NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
[The Text of this Report is limited by the order of Government to
15 pages (Royal Octavo size)]
INDEX
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
I.—Staff Organization
...
II.—General Diseases in Animals
III.—Contagious Diseases in Animals
IV.—Veterinary Education
V.—Veterinary Research
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
VI.—Survey of the year's work and Recommendations
VII.—Appendices.
VIII.—Maps.
IX.—Graphs.
...
...
...
...
...
...
PACK
1
3
4
7
8
11
REPORT
ON THE
Veterinary Department, Burma
For the Year ending 31st March 1935.
CHAPTER I.—STAFF ORGANIZATION.
Mr. D. T. Mitchell, M.R.C.V.S., held charge of the Department
throughout the year.
Captain S. R. Rippon, M.R.C.V.S., I.V.S., held charge of the
combined South-Eastern and South-Western Circles till 1st October
1934, while U Pe Than, G.B.V.C., remained in charge of the Northern
Circle till that date.
The re-arrangement of the Veterinary Charges, as contemplated in
the Retrenchment Scheme, was given effect to from 1st October 1934,
the charges and circles being reconstituted as follows :—
Upper Burma Charge, Mandalay.—Northern
Circle, Katha ;
Chindwin Circle, Mônywa ; and Central Circle, Magwe.
Lower Burma Charge, Insein.—South Central Circle, Insein ; South-
western Circle, Bassein ; and South-Eastern Circle, Moulmein.
Arakan Circle, Akyab.
Upper Burma Charge.—U Pe Than, G.B.V.C., was placed in control
of this Veterinary charge. He had under him three Veterinary
Superintendents, ten Veterinary Inspectors, and 68 Veterinary Assistants
including four New Grade.
Lower Burma Charge.—This charge was placed under the control
of Captain Rippon, M.R.C.V.S., I.V.S., who had to assist him three
Veterinary Superintendents, ten Veterinary Inspectors (including one
temporary Inspector sanctioned for Tavoy) and 61 Veterinary Assistants
including eight New Grade.
Arakan Circle.—U Aung Tun U, G.B.V.C., remained in charge of
this Circle throughout the year under the direct control of the Director
of Veterinary Services, Burma. He had under him one Veterinary
Inspector, and nine Veterinary Assistants, including three New Grade.
One clerical assistant each was provided during the year for each of
the six circle charges in which no clerical staff had previously been
entertained.
2
REPORT ON THE VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, BURMA,
The clerical staff of the major charges (Upper and Lower Burma)
were reduced by one clerical assistant each as much of the clerical
administrative work previously done by the Deputy Directors was
decentralized and transferred to Veterinary Superintendents in circle
charges.
Veterinary College, Insein.—Mr. J. Smith, B.Sc., M.R.C.V.S., officiated
as Principal up to the 15th June 1934, when Mr. G. Pfaff, B.Sc.,
M.R.C.V.S., returned from leave.
Mr. Pfaff, B.Sc., M.R.C.V.S., remained in charge throughout the
remainder of the year.
He had under him. one Assistant Principal, one Veterinary Inspector,
two Veterinary Assistants, and one clerk.
Veterinary Research Laboratory, Insein.—Mr. J. Smith, B.Sc.,
M.R.C.V.S., remained in charge of the Laboratory till 16th June 1934
when Mr. G. Pfaff, B.Sc., M.R.C.V.S., took over its charge on return
from leave.
Mr. J. Bhattacharjee, B.Sc., M.R.C.V.S., officiated as Veterinary
Research Officer, throughout the year.
The sanctioned cadre of subordinate staff attached to the Research
Section is two Veterinary Inspectors only, but as these two posts have
been kept in abeyance on the order of the Local Government, the
subordinate stall during the year consisted of one Veterinary Inspector
under training, and one Veterinary Assistant (New Grade) belonging to
the district cadre, and one clerk.
Mr. Smith proceeded on eight months' leave on 16th June 1934 and
towards the end of the year he reported that he did not desire to
resume his appointment. He was permitted to resign and granted
leave preparatory to retirement up to the 8th September 1935.
NEW APPOINTMENTS AND PROMOTIONS.
Sixteen out of the 17 Veterinary Assistants of the New Grade, who
passed out from the Insein Veterinary College in October 1934, were
appointed and posted in the various districts of the province, while the
services of the remaining Veterinary Assistant were placed temporarily
at the disposal of the Extraction Division of the Forest Department.
VACANCIES IN THE DEPARTMENT.
(a) Burma Veterinary Service, Class I.—The reduced cadre of six
officers in the Class I service was maintained at full strength during the
year.
(b) Burma Veterinary Service, Class II.—Out of the revised cadre
of eight, none remained vacant during the year.
OR THE YEAR ENDING THE 3lST MARCH 1935.
3
(c) Burma
Subordinate
Veterinary Service.—(i) The revised
sanctioned cadre of Veterinary Inspectors was 23 (including one
temporary post for a six months period). All these posts remained filled
during the year.
(ii) Out of the 144 posts in the revised sanctioned cadre of
Veterinary Assistant, three remained vacant during the year.
Casualties during, the year.
Deaths... ...
Retirements... ...
Resignations... ...
Reversions... ...
Promotions... ...
Removals... ...
Total ...
Veterinary
Inspectors.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Veterinary
Assistants.
...
1
2
...
4
2
9
CHAPTER II.—GENERAL DISEASES IN
ANIMALS.
Treatment of Animals.—The total number of non-contagious diseases
treated during the year by the Veterinary Assistants in township areas
amounted to 29,257 as against 28,975 of the previous year.
This figure gives an average of 17.7 cases per Assistant per
month against 18"5 cases per Assistant per month during the previous
year.
DIPENSARIES AND HOSPITALS.
(a) No Veterinary Dispensaries were maintained in the province
during the year.
(b) Insein Veterinary Hospital.—Two thousand one hundred and
fifty-seven new cases were treated at this hospital during the year
under report, while the total number of attendances of animals for
treatment during the year was 5,481.
The animals that were treated were :—Horses 74, bovines 417,
goats 178, dogs 1,350, and other animals 138.
The number of new cases treated at the hospital from year to year
is gradually decreasing and this is probably due to the fact that all
owners who can afford to pay are now being charged for services
rendered to their animals. Reversion to the former system of general
free treatment is now under consideration.
4
REPORT ON THE VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, BURMA,
Fifteen in-patients were admitted into the hospital during the year
and five castrations were performed.
The following diseases were treated at the hospital during the year
under report :—
Non-infections Diseases—
1. Diseases of digestive system
2. Diseases due to intestinal worms
3. Diseases of the respiratory system
4. Diseases of the urinary system
5. Diseases of the genital organs
6. Diseases of the nervous system
7. Diseases of the skin
8. Diseases of the eye
9. Diseases of the ear
...
...
...
10. Falaria Lashrinatis in dogs
11. Falaria Immitis in dogs
12. Wounds ...
13. Lameness in horses
14. Other diseases
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Total
...
483
...
258
... 78
... 6
... 75
... 35
...
179
... 97
... 56
... 5
... 2
...
501
... 69
...
212
... 2,056
Infectious Diseases—
1. Foot-and-Mouth ...
2. Rabies ...
3. Surra ...
4. Tetanus ...
5. Canine Distemper
6. Demodectic in dogs
7. Sarcoptic Mange in dogs
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Total
Grand Total
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
7
36
2
2
40
12
2
101
... 2,157
CHAPTER III.-CONTAGIOUS DISEASES IN
ANIMALS.
Rinderpest—This disease was prevalent throughout the year in
many districts of the province. Eleven districts were entirely free
from this disease, viz., Akyab, Kyaukpyu, Sandoway, Arakan Hill
Tracts, Tavoy, Mergui, Henzada, Prome, Tharrawaddy, Upper
Chindwin and Minbu.
The heaviest mortality from this disease was recorded from the
following districts :—Thatôn (8,815), Amherst (5,207), Hanthawaddy
(1,169), Myitkyina (1,077), Katha (619), Meiktila (611), Salween (574),
Myingyan (522) and Bassein (511). The death-rate in these nine
FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 31ST MARCH 1935.
5
districts was approximately 88 per cent of the total. The total
mortality in 1934-35 was 21,564 as against 16,517 for the previous
year.
The methods adopted to control the outbreaks were mainly those
laid down in the " Cattle Disease Rules, 1914," but, as these were not
always successful, it was found necessary in many instances to organize
protective inoculation measures with the aid of anti-rinderpest serum.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease.—This disease was reported from almost all
the districts of the province but deaths were recorded from only four
districts. Total mortality recorded from this disease was 23 as against
238 for the previous year.
Anthrax.—This disease was reported from 26 districts and the total
mortality recorded was 1,009 as against 1,438 for the previous year.
Inoculations with anthrax vaccine were carried out to control the
disease where this was possible.
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia.—The recorded mortality from this disease
during the year was 1,478 as against 2,377 for the previous year.
Akyab (327), Toungoo (172), Salween (158) and Bassein (129) were the
districts which showed the heaviest mortality from hæmorrhagic
septicæmia.
Preventive inoculations with hæmonrhagic septicæmia vaccine,
produced at the Insein Laboratory, were carried out where possible.
Black-quarter.—The total mortality recorded from this disease was
242 as against 241 for the previous year. The heaviest mortality was
recorded from the following districts :—Lower Chindwin (33),
Thayetmyo (33), Maubin (28), Tharrawaddy (26) and Sandoway (25).
No inoculations against this disease were carried out
Surra.—Eight districts only were affected with Surra, namely, Katha
(35), Bhamo (8), Yamèthin (7), Minbu (5), Upper Chindwin (3),
Pakôkku (3), Pegu (1) and Kyatiksè (3). A total of 65 deaths were
recorded, out of which 62 were equines and three bovines.
Parasitic Diseases (Lebetna).—The total mortality from this disease
was 45 as against 179 for the previous year. Deaths were limited to
the districts of Salween and Tavoy.
Glanders.—Only one report of glanders was received from the
Minbu District. The Mallein test was carried out on the affected
animal with positive results and the animal was destroyed. No
in-contacts could be traced.
Tetanus.
Coccidiosis.
Epizootic Lymphangitis.
No cases were reported during the year.
PREVENTIVE INOCULATION.
Rinderpest.—Inoculation parties were arranged to control the spread
of this disease, where other methods were not successful. Seventy-two
thousand five hundred and thirty-three bovines as against 103,437 for
6
REPORT ON THE VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, BURMA,
the previous year, were inoculated by the serum-alone method.
Details of the inoculations carried out are shown herewith—
Upper Burma Charge
Lower Burma Charge
Arakan Circle ...
Total
...
...
...
...
31,244
41,289
...
72,533
In the South-Eastern Circle, where this disease assumed an
epizootic form during the latter part of the year under report, 30,799
animals were inoculated.
The cost of the purchase of rinderpest serum from India was
reduced during the year to Rs. 14,062-8 as against Rs. 33,583-3-0 for
1933-34 ; Rs. 97,692-2-0 for 1932-33 and Rs. 1,02,608-13-0 for 1931-32.
This progressive drop in expenditure is due to the fact that inoculations
by the serum-alone method were carried out with reduced dosage of
serum and only in those outbreaks where other measures of control,
viz., " stand still" and " segregation " were found not to be sufficiently
effective.
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia.—One thousand eight hundred and twelve
bovines as against 5,983 for the previous year were inoculated as a
preventive measure with hæmorrhagic septicæmia vaccine, with
successful results.
Anthrax. A. Inoculated by Departmental Officers.—One hundred
and twenty-three equines, 5,415 bovines and 378 elephants were
inoculated with anthrax spore vaccine with satisfactory results.
B. Elephants inoculated by private persons.—During the year
under report 2,629 elephants were inoculated with anthrax vaccine
by the Timber Firms' Assistants. The results of the prophy-
lactic inoculations against anthrax in elephants were very satisfactory
and have been recorded in a special report to Government for the
period 1930—1934.
Strangles.—Ninety-three equines were inoculated at the Pyawbwè
Stud Farm with an autogenous vaccine for strangles prepared at
the Insein Veterinary Research Laboratory. The animals were re-
inoculated on three occasions during the outbreak.
QUARANTINE STATION.
The temporary veterinary inspection post, which was established in
December 1933 at Htaukkyan, was maintained throughout the year.
Sanction of Local Government towards the appropriation of the Public
Works Department bungalow at Htaukkyan as quarters for the
Veterinary Assistant in charge of the camp and the compound of this
bungalow, as a special Cattle Segregation Ground, was obtained during
the year.
FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 31ST MARCH 1935.
7
The Veterinary Assistant in charge inspected 18,158 cattle and
buffaloes, including 1,376 inspected at Hlawga.
Inspections were carried out on the arrival of the cattle and, if
found apparently healthy, they were allowed to proceed to Rangoon.
Foot-and-Mouth disease was detected in only two herds. In both
cases the sick animals were segregated until the disease had subsided.
Of the 18,158 cattle inspected, 17,754 were proceeding to the
Rangoon Slaughter-house. Of the remainder 316 were plough cattle
and 88 milch cattle.
It was noticed that from January to May, both months inclusive, a
smaller number of cattle passed through Htaukkyan than during the
other months. This was due to the fact that after the paddy has been
reaped many drovers proceed viâ Hlawga on the one side or Bauktaw
and Thingangyun on the other.
Arrangements are now being made for the erection of segregation
sheds with enclosing fences in the compound, for the better supervision
and segregation of animals when necessary.
RULES.
The final approval of the Local Government towards the introduc-
tion of the revised Cattle Disease Rules, Burma Towns Rules, and the
Glanders and Farcy Rules, is still awaited.
CHAPTER IV.—VETERINARY EDUCATION.
1. Veterinary College, Insein. A. Education of Students for posts in
the Subordinate Service (Veterinary Assistants).—The first batch of
students who enrolled on the 6th November 1933, completed the
course in October 1934 and the successful students were appointed
Veterinary Assistants (New Grade) with effect from 18th October 1934.
Of the 25 students who commenced the course, two abandoned it and
six were removed for inefficient work. The remaining 17, of whom 13
were stipendiary and one Shan States scholar, passed the final
examination and were appointed to existing vacancies in the Subordi-
nate Grade.
The second batch of students, consisting of five stipendiary and
eight non-stipendiary, commenced the course on the 2nd January 1935.
B. Refresher Course.—One course for Veterinary Inspectors was
held from the 1st December 1934 to 28th February 1935. Four
Veterinary Inspectors attended and successfully completed the course.
2. Veterinary training of Burma students in Indian Colleges for
posts in the Subordinate Service. A. Training of Recruits to the Veterinary
Inspector's Grade.—Nine students, selected by the Local Government,
were deputed to the Madras Veterinary College to qualify for direct
appointment to the New Grade of District Veterinary Officer.
8
REPORT ON THE VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, BURMA,
Out of the nine students, six are stipendiaries and three non-
stipendiaries.
Arrangements are now being made to depute a second batch of eight
students during the ensuing year.
B. A small number of free students are also under training at the
Bengal Veterinary College and these on graduation will be considered
for posts in the Department.
3. Instruction in the Village by Field Staff.—Departmental
officers
of all grades continued to deliver lectures, when on tour, to village
headmen and cultivators, on matters connected with animal disease,
preventive inoculation and the Cattle Disease Rules.
4. Bulletins and Leaflets.—During
the year under report two leaflets
(Leaflets, Nos. 1 and 2 of 1935) entitled " Instructions for Collection of
external Parasites from Animals in Burma " and " Instructions for the
use of ' Naganol ' in prophylactic and curative treatment of Surra in
Horses and Mules " were published by the Department and distributed
amongst the departmental and other officers. No veterinary leaflets
were distributed to headmen or villagers.
CHAPTER V.—VETERINARY RESEARCH.
LABORATORY WORK AT THE INSEIN VETERINARY RESEARCH
LABORATORY.
1. Routine Work :—(1) Pathological Specimens examined. (a) Blood-
smears.—During
the year 910 bloodsmears were examined. Of these
687 were submitted by officers of the Veterinary Department and 197
by the various Timber Firms. Four hundred and eighty-seven smears
were from cattle and buffaloes, 203 from elephants, 130 from horses
and 90 from other animals. Of the positive smears 37 were surra (32
horses and 5 cattle), 30 anthrax (24 cattle, 5 elephants, and 1 horse)
and 1 piroplasmosis in an ox.
(b) Fæces.—One thousand and thirty-seven specimens of faeces
were examined of which 699 were from elephants and 302 from dogs.
(c) Other Pathological Specimens.—Fifty-one
were examined including
pieces of ear, skin scrapings, and carcases.
(d) Vaccine issued. — Doses for use in :—
Vaccine.
(1)
Anthrax spore vaccine ...
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia ...
Rinderpest Goat Spleen ...
Strangles vaccine ... ...
Ele-
phants.
(2)
5,235
...
...
...
Cattle.
(3)
9,145
2,037
1,290
...
Horses.
(4)
1,480
...
...
500
Total.
(5)
15,860
2,037
1,290
500
FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 31ST MARCH 1935.
9
2. Research Work. (a) Anthrax.—The manufacture of anthrax spore
vaccine for the immunization of elephants, cattle, buffaloes and ponies
was continued during the year. Research work in the procedure of
manufacture elucidated several problems of preparation and application
of the vaccine but much work on these lines still remains to be done. In
elephants and ponies, which are particularly susceptible to vaccination
against the disease, immunization work required to be carefully
controlled and, in view of the cost of the former animals, direct experi-
mental work on them is difficult to arrange.
During the years 1930—1934, 3,710 elephants were inoculated for
the first time, and 6,940 were re-inoculated, the total inoculations for
the period being 10,650.
During the past year five elephants died from naturally acquired
anthrax and none of these animals had been recently immunized. For
some years before 1930 the annual mortality of elephants from anthrax
was seldom less than 50. Most of the elephants in the heavily-infected
areas have now been immunized by yearly inoculations and the results
to date have been extremely satisfactory. There is, however, much still
to be learned about the immunization of elephants against anthrax and
investigation work will be continued.
(b) Elephant Research.— In co-operation with the Forest Depart-
ment, an experimental camp was temporarily established at Pugyi,
Insein District, and two crock elephants were transferred for experi-
mental purposes by the Forest Department.
Tests on anthelmintic drugs were carried out by Mr. Smith, Field
Research Officer, and subsequently by Mr. Ptaff. A special report on
the work and results is under preparation.
(c) Rinderpest.—The preventive immunization of cattle and buffaloes
by means of a tissue vaccine prepared from the spleens of reacting
goats was introduced into the districts during the year and small
batches of animals were inoculated in many centres.
It was found that results in the field were not so reliable as those
obtained in tests in or near the laboratory and the cause was traced to
a falling off in activity of the vaccine during transport in the very hot
weather experienced in the latter part of the year. Experimental work,
on the longevity of the vaccine under field conditions, at ordinary
temperatures and in ice containers and the possibility of using a desic-
cated spleen pulp vaccine for field use, is now in progress and is
expected to yield information which will overcome these difficulties of
application in distant centres.
(d) Osteoporosis.—In 1933 a small experiment on five horses, all
under 12 months, was started. They were fed on a daily ration of
gram 1 lb., bran 4 lb., paddy 1 lb., hay 5 lb., which gives a calcium
phosphorus ratio of approximately 1 : 8 and a calcium magnesium
10
REPORT ON THE VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, BURMA,
ratio of approximately 1 to 2.5. The animals were stabled, never
allowed in the sun, and two were given two ounces of codliver oil
daily. All. five ponies developed osteoporosis in a pronounced clinical
form.
Two were destroyed and their bones had the typical
macroscopic appearances associated with osteoporosis. These results
indicate that the disease is not entirely due to dietetic deficiency as
reported by other sceintific workers. The prevalence of the disease
among racing and gharry ponies in Rangoon and the material available
for experimental research as a result, will be taken advantage of in
pushing experimental work on this disease as soon as accommodation
and staff is available at Insein.
(e) Strangles in Horses.—During
the year a severe outbreak of
strangles occurred at the Government Stud Farm, Pyawbwè.
In
addition to surgical and medicinal treatment, this was dealt with by the
inoculation of an autogenous vaccine which was repeated on three
occasions during the outbreak and was undoubtedly effective in
controlling the spread of the disease. The outbreak was interesting
for several reasons :—
(1) The infection occurred primarily in old horses (five years old)
and in a large number of these the only symptoms a characteristic
rise in temperature.
(2) In a large percentage of the young stock the disease became
metastatic, abscesses developing in the submaxillary, retropharyngeal,
parotid, suprascapular, popliteal, precrural, caudal, and other superficial
lymphatic glands.
(3) There were no deaths and in no case was the marked respi-
ratory distress noted which is usually associated with virulent
outbreaks of this disease.
It was not possible to use the vaccine until the disease was well
under way owing to the time required for its preparation.
(f) Diseases of Dogs.—In
July 1934, a new disease of dogs,
characterized by high temperature, pronounced anæmia and great
enlargement of. the spleen and emaciation, was investigated. This was
readily transmitted by intravenous or subcutaneous injection of infective
blood into susceptible dogs. The disease appears to bear a very close
resemblance to the Eperythrozoon Ovis infection in sheep described
by Neitz, Alexander, and du Toit.*
(g) Diseases of Fowls.—(1)
Pigeon-pox vaccine for use against
fowl-pox, which is a very common disease of chickens in Burma, has
been prepared from strains received at Insein from the Weybridge
* (" Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Science and Animal Industry,"
Volume 3, No 2, October 1934.)