7
30. Chhindwara.—Five men in this district performed 13,106 operations,
the remainder were not quite so successful, one of them did badly ; the general
result was an average of 1,825 for each man.
There has been a slight decrease in the number of primary operations here ;
re-vaccinations were fewer by nearly 6,000 ; suitable subjects for re-vaccinations
were less numerous Of 10,929 successful primary operations performed 9,313
were on infants and only 220 were on persons above 6 years of age. The fact is
that in this district, where vaccination has been worked with vigour and success
during the past 15 years, the mass of the population under puberty are protected:
and adults have been protected partly by vaccination, but mainly by having had
the disease, operations are thus now mainly confined to infants. Certain classes,
however, still reject vaccination; thus the Deputy Commissioner writes :—" The
Mohgaon and Multai Brahmins are, I am afraid, very obstructive, and the
Tahsildar of Sausar appears to sympathise with them." That an officer in his
position should not only fail to render assistance where desired but offer passive
obstruction seems almost incredible ; the matter has been specially reported to
the Commissioner of the Division. During the past nine years just 150,000
persons have been successfully vaccinated in a population of say in round numbers
316,000; the percentage of persons protected by vaccination is 47 or very nearly
half the entire population.
31. During the year 1878-79 643 cases believed to be small-pox were
reported, many of these, however, were measles, 63 persons died ; the disease was
chiefly confined to the Sausar Tahsil where some resistance is still offered ; thus
55 deaths occurred there, and only 10 in the Chhindwara Tahsil. The Hospital
Assistants in this district have done well. In this district vaccination is kept up
during the hot weather and rains.
The Civil Surgeon spent 33 days in camp and inspected 4,575 children. The
Superintendent saw 42 per cent of those vaccinated.
32. Seoni—The men in this district performed on an average 1,845 opera-
tions each, or including those performed by the Superintendent 16,113, being an
increase of 3,448 on the work of the previous year; re-vaccination does not engage
much attention, and only 784 persons over 6 years old were vaccinated ; thus the
attention of the establishment was directed to vaccinating young children, chiefly
infants. Vaccination was kept up during the year, and no lack of lymph existed
when the season opened. The Civil Surgeon expected to meet with some opposi-
tion to vaccination, but was surprised to find that the people offered none;
although there may be many who from apathy or from religious motives give the
vaccinator no countenance, opposition had practically ceased in this district seven
years ago. The Civil Surgeon reports favourably on the establishment with one
exception.
Dr. Johnstone's inspection reports submitted immediately after his tours
show that he has given much time and attention to the work ; and has been very
successful in his dealing with the people ; he found the percentage of success to
be 90 against 95 as shown by vaccinators; the cost per successful case in this
district was only 1 anna 7 pies.
The Hospital Assistant in charge of the main dispensary did good work
there was little done at the Branch dispensary at Lakhnadon.
33. Mandla.—In this district also a considerable increase took place, chiefly
owing to the exertions of one vaccinator. Five men are employed, and they
vaccinated on an average 1,820 persons each. The number of infants vaccinated
is very small, the majority of those operated on being between one and six years
of age. The Civil Surgeon reported that he was satisfied with the work as a
whole; he spent a sufficient time in camp to enable him to come to a conclusion
on the subject. Dispensary vaccination was very inefficient: the Civil Surgeon's