From T. LISTER, Esq., I.C.S., Secretary to the Development Commissioner, Burma, to the Revenue
Secretary to the Government of Burma,—No 541—IV-53, dated the 25th June 1921.
i am directed to submit, in proof, three copies of the Report on the Civil
Veterinary Department for the year ending 31st March 1921.
2. No serious contagious disease affected Lower Burma, but severe out-
breaks of rinderpest, resulting in 31,921 deaths, occurred in Upper Burma.
Mr. MacKenna has noted, with pleasure, the untiring efforts made by Veterinary
Assistants to cope with a difficult situation. Animals were inoculated in 659
outbreaks, and only 377 animals, out of 69,785 inoculated, died. The continued
success of inoculation as a means of reducing cattle mortality cannot fail to
impress itself, in course of time, on the minds of simple villagers, innately suspi-
cious of all change, and signs are not lacking that their conservatism is slowly
being broken down by the repeated demonstration of the efficacy of inoculation.
3. Mr. Rennie, Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, was appointed
Veterinary Adviser to the Government of Burma with effect from January 1st
1921. The Veterinary Department was removed from the control of the
Director of Agriculture and placed under the Development Commissioner.
4. Experimental veterinary dispensaries are being opened at Pakôkku,
Myingyan, Prome and Pegu ; and a proposal to open experimental veterinary
hospitals at Bassein, Akyab, and Moulmein is under consideration. These dis-
pensaries and hospitals will deal with accidents to animals, and minor ailments
which attack horses, cattle, dogs, etc. Should these trials demonstrate the
existence of a demand for the conveniences afforded the scheme will be
extended to the towns.
5. The Development Commissioner has proposed, for the consideration of
the Local Government, that all Deputy Superintendents be appointed Inspectors
under the Glanders and Farcy Act; and that, when an animal is destroyed, com-
pensation up to half the value of the animal destroyed be awarded to the owner.
6. A revised set of rules for the prevention and suppression of contagious
and infectious diseases amongst domestic animals in towns has been drawn up,
and circulated for criticism. Some replies are still outstanding. After making
any modifications which the criticisms show to be desirable the rules will be
submitted for the approval of the Local Government.
7. It appeared that the lack of rapid interchange of information regarding
outbreaks of cattle disease on the Burma-Bengal border was promoting the
transfer of disease from one province to the other. Arrangements have now been
made for the communication of such information from the Deputy Commissioner,
Akyab, to the Collector, Chittagong, and vice versa.
8. Steps to popularise preventive treatment of cattle disease have been
taken. A pamphlet stating, in simple language, the symptoms of the most
common forms of disease, and the treatment, and insisting on the necessity for
immediate segregation has been written, and is being translated for wide
circulation. Sanction was also been accorded to the payment from the District
Cess Fund, Hanthawaddy, of the travelling allowance to and from the Veterinary
School, Insein, of headmen who were selected to visit the school to receive
instructions in the prevention of cattle diseases.
9. Mr. MacKenna, in conclusion, invites the attention of the Local Govern-
ment to the officers of the Department whose work Mr. Rennie considers to be
worthy of commencation. The Development Commissioner considers that the
Veterinary Adviser may be thanked for an arduous and successful year's
work, as disclosed by his interesting Report.