2
ANNUAL REPORT ON THE CIVIL VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, BURMA,
The laboratory equipment indented for in 1908 arrived during the early part
of the year and a temporary laboratory in the school was put in working order.
During the year some 2,000 smears were examined, chiefly from obscure cases of
disease or those suspected of being of a contagious nature.
The number of animals treated at the Veterinary Hospital during the year
amounted to 26 in-patients and 214 out-patients.
The Superintendent held charge during the absence of the 3rd Superintendent
on leave.
This is the first year a Veterinary Hospital has been in Insein. The natives
have not so far come forward to any great extent. It is hoped that as the
hospital becomes better known greater advantage will be taken of its resources.
Owing to financial reasons we have worked with as small a staff as possible, so
that, had a large number of in-patients been sent to the hospital, it would have
been difficult to deal with them. Animals are examined and passed for the
municipal slaughter-house, and hack gharry ponies are also examined at the school.
So far as contagious disease is concerned the. pupils have attended 3 outbreaks of
rinderpest besides having seen cases of foot-and-mouth disease, surra and piro-
plasmosis. They have also had the opportunity of preparing and examining a
large number of microscopical specimens.
The following buildings were completed and handed over by the Public
Works Department during the year under report, viz., a godown for the storage
of kerosene oil, quarters for the Veterinary Assistant and quarters for the accom-
modation of followers. Temporary mat stabling for the accommodation of
in-patients was also erected. Plans and estimates for a godown for the storage
of grain and fodder have been prepared.
In view of future expansion a portion of land, some 9 acres, was acquired.
II.—TREATMENT OF DISEASES.
(1) CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.
Lower Burma.
Table II.
3. Arakan Division.—Akyab, Kyaukpyu, Sandoway and Northern Arakan
(Paletwa).
Rinderpest.—The cattle in Akyab District enjoyed greater freedom from this
disease than usual. An outbreak occurred in the Myohaung and Akyab Town-
ships in May, which, however, was got under control by the end of August.
During this period these townships lost 953 and 159 head of cattle respectively.
In the Myohaung Township the Deputy Commissioner remarks : " Cultivation was
naturally somewhat hampered thereby." The disease was present in a mild form
till October, when it died out. This outbreak was the cause of more than half the
mortality in the district.
The health of the cattle population in Kyaukpyu and Sandoway Districts may
be said to have been good although in the former district there was a slight rise
in the mortality due to rinderpest during the latter portion of the year.
During the year there were 657 deaths recorded under the head of anthrax
in the Akyab District, the greater number taking place in August in the Pauktaw
Township, where there was a sharp outbreak and 163 deaths occurred.
Veterinary Inspector, 1.
Special duty, Nil.
Veterinary Assistants, 12—Akyab 9, Kyaukpyu 2, and Sandoway 1.
Special duty, 4—Akyab District.
Outbreaks attended, 188.
Total mortality from contagious diseases, 3,324.
Table II.
4. Pegu Division.—Pegu, Hanthawaddy, Tharrawaddy and Prome.
There was a considerable increase in total mortality from all contagious
diseases throughout the division. It was noticeable in Tharrawaddy and Prome
Districts, the deaths from rinderpest amounting to 912 in the former and 1,296
in the latter.