NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
6
REPORT OF THE CIVIL VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, BURMA,
were localized and resulted only in a small mortality in each case but
occurred over most of the districts of the Province.
Annual inoculations with spore vaccine have been successful in
preventing heavy mortality from the disease in epizootic areas.
The total mortality during 1937-38 was 825 in 30 districts as against
a mortality of 690 in 29 districts during the previous year.
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia.—This disease occurred in the following
delta and maritime districts :—Mergui (916), Kyaukpyu (404), Pyapôn
(392), Bassein (313), Myaungmya (263), Akyab (212), Insein (163),
Hanthawaddy (154).
The total mortality throughout Burma for the year was 3,265 as
compared with a mortality of 3,937 in 1936-37. Vaccination was
continued in enzootic areas with good results but it was not always
possible to arrange vaccination until after the outbreak was well
established on account of delays in reporting and climatic conditions.
Vaccinations have to be carried out in the majority of cases during
outbreaks and as these are frequently of short duration, the effects of
vaccination are not always apparent. Attempts are being continued to
persuade cattle and buffalo owners to have vaccination done before the
onset of the rains in areas which are subject to annual recrudescence
of the disease. The results to date are not hopeful. More Veterinary
staff will require to be provided before this procedure can be made
effective.
Black Quarter.—The mortality from this disease was 336 during the
year, a slight decrease on the totals for the previous year (405).
Myaungmya and Magwe were the districts most heavily infected.
No inoculations, except in localized and limited areas, have so far
been done against this disease and the incidence and mortality have
not yet justified the production of a prophylactic locally.
Surra occurred in 14 districts of the Province and caused the
deaths of 143 animals, mostly equines. Pakôkku (40) was the area
most severely affected. Other cases were sporadic
Lebetna.—Forty-nine deaths are reported to be due to this disease
during the year in the Salween District. An opportunity for investi-
gating the cause and symptoms of this disease has not yet materialized.
The area of distribution is small but is situated in a part of the foothills
of the Shan plateau difficult of access.
Epizoolic Lymphangitis.—No cases recorded during the year.
Strangles.—One outbreak was reported from the Pakôkku District
resulting in one death.
Glanders.—Cases of this disease were dealt with in Insein (4),
Myitkyina (3), Maymyo (3).
The Insein cases had their origin in Rangoon where the disease is
present amongst gharry ponies. The Myitkyina outbreak originated
from contact with Chinese pack mules and ponies employed in trans-
FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 31ST MARCH 1938.
7
Frontier trade, in which the disease is very frequent but impossible to
deal with owing to the nature of the frontier and the type of Chinese
muleteers in charge of caravans.
The cases which occurred in Maymyo were all recently purchased
gharry ponies which had been illicitly introduced without having been
submitted to the usual quarantine and Mallein tests.
PREVENTIVE INOCULATIONS.
2, Rinderpest.—Anti-rinderpest
serum as a temporary prophylactic
was used only in Bhamo and Akyab Districts during the year.
The outbreak in Akyab was in the township of Maungdaw on the
border of the Chittagong District (India). The distance from a supply
of ice made it difficult to use spleen vaccine as an immunizing agent and
as no previous inoculation work had been done in this area and cattle
owners were not helpful, the " serum alone " method was used to control
the outbreak. Twenty-five thousand four hundred and sixty cattle and
buffaloes were inoculated and owing to cattle movements and
recrudescence of the local outbreaks, many of these animals had to be
inoculated on several occasions. The outbreak was controlled and
localized to the Maungdaw Township, Arrangements were in progress
at the end of the year for carrying out a vaccination campaign,
throughout the township, using goat spleen vaccine.
A small outbreak in the Bhamo District was controlled after the
inoculation of 405 cattle and buffaloes with anti-rinderpest serum.
Serum inoculation against Rinderpest in the Chin Hills.—An extensive
outbreak of Rinderpest occurred in the Chin Hills, Falam and Haka
areas, during 1936-37, but it was not until 1938, when the officiating
Director of Veterinary Services visited the area, that it was possible to
report on this outbreak fully.
As no officers of the Civil Veterinary Department are permanently
posted to the area and outbreaks of disease in the plains were giving
full time employment to the staff, control work was organized by the
Deputy Commissioner, Falam, assisted by the Veterinary Jemadar,
Military Police, Falam. Vaccination could not be employed owing to
ice transport difficulties and serum only had to be used in addition to
segregation and isolation measures. One small batch of vaccine sent
accidentally was used with doubtful results.
The action of the spleen vaccine for Rinderpest on the semi-wild
mythun, which comprise a great part of the bovine population in the
hills, was not known, but their susceptibility to natural infection was
so high that the use of this vaccine on a wide scale was considered too
dangerous without further tests. Inoculation of animals in the infected
areas with serum was not well organized and out of 64,000 c.c.,
approximately 3,500 doses sent from Insein, only 607 cattle, 142
8
REPORT OF THE CIVIL VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, BURMA,
mythuns and one buffalo, were inoculated. The remainder of the
serum having been out of cold storage for several months had to be
destroyed.
The cost of anti-rinderpest serum imported from India during the
year was Rs. 19,916-4-0.
Goat spleen vaccine prepared at the Insein Veterinary Research
Laboratory was used during the year in clean and infected areas for the
prevention and control of Rinderpest, with very good results. Mortality
in cattle was rare and in buffaloes was small except in localized areas of
high susceptibility of the animals.
A total of 549,564 animals were immunized during the year against
the previous year's total of 364,799.
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia.—During the year 28,390 cattle, buffaloes,
and sheep were inoculated with this vaccine in outbreak areas, in most
cases during the course of an outbreak.
The totals for 1936-37 were 18,230.
Owing to the difficulty in obtaining material for microscopic
examination from the field, the staff has had considerable difficulty in
differentiating between Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia and Anthrax, as
carcases are not always available for inspection on their visits. In these
doubtful cases a simultaneous inoculation of Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia
and Anthrax was given in ten outbreaks, 3,150 animals receiving the
double inoculation. No harmful results were recorded in any
animals inoculated. This procedure will be continued in the future.
Anthrax—(A) Inoculation by Departmental
Officers.—The total
inoculations for the year were Bovines 7,922, Equines 486, and
Elephants 653.
(B) Inoculation by private persons.—These immunizations were
mostly carried out by Forest Assistants of the larger timber firms
operating in Burma.
The total elephants inoculated in 1937-38 were 2,658, representing
a decrease of 13 in the previous year's vaccinations.
The results of anthrax immunizations by spore vaccine in all animals
were very satisfactory. Local swellings in elephants were very few in
number and no mortality occurred as a result of the inoculations. The
immunity which resulted gave efficient protection even in infected areas
of fodder reserves which are now available for use of elephants, without
risk, in the resting season.
Strangles.—Tests on prophylatic autogenous vaccines were continued
at the Pyawbwe Stud Farm during the year, 212 animals being
inoculated with vaccines produced at the Insein Veterinary Research
Laboratory from local strains of the streptococcus.
The results were satisfactory.
FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 31ST MARCH 1938.
9
QUARANTINE STATIONS ON INTER-DISTRICT TRADE ROUTES.
3. The Veterinary Inspection post at Htaukkyan, 22 miles from
Rangoon, was continued during 1937-38 and 15,505 animals were
inspected while in transit to Rangoon.
This post has now given the information required regarding the
control and supervision of trade animals and it is proposed to close the
post at the end of the year.
It has been shown that, unless such posts are sited in a position
which geographically or by other means (railways) compels traders to
keep to the main road with their herds, they will take every opportunity
of avoiding inspection of their animals, even though this means many
more miles of travel.
The usefulness of inspection posts has been demonstrated in
preventing the spread of disease but it would be necessary to make
provision for the inoculation of all animals by Rinderpest vaccine, in
addition to the inspection of animals and detention of suspects, if the
scheme is to be successfully operated on the main trade routes
throughout the Province. Immunization against Rinderpest of all
animals which pass through infected areas should be the primary
object of the Inspection Posts and the rapid production of immunity
within a few days, coupled with the slight reaction which the
vaccination gives rise to, justifies this immunization being carried
out. To give effect to this it will be necessary to amend the
Inoculation rules and until this has been done it is useless to attempt
control of contagious disease on the main trade routes in Burma by
Veterinary Inspection and Quarantine only.
This question will be investigated during 1938-39.
FRONTIER POSTS.
4. Inspection of animals for contagious diseases on importation by
land routes from adjoining countries was carried out during the open
season of the year (October to May).
Animals as per the following statement were inspected at the posts
of entry indicated :—
(1)
From Siam—
Thingannyinaung ...
Shanywathit ...
Methalauk ...
From Shan States—
Yado ... ...
Cattle.
(2)
873
...
89
7,682
Buffaloes.
(3)
414
...
...
62
Pigs.
(4)
833
...
48
...
Ponies.
(5)
56
...
...
46
Goats.
(6)
144
...
...
...
10
REPORT OF THE CIVIL VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, BURMA,
The remarks in the report for 1936-37 in regard to these figures still
apply. The recorded figures give only a small percentage of actual
imports.
Much of the disease, especially Rinderpest and Foot-and-Mouth,
which occurred during the year in the area adjoining the Mandalay-
Rangoon main road and the Thazi-Myingyan main road is reported
to have been introduced by trade cattle from the Shan States and
Karenni. While this is possible, it cannot be stated definitely in the
absence of efficient inspection of imported animals in the border area.
This is impossible under present conditions of staff shortage. It is
considered that until a more effective check, coupled with compulsory
immunization, cm be introduced in connection with these animals on
import, the annual cost of Rinderpest control in Burma will remain
high.
QUARANTINE STATION AT RANGOON.
5. A site for this station was selected at Ahlcne adjoining and to the
North of the Government Timber Depôt. The area is approximately
three acres in extent and was transferred to this Department from the
Rangoon Devel opment Trust. A scheme for the development of
this site as a Quarantine station for dealing with the import and export
of domestic animals under the provisions of the rules to be issued under
the Livestock Importation Act, was sanctioned.
RULES.
6. The revised Livestock Importation Rules are still under considera-
tion and pending their issue it has not been possible to exercise
effective control of trans-Frontier trade, as the existing rules only deal
with imports by sea routes.
Rules for the control of contagious diseases of animals in town
areas were issued during the year by the Ministry of Agriculture and
Forests.
CHAPTER IV.—VETERINARY EDUCATION
INSEIN VETERINARY COLLEGE.
1. (1) Training of Students for Posts in the Subordinate Veterinary
Service (Assistant's new grade).—A fourth batch of students recruited in
1936 completed their training in November 1937. Of the original
16 students, one discontinued his studies, one. was selected to go
to Madras for training in the Inspector's course, and 14 completed
the course. Six Government students were allotted stipends and 8
completed the course at their own expense. One private student was
sent from the Shan States Administration and a Timber Firm respec-
tively in addition and received the usual course of instruction. One
Government student failed and the remaining 13 were, on graduation,
appointed to posts in the Subordinate Veterinary Service.
FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 31ST MARCH 1938.
11
The Evans Memorial Prize Gold Medal, awarded to the student
obtaining highest marks at the qualifying examination at the end of the
course, was won by Maung Tun Han.
A fifth batch of students were recruited in November 1937 and
consisted of four stipendiary, three non-stipendiary students, two
students from the Shan States and four private.
(2) Refresher Courses.—Owing to the Veterinary staff in the Field
being fully employed on a campaign of immunization against Rinderpest,
no refresher course was held during the year.
Nine graduates from Indian Colleges received post-graduate training
at the Veterinary College, Insein, for a period of one month on their
return to Burma.
(3) Course in Accounts and Procedure.—The Assistant Principal,
U Tun Aung, was given a course of instruction in accounts, procedure,
and general administration, by the College teaching staff and passed the
examination at the end of the course successfully.
STUDENTS UNDER TRAINING IN FOREIGN COLLEGES.
2. (1) Nine students, who successfully completed their training in a
3 years' course at the Veterinary Colleges of Madras and Calcutta,
returned to Burma in 1937 and were posted to district charges after a
short course of post-graduate instruction in rules and procedure at the
Veterinary College, Insein.
(2) Six students were selected in June 1937 for Veterinary training
at the Madras Veterinary College. Of these, three were awarded
scholarships of the value of Rs. 400 each for three years, and all were
given a free 2nd Class return passage to Madras. One of these students
entered for the Degree Course in the Madras University.
(3) At the end of the year under report the following Burma
students were under training in Indian Veterinary Colleges :—
College.
Madras ... ...
Calcutta ... ...
Total ...
1st Year.
8
1
9
2nd Year.
6
4
10
3rd Year.
4
3
7
(4) Two Burman graduates, who had been awarded a State Scholar
ship for Veterinary training in a 5 years' course ending with the
M.R.C.V.S. degree, were under training at London and Dublin
Veterinary Colleges. Both these students were exempted from their
first year course as they had previously obtained a degree in Science in
the Rangoon University.
12 REPORT OF THE CIVIL VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, BURMA,
VETERINARY INSTRUCTION IN THE VILLAGES.
3. Instruction on housing and feeding of animals and diseases was
given to cattle owners by the field staff during tours. Shows and
Pagoda festivals were attended by these officers where possible and
lectures and demonstrations given. This work is mainly directed
against contagious diseases, but general information on Stock Improve-
ment is also given.
BULLETINS AND LEAFLETS AND VETERINARY PROPAGANDA.
4. The position in regard to Veterinary propaganda still remains
unchanged. At present the available staff would be unable to cope
with the additional work which this would entail and the work which
is very urgent and essential has had to be postponed.
CHAPTER V.—VETERINARY
RESEARCH
LABORATORY, INSEIN.
(In this section the figures in brackets are the totals for 1936-37.)
ROUTINE WORK
1. (1) Bloodsmears.—During
the year 1,052 (832) bloodsmears were
examined. Of these 635 were submitted by officers of the Veterinary
Department, 343 by the various timber firms, and 74 by the Military
Police, Forest Department and others. Four hundred and forty-two
(372) smears were from cattle and buffaloes, 352 (281) from elephants,
163 (108) from horses and 95 (71) from other animals. Of the 145 (65)
positive smears, 69 (30) were Surra, 61 (22) horses, 5 (4) elephants
and 3 (4) cattle ; 28 (15) Anthrax—6 (4) horses, 2 (3) elephants, 19 (8)
cattle and buffaloes and one other animal; 42 (16) Hæmorrhagic
Septicæmia—41 (15) cattle and 1 (1) elephant ; four Cat Septicæmia ;
and two Anaplasmosis in cattle and buffaloes. During the year over
1,500 bloodsmears were examined from animals used for experimental
work or vaccine production.
(2) Fæces.—Seven
hundred and ninety-three (522) specimens of
fæces were examined, of which 261 (60) were from elephants, 479
(430) from dogs, 26 (7) from horses, 21 (12) from cattle and 6 (13) from
other animals.
(3) Other Pathological Specimens.—One hundred and fifty-three (113)
were examined, including ear specimens, skin scrapings, carcases, urine,
vomited material and bacteriological swabs. Subinoculations from
dried ears into Laboratory animals led to the diagnosis of 35 cases of
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia, 18 cases of Anthrax in cattle and buffaloes,
and one case of Pasteurellosis in a sheep. These figures are included
in the number of positive smears given in 1 (1) above. Examination of
FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 31ST MARCH 1938.
13
sections cut from material submitted in formalin led to the diagnosis of
three cases of pneumonia, one case of hepatitis, one case of hæmatoma,
and one case of tuberculosis.
(4) Vaccines Issued.—The following vaccines were issued during the
year:—
Vaccine.
(1)
Anthrax Spore ...
Hæmorrhagic Septi-
cæmia.
Strangles ...
Rinderpest Desiccated
Goat Spleen.
Cat Septicæmia ...
Number of doses for use in
Elephants.
(2)
6,945
...
...
Cattle.
(3)
16,985
34,632
...
Horses.
(4)
6,665
...
672
For cattle and buffaloes
Sheep.
(5)
210
300
...
Camels.
(6)
20
...
...
Used in an outbreak in the felines at the
victoria Merorial Park.
Total.
(7)
30,825
34,932
672
747,300
40
Included in the Anthrax Vaccine issued were 5,046 doses sent to
countries outside Burma for use in elephants, cattle, sheep, horses and
camels.
RESEARCH WORK.
2. (1) Rinderpest—A. The Duration of Immunity.—The
immunity
conferred by Rinderpest Desiccated Goat Spleen Vaccine was tested on
different cattle at varying periods after inoculation. In both local and
Kyaukpyu cattle 25 months after inoculation the immunity is still solid,
the cattle showing no reaction to the injection of 2 ccs. of virulent
blood. Unfortunately in this experiment there ate not many cattle
left on which to carry out further experiments on the duration of
immunity.
B. The Onset of Immunity —In an experiment carried out in. 1936 it
was shown that 0.0025 grm. of dried goat spleen confers an immunity
which is solid within 72 hours. In February 1938, the immunity was
tested at 12-hourly intervals commencing 24 hours after injection.
Two Kyaukpyu cattle were used for each test, one receiving 000025
grm. and the other 0.0025 grm. dried goat spleen. Of the 24-hour pair
the animal receiving the smaller does reacted markedly to the virus
developing mouth lesions ; the other animal had a mild reaction with
diarrhoea. In the 36-hour pair the virus provoked a mild reaction
in the animal which received the smaller dose of vaccine. No other
animal had the slightest reaction to the virus, indicating that 0.0025
grm. of dried goat spleen confers an immunity which is serviceable in
24 hours and solid in 36 hours.
2
14
REPORT OF THE CIVIL VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, BURMA,
C. Refrigeration.—The value of solid carbon dioxide and chemical
refrigerants as a substitute for ice was investigated.
(a) Solid carbon dioxide (known as dry ice) was obtained from
Madras, packed in insulated leather containers and carried in the ship's
cold store. At the Laboratory 45 lbs. stored in the insulated container
at 42°F. decreased by 10 lbs. each day. At room temperature, which
varied from 78° to 83°F., the loss was very rapid. One pound of dry ice
packed in a thermos jar, evaporated within 24 hours. Packed in
aluminium tins with screwed-on lids, twelve ounce blocks of dry ice
evaporated within four hours.
This system was therefore discarded.
(6) For preserving the vaccine in the few areas of Burma where
ice is not readily available, it was considered that the reduction in
temperature produced by a mixture of Sodium Carbonate and
Ammonium Nitrate in water would be of value, as ten ounces of each in
four ounces of water kept the temperature in a thermos jar below 50°F.
for 24 hours. A sufficient quantitity of the chemicals not being
obtainable in Rangoon, vaccine was kept in a thermos jar containing
only just enough ice to allow the temperature to reach 50°F. in 24 hours
Kyaukpyu cattle were given vaccine stored in this manner for two, three,
and four weeks, two cattle being used on each occasion. The results
were somewhat inconclusive. Vaccine stored for two weeks conferred
little if any protection. Vaccine stored for three weeks conferred more
protection, though both animals still reacted to the virus. After four
weeks storage the vaccine provoked no reaction and conferred no
immunity. Tests in the Laboratory and the field are being continued
with this method of refrigeration.
D. Veterinary Research Field Tests.—One test was carried out in
December 1937 at Falam, Chin Hills area, to ascertain the effect of
Rinderpest goat spleen vaccine on mythuns, the semi-domesticated
variety of Bison which are used in the Chin Hills.
Twelve young animals were selected and placed on temperature and
after one week were inoculated with the dose of spleen vaccine usually
given to buffaloes. All animals reacted on the 3rd and 4th day.
Deaths occurred with definite symptoms of Rinderpest in four animals
on the 6th, 13th, 14th, and 16th days. The remaining animals all
developed severe reactions similar to those shown in cattle and
buffaloes.
The results of this test were not considered satisfactory and it was
evident that until the virus could be further modified or the dose
adjusted to give a milder reaction, the immunization of mythun by this
method cannot be undertaken with safety.
(2) Anthrax.—No original work was conducted on this subject and
there remains but to record the field results obtained with the vaccine.
During the year over 95 per cent of the elephants owned by the Timber