Report on Vaccination in the Central Provinces
during the season 1881-82.
The general result of the past season's operations as shown in Annual State-
ment No. I. is a large increase in the number of vaccinations over all previous
years. 369,651 operations were performed against 301,450 in 1880-81. Of the total
number, 361,310 were cases of primary vaccination, of which 347,370, or 97.40
per cent were reported successful the percentage for 1880-81 being 96-55.
2. The average work performed by each vaccinator, 1,824, also shows a
considerable improvement on former years. In 6 out of 18 districts this was
over 2,000, the highest average 2,531 being in Sambalpur, and the lowest 1,286
in Betul.
3. The largest percentage of success 99.75 was obtained in Chhindwara,
the lowest 93.70 in Bilaspur.
4. Of revaccination there were 8,341 cases with a percentage of success
70.93 as compared with 6,695 and 74.34 per cent successful for 1880-81.
Except in one or two localities, notably Chhindwara, the subject of
revaccination has not apparently received any attention. In 9 out of the 18 dis-
tricts not a single person was revaccinated. I think this is much to be regretted.
Though primary vaccination should be their chief object, vaccinators should have
ample time to devote to revaccination also, and the number operated on in
Chhindwara shows the amount of success attainable with tact and perseverance.
5. Statement No. II. shows the cost of the department for the season.
The Vaccine establishment in the Nagpur district was reduced by two, for rea-
sons which are stated in the remarks under the head of that district; whilst in
Hoshangabad, Bilaspur and Sambalpur the staff was increased by 1, 2*, and 2*
vaccinators respectively. The increase under the head of pay of establishment is
due partly to this, and partly to the promotion of several vaccinators to the higher
grades. There is also a slight increase under the head of travelling allowance
over the previous year, whilst the column contingencies shows a slight decrease.
The total cost for the year was Rs. 39,102-1-11 against Rs. 37,515-2-10 for
1880-81, or an increase of Rs. 1,586-15-1. Of this sum, however, Rs. 554-14-5
is debitable to Native States.
Owing to the great increase in the number of successful operations, the cost
of each, 1 anna 9¼ pies, is considerably less than in 1880-81, when it was 2 annas
1¼ pies.
The cost per head varies considerably in the several districts, ranging from
2 annas 7¾ pies in Betul, to 10½ pies in Sambalpur. In Damoh, the rate is
2 annas ½ pie, a high average in comparison with all other districts except
Betul. In Nagpur, where one would expect high rates from the establishment
being unavoidably saddled with additional expenses for superintendence, the rate
is below 2 annas.
DISPENSARY VACCINATION.
6. Annual Statement No. III. shows the total number of operations
(27,131) for the past year. This is an improvement on the previous year, but is
still very much below the mark. The dispensaries of Damoh, Narsinghpur,
Betul, Bhandara, Wardha, Chanda and Sambalpur, have all fallen off since
1880-81, whilst the increase in a number of the others is only nominal. Nagpur,
Chhindwara, Jubbulpore, Bilaspur and Saugor show a substantial improvement
in their returns in the order named : the increase ranging from 1,307 in Nagpur,
to 413 in Saugor.
*For Feudatory States.