6
ANNUAL REPORT ON THE CIVIL VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, BURMA,
Veterinary Inspectors.5—Mandalay 1, Mônywa 1, Minbu !, Katha 1 and
Meiktila 1.
Veterinary Assistants 50—Magwe Division 9, Mandalay Division 14, Sagaing
Division 14 and Meiktila Division 13. Special duty 20-—Magwe Division 2,
Mandalay Division 12, Sagaing Division i, Meiktila Division 5.
Outbreaks attended 1,280—Magwe Division 323, Mandalay Division 338,
Sagaing Division 207, and Meiktila Division 412.
Total mortality from contagious diseases. Magwe Division 4,776, Mandalay
Division 5,111, Sagaing Division 932, Meiktila Division 3,210.
Shan States.
8. Southern Shan States.—Although rinderpest prevailed in parts of the States
it was nothing like so severe as in previous years. The Superintendent and
Political Officer remarks u in the area served by the Veterinary Assistants the
number of deaths from rinderpest was estimated at about 16,000 last year. This
year it is estimated at 1,600." Isolated cases of rinderpest were reported from
the Mong Ing circle and from the Kenglun State in August and September.
The former circle is fortunately well off the roads frequented by caravan traffic.
The disease did not spread to other parts.
Surra carried off a good many ponies and mules during the year. It is
believed to have originated in KēngtQng town amongst caravan animals returned
from Chiêngmai. In September it is reported to have been prevalent in mules
and ponies on the Government road between Loilem and Kēngtūng, and 12
deaths occurred at Wanpong village alone from the disease. Orders for the
segregation of diseased animals and for the burying of their carcases were issued
by the Sawbwa, but owners apparently found it much more convenient in most
cases to quietly turn out affected animals beyond the Kēngtūng town limits and
leave them to their fate.
Veterinary Assistants.—At the beginning of the year there were 3 Veterinary
Assistants employed in the States, viz., Maung No, Myelat, Western Subdivi
sion, Maung Po Han, Yawnghwè, Western Subdivision, and Maung PoLôn,
North-East Subdivision.
Another Veterinary Assistant, Maung Po Tun, as
already stated, after passing the final examination at the Veterinary School, Insein,
was sent for training to the Bassein District, and finally posted to the South-East
Subdivision in December. At the close of the year there were therefore 4
Veterinary Assistants employed.
The 2 Assistants in the Western Subdivision treated 2,839 animals and the ex-
penditure borne on their account by the States is reported to have been Rs. 1,707.
The Veterinary Assistant in the North-Eastern Subdivision treated 533
animals, his cost to the States being Rs. 741. The newly-appointed Veterinary
Assistant in the South-Eastern Subdivision treated 70 animals, and the States
subscribed Rs. 190 towards his pay and travelling allowances. It is stated that
the Veterinary Assistant in the Yawnghwè State has two apprentices working
under him. All the Assistants are reported to have worked well generally.
Northern Shan States.—As in the Southern Shan States outbreaks of rinder-
pest were less severe than in the previous year. Some 4,500 head of cattle are
said to have died of this disease, over half of these deaths having occurred in the
Hsipaw State. In this State, owing to outbreaks having occurred in the cultivat-
ing season, agricultural operations are said to have been impeded in the Hsumhsai
and Hsihku circles. In April and May the disease was rife in the Möng Tung
sub-state and especially so in the Man Pan, Pannaung, Nam-un, Pangleng and
Hsuptung circles. At the close of the year (February) an outbreak was reported
from the Mansang circle of the South Hsenwi State, and in March it appeared
in three villages along the Kehsi Mansam border.
Foot-and-mouth disease occurred to some extent, but was not so severe as
to cause any anxiety.
Surra caused considerable losses amongst ponies and mules during the year.
At Kyaukme it was so bad in October that it was considered advisable to clos