( 2 )
Considering the famine distress which prevailed in 1897 as well as the
high mortality of the year, the outturn of work may be regarded as satisfac-
tory, especially in the backward district of Wun, where the increase attained
this year of 5,173 operations reflects credit on Superintendent Mahadeo Bal¬
vant Deshpande and his vaccinators.
Primary vaccination.
5. The number of primary operations amounted to 95,048 as compared
with 98,594 in 1896-97. The decrease in primary
work is attributable to the very high mortality
amongst children as borne out by the figures of the Sanitary Report.
The percentage of success in primary vaccination was 96.4 as compared
with 96.8 in the previous year, and ranged from 98.3 in the Amraoti district
to 94.1 in Ellichpur.
The proportion of the population protected from small-pox by primary
vaccination was 31.6 per mille—a smaller ratio than obtained in the previous
year, but a figure that will compare favourably with other provinces.
Re-vaccination.
6. The number of re-vaccinations rose from 21,717 in 1896-97 to 30,241
during the year under report. Excepting Akola,
where there was a falling off of 260 operations,
the increase was general in each district, Buldana and Wun heading the list.
The percentage of successful cases was 30 as against 20.5 in 1896-97. The
ratios of 45.9 and 36.9 in the Ellichpur and Buldana districts are too high, and
I do not consider them reliable. When primary vaccination has been properly
performed, the individual is protected totally or in part against cow-pox and
small-pox, and the amount of susceptibility remaining is generally so slight
that in the majority of cases re-vaccination only results in the development of
papulæ, which last but a day or two, or may produce little more than mere
local irritation which the inexperienced would wrongly record as successful.
Superintendents must be more careful in checking the vaccinators' results under
re-vaccination.
Age of those vaccinated.
7. Of the ages of those successfully vaccinated, 73, 534 were infants under
one year, 14,241 children between 1 and 6, and
3,892 over 6 years of age, and adults. Thus
out of 100 persons successfully vaccinated, 80.2 were infants, 15.6 children
between 1 and 6, and 4.2 of other ages.
Calculating the birth-rate of the province at 40 per 1,000, the total num-
ber of infants under one year available for vaccination was 115,881, of whom
73,534 or 63.4 per cent. were successfully vaccinated against 66.8 per cent. in
the previous year. The decrease in the rate of infantile protection is due to the
high mortality amongst infants as shown in the following comparative table
based on the registration returns of the past year :—
TABLE No. 2.—Infants protected for two years compared.
Years.
1896-97 ...
1897-98 ...
Registered
births.
109,013
113,364
Registered
deaths under
one year.
23,134
34,600
Number of
children avail-
able for vac-
cination.
85,879
78,764
Infants suc-
cessfully vac-
cinated.
77,490
73,534
Infanta re-
maining to be
vaccinated.
8,389
5,230
Percentage of
available
infants
protected.
90.2
93.3
The above goes to show that 93 per cent. of the available infants were pro-
tected after deducting the registered deaths under one year of age, assuming
that all deaths under one year were unprotected.
Cost of vaccination.
8. The total cost of vaccination during the year was Rs. 17,548-13-7
against Rs. 17,572-14-3 in 1896-97, the average
cost of each reported successful vaccination being
2 annas and 9 pie, similar to last year's average.