2
against 140,338 a decrease of 5.4 per cent. The average number of vaccina-
tions performed by each vaccinator in mufassal municipalities was 737 against
680 during 1920-21 or an increase of 8 per cent. while that done by a licensed
and paid vaccinator amounted to 781 and 1,215 against 1,084 and 1,452
during 1920-21, decreases of 28 per cent. and 16.3 per cent. respectively.
Compared with the previous year, out of 28 districts including Calcutta
only five, viz., Howrah, Calcutta, Khulna, Dinajpur and Tippera reported
an increase in the total number of operations but there was a decrease of
1,356 in primary vaccination in Tippera. Six other districts, viz., Burdwan,
Bankura, Nadia, Jessore Rajshahi and Malda reported an increase in
primary vaccination but the reduction in re-vaccinations being large there
was a decrease in the total operations performed in these districts. The
largest increase (55,650) was reported from Calcutta where many vaccina-
tions were performed in anticipation of a small-pox epidemic. The next
largest increase (14,373) was in Tippera due it is said to the deputation of
the Special Vaccination Inspector who did such good work in the Bakarganj
district in recent years. He with the staff under him performed a large
number of re-vaccinations in certain thanas of the district where small-pox
generally breaks out. The increase in Dinajpur, Khulna and Howrah
amounted to 8,497, 7,070 and 4,264, respectively. In the first two districts
it is reported to be due to the introduction of free vaccination whereas in
Howrah it is said to be owing to the specially good work of the staff and
the care of the health officer. The decrease in the number of operations was
most marked in Mymensingh (96,151), Bakarganj (91,919), Dacca (73,055),
Faridpur (72,258), Rajshahi (64,590), Rangpur (51,868), Malda (23,026),
Pabna (22,881), Jessore (18,199), Noakhali (17,422), Birbhum (16,945),
Jalpaiguri (16,310), Midnapore (15,503), Bogra (14,745), 24-Parganas
(14,571), Burdwan (12,586), Hooghly (10,885), Darjeeling (8,075) and
Murshidabad (8,046). In Nadia, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bankura and
Chittagong it amounted to 2,298, 1,283, 1,103 and 349, respectively.
In Mymensingh, Dacca, Faridpur, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Bogra, Pabna,
Midnapore and Hooghly districts the decrease is attributed to the fact that
in consequence of the prevalence of small-pox in epidemic form during the
previous year a large number of vaccinators had been employed either by
District Boards or under the licensed system and the people came forward
voluntarily for vaccination while during the year under report the disease
was not very prevalent and hence comparatively less number of vaccinators
were appointed. The Dacca District Board did not appoint any paid vaccina-
tor during the year and the licensed vaccinators could not work energetically
as the people refused to pay for their fees, they having received free vaccina-
tion during the pevious year and learning that it has been introduced in the
bordering districts. The unwillingness of the people to attend to public
vaccine stations in Midnapore and Pabna and a severe prolonged outbreak
of cholera in the Serajganj subdivision and in parts of the Sadar subdivision
of the latter district during the first two months of the working season
helped in the falling off. The non-co-operation movement in all these dis-
tricts except Rajshahi and Dacca as well as in the districts of Bakarganj,
Noakhali and Jalpaiguri are reported to be another factor for the decrease
but in Bakarganj the withdrawal of the special vaccination campaign which
was started during 1915-16 and continued till 1920-21 may be attributed
to be another cause. In the 24-Parganas, Nadia, Murshidabad, Jessore,
Darjeeling, Malda and Chittagong Hill Tracts the decrease is said was due
solely to less prevalence or comparatively absence of small-pox. In Birbhum
district the appointment of insufficient number of vaccinators is reported
was the cause of the decrease. At the beginning of the season the District
Board appointed 98 secretaries of Union Boards to work as vaccinators in
addition to their own duties but the scheme having proved unsuccessful 8
vaccinators were appointed in December 1921 and 4 more in February 1922.
The decrease in the Chittagong district was insignificant and the prevalence
of measles and itches amongst children was the cause.
5. Protection afforded to infants.—During 1921-22 out of 1,009,720
the estimated number of infants available for vaccination 271,735 or 269.11