NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
6
REPORT ON THE VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, BURMA,
The cost of Rinderpest Serum supplied by the Imperial Institute of
Veterinary Research, Muktesar, during the year was Rs. 33,583-3-0 as
against Rs. 1,02,608-13-0 and Rs. 97,697-2-0 for the years 1931-32 and
1932-33 respectively. The progressive drop in expenditure was due to
reduction of dosage of serum in animals inoculated and the limitation of
the use of serum to outbreaks where " stand still " and ' segregation "
measures were not considered to be effective in exercising the necessary
control of spread of infection. The reduced dosage of serum was found
satisfactory in producing a transient period of passive immunity for
approximately 10 days during which segregation measures and stoppage
of movement of susceptible animals could be put into effect by the
District officers under the Cattle Disease Rules.
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia.—Five thousand nine hundred and eighty-
three bovines were inoculated with Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia vaccine
prepared by the Veterinary Research Laboratory at Insein as against
3,847 in the preceding year. No deaths were recorded subsequent to
the inoculation.
Anthrax.—Six hundred and twenty-four equines, 3,825 bovines and
419 elephants were inoculated by the Veterinary staff with anthrax
spore vaccine with successful results.
ELEPHANTS INOCULATED BY PRIVATE BODIES.
During the year under review 2,676 elephants were inoculated with
Anthrax vaccine by Timber Firms and Contractors. These inoculations
were carried out by the Firms' Assistants.
Quarantine Station.—A temporary Veterinary inspection post was
established in December 1933 at Htaukkyan Village at the junction of
Pegu and Prome Roads, 21 miles from Rangoon, and a Veterinary
Assistant was posted there on special duty to examine and check trade
cattle from central Burma, via Prome and Pegu on their way to the
Municipal Market at Rangoon. This is an experiment to ascertain if it
is possible to exercise any control over contagious disease which these
cattle are known to bring annually to this market and from there to
spread it to the paddy areas of the delta where the purchased cattle are
distributed. The results are not yet appreciable but the temporary
quarantine station will be maintained until further information on the
subject is obtained. The co-operation of the Municipal Market
Authorities and the Cattle Traders' Association has been solicited in
order to make the project more effective. The scheme is still in the
embryo stage but with the establishment of a convenient segregation
area at the inspection post and the assistance of the Deputy Commis-
sioner, Insein, there is a definite prospect of more successful control of
contagious disease on this very important route in the future. If the
scheme is found to be effective and practical, an extension of the system
FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 31ST MARCH 1934.
7
to other points higher up on the main trade routes for cattle will be
considered in the future.
The important part, which cattle markets play in the dissemination
of disease, has become apparent in the last few years as a result of
investigations in the source of infection, particularly in Rinderpest, in
connection with the cattle markets of Rangoon and Taungdwingyi.
The voluntary closing of the latter cattle market by the President
on the request of this Department through the Deputy Commissioner
has had a marked effect on the suppression of disease in the Magwe
and Thayetmyo Districts. This has been commented upon by the
Deputy Commissioner, Magwe, in his remarks on the annual report of
the Veterinary Inspector for that District.
Outbreaks in delta areas have been traced definitely to infection
picked up in the Rangoon cattle market—the outbreak at the De La
Salle Institute, Twante, being a case in point.
The annual peak period of Rinderpest outbreaks occurs each year in
June to July and this indicates that it is closely associated with the
purchase of plough cattle by the cultivators from dealers one or two
months earlier.
Until more supervision can be exercised over trade cattle in transit
and over cattle markets, the spread of Rinderpest over long distances
will continue to be possible and frequent and its suppression will cost
the Province a large sum of money annually. In the absence of mere
effective control of movements of animals capable of spreading Rinder-
pest infection, the only alternative for the future is the compulsory
inoculation of cattle with an active vaccine before they are allowed to
leave their breeding grounds. This is a development of Veterinary
control which can scarcely be hoped for during the next decade.
RULES.
The correction and amendment of the Draft revised Rules, viz. (1)
Cattle Disease Rules, (2) Domestic Animals Disease (Towns) Rules,
(3) Rules under the Glanders and Farcy Act, was continued during the
year and it is anticipated that these revised rules will be brought into
operation during the coming year. The revision of these rules has
been protracted on account of the necessity for their almost complete
rearrangement, but when completed they should materially assist in the
control of epizootic diseases in. the Province.
CHAPTER IV.—VETERINARY EDUCATION.
(a) The Veterinary College, Insein.—Mr. G. Pfaff, B.Sc., M.R.C.V.S.,
was in charge of the College up to 26th October 1933 when he pro-
ceeded on eight months' leave out of India. Mr. J. Smith, B.Sc.,
M.R.C.V.S., Field Veterinary Research Officer, held charge of the
duties of Principal, Veterinary College, during the absence of Mr. Pfaff.
8
REPORT ON THE VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, BURMA,
The staff consisted of U San Hla, Assistant Principal, one Veterinary
Inspector and two Veterinary Assistants.
(b) Refresher Course.—No course was held during the year.
(c) Veterinary Education.—The School at Insein was re-opened as a
Veterinary College on 6th November 1933, for a course of Veterinary
training of one year's duration, to students who wished to qualify for
the new grade of Veterinary Assistant. Twenty-one students were
enrolled, of which 13 were given stipends of Rs. 15 per month.
This course has been organized on practical rather than on theo-
retical lines and pupils, on successful completion of their course, will be
appointed to vacancies in the Veterinary Assistants grade in the
Subordinate Veterinary Service. These new recruits will form the
nucleus of a new grade, which will in time replace the existing
Veterinary Assistants trained in a three years' vernacular course at
Insein, and will be posted in Townsnips under District Veterinary
Inspectors. At the end of the year the position with regard to the
number of students attending the Insein Veterinary College was as
follows :—
Stipendiary students
Non-stipendiary students
Shan States student
...
...
...
...
...
...
33
3
1
With the exception of four students who failed to pass the quarterly
test and were removed from the College, the students worked very well
and showed a keen interest in their studies. The system of awarding
the stipends of unsatisfactory students, who were removed from the
College, to the non-stipendiary students who had stood highest in the
class examinations was found to be successful in developing a spirit of
competition in the class.
(d) Instruction in Villages by Field Staff.— The field staff delivered
lectures on general cattle diseases, Cattle Disease Rules, and gave
demonstrations of veterinary treatment of disease by Western methods in
the villages when on tour. The value of this instruction is difficult to
estimate but it is undoubtedly of some use in promoting veterinary
knowledge amongst cattle owners.
Bulletins and Leaflets.— A report (No. 1 of 1933) entitled " Surra in
Horses" by Mr. Pfaff, dealing with curative and prophylactic value of
Naganol and Antimosan and a report of the Field Veterinary Research
Officer on the Elephant Sick Camp, 1932-33, were published as depart-
mental bulletins. It is regretted that on grounds of economy, no
distribution of pamphlets or leaflets by the staff could be carried out
during the year.
EDUCATION OF RECRUITS TO THE VETERINARY INSPECTORS GRADE.
As a result of proposals of the Director of Veterinary Services
being accepted by Government for the recruitment of new grade of
District Veterinary Inspectors, to replace the existing vernacular trained
FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 31ST MARCH 1934.
9
Veterinary Inspectors, in the higher grade of the Subordinate Service,
Mr. Mitchell was instructed to visit the teaching colleges at Madras,
Patna and Calcutta during the year.
On his return from India a report was submitted to Government and
the Madras College was chosen as being a suitable institution for the
training of students.
Arrangements were in progress at the end of the year to send a
batch of six selected candidates to Madras from the commencement of
the next collegiate year in July.
CHAPTER V.—VETERINARY RESEARCH.
LABORATORY RESEARCH.
Staff.—Mr. G. Pfaft, B.Sc., M.R.C.V.S., held charge of the
Veterinary Research Laboratory up to the 26th October 1933 when he
proceeded on eight months' leave. Mr. J. Smith, B.Sc., M.R.C.V.S.,
Field Veterinary Research Officer, Insein, carried out the duties of the
Veterinary Research Officer in addition to his own duties from 27th
October 1933. Mr. J. Bhattacharjee was transferred to the Laboratory
at Insein as Veterinary Research Officer from the afternoon of 12th
December 1933.
One Veterinary Superintendent, U Tun Hlaing, was attached to the
Laboratory up to the 10th January 1934, on which date he was
temporarily posted to a Sub-Circle charge. The post in the Research
Section remained unfilled on account of shortage of members of the staff
competent to fill the vacancy.
Buildings and Grounds.—Petty repairs to buildings were carried out
by the Public Works Department during the year. The urgently required
stable extensions for work on equine diseases have not yet been
provided.
An electric power cold storage plant was completed towards the end
of the year at a cost of Rs. 6,235-10, at the Veterinary Research Labora-
tory, Insein, for the storage of Rinderpest serum and the laboratory
products manufactured at Insein for the immunization or test of animals.
A fair supply of green fodder has been available for animals in
experiment throughout the year by a successful cultivation of guinea
grass. A new paddock has been made ready for planting out at the
commencement of the rains. A vegetable garden for the supply of
green food for small experimental animals was organized during the
cold weather. Japanese grass is being gradually substituted for dhoob
in the laying out of the lawns around the Research and College
buildings.
10
REPORT ON THE VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, BURMA,
Routine work.— During the year 897 blood and tissue smears were
examined. Of these 633 were submitted by the Veterinary staff, 230 by
the Timber firms, 5 by the Military Police and 29 by others. One
hundred smears were positive. The diseases diagnosed were :—
Anthrax
Surra
...
...
Haemorrhagic Septicaemia
Microfilaria
Piroplasinosis
...
...
Total
...
...
...
...
...
...
33
42
19
4
2
100
Fæces.—Seven hundred and ninety samples of faeces mostly from
dogs, were examined for eggs of helminths.
Ears.—Seventy-eight dried strips of ears suspected of Anthrax were
received and examined bacteriologically in the laboratory during the
year.
Skin scrapings.—Sixteen skin scrapings were examined for the
presence of insect parasites.
Post-mortem examinations.—Post-mortem examinations were carried
out on nine carcases sent to the Laboratory in addition to all the animals
which died as a result of experimental work.
Pregnancy Tests.—Pregnancy tests (mares) were carried out with six
samples of urine, guinea pigs being employed for this purpose.
Examination of food staff.—Nine specimens of feeding stuffs were
examined. These were submitted by the Officer-in-Charge, Govern-
ment Stud Farm, Pyawbwe, and the Battalion Commandant, Myitkyina.
Vaccines.—Eleven thousand three hundred doses of anthrax vaccine
and 7,343 doses of Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia vaccine were prepared
and issued from the Laboratory during the year.
Osteoporosis.—The experimental work on this disease was continued
and a number of cases were clinically examined and post mortems
conducted subsequently on them. The experiment with the five ponies
commenced last year, was continued to determine the relation of a low
Calcium Phosphorus ration plus a high Magnesium Calcium relation to the
causation of Osteoporosis. These animals were put on to graduated
exercise and observations recorded but up to the end of the year there
was no indication of clinical symptoms of Osteoporosis in any of the
animals. The experiment is still proceeding.
Kuniree.—Work on this disease was continued and a number of
post mortems were carried out on animals presented to the Laboratory
for experimental drug treatment and Pathological examination after
destruction. A careful search was made to detect the presence of
Shistosomes, with negative results. One or two animals sent to the
Laboratory as suspected Kumree were found on examination to show
FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 31ST MARCH 1934.
11
symptoms clue to other causes—spavin, etc. The results of drug treat-
ment in clinical cases were not very promising but this work is being
continued on available cases. Arrangements were made for initiating a
systematic Histological examination of spinal cords of affected animals.
Dry Coal.—Five horses were maintained under experiment to
ascertain the effect of keeping the urine acid by the intravenous and
oral administration of Ammonium Chloride and Acid Sodium Phosphate.
One horse had to be destroyed on account of emaciation and old age
and one on account of accidental injury to the spine. After about six
months, the administration of drugs was discontinued and the animals
were put on graduated work. Observations up to the end of the year
showed that no clinical indications of dry coat had developed as a
result of this treatment. A questionnaire has been drawn up in
connection with investigations into this disease which will be distributed
to all horse owners in Burma in order that any information available on
the disease may be placed on record.
Anthrax.—No Laboratory Research work on this disease was carried
out during the year. The spore vaccine prepared and issued by the
Department continued to give satisfactory results in cattle, horses and
elephants. A modification of the technique of immunization by this
vaccine in previously uninoculated elephants over 30 years old was
introduced owing to the risk of swellings developing in these animals at
the seat of inoculation. A more attenuated vaccine strain, ordinarily
used for equines, was adopted as a preliminary inoculation and this was
followed six weeks later by the inoculation of the usual bovine strain.
The results appear to justify the increased work at the time of immuni-
zation, but observations have not vet been completed. The number of
uninoculated older elephants owned by the Timber firms and others is
becoming progressively less and in a few years, with general annual
inoculations, the uninoculated animal should cease to be an inoculation
risk.
Surra in equines.—A report of the research work on chemical
prophylaxis of this disease in horses, carried out during 1932-33 by
Mr. G. Pfaff was prepared for publication as a departmental bulletin
(No. 1 of 1933). This records the successful method of prophylaxis
adopted against this disease by the inoculation of the drug " Naganol "
at intervals of 42 days. The method will be adopted for use by the
Military Police in ponies and mules on duty in the infected areas of the
Burma Frontier.
Rinderpest.—Research work on the production of a vaccine for the
immunization of cattle and buffaloes against Rinderpest was initiated at
the beginning of 1934. A strain of virus attenuated by repeated passage
through goats and maintained in these animals was obtained from the
12
REPORT ON THE VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, BURMA,
Research Laboratory, Madras, through the courtesy of Mr. A. P.
Saunders, Director of Veterinary Services, and after preliminary tests
was used in a comprehensive laboratory test on cattle and buffaloes. The
experiments were conducted by Mr.
Mitchell assisted
by
Mr. Bhattacharjee, Research Officer at the Insein Laboratory. The
work was still in progress at the end of the year and the results to date
in the case of cattle, but not with buffaloes, were distinctly promising.
FIELD RESEARCH.
Mr. J. Smith, B.Sc., M.R.C.V.S., Field Veterinary Research Officer
continued to carry out the duties of this section throughout the year.
He was provided with one Veterinary Assistant who accompanied him
on district research work. A report on the work carried out during
1932-33 at the Elephant Sick Camp at Minbyin was completed and
published for general information as a departmental bulletin.
The following research and investigations were carried out during
the year :—
(a) Further study of the effect and efficacy of anthelmintic
powders and vermifuges in elephants.
(b) Surra and Thoot in elephants.
(c) The delayed action of various purgative drugs in elephants.
(d) Treatment of Pohtwet (Warbles) with Derris Powder.
Numerous helminthological and entomological specimens from
elephants were forwarded to the Laboratory. These were identified as
far as possible, and added to the reference collection in the museum.
Lebel-na.—Field investigations into this disease, which in 1933
assumed almost epizootic proportions, affecting cattle and buffaloes in
Tenasserim (Salween, Amherst and Tavoy) and which was reported by
field Veterinary Officers to be due to verminosis, were carried out by
Mr. Mitchell while touring in that area. A résumé of the information
on the disease, available from ail sources, was prepared and circulated
to the staff for comparison with any similar disease met with in their
charges. A Research Officer will be deputed to investigate the disease
(if staff permits) during its next cycle of prevalence.
CHAPTER VI—SURVEY OF THE YEARS WORK
AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
GENERAL ANIMAL MORTALITY.
The total general mortality in cattle and buffaloes and horses during
the year, from all causes, was 83,967 or 1.35 per cent.
This is approximately the same as last year's figures. Except
during 1931-32 the total mortality percentage figure has not varied
much and this indicates that the factor of error in recording mortality
FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 31ST MARCH 1934.
13
is more or less constant year by year, so the figures, if not statistically
correct, are, at any rale, useful for comparison.
Contagious Diseases.—The number of outbreaks of contagious
diseases attended by the staff during the year was 680 as against 1,255
which were dealt with during the previous 12 months.
The total mortality from all contagious diseases during the year was
21,092, which is a decrease of 1,335 on the corresponding figure for
1932-33.
Rinderpest.—In this disease, a decrease of 2,682 on last year's totals
was recorded during the year. Rinderpest still continues to be the
most important disease of animals in this province. The mortality
during the year of 16,517 represents 78.3 per cent of the total deaths
from all contagious diseases. More efficient methods of control of this
disease, including a safe method of active immunization lasting for some
years would, if their application could be made compulsory, make
Burma a comparatively healthy country for cattle.
Anthrax—Deaths
in equities and bovines during the year amounted
to 1,438, which represents an increase of 610 on last year's mortality from
this disease. With microscopic examination of material from reported
outbreaks, more centres of infection are being confirmed and more
outbreaks of Anthrax are being recognized in cattle mortality formerly
attributed to snake bite or sudden death. The use of vaccine as a
preventive against this disease is being extended but as the disease
occurs in limited areas and in sporadic form, by the time vaccination
is arranged, deaths have ceased and villagers then object to inoculation.
As immunity lasts only for a year, little progress can be made until
annual inoculation is compulsory in all anthrax areas. This annual
inoculation has been successfully introduced for elephants with satisfac-
tory results.
Foot-and-mouth Disease.— A slight increase of mortality over last
year's figure is shown in the annual returns. On account of the mild
nature of the disease in most outbreaks, the mortality figure does not
indicate the loss, due to this disease, in delayed cultivation owing to
illness of the plough bullocks. Preventive inoculation methods against
this disease will form an important part of experimental research at
Insein in the future.
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia.—An increase of 802 deaths from this
disease on last year's totals is recorded for the current year. The use
of vaccine for Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia is being extended particularly
in Arakan and North-East frontier areas, where the disease is of periodic
occun-ence. The disease is also prevalent in the Maritime districts
during the rains but it is not possible in all cases to obtain permission to
use vaccine except when mortality is actually occurring. This, while it
appears to cut the outbreak short, is not so satisfactory as preventive
inoculation before the season of prevalence.
2
14
REPORT ON THE VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, BURMA,
Surra.—The mortality from this disease of 100 is an increase of 57
over the 1932-33 figure. Prevention of this disease in equines can now be
arranged for by inoculations of Naganol on lines indicated by the
Veterinary Research Officer in his report published during the year.
There have been no widespread epizootics of contagious diseases
during the year and the position at the end of the year was as satis-
factory as could be hoped for in view of the retrenchment in expenditure
and resulting limitation of the activities of the Department.
NON-CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.
The work of subordinate officers in connection with treatment of
animals while touring has been considerably reduced as a result of
shortage of staff, concentration on contagious disease duties and
restriction of touring.
The total treatments of animals for ordinary diseases recorded by
the staff during the year were 28,975. The corresponding figure for
the previous year is 30,719.
This restriction in touring for the treatment of ordinary diseases and
the substitution of portable touring medicine chests for the heavy
wooden chests previously carried, has resulted in very considerable
savings to District Councils and Local Fund budgets. The following
figures of the annual expenditure under this head for the last five years
indicate the results of the economy measures introduced by this
Department:—
Year.
1929-30 ... ...
1930-31 ... ...
1931-32 ... ...
1932-33 ... ...
1933-34 ... ...
Expenditure.
Rs.
47,975
39,512
39,376
10,534
8,625
Animals
treated.
80,491
78,571
62,013
30,719
28,975
The present expenditure is principally for the purchase of drugs and
instruments and porterage of larger supplies of drugs and dressings
used in outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease. Medicinal treatment
of other contagious diseases which was not productive of good results
has been generally stopped.
(Rinderpest, Anthrax, Hæmorrhagic
Septicæmia). The existing service to the villagers' cattle for ordinary
wounds and ailments is not all that might be desired, but with
the present depleted staff which is employed mostly on outbreak work,
it is the best which can be given. Extension of the present system
of treatment of animals for ordinary diseases in villages cannot be
seriously contemplated until there is a graduate Veterinary officer posted
in each district headquarters and a sufficient number of the new staff of