6.
REPORT ON THE CIVIL VETERINARY DEPARTMENT (INCLUDING THE INSEIN VETERINARY SCHOOL),
BURMA, FOR THE YEAR ENDED THE 31ST MARCH 1917.
serious neglect of this kind was reported during the year under report. In Kyauksè
District an examination in connection with working of the rules for prevention of
cattle disease was held, when 26 headmen and six villagers presented themselves
for examination. Prizes were awarded to those who satisfied the examiners. It
is proposed to extend these examinations to the Meiktila and Myingyan Districts.
Handbooks on the subject have already been distributed in Meiktila District.
In certain delta districts segregation was as usual reported to be at times
difficult, as during the rains inundations limited the amount of dry ground suitable
for the purpose.
The Deputy Commissioner, Lower Chindwin, further remarks : " The relations
between the Veterinary Assistant and cattle owners continue to be cordial, as
were the relations between the Veterinary Assistant and village headmen, who
willingly received and carried out any instructions given them by the Assistants."
The remarks of the Deputy Commissioner, Upper Chindwin, contain the
following :—" I doubt the correctness of the figures, especially those from Homalin
Subdivision which appear to be somewhat grotesque in view of the large quanti-
ties of cattle in that vast tract. The fact, however, remains that the district has
been wonderfully free, on the whole, from cattle disease and the strict measures
now taken to insist on compliance with the various rules on the subject are
beginning to have very appreciable effect. Segregation and cattle disease rules
are enforced and without doubt this enforcement has had great effect. "
14. Registration
of cattle deaths.—This has been put into force with effect
from 1st April in Yamèthin District of Upper Burma.
15. Much difficulty is found in meeting calls for services of Veterinary
Assistants. Though the number of Assistants has been increased in recent years,
this is likely to be too small for some time to come for the work required of them.
The Deputy Commissioner, Kyaukpyu, says, " in a district like Kyaukpyu where
communication is notoriously bad, the existing staff of two Veterinary Assistants
is quite insufficient to effectively carry out the rules and I hope the staff will be
increased as was primarily intended by the Veterinary Department, i.e., one
Veterinary Assistant for each township in the district."
The Deputy Commissioner, Upper Chindwin, notes in this connection : "The
Veterinary Assistants have done very good work indeed and they would do still
better if the full complement sanctioned for the district was maintained regularly.
For some time the entire work was carried on by two Assistants only and when
the size of this district is considered (it is approximately 16,000 square miles in
extent) the difficulties under which they have worked can be realized. They have
had to travel impossible distances, and visit most remote and inaccessible tracts,
and of course their efforts are consequently hampered. If each Assistant had a
convenient charge (and this can only be effected* by furnishing the adequate
number of Assistants) results would improve and an Assistant would have a fair
chance of displaying his capabilities in full ; at present he cannot, as he is too
rushed travelling from one end of the district to the other."
Unfortunately the rate of production of a Veterinary Assistant is not rapid.
The length of training cannot be cut down, and the question of accommodation
of anything over the number allowed for in the Veterinary School, Insein, also
comes in. A very important factor too is the difficulty in getting the sort of pupil
suited to the work. Many boys who enter the School either find they have no
taste for the work or are dull or otherwise unsuited and have to leave. As
mentioned elsewhere in the report the higher schools are unable to help; no
doubt boys who are getting on well in their studies look to employment where
salary, prospects, etc., are better.
16. The two students at the Calcutta School, viz., Maung Kyaing and
Maung Nyan Gyaw, have passed their second examination. Maung Tun Aung
who passed his final last year was appointed Inspector, 3rd grade, in place of
Maung Po Thaung, retired, and placed in the Veterinary School, Insein, to help
as a temporary measure.
17. District Officers have as heretofore lent every support and the Department
has again to record its appreciation of their efforts in furthering its work.
G. H. EVANS,
RANGOON,
Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Dept., Burma.
The 15th May 1917.