FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 1912.
5
Table IV.
The Veterinary Assistants in Lower Burma attended 1,103 outbreaks and
visited 11,428 villages, while those in Upper Burma attended 1,279 outbreaks and
9,820 villages were visited by them during the year. The average number of
days spent on tour by them in Lower Burma was 214.7 and in Upper Burma
254.50.
The work of Veterinary Inspectors and Assistants has with few exceptions
been well spoken of by District Officers. Those specially commended are as
follows:—
Maung Kin, Myittha; Maung Po Tun (1), Minbu; Maung Po Saung,
Salin, Minbu District; Maung Po Thet (2), Upper Chindwin ; Maung Po Thet
(1), Ma-ubin.
V.—EXPENDITURE OF THE DEPARTMENT.
(Vide Tables VI and XIV-A.)
VI.—GENERAL REMARKS.
Table II.
13. The year has been a satisfactory one in that mortality figures for
contagious diseases throughout the Province show a gratifying decrease.
14. Segregation Rules.—The consensus of opinion is that the rules are now
well understood by the people and that, speaking generally, they are applied without
trouble. Villagers in many places are realizing that outbreaks can be dealt with
successfully by means of prompt and careful segregation. There are of course
many offenders, both headmen and villagers, who through laziness or wilful dis-
obedience, neglect to carry out the Rules ; however, in cases brought to the notice
of the authorities suitable punishment is inflicted. One source of trouble is the
traffic in infected green hides but without legislation it is hardly likely that this can
be stopped. In two or three districts segregation camps have been built. In
Yamèthin it is reported that the permanent segregation camps and sheds have
been freely used and are considered beneficial. No doubt other districts would
follow suit by setting apart special places near each large village or group of
small ones, only there appears to be an impression that such camps mean con-
siderable outlay in construction and upkeep. Such, however, need not be : villagers
generally would not take long fencing or putting a bank round a small area.
Permanent sheds should certainly not be erected. Simple shelter from the
weather for sick animals and attendants is all that is necessary. The
advantages in having such places I think outweigh anything that can be brought
forward to the contrary. A somewhat lengthy experience has convinced me that
our best hope in dealing effectively with the prevention of the spread of contagious
diseases under conditions prevailing in Burma, etc., lies in educating the people to
realize the importance and immense value of prompt isolation of infected and in-
contact animals. In rinderpest, etc., serum injection, given an adequate staff, is
a valuable help in dealing with outbreaks.
The first and most effective measures in dealing with epidemic disease must
remain in the hands of the people immediately concerned, and if owners can only
be brought to carry these out, the outbreaks would in most cases be nipped* in
the bud and mortality reduced to a minimum.
15. Importation
of disease from China.—For
three successive seasons
four Veterinary Assistants have been placed on special duty on the more impor-
tant caravan routes from China. The Deputy Commissioner, Bhamo, remarks
that, " the Rules regarding segregation are well understood by the people and
rigidly enforced. There was no occasion to quarantine the caravans owing to the
absence of contagious disease amongst the caravans inspected by the Veterinary
Assistants on special duty. No cases of annoyance or oppression to travellers
were brought to my notice."