4
REPORT ON THE CIVIL VETERINARY DEPARTMENT (INCLUDING THE INSEIN
Foot-and-mouth disease.—In the Bhamo District 127 animals are reported to
have died during the year. Disease was also prevalent in the Putao District.
Veterinary Inspectors, 7.—Mandalay 1, Katha 1, Magwe 1, Mônywa 1,
Meiktila 1, Yamèthin 1, Myingyan 1.
Special duty.—Nil.
Veterinary
Assistants,
76.—Magwe Division 16, Mandalay Division 19,
Sagaing Division 18, Meiktila Division 14, Reserve 9.
Special duty, 5.—Magwe Division 2, Mandalay Division 3.
Shan States.
5. Southern Shan States.—The Superintendent and Political Officer remarks
that "the year was not a healthy one for either cattle or ponies." The highest
mortality reported from rinderpest during the year was from the North-Eastern
Subdivision where the disease is reported to be present in every State and caused
a loss of some 2,400 cattle. Small outbreaks were also reported during the year
from the South-Eastern Subdivision, Kēngtūng (Mong Pu Long and Mong
Ping States), Karenni and Western Subdivision (Pwela, Pinhme and Kalaw). In
Kalaw inoculation was asked for and a Veterinary Inspector, with two pupils from
the school, was sent off at once. Owing to the energetic action taken by the
Assistant Superintendent, coupled with prompt segregation and serum injection,
the outbreak was speedily suppressed. This was satisfactory; as apart from the
general high susceptibility of hill cattle, there were several valuable imported cattle
and half breds.
During the year surra was reported from Yawnghwe State of the Western
Subdivision, Lawksawk and Samka States of the Central Subdivision, Karenni
and Kēngtūng. The losses in the lastnamed State are reported to be severe.
Segregation Rules.—Ten persons were prosecuted and convicted for breaches
of the rules in Yawnghwe and four in the North-Eastern Subdivision. The Assist
ant Superintendent notes that "mule owners took no precautions against surra,
but fled at an alarm of anthrax."
Veterinary Assistants.—At
the beginning of the year there were twelve
Assistants. One serving in the North-Eastern Subdivision died in August, thus
leaving eleven Assistants at the close of the year distributed as follows:—
Western Subdivision ...
Central Subdivision ...
North-Eastern Subdivision ...
2
2
2
South-Eastern Subdivision ...
Karenni ... ...
Kēngtūng ... ...
2
1
2
The work of all these men is generally reported as satisfactory.
Table I.
Veterinary School, Taunggyi.—There
were six pupils, two from Northern
Shan States and four from the Southern; of the latter two were from Eastern
Karenni. Of the six only two possessed any certificate of education. I am aware
that at present it is an easy matter for a Shan with a certificate such as VII
Standard to obtain employment. When it is considered that in addition the
pupils as a whole possess an indifferent knowledge of Burmese the Inspector has
had no easy task in teaching them. However such pupils have the advantage of
having at least handled cattle, etc. On this subject the Superintendent and
Political Officer observes and I quite agree with his remarks that "education is
backward among the ordinary cultivating class, and it is from this class that
youths who have been accustomed to handle cattle must be drawn. Town-bred
boys and sons of petty officials may be better educated than the sons of cultiva
tors, but they are not so likely to become efficient Veterinary Assistants." It was
very evident that the Inspector is keen and that he had spared no trouble in
endeavouring to teach the lads. Two are quite smart, the remainder slow. I
have written to the Superintendent suggesting the desirability of sending these men
with any Assistants he can spare to Insein for two months' practical training
during the vacation. If this can be arranged it will I feel sure prove of great
benefit to them.
6. Northern Shan States.—Rinderpest
was reported from all States except
Tawnpeng. In South Hsenwi 729 deaths are reported to have occurred and
320 in Hsipaw proper. In Manglun State where no statistics are maintained
disease was severe.