NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 31ST MARCH 1936.
9
the various timber firms and 75 by the Military Police, Forest Depart-
ment and others. Four hundred and twenty-eight smears were from
cattle and buffaloes, 253 from elephants, 123 from horses and 74 from
other animals. Of these positive smears, 55 were Surra (46 horses,
4 elephants and 5 cattle), 23 Anthrax (3 horses, 1 elephant, 1 goat, and
18 cattle), 10 Cat Septicæmia and 1 Micro Filaria in an elephant.
(b) Fcvces.—Four hundred and fifty-five specimens of fæces were
examined, of which 179 were from elephants, 253 from dogs, 4 from
horses, 16 from cattle and 3 from other animals.
(c) Oilier Pathological
Specimens.—One
hundred and ten were
examined, including pieces of ear, skin scrapings, carcases and urine.
(d) Vaccines issued—
Vaccine.
(1)
Anthrax Spore (Bovine) ...
Anthrax Spore (Equine) ...
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia
Strangles ...
Rinderpest
Goat Spleen
(Emulsion).
Rinderpest Desiccated Goat
Spleen.
Cat Septicæmia ...
No. of doses for use in
Elephants.
(2)
2,625
2,092
...
...
...
...
Cattle.
(3)
8,284
...
12,000
...
2,871
14,496
Buffaloes.
(4)
...
...
...
...
...
2,200
Horses.
(5)
...
590
...
360
...
...
Total.
(6)
10,909
2,682
12,000
360
2,871
16,696
30 doses were used for inoculating Felines in the Zoo-
logical Gardens, Rangoon.
2. Laboratory
Research Work.
(a) Rinderpest.—Laboratory
experi-
ments and subsequent field experience indicated that an emulsion of goat
spleen in Saline or in Glvcerine-Saline was not satisfactory for use in
Burma. The vaccine survived the hot-weather temperature of Burma for
a very short time only, and the despatch of the vaccine under cold stor-
age conditions was not feasible. This difficulty has now been overcome
by issuing a vaccine prepared from reacting goats in the form of a desic-
cated spleen pulp. The goat is killed about four days after infection, the
spleen removed aseptically, minced and then dried rapidly in vacuo over
Calcium Chloride. The dried spleen is ground up and despatched in
small tubes packed in ice in a Thermos jar. The ice is renewed every
third or fourth day. On the day of inoculation the powder is ground
up with a staled volume of Normal Saline and used as a vaccine in doses
of 1 c.c. The dosage has not yet been finally settled, but, to reduce
mortality in the experimental stages of issue, is being varied with the
degree of susceptibility of the animals to be vaccinated. In laboratory
10
REPORT ON THE VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, BURMA,
experiments a dose of 0.001 gram conferred a solid immunity. Field
experience is confirming laboratory findings, and it is indicated that
one gram of dried spleen will be sufficient for about one thousand
doses for cattle. This work is being pushed rapidly in anticipation of
widespread extension of its use during next cold weather in non-
infected herds on trade routes and in the cattle-breeding centres.
(b) Anthrax.—The
immunisation of elephants against Anthrax
continues satisfactorily. During the year 3,149 elephants in Burma
were inoculated and of these over 98'3 per cent showed no local reaction.
No inoculated animal contracted Anthrax naturally.
Although the immunisation of elephants has now become a routine
procedure, further information is required on some aspects of the
subject. During the year much progress has been made in the prepara-
tion of vaccine and the selection and maintenance of vaccine strains.
Further progress will be slowed down by the difficulty of obtain-
ing elephants for experiment and the annual reduction of the number
of uninoculated domesticated elephants in Burma-
(c) Kumri.—Although much work has been done on this disease,
there is still no clue to the aetiology or treatment. A mass of informa-
tion has been collected on the occurrence, incidence, and symptoms,
and it is hoped that next year it will be possible to study the pathology
of the disease. All bacteriological and transmission investigations have
been without result.
(d) Dry Coat.—This disease seems to be on the increase in Rangoon
but it is as difficult as ever to obtain dry-coated horses for experimental
purposes, the reason being that owners prefer to work them and try
various remedies rather than hand them over for experimental
purposes.
(e) Cat Septicæmia.—In July 1935, an outbreak of Cat Septicæmia
was dealt with in the Rangoon Zoological Gardens. Four leopards,
one leopard cat, one cat badger, four ferret badgers and one badger
died, and from each a bipolar organism of the Pasteurella boviseptica
type was isolated. No antiserum being available, all the presumably
susceptible animals were inoculated with the vaccine used for the preven-
tion of Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia in cattle, which is a killed broth
culture of Pasteurella boviseptica. As deaths continued, on the 6th—8th
July all above animals were re-inoculated with a vaccine prepared from
the organism isolated from the first leopard that died. Except for a
death on the 27th July, no animals died after the 11th July.
3. Field Research Work—Very little work was possible in this direction
during the year owing to shortage of staff. With the appointment of
Mr. Brown, on a temporary basis, it is anticipated that work will
be resumed early in 1936-37, and it is proposed that this work shall
be carried out, by a permanent officer, so that the experience gained will
not be lost to the Department.
FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 31ST MARCH 1936.
11
4. General.—The quarantine stables referred to in the 1934-35 report
were constructed during the year by the Rangoon Turf Club and
handed over to the Department on 18th November 1935. The Hon'ble
Minister for Forests formally accepted the gift on behalf of Govern-
ment at the opening ceremony held on that day.
The following works were carried out at the Research Laboratory
by the Public Works Department during the year :—
(1) Removal of menials' quarters to a new site.
(2) Fencing of camps and paddocks.
(3) Storm-water drainage to the main buildings.
(4) Tarring of main roads in the grounds.
(5) Re-erection of front gate and provision of a storm-water
culvert.
Mr. Pfaff, Veterinary Research Officer and Principal, Veterinary
College, Insein, was deputed to attend the Animal Husbandry
Research Workers' Conference at Delhi in February 1936 and
visited the Serum Station at Izatnagar and the Imperial Veterinary
Research Laboratory, Muktesar, before returning to Burma
CHAPTER VI.—SURVEY OF THE YEARS WORK
AND REMARKS.
General Annual Mortality.—The total mortality in cattle, buffaloes,
and ponies during 1935-36 was 103,182, being an increase of 21,756 on
the totals for the year 1934-35.
The total mortality percentage thus works out at 1.68 as against
1'30 for the previous year. These figures are taken from the returns
of the district officers, not from the Departmental returns, and calculated
against the figures for cattle population as given in the Agricultural
Statistics for the province of Burma during 1934-35.
Contagious Diseases.—Contagious diseases have, in general, been on
the increase during the year. This has been particularly marked in the
case of Rinderpest and to a lesser extent in Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia
and Surra.
(1) Rinderpest.—The number of Rinderpest outbreaks of contagious
diseases attended by the staff during the year was 521. As compared
with outbreaks during 1934-35 this represents an increase of 0.57.
The total mortality during the year from contagious disease was 38,886,
or an increase of 14,459 over the 1934-35 mortality.
Outbreaks of this disease assumed epizootic form in the Upper
Chindwin, Tenasserim, and Myitkyina areas.
The outbreaks in South Tenasserim and Upper Chindwin occurred
in areas where the disease had not appeared for many years and as
there was a large percentage of buffaloes in the area, the disease
quickly assumed virulent form.
12
REPORT ON THE VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, BURMA,
In the Upper Chindwin in particular the mortality in buffaloes was
very heavy and control measures Were seriously hampered by the
wildness of the animals, the absence of segregation facilities, and the
unwillingness of the owners to bring up their animals for inoculation
except in small batches. Local organization of mass inoculation
measures were inadequate and staff of the Department available could
not be utilized to the best advantage.
In Tenasserim it was possible to inoculate a larger percentage of
animals in the infected herds and results were very much better than
in the Chindwin. In this area (Moulmein-Tavoy border) the first field
tests on a large scale were initiated in connection with the new Desic-
cated Goat Spleen Vaccine and the cattle owners, after a period of
reluctance to inoculate, followed by a heavy mortality in their buffaloes,
offered their animals for vaccination willingly. The disease persisted
in the Katha and Myitkyina areas in spite of segregation measures.
The new vaccine was not available sufficiently early in the year to
apply in areas other than Tenasserim.
(2) Foot-and-Mouth Disease.—Infection was general throughout most
of the districts in the Province and caused considerable interference
with agricultural operations. The actual mortality was low.
(3) Anthrax showed approximately the same mortality as the
previous year and was widespread. The endemic nature of this disease
and the rapidity with which outbreaks clear up without interference
makes it difficult to popularise annual vaccination in the infected areas.
(4) Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia.—An increase in the mortality from this
disease amounting to 6,776 has occurred during 1935-36, the total
mortality being 8,254.
The same remarks which have already been made in the case of
Anthrax apply to this disease.
(5) Black-quarter.—Mortality from this disease has increased by 667
during the year under report. How much of this increase in Black-
quarter, Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia and Anthrax is actually due to
increase in the incidence of these diseases and how much is due to
more accurate reporting of these deaths due to education of villagers
by the staff, is difficult to estimate. It is not considered that there has
been any actual increase during the last few years.
(6) Surra is being more generally reported than formerly and on
this account the returns for the year under report show an increase of
incidence.
The disease is very widespread and prevention or treatment, except
in valuable animals, is not practical.
(7) Strangles.—Strangles occurred in enzootic form during the year
at Pyawbwe. Details of cases have not been reported to this office,
but the Research Section records the issue of 360 doses of strangles
FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 3lST MARCH 1936.
13
vaccine during the year. Details will presumably be given in the
annual report of the Officer-in-Charge of the Stud Farm, Pyawbwe.
Rinderpest Inoculation
Work.—Serum alone inoculation against
Rinderpest was carried out in modified doses in dangerous outbreaks
in cattle and buffaloes for the greater part of the year. When,
however, it became evident from results in the field that the new goat
spleen vaccine was giving more satisfactory results, the use of serum,
except for buffaloes, was discontinued and Government's sanction was
obtained to the use of spleen vaccine for general prophylactic inoculation
against Rinderpest in cattle. The initial tests on buffaloes indicated
that these animals were very susceptible and sanction to use the vaccine
for general inoculation on buffaloes has not been solicited pending
further information on field tests.
Inoculation work against Anthrax and Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia
were interfered with by concentration of staff on Rinderpest inocula-
tion work.
In Anthrax the use of spore vaccine was continued for cattle,
buffaloes, ponies, and elephants, and gave very satisfactory results in all
these animals. This vaccine has been considerably improved as a
result of laboratory research and field observations and is now as
reliable and safe as it is possible to produce. Enquiries for supplies of
Anthrax Vaccine were received during the year from adjoining territories,
Siam and India, and arrangements are being made for its issue subject
to Government's approval.
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia appears to be increasing in the Maritime
Districts, or it may be that the necessity for reporting the disease is
being emphasized to the cattle owners. In many outbreaks vaccination
could not be carried out on account of late reporting, unwillingness of
owners, or staff shortage, and the inoculation figures therefore show a
small total compared with the figures for outbreaks. This disease
mostly occurs in buffaloes and in areas where a surplus of buffaloes
above ordinary farming requirements is kept.
The collection and control of such animals for vaccination is a task
which the owners evade where possible and, considering the wildness
of the animals, they cannot be blamed.
It was indicated by deaths within a month or so after inoculation,
in areas where vaccination had been carried out, that more than one
strain of this organism was responsible for mortality from this
disease in Burma. A polyvalent vaccine has therefore been prepared
and research into this aspect of Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia immunisation
will be undertaken when an opportunity occurs.
Surra.—The use of the drug Naganol to produce a chemical
protection against Surra in ponies and mules has been successful in
reducing the incidence of the disease and the mortality amongst ponies
in Military Police Units in frontier districts.
2
14
REPORT ON THE VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, BURMA,
General Remarks.—During the year under report the activities of
the Department were directed primarily to Rinderpest control measures
in the field, and the production in the laboratory of a vaccine against
this disease, which would be safe, effective, portable, inexpensive, and
capable of being used in any part of the Province.
The Desiccated Goat Spleen Vaccine, which has been developed as
a result of research at Insein and in the field during the last three
years, fills all these requirements, with the exception of the last named.
It is only in areas more than six days away from an available ice supply
that any difficulty is at present being experienced. This difficulty will
probably be overcome later.
A successful attempt was made in the latter part of the year to
create a buffer zone of immune animals on the Moulmein-Tavoy
border to prevent the spread of Rinderpest to the south by the use of
this Desiccated Goat Spleen Vaccine. Considerable difficulty was
experienced at first in getting villagers to co-operate but the high
mortality in unvaccinated herds and absence of mortality in neighbour-
ing vaccinated herds assisted in demonstrating the value of the
vaccination and advance of the disease was successfully checked.
The introduction of this Desiccated Goat Spleen Vaccine places the
control work of the Department on a sound footing of permanent
immunity, which was not possible previously without very great and
unjustifiable expense by the serum virus method.
Control of this disease by serum inoculation and segregation,
previously adopted, has had as its object the reduction of infection and
infective materials and the more successful application of these
methods in localising disease in the last few years has had the eftect of
interfering with the natural production of general herd immunity, which
results only from contact and recovery. In Burma, where the entrance
of disease, viâ the frontiers, is uncontrolled and where every facility
exists for spread by means of trade cattle, a drop in herd immunity to
Rinderpest is the first step towards an outbreak, the virulence of which
will depend on the percentage of susceptible animals in, the herd and
their individual susceptibility.
The new conception of Rinderpest control visualises the dissemi-
nation of infection in a mild form by means of Desiccated Goat
Spleen Vaccine throughout all the herds in the province, beginning with
those in infected areas, on trade routes, in the neighbourhood of
cattle markets, and in the breeding areas.
It is proposed to hold a meeting of Senior Departmental Officers
towards the end of the rains and arrange a co-ordinated programme of
inoculation in all Circle Charges.
Work on the production of a vaccine for foot-and-mouth disease
was held up during the year on account of it being impossible, in the
small area available at the Insein Laboratory, to undertake work on
FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 31ST MARCH 1936.
15
Foot-and-Mouth and Rinderpest concurrently. Arrangements will be
made during next year to acquire an adjoining area of ten acres
and, if this is sanctioned, work on Foot-and-Mouth will be proceeded
with at once.
The control of Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia has been giving
considerable difficulty. The losses from this disease appear to be
increasing and it has always been difficult to get the owners to accept
preventive inoculation before the onset of the disease. Until more
knowledge on the methods of prevention can be distributed to the
buffalo owners in the infected areas and more staff is available for
propaganda and inoculation work, progress in connection with the
control of this disease will be slow.
The appointment of a Specialist Officer on contract, and the gift of
experimental stables at Insein by the Rangoon Turf Club, will enable
the Department to organize and develop its research work on obscure
diseases of horses and ponies in this province during 1936-37.
The increase of inoculation work, particularly in the last few months
of the year, has made the existing staff shortage very apparent. This
will probably be felt even more during 1936-37 when an organized
campaign of Rinderpest Vaccination is contemplated. The pressure
will be somewhat relaxed in March 1937, when the first batch of
students will graduate from Madras, and in the meantime two
batches of students will have passed out from the Insein College.
The Department will, however, feel the effect of shortage of
competent inoculators of the Veterinary Inspector's class for the next
three years and it will not be possible to make full use of all the prophy-
lactic agents, which the Research Laboratory will be in a position to
supply, until after 1938, when the sanctioned staff should be more or
less complete.
During January of this year, Mr. F. Ware, F.R.C.V.S., Director of
the Imperial Veterinary Research Laboratory at Muktesar, visited
Burma and was shown over the various institutions of veterinary
interest and did a short tour in the Province.
Mr. D. T. Mitchell, M.R.C.V.S., Director of Veterinary Services,
Burma, took advantage of his leave in South Africa to visit Rhodesia
and spent some time in the Veterinary Research Laboratory at Salisbury
studying Foot-and-Mouth disease particularly in regard to methods of
control and vaccination. A report giving a detailed account of the
method of preparation and application of the Rhodesian Vaccine for
Foot-and-Mouth disease was prepared on his return and submitted to
Government.
It is with very great regret that the death of one gazetted officer of.
the Department has to be recorded during the year. U Ko Ko Gyi,
Veterinary Superintendent, was a promising young officer who had
done good work both in the research laboratory and in the field.
16
REPORT ON THE VETERINARY DEPARTMENT BURMA,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 31ST MARCH 1936.
He was a graduate of the Calcutta College and entered the department
in April 1924 as a Veterinary Inspector. He died in June 1935 of heart
disease while on tour in the execution of his duty.
The following officers are specially recommended for good work
during the year :—
Mr. George Pfaff, B.Sc., M.R.C.V.S., Veterinary Research Officer,
Insein, for research work on the further developments in the produc-
tion of a goat spleen vaccine for Rinderpest.
U Kyaing, Veterinary Superintendent, Moulmein, for very efficient
work in the establishment of an immune belt of cattle on the Moulmein-
Tavoy border and prevention of the southward spread of infection.
During the year there was very close and effective co-operation
between the staff of the Department and the District Officers and I
have much pleasure in stating my appreciation of the assistance which
has been given by these officers in organizing inoculation and segrega-
tion measures and to the staff of the Department for strenuous and
devoted work under, at times, very unfavourable and trying conditions.
The total cost of the Department during 1935-36 was Rs. 4,71,134
which represents an increase of Rs. 30,193 on the expenditure for
1934-35.
D. T. MITCHELL,—25-7-36,
Director of Veterinary Services, Burma.
APPENDICES
CHAPTER VII.
TABLE
1.—
TABLE
2.—
TABLE
3.—
TABLE
4.—
TABLE
5.—
TABLE
6.—
TABLE
7.—
Statement showing general animal mortality during the year
1935-36 ... ... ... ... ...
Statement showing the deaths from contagious diseases amongst
animals in the Province during the year 1935-36 ...
Statement showing preventive inoculations performed during the
year 1935-36 ... ... ... ...
Statement showing the work of the Veterinary College and the
results during the year 1935-36 ... ... ...
Statement showing the deaths from disease in the Mounted
Infantry Ponies and Transport Animals ... ...
Statement showing the number of animals treated and deaths
from contagious diseases and non-contagious disease in
the Federated Shan States during the year 1935-36
Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the year ending 31st
March 1936 ... ... ... ...
PAGE
19
20-21
22-24
25
26
20
28
CHAPTER VIII.
(a) Map showing the areas in which Anthrax occurred.
(b) Map showing the areas in which Foot-and-Mouth occurred.
(c) Map showing the areas in which Rinderpest occurred.
CHAPTER IX.
Graphs showing annual mortality per 1,000 of bovines population due to
Rinderpest, Foot-and-Mouth and Anthrax from 1906 to 1935 and the
monthly incidence of the principal contagious diseases during this period.
APPENDICES.
19
TABLE 1.—Statement showing General Animal Mortality during the year 1935-36.
(Figures obtained from the District Officers.)
Charge.
(1)
Upper Burma ...
Lower Burma ...
Arakan Circle ...
Total ...
Percentage Mortality ...
Ri nder pes t
.
(2)
2,986
24,708
...
27,694
.45
Foot- a nd- mouth.
(3)
71
132
6
209
.00
Anthrax.
Equines.
(4)
Bovines.
(5)
Others.
(6)
235
7,482
553
8,270
.14
Hæmo r
r
h a g ic Septicæmia.
(7)
Bl a c k- qua r
t
e r
.
(8)
Sur r a.
(9)
136
39
...
175
.00
Debi l
i
t
y and old age.
(10)
6,764
21,259
1,397
29,420
.48
Snake Bite.
Equines.
(11)
Bovines.
(12)
2,008
5,296
151
7,455
.12
Others.
13)
Ac c i
de nt .
(14)
2,277
1,984
471
4,732
.08
Ot her caus es .
(15)
8,193
15,293
1,741
25,227
.41
Pe r
c e nt a ge mortality.
(16)
1.01
2.30
.74
1.68
1.68
Total.
(17)
22,670
76,193
4,319
103,182
1.68
20
APPENDICES.
TABLE
2.—Statement showing
the
deaths
from
Contagious
Diseases
amongst
animals
in the Province
during
the year
1935-36.
District.
(1)
Shwebo ...
Bhamo ...
Katha
...
Myitkyina
Lower
Chind-
win.
Upper
Chind-
win.
Mandalay
Kyauksè ...
Sagaing ...
Pakôkku ...
Magwe ...
Minbu ...
Thayetmyo
Myingyan
Meiktila ...
Yamèthin
Total,
Upper
Burma
Charge.
Equines.
Surra.
(2)
...
...
5
...
...
...
...
4
...
32
...
2
...
...
...
1
44
Anthrax.
(3)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Glanders.
(4)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Other diseases.
(5)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
2
Bovines.
Rinderpest.
(6)
227
280
436
1,873
367
3,222
99
78
692
201
84
...
(Strangles)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
2
1
153
204
169
8,086
Foot-and-mouth
disease.
(7)
...
...
32
...
...
...
4
4
4
1
4
17
...
2
2
70
Hæmorrhagic
Septicæmia.
(8)
...
16
2
...
...
...
...
1
...
...
27
3
61
27
...
22
159
Black-quarter.
(9)
...
2
...
...
3
...
...
...
9
83
103
10
111
...
43
...
364
Anthrax.
(10)
65
10
78
2
...
5
...
...
1
51
14
30
10
5
37
26
334
Other Conta-
gious diseases.
(11)
...
...
...
...
3
1
...
...
...
5
...
...
...
...
...
...
11
Remarks.
2)
...
12
(Surra)
(Surra)
9
Surra)
...
...
...
...
...
...
7
Total Bovines.
(13)
292
320
549
1,884
375
3,228
103
83
706
341
235
(Sheep pox)
1
48
Total Equines and
(14)
292
320
554
1,884
375
3,228
103
87
706
373
235
52
(Tuberculosis)
...
...
...
...
22
(Surra)
7
200
185
286
219
9,054
(Sheep pox)
1
200
185
286
220
9,100
(Tuberculosis)