17
Prevention of Surra.
From what I know of this malady I am convinced that it is impossible to prevent its
occurrence in tracts where the disease is endemic. As Government transport have to pass
through such tracts every season carrying rations to stations in the Chin Hills, Bernardmyo,
and Kengtung, I am of opinion that much can be done towards reducing the terrible annual
mortality.
To begin with, now that there are permanent camping grounds on the roads to the Chin
Hills and Bernardmyo, and the dates on which the rationing will commence is known for
some time previous, I see no reason why a certain number of muleteers under good Non-
-ommissioned Officers should not be sent off a month before the animals are expected to arrive,
to each of the suspicious camping grounds. During this period grass could be collected,
dried, stacked in sheds at a trifling cost; ten men working at each camp ought to collect
15,000 to 18,000lb. of grass in a month. In places where paddy straw is procurable, it might
also be stacked and used as chaff. I would recommend that these grass cutting parties be
permanently employed during the working season. Good fodder can be procured during the
months of October, November, December, and part of January. If this suggestion is carried
out, sufficient fodder could be collected to carry the animals through the remaining months of
the open season. All men selected or volunteering for this employment should be subjected
to strict medical examination, and only those who are strong, and who have not been subjected
to fever be allowed to proceed. In order to prevent mules grazing while on the march, I would
suggest that a muzzle be provided for each animal ; they should be put on before the mules
leave their standings, and on no account removed till they are tied up at their pickets at the
next camp.
As matters now stand, it is impossible to condemn a day's grass-supply, no matter how
bad it may be, as the animals would have to go without.
Water-supply.
A good well should be sunk at each of the bad camps. The open wells now found in
camps are not to be trusted, as in a great many cases they have been sunk in such low-lying
places, that during the rains no trace of them can be seen, thus all manner of filth and organic
matter gain entrance into what is supposed to be good drinking water. Tube wells might
be employed ; they are portable, inexpensive, and I understand easily sunk. These would yield
a purer and clearer water than that obtained from open wells, ponds, etc. Two or three
troughs or dug-outs for watering purposes could easily be made. A Non-Commissioned
Officer should he held responsible that mules are not allowed to water at any place than that
provided for the purpose. In the Chin Hills I have seen native trader's ponies, Panthe
mules, caravan cattle, all drinking from the same places that Government animals are watered
at. All wells, etc., where Government animals are watered at, should, if possible, be fenced in
and drinking places provided for outside animals.
Sanitation.
The importance of keeping all camps in a clean state should be impressed on all persons
in charge of convoys ; every standing should be cleaned and all stable refuse, litter, dung, etc.,
must be burned daily by a fatigue party, there is no excuse for allowing refuse to accumulate
month after month. Where space permits, camping grounds, or rather the standings, should
occasionally be changed. Panthes or caravan people should not be allowed to camp on our
grounds. Animals must not be crowded ; plenty of room between pickets should be allowed
to permit free circulation of air.
Animals which are to be sent on rationing might be put on arsenic for some little time
before starting ; it should also be given in small quantities, now and again, while the animals
are working in these unhealthy places, but this of course could not be done until proper super-
vision is provided. I am of opinion that this drug should not be placed in the hands of
Salutris and other natives.
The rationing should be done as quickly as possible, as I feel sure that there would be
less Surra if arrangements were made to enable animals to be moved from infected areas by the
first week in April. The June outbreaks point to the disease being contracted during the latter
end of April and early part of May. Heavy thunderstorms occur about this time followed by
excessive moist heat. Organisms which lie dormant during the hot season suddenly become
active, and assume fresh phases of development. The rain being particularly heavy, all kinds
of active organic matter is washed into tanks, marshes, etc. The tired muleteers are only too
delighted to obtain grass near at hand and are not in the least particular as to how they cut
it; the result is, that quantities of grass is cut beneath the surface of the water, and, as there
is no time to dry it, it is placed before the animals with the portions that have been submerged
covered with slime and other filth, which is well known to harbour all manner of low organ-
isms. Fatigue, exposure, indifferent and insufficient food, no doubt, as with other ailments,
act as predisposing causes.
In the Military Police we find that the earlier we bring ponies down to the dry zone, the
less animals we lose. This year, as far as I am aware, we have not lost any animals out of
those brought down from stations like Katha. Last year we did not get them down till end of
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