2
RESOLUTION ON THE REPORT OF THE CIVIL VETERINARY DEPARTMENT
Officer will endeavour constantly to inculcate the expediency of preventive measures,
and to dispel the lack of public interest in controlling disease that is the main
obstacle in the way of success. The Myitkyina outbreak described in the Report
illustrates the necessity of strong and sympathetic working of the Rules: The
question of amending and improving the Rules was considered during the year by
the Local Government. No changes were found to be advisable. It was decided,
however, to propose an amendment of the Village Act so as to permit of control of
diseased cattle belonging to strangers coming to or passing through a village tract.
The question of selecting permanent segregation camps and erecting sheds against
possible outbreaks of disease (paragraph 20 of the Report) was considered, but
the proposal was not considered practicable. The measures for the prevention of
cattle-disease in the Shan States were also under the consideration of the Local
Government, and revised Rules have recently been approved. The difficulty in
the Shan States lies largely in the insufficiency of the staff, and its composition
of persons other than Shans. A scheme has been adopted to remedy these
defects. The Report makes it clear that in the Shan States and elsewhere, as in
Myitkyina, Bhamo and Amherst, disease originates with imported cattle. The
Lieutenant-Governor notes that the Superintendent proposes to make arrange-
ments, if possible, for the watching of all regular import routes.
Serum injection made some progress and was successful. It was apparently
resorted to, however, only in the last emergency, and the people offer at least a
passive resistance to its performance. Their education in this respect will neces-
sarily be gradual, and will be dependent on the influence and tact of District and
Veterinary Officers. It has been decided to undertake the experiment in the
Möng Mit State, alluded to in paragraph 2 of the Resolution on the Report for
1908-09, and arrangements are being perfected for its introduction in case of an
outbreak of disease.
The Veterinary School.
3. Some progress was made in the equipment of the Veterinary School at
Insein, but development is hindered by the lack of
funds.
The Lieutenant-Governor has read with
regret of the unsatisfactory conduct of the pupils. The School should afford an
effective inculcation of departmental discipline as well as technical instruction,
and misconduct should be repressed firmly. Arrangements have been made under
which Shan pupils will not be trained in the School, but locally at Taunggyi. By
this plan it is hoped both to secure Shans to serve in the Shan States and to avoid
the difficulties met with in training them at the School.
Establishment.
4. The work of the staff was satisfactory and supervision was adequate. It
is regretted that the special allowance attached to the
posts of Reserve Veterinary Assistants has not
removed the dislike to them. The Lieutenant-Governor agrees with the Director
of Agriculture that men should not be retained too long on this duty.
Pony breeding.
5. The impossibility of providing funds prevented any action during the year
to give effect to the sanctioned scheme for the
establishment of such operations. For the same
reason no provision could be made in the current year's budget.