From P. C. FOGARTY, Esq., I.C.S., Assistant Secretary to the Financial Commissioner, Burma, to the
Revenue Secretary to the Government of Burma,—No. 24—5R.-67 of the 1st July 1914.
I am directed to submit, in proof, three copies of the Report of the Civil
Veterinary Department, Burma, for the year ended the 31st March 1914, together
with a copy of letter No. 118—1R.-43 of the 3rd June 1914, from the Director of
Agriculture, Burma.
From H. CLAYTON , Esq., I.C.S., Director of Agriculture, Burma, to the Assistant Secretary to the Finan-
cial Commissioner, Burma,—No. 118—1R.-43, of the 3rd June 1914.
I have the honour to submit, in proof, six copies of the Annual Report on the working
of the Civil Veterinary Department, Burma, for the year ended 31st March 1914.
2. The long delayed equipment of the Veterinary School at Insein on a satisfactory stale
has at last been commenced and the buildings for the non-contagious diseases section are
approaching completion. This should lead to a considerable development in the number of
cases brought for treatment to the school which even as things stand show an increase of
over 25 per cent. on the previous year, a very satisfactory testimony to the excellence of the
treatment provided by the staff.
There was a noticeable improvement in the conduct of the pupils, and the large number of
candidates who applied for the 21 places filled since March last shows that service in the
department is popular.
3. The province has once more been fortunate in its freedom from contagious disease
Amherst and Mergui districts again suffered from rinderpest, and the mortality in the north
of Katha district was also heavy. Elsewhere, however, except for a severe outbreak of foot-
and mouth disease in Sagaing, deaths from this cause were comparatively few in number.
In connection with the Katha outbreak a noticeable proof of the immunity which an
efficient headman can secure for his villagers was brought to my notice in Kagugyaung,
a village in the centre of the infected tract which, through the energy and forethought of its
headman, Maung Po Thaik, escaped with one or two deaths only, while all surrounding
villages suffered heavy losses. I trust that in future outbreaks he may have many imitators.
It is satisfactory to note that the value of the segregation rules is being more appreciated
by the people every year, and that the permanent segregation camps established in certain
districts have proved themselves to be of considerable utility in dealing with outbreaks.
4. In spite of the comparative immunity of the Province from disease, the work of the
year strained the resources of the establishment to the uttermost, and in many cases it was
found impossible to meet all demands for extra help. Conditions will bo much ameliorated
by the increased staff sanctioned since the close of the year, which provides for the appoint-
ment of three new inspectors, forty new veterinary assistants in the regular line, and four in
the reserve. These increases can only be worked up to gradually, but they should greatly
facilitate the administration of the Department. Even with these additions, however, it will
not be possible to post an Assistant to every township, an ideal the realization of which
I agree with Mr. Rennie to be eminently desirable.
5. There are two incidents of the year not mentioned in the report which appear to me
to be worthy of notice. The first in the inclusion of veterinary matters for the first time in
the deliberations of the Agricultural Board of India, Colonel Evans attended the meeting of
the Board at Coimbatore in December 1913, and the resolution there passed as to the
proper policy for veterinary administration coincide with the established practice of the
Department in Burma.
The second is the interest taken by the Department in the Provincial Agricultural and
Co-operative Conference held at Mandalay in August last. Arrangements were made for a
large number of inspectors and assistants to be present, with the result that a closer touch
between the co-operators of the province and the Department than formerly existed has
become possible. This is a very important method, especially in the dry zone districts of
Upper Burma, in which co-operative cattle insurance is beginning to make headway.
6. The year was marked by the death of a valued and well-tried Inspector in Maung
Yan Gin, who had a long record of useful service. I concur in Mr. Rennie's expressions of
regret at his loss.
Colonel G. H. Evans, C.I.E., was in charge of the Department throughout the year, and
both he and Messrs. Rennie and Cameron, the second and third Superintendents, are to be
congratulated on their successful administration of the Department.