NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
A D DE N DU M.
ON pages 7-8 of the present report, reference is made
to a note in Dr. Kynsey's pamphlet on the beri-beri of Ceylon,
on a paper by Leichtenstern on anchylostomiasis, and to the
inexplicable character of the abstract given. During a
recent visit to Simla, I found that the office of the Surgeon-
General with the Government of India is provided with a file
of the " Deutsche Medicinische Wochenschrift," and I accord-
ingly proceeded to search for the paper in question.
It is not surprising that I was unable in the first instance
to obtain it, as the authority appears to be incorrectly given.
The paper referred to is, I presume, one entitled " Einiges
liber Anchylostoma duodenale" Yon Otto Leichtenstern,
Deutsch. Med. Wochen., Vol. XIII., 1887, pages 565, 594,
620, 645, 669, 691, and 712.
Though modestly entitled " a few words " on the subject in
question, the article, it will be seen, is a very long one,
running through no less than seven issues of the periodical.
The main bulk of the paper is taken up with a criticism
on the work of Dr. Schultess, a translation of which, it may
be remembered, appears in Dr. Kynsey's pamphlet; but I
could find no such statement as that quoted thence in the
text of this report, no mention being made of any so
extraordinary a method of multiplication as by the separa-
tion of the " segments " of a rhabditic nematode.
I am glad to find that Leichtenstern entirely agrees with
my own views as to the significance of the so-called calci-
fication of the embryos, looking upon the change as merely
an indication of death, and many pages of the paper are
occupied in controverting the views of Schultess on the
point. We are also in accord as to the explanation of this
non-development of ova within the human intestine being
due to the absence of oxygen, Leichtenstern having
established this matter beyond doubt by rigid experimental
tests, showing that cultivations immersed in other gases fail
to develop.
It is, however, quite obvious that, like his predecessors,
he quite failed to follow the rhabdites to maturity, and so
missed the true significance of the free stage.
This failure I believe may be traced to his view (page
669) that water is the natural habitat of the rhabdites,
whereas, as has been demonstrated in the text, no complete
development of these organisms can take place in that
medium, their true habitat being not water, but foecal matter.
( 8 )
Hence he has no suspicion that a regular sexual multi-
plication of the free stage is possible and normal. Hence, too,
his laborious description of the so-called encapsuling and
re-incapsuling of the embryos, which are, of course, nothing
more than ordinary ecdyses, greatly delayed by the unsuit-
ability of the conditions to which his embryos were exposed.
He speaks, too, of successful feeding experiments; but, as
they are not given in detail, their true significance cannot be
judged.
A further point on which our experiences are in entire
agreement is the non-discovery of any worms encysted in
the submucosa, and indeed the remarks I have made on pages
85-86 of this report might almost pass as a free translation
of what he has written at page 692 of the "Deutsche
Medicinische Wochenschrift." He does not, however, dispute
the accuracy of the older observations of Bilhartz, Greisiger,
and Grassi (1852-1854); but looks upon the worms they
found encysted as having "wandered" from their proper
habitat.
This explanation, however, fails to satisfy me, as it runs
counter to the general phenomena of helminthiases, and I
should still prefer to believe that our failure is rather to
be traced to neither of us having met with suitable cases.
Of great interest, too, are the cases he gives (page 693,
et seq.} illustrative of the longevity of the parasite. In one
instance he considers he has good evidence of their having
lived for five years within the human intestine, but it does
not seem quite clear that the possibility of re-infection is
entirely excluded, his argument being based on the assump-
tion that opportunities for infection are afforded only by
brick-fields. In another, however, of his cases, a duration
of two years appears to be distinctly proved, as the patient
passed that period in jail, subsequently to infection, and it
may be fairly considered an impossibility that infection should
take place within the walls of an European prison. One
would like, however, to know the nature of the labour on
which the prisoners were employed. I have met with
similar cases in Assamese jails; but here the possibility of
re-infection cannot be entirely excluded, as the prisoners are
much employed on extramural labour, in the pursuance of
which frequent opportunities of infection may occur.
SANAWAR :
December 20th, 1890.
G. M. GILES.
A. S. Press (General) No. 79a-520—14 1-91.
EEEATA.
Page 54, line 27 from top, for " ilum " read " ileum. "
„
60, „ 18
„
„ "jejunam" read "jejunum."
„
76, „ 7 from bottom, for " rhabdites " read " rhabditig. "
„
91, „ 26 from top, for " caleoptera" read " coleoptera."
„
98, „ 3
„
„ "rhabdites" „ "rhabditis."
„
98, „ 14 from bottom, for "there " read " their."
„ 117, „ 20 from top, for " with " read « into. "
„ 117, last line, for " add" read " up to. "
„ 121, line 22 from top, before "probably" insert " owing. "
„ 122, „ 22
„
for " elongaed" read " elongated."
„ 139, „ 9
„
„ «or"reac?"of."
„ 140, „ 10 from bottom, for " measures " read " measure. "
„ 141, top line, for " base " read " case."
Explanation of Plates.
Plate II., figure 2, for " pre-exual" read " pre-sexual. "
„ IV., „ 1, „ " ilium "read "ileum. "
ANNUAL REPORT
ON THE
CIVIL VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, BURMA
FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31ST MARCH 1910
RANGOON
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT, GOVERNMENT PRINTING, BURMA
1910
[Price,—Re. 0-12-0=1s. 29d.]
ANNUAL REPORT
ON THE
CIVIL VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, BURMA
FOR THE YEAR ENDING
31ST MARCH 1910
RANGOON
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT, GOVERNMENT PRINTING, BURMA
1910
LIST OF AGENTS
FOR TEE
SALE OF GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS.
IN INDIA:
THACKER, SPINK & Co., Calcutta.
W. NEWMAN & Co., Calcutta.
THACKER & Co., Bombay.
HIGGINBOTHAM & Co., Madras.
PROPRIETOR, HANTHAWADDY PRESS, Rangoon.
SUPERINTENDENT, AMERICAN BAPTIST MISSION PRESS, Rangoon.
IN ENGLAND:
E. A. ARNOLD, 41 and 43, Maddox Street, Bond Street, W. London,
HENRY S. KING & Co., 65, Cornhill, E.C., London.
CONSTABLE & Co., 10, Orange Street, Leicester Square, W.C.
KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRÜBNER & Co., 43, Gerrard Street, Soho, London, W.
BERNARD QUARITCH, 11, Grafton Street, New Bond Street, W.
P. S. KING & Sox, 2 & 4, Great Smith Street, Westminster, London, W.S.
GRINDLAY & Co., 54, Parliament Street, S.W.
T. FISHER UNWIN, 1, Adelphi Terrace, London, W.C.
B. H. BIACKWELL, 50 & 51 Broad Street, Oxford.
DEIGHTON BELL & Co., Cambridge.
MESSRS. W THACKER & Co., 2, Creed Lane, London, E.C.
MESSRS. LUZAC & Co., 46, Great Russell Street, London, W.C.
ON THE CONTINENT:
R. FRIEDLANDER & SOHN, 11, Carlstrasse, Berlin, Germany. OTTO HARRASSOWITZ, Leipzig, Germany.
KARL W. HIERSEMANN, Leipzig, Germany.
ERNEST LEROUX, 28, Rue Bonaparte, Paris, France. MARTINUS NIJHOFF, The Hague, Holland. RUDOLF H
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
ANNUAL REPORT ON THE CIVIL VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, BURMA, FOR THE
YEAR ENDING THE 3IST MARCH 1910.
General Administration … … … … … …
I.—VETERINARY INSTRUCTION.
Veterinary Colleges and Schools
...
...
...
...
...
..
II.—TREATMENT OF DISEASES.
(1) CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.
Lower Burma.
Arakan Division … … … … … …
Pegu Division … … … … … …
Irrawaddy Division … … … … … …
Tenasserim Division
...
...
...
...
...
...
..
Upper Burma.
General remarks on cattle disease … … … … … …
Shan States.
Remarks on cattle disease … … … … … …
(2) OTHER CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.
General notes … … … … … …
(3) PREVENTIVE INOCULATION.
Serum injection performed during outbreaks of disease … … … … …
(4) OTHER DISEASES.
Mortality figures … … … … … … … …
(5) VETERINARY HOSPITALS AND DISPENSARIES.
Same system as in previous years … … … … …
III.—BREEDING OPERATIONS
(1) BOVINES.
Nil.
(2) EQUINES.
Pony stallions … … … … … … …
(3) OTHERS.
Nil.
(4) FAIRS AND SHOWS.
Remarks on the Agricultural Show held at Bhamo … … … …
IV.—SUBORDINATE ESTABLISHMENT.
Distribution and work of Veterinary Assistants … … … …
V.—EXPENDITURE OF THE DEPARTMENT.
(Vide Tables VI and XIV-a of the Appendices)
VI.—GENERAL REMARKS.
Cattle disease
...
... … … … …
Veterinary Inspectors and Assistants … … … … …
Reserve Assistants … … … … …
Training of three candidates in the Bengal Veterinary College … … …
The Veterinary School ... … … … …
Importation of disease from China … … … … …
Working of the rules for the prevention of cattle disease … … …
Registration of cattle deaths … … … … … …
Remarks on the work of the officers of the Department … … … …
PARA.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
17
17
18
19
20
21
22
PAGE.
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
5
6
6
7
7
7
8
8
9
9
9
9
10
10
10
11
11
RESOLUTION
ON THE
REPORT ON THE CIVIL VETERINARY DEPARTMENT IN BURMA
For the year ending the 31st March 1910.
Extract from the Proceedings of the Government of Burma in the Agricultural Department,—
No. 1V.-25, dated the 13th August 1910.
READ—
The Report on the Civil Veterinary Department, Burma, for the year 1909-10, and forwarding
letters of the Financial Commissioner and the Director of Agriculture.
Contagious diseases.
RESOLUTION.—-The figures of mortality during 1909-10 from contagious
diseases in Burma show a serious increase. The total
number of deaths was 30,626 as compared with
19,581 in 1908-09 and 24,324 in 1907-08. All forms of disease and both
provinces share in the rise As usual, rinderpest was the most destructive, account-
ing for over 22,000 deaths. All the districts in Lower Burma suffered worse than
in 1908-09, with the exception of Akyab and Amherst, which nevertheless return
each a death-rate of over 2,000. Excluding these, four districts exceed 1,000 and
seven exceed 500, against none in 1908-09. The greater mortality this year in
Upper Burma is due to the havoc done by the disease in Myitkyina, where the
deaths numbered 4,358. Two out of the six districts that show better figures
still exceed 500, and another is little short of that number. In Lower Burma three
districts had more than 500 deaths each from foot-and-mouth disease against one in
1908-09. In Upper Burma, Sagaing, which suffered severely in 1907-08, again
was seriously affected. Anthrax and other diseases accounted for slightly more
deaths, Pegu, Tharrawaddy and Henzada showing considerable increases. In the
Shan States, for which accurate figures are not available, rinderpest was general
and the mortality very high. On the whole, the year was apparently less healthy
than 1908-09.
Prevention.
2. The staple measure of prevention is the working of the rules made under
the Village Act, the main principles of which are the
necessity of immediate report to the responsible
authorities on the occurrence of disease and the isolation of the outbreak by
segregation. The results achieved in the Katha and Pegu Districts, described in
paragraph 20 of the Report, by the vigorous application of the Rules, are evidence
of the success to be confidently hoped for in limiting the waste of cattle from
disease when the people have learned the intention and benefits of the measures,
and the Rules are supported by public opinion. It is evident that this is far from
being the case as yet, but it is satisfactory that steady improvement is reported.
The education of the people in this matter lies with the District Officers even more
than with the Veterinary staff. The Lieutenant-Governor trusts that every District
IN BURMA FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 31st MARCH 1910.
3
General.
6. The figures shown in Table VI attached to the Report differ widely
from those shown in previous years. The former
figures were misleading, and steps will be taken to
have these and certain other statements properly exhibited in future reports.
7. The Lieutenant-Governor commends the efficiency with which the Depart-
ment was administered, and acknowledges especially the services of Lieutenant-
Colonel Evans, who has since the close of the year been transferred to officiate as
Inspector-General of the Department. His Honour has read with satisfaction the
praise bestowed by Lieutenant-Colonel Evans on Messrs. Rennie and Cameron
and other officers including the late Inspector Maung Nyo, and the cordial acknow-
ledgment of the assistance of the District Officers.
By order of the Lieutenant-Governor of Burma,
G. F. ARNOLD,
Revenue Secretary to the Government of Burma.
(
2
)
interest. A scheme for the opening of a Veterinary School at Taunggyi, under a Veterinary
Inspector who, in his spare time, will be available for peripatetic supervision and instruction
has been sanctioned and will be given effect to from the 1st of July. Recruitment will be at
the rate of two pupils from the Southern Shan States and two from the Northern Shan
States annually : the ultimate strength of Veterinary Assistants being 12. It is hoped that
by the local training of Shan students better results may be obtained than has been the case
in the past.
7. Colonel Evans again notes the lack of spontaneous interest by cattle-owners in pre-
ventive inoculation. A scheme has been framed and is under discussion for an experiment
to test whether it is " possible to go on temporarily immunizing and then promoting disease
among large numbers of cattle so as to produce an active immunity in each animal, such
animals being used for breeding purposes. This, it is thought, might result in time in the
production of a race of animals more or less non-susceptible to rinderpest " The locale of
this experiment will be the Möng Mit State in the Ruby Mines District.
8. The inception of operations in connection with the pony-breeding scheme which has
been approved has been delayed by financial stress. From local enquiries it is clear that full
grown stallions will not be available but that it will be necessary to purchase and train
selected colts.
9. The Bhamo Agricultural and Live Stock Show is now firmly established and exhibits
are annually improving both in number and quality.
10. I concur in Colonel Evans' commendation of the work of Veterinary Inspectors
and Assistants and should wish to associate myself with his appreciation of the work and
character of the late Maung Nyo.
It is to be regretted that the " Reserve " appointments are still so unpopular with
Veterinary Assistants. A certain amount of relief would be given if men were not kept too
long on the " Reserve " but were drafted out to districts say after two years and new
recruits put in their place.
11. The measures to prevent the importation of Disease from China have been success-
ful and an extension of the system to all frontier caravan routes would probably result in a
great diminution of cattle disease in frontier districts.
12. The facts recorded in paragraph 20 of the Report as to specific cases where a
strict application of the Segregation rules has had definite results is most encouraging and
should stimulate district officers to be zealous in this direction.
13. The high opinion of Lieutenant-Colonel Evans which the Local Government has,
for years, held and expressed, has been confirmed by his selection to officiate as Inspector-
General of the Civil Veterinary Department. He leaves behind him, in Messrs. Rennie and
Cameron, well-trained assistants in whose hands the maintained efficiency of the Department
is assured.
Printed by order of the Government of Burma
C. G. B. P. O. No. 704, RCV. Secy., 9(b), 80-7-1910— 400— J. A. P.
ANNUAL REPORT
ON THE
CIVIL VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, BURMA,
For the year ending 31st March 1910.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION.
1. There were three Superintendents whose respective charges were the
same as heretofore.
The Superintendent visited 17 districts and the Northern and Southern Shan
States; was on tour for 112 days and travelled 6,573 miles; he inspected the
work of 32 Assistants and 2 Inspectors. He also inspected the mounted infantry
ponies of some of the Military Police Battalions. He was absent on privilege
leave for 38 days.
The second Superintendent visited 10 districts and the Northern Shan States ;
inspected the work of 23 Assistants and 2 Inspectors; was on tour 106 days and
travelled 7,137 miles. He was 38 days on privilege leave. Towards the close of
the year (24th March) he proceeded to England on combined leave.
The third Superintendent visited 10 districts, inspecting the work of
23 Assistants and 2 Inspectors. He was absent on tour 46 days and travelled
3,586 miles. He also inspected the mounted infantry ponies of some Military
Police Battalions and attended the Bhamo Agricultural Show held in March this
year. He availed himself of three months privilege leave.
I.—VETERINARY INSTRUCTION.
Tables I
and V.
2. Veterinary Colleges and Schools.—The teaching staff at the school
remained the same as during the previous year.
The number of pupils on the roll at the beginning of the year was 29, viz.,
5 in the Senior class and 24 (including one Shan) in the Junior.
The two pupils who were kept back for further training in practical work,
together with the two who had failed, having shown improvement at a subsequent
examination were appointed during the year ; one pupil who was ill at the time of
the examination was also examined and passed, but as he is still in very indifferent
health he has not been appointed.
Amongst the last year's Junior class (now the Senior) two pupils were
dismissed for gross disobedience of school rules and one for disobedience coupled
with inefficiency, while one pupil died in January, leaving at the close of the year
nineteen Burmans and one Shan on the rolls. I would mention in this connection
that these pupils have perhaps been the worst as regards general behaviour we
have had to deal with, no less than three pupils having had to be removed for
constantly breaking the school rules. At the close of the year three more pupils,
one of whom will probably have to be dismissed, were brought before the
Magistrate by the Police, one of the three being the Shan pupil who hitherto has
behaved himself very well.
In accordance with the orders of Government a fresh batch of 15 pupils
was taken on during the year. Of these pupils 11 held 7th standard vernacular or
anglo-vernacular certificates and 4 had 6th standard certificates. Two newly
joined pupils finding the work uncongenial left in January 1910, thus leaving at the
close of the year 13 pupils in the Junior class.
FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31ST MARCH 1910.
7
The number of oxen injected in 34 villages including the Vaccine Dep6t at
Meiktila amounted to 3,466. The total number of deaths among inoculated
animals was 226.
Three Inspectors, seventeen Veterinary Assistants and twelve pupils received
instruction.
There were no spontaneous requests for serum injection. Several Veterinary
Assistants, however, induced villagers to consent, and in one instance Pebin
and Lungaung villages, Maymyo Subdivision, to submit a petition to this office to
have their animals injected. The request was complied with and the Deputy
Commissioner reports that the headmen and cattle-owners later on submitted to the
Subdivisional Officer, Maymyo, a letter expressing their gratitude at the results.
This is the first occasion, and I trust it may not be the last, on which the
services of the Veterinary Department have been so appreciated by cattle-owners
in the matter of serum injection as to merit special acknowledgment of this nature.
The inspectors and Veterinary Assistants have, as far as we can ascertain,
endeavoured to induce the villagers to consent to submitting their oxen to the
operation.
As was the case last year, nearly all those engaged in serum injection
work suffered more or less severely from fever ; this was particularly the case when
we carried out this work in Mogaung and Hôpin during the rains.
Two or three
men are still suffering from frequent attacks of fever contracted there.
(4) Other Diseases.
11. The mortality from other diseases shows an increase principally in
the Pegu Division. The total mortality for the Province under this heading
is estimated at 85,838.
The mortality figures are : Arakan Division 11,339, Pegu Division 24,237,
Irrawaddy Division 29,113, Tenasserim Division 14,262; Upper Burma reported
6,887.
(5) Veterinary Hospitals and Dispensaries.
12. The system remains unchanged.
III.—BREEDING OPERATIONS.
(1) BOVINES.
Nil.
(2) Equines.
Tables X
and XI.
13. Pony Stallions.—The only stallion employed (Emperor at Thamakan) was
sold in October to the Sawbwa of South Hsenwi.
During the first part of the year he served five mares. One foal was dropped
during the year.
The proposal of recent years for the preservation and possible improvement of
the indigenous breed of Shan pony on a new system has been sanctioned, and it is
hoped will be brought into effect as soon as two of the essential factors
for the fulfilment of the object in view are forthcoming, namely, funds and suitable
stallions.
(3) Others.
Nil.
FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31st MARCH 1910.
11
quietly sends off the diseased animal or animals, failing which, the contacts, to
the next village. The fact only becomes known when disease breaks out there.
Karens are stated to be the worst offenders in this respect.
In Pyapôn and Henzada Districts headmen and villagers were extremely
dilatory in reporting outbreaks of disease.
I would again call attention to the desirability of setting aside suitable sites
in the vicinity of large villages or groups of smaller ones for permanent Segrega-
tion Camps. In one subdivision I know of, camps have been more or less selected
and temporary sheds erected thereon. The Deputy Commissioner considers that
by these means the amount of disease and also the mortality therefrom have been
decreased, and I am very much disposed to agree with him.
21. Registration of Cattle Deaths.—As far as can be ascertained, reasonable
care has been exercised.
22. Messrs. Rennie, Cameron and Batlivala have afforded me every assis-
tance and have discharged their duties with zeal and ability. Mr. Rennie, owing
to frequent and severe attacks of fever, was obliged to proceed to England on well-
earned leave. Mr. Cameron on similar grounds had to take three months' leave.
Senior Veterinary Assistant Bhagwan Singh has also suffered a great deal
from fever during the year, but has carried out his work with willingness.
Finally, I must express my sincere thanks to all District Officers who by their
cordial co-operation have considerably lightened the task of the Department in
the districts, especially to Messrs. Hertz and Walter Scott, in whose district the
most severe epidemic of the year occurred, and without whose assistance and
intimate knowledge of the heterogeneous population of the Myitkyina District
little could have been accomplished.
RANGOON, 16th May
1910.
G. H. EVANS, Lieut-Col., I.C.V.D.,
Superintendent,
Civil Veterinary Dept., Burma.