FOR THE YEAR ENDED THE 31ST MARCH 1930.                    23

Double inoculation. (serum-virus method) was used for the immunisa-
tion of six selected bulls for breeding purposes at Akyab. The
inoculations were done at Insein. The dose estimated the previous
year was given and the results were successful.

Anthrax.—The vaccine prepared against this disease at the Insein
Laboratory was used in experimental work in field tests on elephants,
cattle and buffaloes with successful results. The vaccine was available
for field inoculations in general practice just before the conclusion of
the year and issues were to timber firms for the inoculation of elephants
in anthrax-infected areas. Information on this inoculation is given
under the Research Section of this report.

Surra.—Negotiations were in progress at the end of the year for
the training of Military Police Veterinary Assistants in the curative and
preventive treatment of surra in equines by inoculation of proprietory
preparations of Arsenic and Tartar emetic.

                              (b) CATTLE DISEASE RULES.

The application of the Cattle Disease Rules in the districts has been
commented upon by many Deputy Commissioners. Although the
general opinion expressed indicates that the rules are understood and
adhered to in cases of outbreaks, the reports by the Veterinary Inspec-
ting officers show that unless under the closest supervision, for which,
under present circumstances the Veterinary Department is unable to
provide staff, the efficient application of the rules for segregation and
control of movements of animals in the presence of an outbreak of
contagious disease is the exception rather than the rule. In the
majority of cases this is due to a lack of appreciation by the cattle
owners of the benefits to be derived from these control measures and
in this respect the subordinate Veterinary Staff have failed in one of
the most important of their functions.

Inoculation by the "serum alone" method in Rinderpest can only
be relied upon to assist in cleaning up a local outbreak. If free
movement of susceptible animals continue, the disease will be spread
very rapidly and the task of stamping out the outbreaks will be
enormously increased. Under present conditions "stand still"
measures in the outbreak are of primary importance and until the cattle
owners realize that this is to their own advantage the cost of Rinderpest
control will continue to be a heavy annual charge on the funds of the
Province. This question of increasing the Veterinary knowledge of the
cattle owners will receive a prominent place in the work of the depart-
ment in the future, but it is realised that task will be a protracted one.

The work of control of importation of disease from adjoining terri-
tories was continued throughout the year by Veterinary Assistants
stationed in the main overland cattle routes. Considering the