occurred.
(c) Map showing the districts in which Anthrax occurred.
CHAPTER IX.
Graph showing annual mortality per 1,000 of Bovines population due to
Rinderpest, Foot-and-Mouth and Anthrax from 1906 to 1930.
PAGE
25
26
27
28
30
32
33
34
35
36
APPENDICES.
25
TABLE 1.—Statement showing the Distribution of the Staff of the Department on the 31st March 1931.
Where employed.
(1)
School ... ...
South-Western Circle ...
South-Eastern Circle ...
Central Circle ...
Northern Circle ...
Arakan Sub-Circle ...
Research Sectíon ...
Headquarters ...
Total for 1930-31 ...
Total for 1929-30 ...
Burma
Veterinary
Service,
Class I.
(2)
1
* 1
* 1
1
1
...
1
1
7
5
Burma
Veterinary
Service,
Class II.
(3)
1
1
1
1
1
1
Nil
1
7
7
Veterinary
Inspectors.
(4)
2
6 (†)
6
4
6
2
2
Nil
28
28
Veterinary
Assistants.
(5)
Nil
39
39
41
44
13
1
Nil
177
185
Frontier
Veterinary
Assistants.
(6)
Nil
Nil
3
Nil
1
Nil
Nil
Nil
4
5
Flying
Column
Veterinary
Assistants.
(7)
Nil
Nil
Nil
1
1
Nil
Nil
1
3
4
Clerks.
(8)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
7
14
13
Remarks.
(9)
* Members of the Indian Veterinary Serviec.
† Includes 2 Flying Column Veterinary Inspectors.
26
APPENDICES.
TABLE 2.—Statement showing General Animal Mortality during the year 1930-31.
Circle.
(1)
South-Eastern Circle ...
South-Western Circle ...
Central Circle ...
Northern Circle ...
Arakan Sub-Circle ...
Totals ...
Percentage Mortality ...
Ri nder pes t
.
(2)
1,600
2,741
505
*634
Nil
5,480
08
Foot- a nd- Mouth.
(3)
148
670
68
161
437
1,484
02
Anthrax
Equines.
(4)
Bovines.
(5)
Others
(6)
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia.
(7)
Black Quarter.
(8)
*205
307
96
153
569
1,330
02
Surra.
(9)
Nil
...
20
24
Nil
44
...
Debility and old age.
(10)
7,004
8,144
7,102
4,458
1,606
28,314
45
Snake Bite.
Equines.
(11)
Bovines.
(12)
Others.
(13)
1,358
2,634
1,526
1,192
490
7,200
12
Accident.
(14)
1,109
1,217
2,577
1,412
601
6,916
12
Ot her causes.
(15)
4,002
8,640
9,948
3,939
2,299
28,828
47
Pe r
c e nt a ge mortality.
(16)
146
192
112
86
09
128
...
Total.
(17)
15,426
24,353
21,822
11,955
6,002
79,558
1.28
NOTE—Prepared from the monthly returns and season and stop report.
Includes Bhamo and Salween Districts, where no cattle death registers are maintained.
APPENDICES.
27
TABLE 3.—Statement showing Medical and Surgical Treatment of Animals in Dispensaries during the
year 1930-31.
District.
(1)
Insein ...
Pakôkku ...
Myingyan ...
Prome ... ...
Pegu ...
Total for 1930-31 ...
Total for 1929-30 ...
Number of Veterinary Dispen-
saries.
(2)
1
1
1
1
1
5
5
Number of Veterinary Assistants
employed.
(3)
...
1
1
1
1
4
4
Number of in-patients treated
during the year.
Equines.
(4)
...
2
25
...
...
27
148
Bovines.
(5)
...
3
33
...
...
36
137
Others.
(6)
...
3
5
...
1
9
160
Total.
(7)
...
8
63
...
1
72
445
Number of out-patients treated
during the year.
Equines.
(8)
111
439
444
131
149
1,274
2,413
Bovines.
(9)
831
161
1,262
276
2,526
5,056
4,650
Others.
(10)
2,009
682
820
246
931
4,688
4,590
Total.
(11)
2,951
1,282
2,526
653
3,606
11,018
11,653
Grand total of in-patients and
out-patients treated during the
year.
(12)
2,951
1,290
2,589
653
3,607
11,090
12,098
Total number of cases supplied
with medicines but not brought
to Hospital.
(13)
622
656
494
76
1,724
3,572
3,360
Castration performed.
Equines.
(14)
5
...
...
...
...
5
3
Bovines.
(15)
3
...
...
...
...
3
10
Others
(16)
8
...
...
...
...
8
3
Total.
(17)
16
...
...
...
...
16
16
Expe ndi t
ur e .
(18)
Rs. A. P.
*
846 3 0
513 8 0
...
1,071 7 0
2,431 2 0
2,605 0 0
Re ma r
ks .
(19)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
28
APPENDICES.
TABLE 4.—Statement showing Medical and Surgical treatment of animals in Townships by Veterinary Assistants on tour
during the year 1930-31.
District.
(1)
Myitkyina ...
Bhamo ... ...
Katha ... ...
Upper Chindwin ...
Lower Chindwin ...
Shwebo ...
Sagaing ...
Mandalay ...
Total for Northern Cir.
Veterinary Assistants.
Total for Northern Cir.
Veterinary Inspectors.
Kyauksè ...
Yamèthin ...
Myingyan ...
Meiktila ... ...
Pakôkku ...
Minbu ... ...
Magwe ... ...
Thayetmyo ...
Total for Central Circle
Veterinary Assistants.
Total for Central Circle
Veterinary Inspectors
Number
of villages visited
(2)
634
1,294
2,617
781
1,610
1,859
1,319
971
11,085
1,268
787
1 114
1,074
636
1 400
924
1,164
1,485
8,584
692
Number of Veterinary
Assistants employed.
(3)
4
6
8
4
6
7
6
5
46
6
3
5
6
4
8
4
6
6
42
4
Castrations performed.
Equines.
(4)
... 5
1
...
...
...
1
...
7
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Bovines.
(5)
... 10
... ...
4
6
6 1
23
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Ot her s .
(6)
...
17
...
...
...
...
...
17
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Tot al .
(7)
...
32
1
2
4
7
1 1
47
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Treated for Contagions Diseases.
Equi nes .
(8)
1
5
13
1
4
197
1
1
225
4
3
...
1
...
2
...
...
...
6
...
Bovines.
(9)
505
12
48
694
893
580
59
891
3,082
111
491
1,101
245
364
403
1,369
1,176
6,704
11,853
130
Ot her s .
(10)
1
4
...
21
1
...
...
...
30
4
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
1
Tot al .
(11)
507
21
61
700
915
585
256
892
3,937
119
494
1,101
246
364
405
1,369
1,176
6,704
11859
131
Treated for Non-Contagious Diseases.
Equi nes
(12)
241
183
541
51
177
307
483
57
2,040
9
179
234
307
158
520
170
211
144
1,923
...
Bovi nes .
(13)
2,094
2,445
4,249
3,304
3,924
4,289
2,099
1,761
24,165
28
1,320
2,520
2,180
1,196
3,286
1,246
2,062
4,001
17,811
...
Ot her s .
(14)
138
293
166
29
139
123
84
51
1,023
33
86
103
582
166
388
42
240
148
1,755
...
Tot al .
(15)
2,473
2,921
4,956
3,384
4,240
4,719
2,666
1,869
27,228
70
1,585
2,857
3,069
1,520
4,194
1,458
2,513
4,293
21,489
...
Total number of cases
treated and castrated.
(16)
2,980
2,974
5,018
4,086
5,155
5,308
2,929
2,762
31,212
189
2,079
3,958
3,315
1,884
4,599
2,827
3,689
10,997
33,348
131
Average number of days
on tour.
(17)
203.25
197.3
245
227
319.83
254.85
266.16
195.2
242.21
249.3
221.3.
264 6
178.2.
182
183.87
254.5
179
255.6.
169.38
235.25
Average number of out-
breaks attended
(18)
5.25
1.5
3.25
4.5
47
6.71
2.3
10.6
10.21
23.3
7
11.8
7.5
10.25
18.12
22.2.
16.3.
40.5
17.64
55.5
APPENDICES.
29
Kyaukpyu ...
Sandoway ...
Total for Arakan
Sub-Cir.
Veterinary Assistants.
Total for Arakan Sub-Cir.
Veterinary Inspectors.
Bassein ...
Henzada ...
Myaungmya ...
Maubin ...
Pyapôn ...
Prome ...
Tharrawaddy ...
Insein ...
Total
for South-Western
Cir. Veterinary Assts.
Total for
South-Western
Cir. Veterinary Inspectors.
including 2 Flying Column
Veterinary Inspectors. 2
Research Veterinary Inspec-
tors. 2 School Veterinary
Inspectors.
Pegu ...
Hanthawaddy ...
Toungoo ...
Amherst ...
Thatôn ...
Salween ...
Tavoy ...
Mergui ...
Head Office ...
Total for South-Eastern
Cir. Vety. Assistants.
Total
for
South-Eastern
Cir. Vety. Inspectors.
Grand Total for Burma for the
year 1930-31.
Grand Total for Burma for the
year 1929- 30.
426
180
2,109
378
942
907
595
687
550
1,207
2,026
1,070
7,984
1,002
1,221
1,125
1,400
1,464
1,471
304
433
460
...
7,878
1,128
42,108
35,621
3
1
13
2
6
6
4
3
3
5
8
5
40
4 + 6
7
6
6
9
7
2
2
3
1
43
6
1 8 4/2 8
1 9 4 / 2 8
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
7
14
...
...
14
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
37
37
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
17
19
...
...
14
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
61
70
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
1
...
...
...
...
...
...
1
...
236
129
246
...
3,647
...
5,005
1,876
1,551
513
367
884
3,407
1,701
15,304
...
1,622
927
3,648
320
264
...
12
5
...
6,798
...
41,525
24,706
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
35
39
246
...
3,647
...
5,005
1,876
1,551
513
367
884
3,407
1,701
15,304
...
1,622
927
3,649
320
264
...
12
5
...
6.799
...
41,796
24,874
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
... ...
86
62
47
90
39
26
11
5
...
366
...
4,338
5,294
920
438
5,437
22
1,807
1,747
1,058
738
808
1,546
3,126
735
11,565
1,512
2,004
1,857
2,158
1,632
446
1,001
756
11,366
...
70,394
71,851
...
...
...
...
...
33
83
31
21
73
157
21
419
...
45
94
22
214
120
37
42
34
...
608
1
3,839
3,346
920
438
5,437
22
1,807
1,780
1,141
769
829
1,619
3,283
756
11,984
...
1,643
2,160
1,926
2,462
1,791
509
1,054
795
...
12.340
1
78,571
80,491
1,166
438
9,098
22
6,812
3,656
2,692
1,282
1,196
2,503
6,690
2,457
27,288
...
177.3.
145
169.38
197
188.3.
182.16.
151
251.6.
170.6.
197.8
226.62
217.6
196.6
237.25
4
Nil
9.53
22.5
25.16.
21
20.75
146.
8.3
11.6
28
26
21.02
30.5
Average has been calculated for
four regular Veterinary Inspec-
tors only.
3,265
3,087
5,575
2,782
2,055
509
1,066
800
...
19,139
1
120,428
105,435
166.85
220.16.
192.83.
231.7.
243
192.5
242.5
168.6.
...
204.86
219.83.
207.52
...
14.28
7
28.3.
9.1.
6.57
...
.5
1.3.
...
1034
22.16.
15.48
...
3