VETERINARY SCHOOL), BURMA, FOR THE YEAR ENDED THE 31ST MARCH 1922,
3
were swept away and a special staff had to be employed to check the progress of
the disease. The epidemic was still prevailing at the close of the year and
inoculation is reported to have done good in preventing its spread.
The
Deputy Commissioner reports, " The Veterinary Staff with the co-operation
of local officials strove hard to counteract the disease. Thousands of cattle
were inoculated and precautions taken but the ignorance of the average villagers
in dealing with epidemics and the casual manner in which buffaloes are let loose
to graze, frequently for months at a time, renders the task of inoculation and
segregation extremely difficult. The mortality was mostly confined to buffaloes ;
which in many tracts live in a semi-wild state in the vast tract of jungle. Many
of these died in the streams of the Chindwin River and their carcases floated
down considerable distances before discovery, thus probably spreading the
infection. The loss in many tracts is most serious as there are not nearly
sufficient cattle left for agricultural purposes."
Elsewhere with the exception of Katha District and the Gangaw Subdivision
of Pakôkku District the disease was comparatively light.
Anthrax.—Except in the Putao District where deaths amounted to 76, anthrax
was the cause of very few casualties. Cases were reported from 11 districts, of
which Mandalay showed 32 deaths and Thayetmyo 33. In the other districts a
few sporadic cases were reported.
Foot and Mouth.—The Upper Chindwin, with respect to this disease also,
suffered most severely of all the Upper Burma districts. The disease is reported
to have come in from the Chin Hills into the Kalemyo Township and a mortality
of over 3,000 is ascribed to this cause. With the exception of Mandalay, where
deaths reported amount to over 1,000, the disease was light in other districts.
Veterinary Inspectors, 11.—Pakôkku 1, Minbu 1, Magwe 1, Mandalay 1,
Katha 1, Bhamo 1, Sagaing 1, Shwebo 1, Mônywa 1, Meiktila 1, and Yamèthin 1.
Special duty.—Nil.
Veterinary Assistants, 92.—Magwe Division 19, Mandalay Division 23,
Sagaing Division 22, Meiktila Division 17, Reserve 11.
Special duty, 1.—Upper Chindwin District.
Shan States.
8. Southern Shan States.—The States were almost entirely free from Rinder-
pest during the year under report and only three deaths from this cause were
reported. Other contagious cattle diseases were equally slight.
Twenty-five deaths from Surra were reported. The Superintendent and
Political Officer is of the opinion that the disease was no more prevalent than
last year, but more cases were reported owing to the more thorough supervision.
Segregation Rules.—Three prosecutions were instituted during the year for
breach of these.
Veterinary Assistants.—The strength at the end of the year is reported to
be 16, distributed as under :—
Western Subdivision
...
...
Central Subdivisio
...
Yawnghwe Subdivision
...
...
South Eastern Subdivision
...
...
North Eastern Subdivision ... ...
Karenni Subdivision
...
...
Kēngtūng Subdivision
...
...
Kalaw
1
Namhkok
1
Taunggyi
1
Samka
1
Yawnghwe
1
Mongnai
1
Mawkmai
1
Mong Pan
1
Mong Pawn
1
Mong Hsu
1
Mong Nawng 1
Loikaw
1
Bawlake
1
Kēngtūng
2
One Assistant, Maung Po Thaung in the North Eastern Subdivision, was
dismissed for misdemeanour from his appointment. Maung Kyaw Hla of this
Subdivision is again reported to have done very good work. The Superintendent
and Political Officer remarks, " Comparison of the number of cases treated this