VETERINARY SCHOOL), BURMA, FOR THE YEAR ENDED THE 31st MARCH
1921.
9
The number of Assistants on special duty during the year are shown below
together with the names of districts :—
Pegu 1, Pakôkku 1, Minbu 1 Magwe 1, Mandalay 1, Sagaing 2, Lower
Chindwin 1, Upper Chindwin 1, Meiktila 1. The average number of days spent
on tour by these men was 108.5.
The Assistants in Lower Burma visited 17,301 villages and those in Upper
Burma 19,221. Right hundred and thirty-six outbreaks were attended by
them in Lower Burma and 2,209 inUpper Burma. The average number of
days spent on tour by Assistants in Lower Burma was 225.5 and 219.8 in Upper
Burma. The Assistants treated 38,666 animals in Lower and 41,154 in Upper
Burma.
GENERAL REMARKS.
17 Cattle Disease.—While losses all over the Province are by no no means
excessive in comparison with those experienced from time to time even in recent
years, Upper Burma has passed through the worst year since 1905-06. The
Sagaing Division suffered most, the mortality recorded being 24,198.
The
condition of the cattle in Shwebo District has already been noted on and the
general health of cattle in other parts of the dry zone was similarly affected by
the scarcity of fodder prevailing over large areas. Minbu and Pakôkku Districts
of Magwe Division reported losses aggregating some 4 500 animals. In the
Upper Chindwin District, the Deputy Commissioner remarks that " the disease
spread for and wide and even wild cattle were affected as evidenced by the number
of carcases found in the forests. The Shan States of Thaungdut was also
seriously affected and veterinary help was afforded to the Sawbwa in preventing
the spread of the disease. The touring officers and Veterinary Assistants did
their best to enforce the of servance of the rules and those for the disposal of
carcases, but during the prevalence of rinderpest when deaths were innumerable
it was found difficult to enforce the rules. Owners disclaimed ownership of cattle
that were infected or had died. The carcases in some cases were allowed to
float down the river and strean s and great efforts had to be made by headmen
and the veterinary staff in disposing of them." That the difficulties met with in
dealing with outbreaks are many and at times insuperable, those responsible for
or interested in the suppression of outbreaks are fully aware, and they have been
frequently brought to notice in these reports. It is bad enough to fight against
the natural sources of infection, which are numerous, but difficulties are infinitely
increased when one has to fight against ignorance and the old established customs
and prejudices of the people themselves. Cattle owners, when disease is prevail-
ing in the village, often remove their cattle to another locality with the idea of
saving them, and it will take a long time before they can be made to realize that
such movements of cattle are a means of spreading the disease. Unless or until
the cattle owners themselves realize the importance of early information and
segregation, and helping the district officials and the veterinary staff in the
suppression of these periodical outbreaks, disease must remain a source of loss
to them and a danger to agricultural interest in general
18. Segregation Rules.—In
most of the districts where cattle disease is an
annual visitation there is no doubt that people have learnt from past experience
the value of segregation and in such places, co-operation has produced most
satisfactory results. In many districts village headmen are showing an increasing
sense of their responsibilities where cattle diseases are concerned.
In Hantha-
waddy at the district meeting of headmen various resolutions for the more
efficient application of the rules for prevention of disease were passed and it
was resolved that they should be loyally adhered to.
The Subdivisional
Officer, Prome, remarks that " the low mortality this year is due to prompt
information of the outbreak of cattle disease, the immediate visit of the Assistant
to the spot affected, and the help and co-operation of the headmen in
enforcing the segregation and cattle disease rules. The disease in most cases
was localized and stamped out before it could spread to the neighbouring
villages.'
There were 48 outbreaks of rinderpest in the Bassein District and