From S. G. GRANTHAM, Esq., I.C.S., Assistant Secretary to the Financial Commissioner, Burma, to the
Revenue Secretary to the Government of Burma,—No. 24—5R.-71, dated the 1st July 1912.
I am directed to submit in proof three copies of the Report of the Civil
Veterinary Department, Burma, for the year ending the 31st March 1912,
together with a copy of letter No. 173—1R.-36, dated the 7th June 1912, from the
Director of Agriculture.
From J. MACKENNA, Esq., I.C.S., Director of Agriculture, Burma, to the Assistant Secretary to the Finan-
cial Commissioner, Burma,—No. 173—IR.-36, dated the 7th June 1912.
I have the honour to submit, in proof, six copies of the Annual Report of the
Civil Veterinary Department, Burma, for the year ending the 31st March 1912.
2. It is gratifying to note that the Insein Veterinary School is gaining in
popularity with the public and that cases for veterinary treatment as well as slides
for laboratory experiment are readily forthcoming. During the coming year a
portion of a non-recurring grant from Imperial Funds will be devoted to the further
equipment of the school : a necessity which is most pressing.
3. The season was marked, in Lower Burma, by a most gratifying immunity
from contagious cattle disease. In Upper Burma, however, serious epidemics in
Shwebo, Pakôkku and Thayetmyo swell the provincial figures which give a total
death rate for the Province of 34,215 head of cattle as against 39,164 head in
1910-11; 30,566 in 1909-10 and 19,519 in 1908-09. Of the total death
roll of 34,215 head no less than 25,215 succumbed to rinderpest. The small
band of Veterinary Assistants in the Shan States seem to have attained moderate
success in their labours, assisted as they have been by a year favourable in the
matter of disease and by an increased attention by headmen to the enforcement of
rules for the prevention of cattle disease. The Veterinary School at Taunggyi is
apparently working satisfactorily.
4. During the year under report no less than 8,946 animals were inoculated
against rinderpest. This compares with a total of 4,562 for the preceding year
and constitutes a record for the Department. It is gratifying to note that expe-
rience with its preventive merits is inspiring confidence and that inoculation is thus
gaining favour with the cattle owners of the country. The total number of deaths
from non-contagious diseases, though normal is still very high.
5. Colonel Evans' remarks on the Segregation Rules in paragraph 14 of his
Report indicate a growing spirit of interest and self-help on the part of cultivators
as regards their cattle which is a most hopeful sign; while paragraph 15 shows the
success which has attended efforts to prevent the importation of disease by Trans-
frontier routes. The enactment of Burma Act II of 1912 now renders it possible
to frame rules to regulate the passage of diseased animals through a village tract
and draft rules have been submitted for sanction.
6. For the greater part of the year under report Mr. T. Rennie was in charge
of the Department which, with the assistance of Mr. Cameron, he administered
satisfactorily. The decoration of the Companionship of the Indian Empire confer-
red on Lieutenant-Colonel Evans at the Coronation Durbar is a gratifying recog-
nition of the ability and tact with which he has for many years administered the
Veterinary Department of this Province.