NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
for the year ended the 31st march 1930.
5
SALWEEN DISTRICT—
With the exception of 21 deaths from foot-and-mouth disease in
Kawkayet circle no deaths from contagious disease were reported from
this district throughout the year.
The disease in this area broke out in the beginning of the calendar
year and disappeared in May.
Six hundred and eighty cattle and buffaloes and 17 ponies were
imported into the district from Siam via Dagwin, of which 149 cattle
were sold in Burma and the balance were in use for border trading
purposes.
TAVOY DISTRICT—
Rinderpest was not reported from any of the four townships in this
district throughout the year.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease occurred in Launglon township in Decem-
ber, three deaths being recorded.
Anthrax.—Eleven deaths from this disease were recorded in Laung-
lon (2), Tavoy (6), Yebyu (3). No preventive inoculations against
this disease were carried out.
MERGUI DISTRICT—
Rinderpest and Foot-and-Mouth Diseases.—No outbreaks of these
diseases were recorded during the year.
Anthrax accounted for a mortality of 154 head in Tenasserim
township and 22 in Maliwun township. In the Tenasserim outbreak
the following villages were affected:—Tenasserim, Thagyet, Pawa,
Thamila, cases occurring throughout the year. In the Maliwun town-
ship the disease appeared in August and deaths persisted only for a
short period. The mortality occurred in buffaloes.
The Deputy Commissioner records that " prompt action was taken
and the Segregation and Cattle Disease Rules were rigidly enforced "—
generally headmen are prompt in reporting any outbreaks of disease.
They are acquainted with the segregation rules and thoroughly under-
stand the value of segregation."
(2) PEGU SUB-CIRCLE.
TOUNGOO DISTRICT—
Rinderpest.—Seven deaths were recorded in the district in 12 out-
breaks in 3 townships, namely Pyu, Tantabin and Shwegyin.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease was present in the district and resulted in
a mortality of one head in one of the townships, namely Tantabin.
Anthrax.—Four deaths were recorded from this disease during the
year.
Segregation rules are reported to have been observed by the head-
men and villagers.
6
REPORT ON THE VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, BURMA,
On receipt of reports on the outbreak of cattle disease necessary
preventive measures were promptly taken.
One thousand three hundred and fifty-four cattle were inoculated
with anti-rinderpest serum during the year.
PEGU DISTRICT—
Rinderpest.—Sporadic cases of the disease occurred in this district
throughout the latter half of the year. One epidemic was recorded in
Kawa township during December and January which accounted for the
majority of the deaths.
Deaths from the disease totalled 100 during the year.
Inoculation was carried out in 18 outbreaks on a total of 2,710
animals.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease.—This disease was endemic in the district
throughout the year and resulted in the deaths of 11 cattle in the town-
ships—Kawa, Thanatpin and Nyaunglebin (East and West).
Anthrax occurred in two townships—Nyaunglebin (East and West)
and Daik-U and caused a mortality of 17 during September to March.
HANTHAWADDY DISTRICT—
Rinderpest occurred in three townships—Twante, Kyauktan and
Thôngwa and resulted in a mortality of 4 being recorded during the year.
The disease was controlled by segregation.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease was endemic in the area and caused 5
deaths in Twante, Kungyangon (North) and Thôngwa.
Anthrax was recorded from Kungyangon (North), 2 deaths being
reported during the year.
The Deputy Commissioner reports that the Cattle Disease Rules
were fairly well understood by the villagers.
(b) South-Western Circle.
(1) IRRAWADDY SUB-CIRCLE.
BASSEIN DISTRICT—
Rinderpest was present throughout the year in this district.
Sixty outbreaks were reported in which a mortality of 402 was recorded
Serum inoculation was carried out on 1,294 cattle.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease.—The occurrence of this disease was general
during the year. Three hundred and two deaths were reported and
1,613 cases were treated.
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia.—An outbreak of this disease is reported
by the Deputy Commissioner in which 19 animals were affected result-
ing in 11 deaths.
FOR THE YEAR ENDED THE 31ST MARCH 1930.
7
Anthrax.—Cases of anthrax were recorded throughout the year, the
resulting mortality being 127. The Deputy Director of Veterinary
Services reports that " in the absence of definite proof by blood smear
examination I do not place any reliance in these figures and that many
of the cases may have been due to other causes."
The Deputy Commissioner reports that the " application of the
Cattle Disease Rules still leaves much to be desired and though the
headmen and villagers are well acquainted with them it is seldom that
cattle are segregated until the disease has been thoroughly spread " and
he points out the difficulties encountered arising out of common grazing
grounds.
HENZADA DISTRICT—
Rinderpest.—Thirty-three
deaths as a result of this disease were
recorded during the early part of the year in Henzada, Myanaung,
Ingabu, Lemyethna townships. No rinderpest was present in the
district at the end of the year. The decrease in the mortality from
the previous year is attributed by the Deputy Commissioner to the
absence of floods, but it is considered that the increase of herd immu-
nity as a result of contact with the disease has also been a factor in the
reported decrease.
No serious outbreaks of this disease occurred during the year.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease.—Sporadic cases occurred in three town-
ships in the district resulting in the deaths of 15 cattle.
Anthrax.—Sporadic cases of Anthrax occurred in Henzada, Myanaung
and Ingabu townships throughout the year, resulting in the deaths of
15 animals.
The segregation rules are reported to have been effectively enforced
One hundred and sixty-six cattle were inoculated with anti-rinderpest
serum during the year.
MAUBIN DISTRICT —
Rinderpest occurred in April and May and resulted in the deaths
of 58 cattle. A further outbreak occurred in March 1930 in which
three animals have died. Two hundred cattle were inoculated with
anti-rinderpest serum during the year. The disease was recorded from
Maubin, Pantanaw, Yandoon and Danubyu townships.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease was responsible for two deaths in cattle
in March but was not recorded in the district earlier in the year.
Anthrax.—Thirteen
cases of this disease were recorded from April
to July.
The Deputy Commissioner reports that segregation camps have been
provided in most village-tracts and that the cattle owners submit their
animals to the inoculation and assist the Veterinary Staff.
8 REPORT ON THE THE VERERINARY DEPARTMENT, BURMA,
MYAUNGMYA DISTRICT—
Rinderpest.—Sporadic cases of the disease occurred in four townships
during the year resulting in a total mortality of 19. The townships
Labutta and Wakèma remained free from the disease.
Segregation was adopted as the principal preventive measure and
resulted in suppression of the outbreaks.
Two hundred and seventy animals were inoculated with anti-
rinderpest serum.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease was recorded in all townships with the
exception of Wakema. The disease caused the deaths of 52 cattle.
Anthrax was recorded from all townships with the exception of
Labutta and caused a mortality of 32 head of cattle during the year.
The majority of the deaths occurred in Moulmyainggyun and Einme.
The Deputy Commissioner refers in his report to the scarcity of land
for segregation camps in certain townships in this district.
PYAPÔN DISTRICT—
Rinderpest.—Cases of this disease occurred in two townships during
the year—Bogale and Dedaye resulting in a total of 13 deaths.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease.—Three townshipsw ere affected with this
disease—Dedaye, Bogale and Kyaiklat. The total mortality recorded
being 67
Anthrax.—Thirty-eight
cases of Anthrax were reported from the
townships—Bogale (35), Pyapôn (3).
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia appeared in September in Pyapôn town.
Spread occurred in the neighbouring area but the disease was controlled
by segregation measures after a loss of 30 animals.
Segregation measures for the control of epidemic disease were
effectively applied in this district.
(2)
THARRAWADDY
SUB-CIRCLE.
INSEIN DISTRICT—
Rinderpest occurred in two townships in this district, Insein and
Taikkyi, and resulted in a mortality of 154 animals. In the former
district 153 deaths were recorded from the disease. Four thousand
one hundred and ninety-four cattle were inoculated with anti-rinder-
pest serum.
The outbreaks in the Insein area were difficult to control on account
of the apathy of the Indian cattle owners and their disregard for the
Cattle Disease Rules. It was reported to have been introduced by
imported buffaloes, some of which died on arrival on the wharf and
from this herd the disease spread to Bahan , Mingaladon and Mogyobyit
and other centres. Reliable information is almost impossible to obtain
FOR THE YEAR ENDED THE 31ST MARCH 1930.
9
in this area and the reports could not be verified. The necessity for a
Hindustani-speaking staff of Veterinary Assistants and pamphlets on
disease in this language is emphasised by the Deputy Commissioner.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease occurred in Insein and Hlegu and caused
the deaths of 9 cattle.
Anthrax caused the deaths of 38 animals in Insein, Hlegu and
Taikkyi townships. The outbreak in the Mingaladon area occurred
simultaneously with the outbreak of rinderpest and there was difficulty
in differential diagnosis. Very few of the deaths recorded could be
confirmed microscopically on account of the absence of blood smears.
Large numbers of cattle and buffaloes are kept in the area between
Rangoon and Mingaladon under primitive conditions and the animals
depend on free grazing for their existence. The owners in many cases
have no fixed abode and the Cattle Disease Rules are a dead letter to
them. Responsibility is difficult to fix and segregation is almost impos-
sible on account of the restricted grazing areas available. Under these
conditions control of disease becomes a problem which could only be
solved by a large staff capable of exercising constant and efficient
supervision. The area, being in the neighbourhood of the Rangoon
Municipal area and traversed by main roads which are used by large
numbers of cattle coming in from the collecting centre at Prome to
Rangoon for slaughter, and sale, is a very important one and special
measures for the control of contagious disease, are under consideration.
THARRAWADDY DISTRICT—
Rinderpest.—One outbreak of rinderpest occurred in Monyo town-
ship in July and resulted in a total mortality of 8. Other townships in
the area remained free from the disease. The Deputy Commissioner
in his report stresses the importance of early reporting of outbreaks
and close touch between his office and the Veterinary staff.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease.—An outbreak occurred in Tharrawaddy
township in April and resulted in the deaths of 3 cattle. Other town-
ships in the district remained free from the disease.
Anthrax.—The total deaths from this disease in the district during
the year were 26 of which 19 cases occurred in Nattalin township in
the early part of the year and the balance were sporadic cases in
Tharrawaddy, Minhla (West), Gyobingauk and Zigon townships.
The reported incidence of the disease in Nattalin and Zigôn will be
investigated in the future.
The Cattle Disease Rules are reported to have been satisfactorily
applied.
PROME DISTRICT—
Rinderpest.—No rinderpest has been recorded from Prome District
during the year.
10
REPORT ON THE VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, BURMA,
Foot-and-Mouth Disease.—The total mortality from this disease
during the year was six resulting from outbreaks during July and
September. Outbreaks occurred during the year in all townships in
the district.
Anthrax.—Two outbreaks were recorded from Paungdè and Thègôn
townships resulting in a total mortality of 7.
GENERAL REMARKS ON CONTAGIOUS DISEASE IN THE
SOUTH-EASTERN AND SOUTH-WESTERN CIRCLES.
Rinderpest occurred in the majority of the districts in this circle
during the year.
This disease assumed epidemic proportions in Amherst, Thatôn,
Pegu, Bassein and Insein. The recognised control measures were
adopted, viz. segregation and serum inoculation of incontacts. The
total inoculations carried out in the two circles was 26,190.
The headmen and owners in most cases readily agreed to the
inoculation but they were frequently unaware of the fleeting nature of
the immunity conferred.
This point requires emphasising by all officers of the department
when touring in the villages as owners of animals may lose faith in the
serum inoculations if the disease recurs a short time after the inocula-
tions have been carried out.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease.—This disease occurred in the majority of
the districts causing a moderate mortality except in the case of Bassein
where 302 cases are reported to have died as a result. The outbreak
assumed considerable proportions and a large number of animals were
treated and recovered.
Anthrax occurred throughout the circles the heaviest mortality being
reported from Amherst, Thatôn, Mergui, Bassein and Insein.
The incidence of the disease in the districts requires investigation
but as a preliminary step confirmation of future mortality figures will
be attempted by means of blood smears from the animals which die.
This procedure has not been insisted upon in the past and as a result
the records in connection with this disease in the districts cannot be
accepted as correct. An investigation into the occurrence of this
disease and the application of preventive measures in the circles is
urgently required to prevent the extension of the areas involved which
once infected, remain so permanently.
FOR THE YEAR ENDED THE 31ST MARCH 1930.
11
(c) Central Circle.
(1) MEIKTILA SUB-CIRCLE.
MEIKTILA DISTRICT—
Rinderpest occurred in the four townships of this district the heaviest
mortality 119 head, being in Meiktila township. The outbreaks num-
bered 44 and the total deaths 166. Serum inoculation was performed
on 6,632 incontacts.
Foot-and-Mouth
Disease.—A few sporadic outbreaks occurred
throughout the district resulting in the death of 4 animals. The disease
did not become epidemic.
Anthrax.— Eleven cases of anthrax were recorded from Thazi and
two from Mahlaing during the year.
Sheep-pox.— This disease is reported to have broken out in Meiktila
township among animals belonging to Indians. The outbreak was not
reported to the neighbouring headman and a mortality of 135 head was
recorded.
The Deputy Commissioner reports that the Cattle Disease Rules are
fairly well understood but not always observed and that too much
reliance cannot be placed on the accuracy of the mortality returns.
KYAUKSE DISTRICT—
Rinderpest.—One outbreak occurred during June which resulted in
the death of 18 cattle. One hundred and sixteen cattle were inoculated
with serum and no further spread occurred.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Anthrax were not recorded from this
district during the year.
Surra. One case of surra was reported.
YAMETHIN DISTRICT—
Rinderpest.—The mortality during the year from this disease was 29
occurring in 40 outbreaks in 5 townships in the district, viz., Yamèthin,
Pyinmana, Yanaung, Lewe and Pyawbwe. Two thousand and seventeen
cattle were inoculated with anti-rinderpest serum. (The Veterinary
Department figures for this district show deaths 125, animals inoculated
6,744).
Foot-and-Mouth Disease.—Three cases of this disease were recorded
in Pyinmana with no deaths during the year.
Anthrax.—No deaths occurred from this disease—the Deputy
Commissioner reporting that the disease has vanished completely owing
to prompt precautionary measures. In view of the fact that Anthrax
may lie dormant for many years in the soil this cannot be taken
literally but it indicates that despite the presence of infection the
mortality may be reduced to zero by efficient precautionary methods.
12
REPORT ON THE VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, BURMA,
Segregation rules were applied effectively and the Deputy Commis-
sioner reports that the villagers have assisted in carrying out the orders
which were given to them.
MYINGYAN DISTRICT—
Rinderpest occurred in all the townships of this district during the
year with the exception of Myingyan. There were 6 outbreaks resulting
in the deaths of 183 cattle. Seven hundred and forty-one cattle were
inoculated with serum.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease was present in Myingyan and Kyaukpadaung
townships and resulted in 3 deaths being reported.
Anthrax was reported from Natogyi and Kyaukpadaung townships.
Fifteen deaths were recorded of which 13 occurred in the latter
township.
The Cattle Disease Rules are reported to have been satisfactorily
observed during the year and reporting of mortality by the village
headman was prompt.
(2)MAGWE SUB-CIRCLE.
MAGWE DISTRICT—
Rinderpest.—Sporadic outbreaks occurred throughout the year in this
district and resulted in 33 deaths being recorded.
No anti-rinderpest serum inoculations were carried out.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease.—Cases occurred during the whole year.
Two hundred and ninety-four animals were reported as being affected
with the disease of which 14 died.
Anthrax.—Twenty-one deaths occurred in an outbreak in October in
Myothit township. The Departmental and Districts reports of the
occurrence of contagious disease in this district are very brief and lack-
ing in detail.
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia.—This disease was present in the district
and caused the deaths of 25 head of stock.
MINBU DISTRICT.—
Rinderpest.—No outbreaks of this disease occurred in this district
during the year.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease occurred in Salin Subdivision only.
Anthrax.—One outbreak occurred in the Minbu Subdivision result-
ing in 14 deaths.
Blackquarter.—A few cases of the disease occurred in this district
(details not recorded).
THAYETMYO DISTRICT—
Rinderpest.—The occurrence of this diseaae was limited to Allanmyo
township in which an outbreak occurred resulting in the deaths of 10
animals.
FOR THE YEAR ENDED THE 31ST MARCH 1930.
13
Foot-and-Mouth Disease.—Forty-six deaths due to this disease are
reported, outbreaks having been recorded in all the townships of the
district.
Anthrax occurred in Thayetmyo, Mindon and Sinbaungwe townships
and resulted in a total of 27 deaths of which 24 occurred in the last
named township.
The Deputy Commissioner is doubtful if these deaths in Sinbaungwe
were correctly diagnosed and in the absence of confirmation by smear
examination this opinion is accepted.
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia caused the deaths of 27 head of stock in
this district during the year.
Blackquarter.—A few cases of the disease occurred in this district
(details not recorded).
The Deputy Commissioner records that disease was rapidly com-
bated and that the Cattle Disease Rules are understood by the majority
of the headmen.
PAKÔKKU DISTRICT—
Rinderpest occurred in live villages in the Tilin township. The out-
break is reported to have been caused by transport cattle contracting
infection at Pauk, Myaing or Pakôkku. Sixteen outbreaks occurred with
a recorded mortality of 369. Serum inoculation was carried out on
1,746 animals.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease occurred in Gangaw Subdivision but no
deaths were recorded.
Anthrax.—Two fatal cases of the disease occurred in Myaing town-
ship and 9 cases in Gangaw township.
Blackquarter.—A few cases occurred in the Tilin Township (details
not recorded).
Surra resulted in the deaths of 15 animals in the district during
the year.
Glanders.—One horse was destroyed as a result of a test with mallein
which indicated that the animal was affected with glanders. The
disease was not communicated to other animals.
The Deputy Commissioner reports that the villagers now understand
the Cattle Disease Rules and report contagious cattle disease promptly.
Cattle death registers have not yet been distributed to all the headmen
of this district and the mortality figures are therefore not complete.
GENERAL REMARKS ON CONTAGIOUS DISEASE IN THE
CENTRAL CIRCLE.
Rinderpest occurred in all the districts in this circle during the year.
It assumed epidemic proportions in Meiktila, Myingyan and
Pakôkku.
14
REPORT ON THE VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, BURMA,
The Deputy Director of Veterinary Services reports that as usual the
segregation rules were not effectively carried out.
Sale of hides and meat from dead animals, delays in reporting
mortality and illicit movements of incontact stock, were the chief
difficulties met with in carrying out control measures.
The number of animals inoculated against Rinderpest in the circle
was 15,979.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease.—With the exception of Kyaukse this
disease was recorded from all districts during the year. The mortality
was low, the largest number of deaths occurred in Thayetmyo.
Anthrax was recorded from Meiktila, Myingyan, Magwe, Thayet-
myo, Pakôkku and Minbu, a total of 101 cases for the circle.
The occurrence of this disease requires investigating and as there
have been doubts cast on the accuracy of the post-mortem diagnosis by
the headman, confirmation by smear examination will be attempted in
future outbreaks.
Blackquarter in Cattle occurred in Thayetmyo and Pakôkku and
was-responsible for a total of 23 deaths. The remarks regarding
diagnosis made above with reference to Anthrax also apply to this
disease.
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia was reported from Magwe, Thayetmyo,
Meiktila, Kyaukse, Pakôkku and Minbu districts causing a total morta-
lity for the circle of 52 animals.
Sheep-pox.—A local outbreak of this disease is reported from Meiktila
causing a mortality of 135 small stock. No other cases were reported
from the circle.
Glanders.—One case of this disease was identified by the mallein
test but there is some doubt as to the accuracy of the diagnosis.
(d) Northern Circle.
(1) LOWER CHINDWIN SUB-CIRCLE.
MANDALAY DISTRICT—
Rinderpest.—One outbreak occurred in Maymyo which resulted in
3 deaths from the disease. The outbreak was promptly suppressed by
segregation measures. No serum inoculations were carried out.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease.—Twenty-seven outbreaks of this disease
were recorded in Patheingyi and Singu townships with no mortality.
Anthrax.—One case of this disease occurred.
Surra.—Two outbreaks were reported in Singu and Maymyo town-
ships with two deaths.
Blackquarter.—One death was reported from Patheingyi township.
The district was relatively free from disease during the year. No
serious outbreaks of contagious disease were recorded.