VETERINARY SCHOOL), BURMA. FOR THE YEAR ENDED THE 31ST MARCH 1919.
7
One Assistant died, one was promoted to an Inspectorship, and one was
removed owing to ill-health (mental trouble).
Twelve passed pupils were appointed Veterinary Assistants in January.
During the year two Assistants were sent on special duty to the Sandoway
District, nine to Insein, four to Tharrawaddy, three to Hanthawaddy, two to Prome,
three to Ma-ubin, one to Henzada, one to Thatôn, two to Thayetmyo, two to
Mandalay and one to Katha,—total 30.
Four Assistants volunteered for Military Duty. They were given a short
course of instruction in the duties they would be likely to be called upon to perform.
One was later declared medically unfit for Active Military duty and was sent back
to his district, while the services of the other three Assistants were placed at the
disposal of the Army Veterinary Service in October.
Nine Assistants were, at the urgent request of the Deputy Inspector-General
of Military Police, sent on duty in connection with the Kuki Punitive Operations
during the year.
The average number of days spent on tour by Veterinary Assistants in Lower
Burma was 2305 and 2031 in Upper Burma. They visited 18,361 villages in
Lower and 14,076 in Upper Burma. Outbreaks attended by them in Lower Burma
1,223; Upper Burma 829. The Assistants in Lower Burma treated 38,694
animals and 34,749 in Upper Burma.
VI.—GENERAL REMARKS.
13. Cattle Disease.—Deaths attributed to rinderpest amount to some 25,900
and of these 20,500 were registered in Lower Burma. This is the heaviest
mortality experienced since 1905-06. All things considered I am of opinion that
the Province has escaped very lightly. I think the unusually hot dry season has
tended to help in modifying the virulence of the disease and also in hindering its
spread. At the close of the year disease was still spreading. The sources of
infection are infinite, and it is most difficult to restrict cattle movements. When
disease is about many owners may sell animals or remove them to a locality they
consider safe. Only too often many of the animals have been exposed to
contagion; thus clean areas are infected and fresh centres created. Villagers
generally will not recognize the necessity for immediate report. Everyone hopes
disease will move on, hence it is usually only when a number of animals have
succumbed and disease is established that it is brought to notice. Many District
Officers in their reports have no hesitation in attributing a great deal of disease
and spread of such to Indian cattle owners. There is little doubt that they are
greatly to blame. In my experience they appear to do as they please regarding
grazing and other matters concerning their cattle.
Until such time as the mass of cattle owners are more educated and come
to realize the necessity for immediate action on the first appearance of disease
among their own or their neighbours' cattle, and until communications are easier
than now, so long it seems to me will it be necessary for Government to provide
and maintain a very large staff. Every day this fact is impressed on me. Even
with the amount of disease now prevalent we have had two Deputy Superin-
tendents. 14 Inspectors, 77 Veterinary Assistants and 57 pupils engaged in
serum injection and endeavouring to prevent spread of disease, and disease has
not been half as bad as it might have been. It cannot be expected that Deputy
Commissioners when disease is prevailing in neighbouring districts will release
any of their staff. Much difficulty has been experienced in trying to provide
extra help to some Deputy Commissioners who have asked for assistance.
Restriction in movements of cattle when possible, and serum injection, have,
it is hoped, reduced the mortality.
14. Segregation Rules.—In areas where there are energetic and popular
headmen who have much "awza" with the villagers there is usually not so much
difficulty in getting disease under control. In Prome the Deputy Commissioner
states that "Headmen and villagers understand the rules and followed them
willingly and do their best to assist the Veterinary Staff in combating disease."
In the Yamèthin District the Deputy Commissioner remarks that "the relations
between the Veterinary Staff, owners of cattle and the executive officers continued