From A. E. H. KILLICK, Esq., I.C.S., Assistant Secretary to the Financial Commissioner, Burma, to the
Revenue Secretary to the Government of Burma,—No. 51—1V.-14, dated the 5th July 1917.
I am directed to submit in proof three copies of the Report on the Civil
Veterinary Department for the year ended the 31st March 1917, with a copy of
letter No. 338—1R.-54, dated the 21st June 1917, from the Director of Agricul-
ture, Burma.
2. The exceptional freedom from cattle disease which has existed during
recent years in the Province was maintained during the year of report. Deaths
from foot-and-mouth disease were numerous in some districts but there was no
widespread epidemic of rinderpest or anthrax. The Financial Commissioner
agrees with the Director of Agriculture that the department has been efficiently
administered during the year by Colonel Evans, C.I.E., and Mr. Rennie.
From T. COUPER, Esq., I.C.S., Officiating Director of Agriculture, Burma, to the Assistant Secretary to the
Financial Commissioner, Burma,—No. 338—1R.-54, dated the 21st June 1917.
I have the honour to submit in proof six copies of the annual report on the working of
the Civil Veterinary Department for the year ended the 31st March 1917.
The Province was again singularly free from contagious disease. Rinderpest, which in
the preceding year accounted for 3,500 deaths, was the cause of only 2,000 in the year of
report, mostly in Akyab and in the frontier districts of the Salween Hill-Tracts, Bhamo,
Katha and the Ruby Mines; preventive inoculation was undertaken with success in six
districts as well as in the Northern Shan States. Foot-and-mouth disease on the other hand
was more prevalent than in 1915-16 causing over 5,000 deaths as against 1,800 in that
year ; it was especially virulent in Bassein, Myaungmya, Kyaukpyu, and Myingyan.
The students in the Veterinary School at Insein numbered thirty-two at the close of
the year. Misconduct culminating in organized insubordination was firmly handled and
the ringleaders removed from the school. It is unfortunate that the efforts made during the
year to obtain a better class of student were without success.
Proposals made by the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, to increase the
ordinary staff and by the Registrar of Co-operative Societies to second veterinary inspec-
tors and assistants for work exclusively in connection with co-operative cattle insurance
societies were referred to district officers for opinion and their replies were under considera-
tion at the end of the year.
The staff of the department is to be congratulated on another year's successful working.
Inspectors spent on tour over seventy-five per cent. of their working time. The dispensary
continued to grow in popularity despite the loss of the third Superintendent, Mr.
C.J. N.Cameron, in whose charge it had been and who received a Commission as Major in
the Indian Army Reserve of Officers. The total expenditure of the department rose by
Rs. 15,000, but apparently Rs.9,ooo of this amount is attributable to the expenses of the
Stock Breeding Committee.
Certain figures of doubtful accuracy in the report and appendices are being referred to
the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, and, if necessary, corrections will be
submitted.