FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31ST MARCH 1910.
9
V.—EXPENDITURE OF THE DEPARTMENT.
(Vide Tables VI and XIV-A.)
VI.—GENERAL REMARKS.
16. The mortality in the province from contagious diseases is about 11,000
more than in the previous year. In the case of Lower Burma, the increase is due
to a rise in most of the districts excepting seven, of which Akyab and Amherst
show large decreases, whereas in Upper Burma the heavy death-rate in the
Myitkyina District from rinderpest was the sole cause, amounting as it did to
practically half the total mortality from contagious diseases.
On the whole the year has been a most favourable one.
I may mention here that the cattle owned by natives of India are a frequent
source of the introduction of and certainly the spread of contagious cattle
diseases. Numerous instances might be quoted, but three notable cases occurred
during the year in the Myitkyina, Hanthawaddy and Ma-ubin Districts.
Apparently natives of India who keep cattle in this country labour under the
impression that Rules and Regulations are made for the Burmans and not for
them. They rarely fail to place obstacles in the way and, as pointed out in the
note of the Deputy Commissioner, Myitkyina, will even wilfully disobey the orders
of those trying to enforce the Rules.
17. Veterinary Inspectors and Assistants.—I am pleased to report that the
Inspectors have continued to give satisfaction. The Deputy Commissioner,
Akyab, speaks highly of the work of Maung Swe Tha U, and I can testify to the
good work done by Maung Po Thaung in connection with the outbreaks in Myit-
kyina District. He stuck to his work in spite of several severe bouts of fever.
Inspectors Maung Nge and Maung Tun Baw were compelled to take leave on
account of ill-health—the former for six months, the latter for one month.
It is with great regret I have to report the death of Maung Nyo, who served
under me for twenty years; a Burman of the old school, he was liked and
respected by those brought in contact with him and had the most extraordinary
influence with cattle-owners. He never spared himself, was generous to a fault,
giving all his money to those in need. Being a very religious man, some years
ago he wanted to retire in order to devote himself to good works; but when it was
pointed out that he could hardly perform work more meritorious than endeavouring
to relieve the sufferings of dumb animals, he abandoned the idea. He was an
exceptional man the loss of whose services will be felt by this Department for some
time to come. In the near future two other Inspectors, men of the old type of
Burman, will be retiring.
Some twenty Veterinary Assistants have been specially commended for their
good work, and the Assistants in the Prome, Thayetmyo and Hanthawaddy
Districts and seven out of nine in the Akyab District are reported to have worked
very hard throughout the year.
In spite of a special allowance of Rs. 10 per mensem the Reserve appoint-
ments are very unpopular and the present incumbents have repeatedly asked to
be sent out to the district. These appointments naturally can only suit bachelors
and men who do not mind being constantly moved from pillar to post. They have
had to fill frontier appointments, billets not much sought after. All three men
have behaved well and worked much harder than the generality of Assistants ;
in addition, they have all suffered a good deal in health. To ensure some degree
of permanency in these appointments it would be as well to place them on a
special footing.
The pupils at the Bengal Veterinary College having passed their final exa-
mination will shortly receive appointments as Inspectors. Maung Thein Maung,
who was under training for appointment as Deputy Superintendent, unfortunately
broke down in health and had to take long leave on medical certificate. Orders
were received for his reversion to the Medical Department.