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disease, which from general neglect they were very prone to contract. He also remarked that in his part of
the district a great many outbreaks could be traced to such cattle. In this instance, I believe, ten or twelve good
pairs of oxen ould have performed all the work that these people mightrequire.
An instance of disregard of the rules by some natives of India has recently been brought to the notice of
the Deputy Commissioner of Myitkyina. This was at Thagaya. It appears that a herd of some sixteen
buffaloes, owned by some natives of India living in Myitkyina, were sent by them for grazing purposes to the
Shan village above named. Contagious disease soon broke out amongst these animals, which fact was reported.
The rules were enforced without delay and the diseased animals segregated; but in spite of this the owners
removed them actually bringing them across the river to Myitkyina. So far, fortunately, the disease has not
spread. The matter is at present under enquiry.
The Deputy Commissioner, Katha, in a letter notes that " There is much good rice land lying fallow in every
township simply from want of plough cattle, the supply of which is not equal to the demand. Any outbreak of
cattle disease has therefore a most serious effect on the extent of land under cultivation. In the over populated
dry belt, on the other hand (where there are already Veterinary Assistants) the people have more cattle than they
really want and at best the only use they can put them to is to plough up the desert like soil, and raise precarious
crops of maize, sesamum and the
like."
I have no doubt that the Katha district could well do with two Assistants, but I would point out that
Veterinary Assistants are also most necessary and useful in the districts of the dry zone, as it is in this part of
the country that a large number of cattle are bred, and I know the people do make up to some extent for the
bad crops they raise, by the sale of their surplus cattle, large numbers of which find their way to Lower Burma
for agricultural work.
An instance of the importation of disease by strange cattle brought to the district for sale is recorded by
the Deputy Commissioner, Henzada. Foot-and-mouth disease was introduced by some herds brought down from
Upper Burma. The matter was taken in hand, cattle inspected, and if found diseased the herd was detained and
segregated; by these measures the disease was brought under control and prevented from
spreading.
With reference to this subject the Deputy Commissioner remarks that "it would be of much benefit in
checking disease if Veterinary Assistants were directed to examine all herds passing through their headquarters
whenever possible. At present as a matter of form the drovers generally report their destination at the police
station when passing through a town or village where a police guard is stationed to allow their animals to be
checked. Advantage might be taken of this to have the animals examined for disease at the same time." I
certainly think that when herds of cattle are being driven through a district a Veterinary Assistant might be
told off to watch them. When cattle are free of disease the herdsmen might
Veterinary Assistant.
Anthrax and Carton symptomatique.— During the year only two districts show a mortality of over 1,000,
namely, Akyab and Bassein, which is rather below the
normal
death-rate
in
these
districts.
Foot-and-mouth disease.—As is the case with the abovenamed diseases the mortality from foot-and-mouth
disease for the Province is low. The districts reporting the heaviest losses were Henzada (793), Akyab (655) and
Thaton.
UPPER BURMA.
Cattel disease.—From all reports it is evident that the cattle in the upper part of the Province have been
as fortunate as those in Lower Burma. No reliable estimate of the mortality of cattle in Upper Burma can be
formed, but we have good reason to believe that it is very much lower than usual. No very serious outbreak
was reported during the year.
Working of the rules for the prevention of cattle disease.-From
all reports received it may be said that
so far, the rules have proved a success. At present we are, so to speak, feeling our way, and the general manner
in which they have been received affords every hope that the vigorous enforcement of the rules will be a matter
of no difficulty in the immediate future.
The headman and the people generally are now beginning to see that by the observance of the rules, much
can be done towards checking the spread of disease or stamping it out. By exercising tact and patience, I trust
that in the course of a few years we will find the Burmans carrying out the rules of their own free will. They
will not be slow to appreciate the benefits of segregation. Certain rules at first no doubt appeared rather harsh.
such as the burial of carcasses, as the Burmans invariably cut up the carcasses of cattle that had died of
disease to use the flesh as food ; but when they fully realize the benefits conferred by the rules, and can see that
the wholesale destruction of herds of oxen by contagious disease can be prevented, they will, I think, entirely
abandon old customs.
The Deputy Commissioner, Bassein, remarks:—
"Village headmen realize more fully their obligations as regards the reporting of cattle disease. As regards
segregation the people are gradually advancing. On the sea-border west of the hills, where there are some nine
thousand head of cattle, bred mostly for export and sale, the villagers are very careful to keep strange cattle away
from their herds. Travellers passing by with animals in their train are not allowed to camp near the village-
site. In these circles cattle disease is practically unknown, but tigers to some extent make up for the absence of
disease by taking toll of the animals."
I would strongly urge that Township Officers be granted a large number of vernacular copies of the rules,
in order that they may be able to distribute them freely amongst the cattle-owners of the villages which they
visit when on tour. The more freely these rules are circulated amongst the cattle-owners, the better they will
be understood and the more assistance we may expect from them.
All Veterinary Assistants have received my orders that when on their ordinary rounds visiting villages
they are to read and explain the rules to the villagers, also that they have to report any neglect of the rules
during outbreaks.
I am pleased to state that most of the Deputy Commissioners in the province have testified to the good
work done by the Veterinary Assistants with regard to the explanation of the rules and the assistance afforded
in carrying them out during
outbreaks.
The Deputy Commissioner of Thayetmyo states:—
"The villagers do not now have to be compelled to segregate diseased cattle, but do so of their own accord
as soon as there is a threatening of disease."
In the Magwe district it has been reported that many cattle-owners, when disease breaks out, make use of
the "Hand-book of Cattle diseases" and follow the directions contained therein. In this district the Veteri-
nary Assistants are reported by the Deputy Commissioner "to have been of the greatest use in instructing the
people."