per cent and 6 only less than 95 per cent. Vizagapatam and Nellore gave 93.4
per cent each.
11. Re-vaccination.— The details for different districts are given in Table VI.
The total number of re-vaccinations this year was 389,307 showing an increase of
over 17,800 over the last year’s figure. Re-vaccination case and insertion success
rates are 30.1 per cent and 18.4 per cent respectively.
Re-vaccination gives such good protection against smallpox that it must be
encouraged. The following table gives the numbers of re-vaccinations from 1922
onwards with their respective case and insertion success rates :—
Year.
Total
re-vaccina-
tion.
Percentage
case success.
Percentage
insertion
success.
1922-23
...
...
...
...
...
...
198,262
37.4
20.9
1923-24
...
...
...
...
...
...
230,881
42.6
27.5
1924-25
...
...
...
...
...
...
333, 141
45.3
32.1
1925-26
...
...
...
...
...
...
373,262
37.7
24.8
1926-27
...
...
...
...
...
...
371,443
33.6
20.9
1927-28
...
...
...
...
...
...
389,307
30.1
18.4
It is apparent that there has been a progressive improvement in the number
of re-vaccinations done from the year 1922 onwards. There has been a fall in the
success rates in the last three years. This is of course to be desired, as an
unsuccessful re-vaccination with a potent lymph shows the presence of immunity
against smallpox. However, as re-vaccinations are done at all ages, and as the
effect of primary vaccination diminishes with age, no absolute value can be
attached to these success rates.
(B) BACTERIAL VACCINES AND SERA.
1. Charge of work.—As described below a new independent section to deal
with this work has been made. Military Assistant Surgeon J. H. Theodore and
later Military Assistant Surgeon F. G. Martin were in charge.
2. Cholera vaccine output .—Details of this and of all other vaccines are given
in Table VII. The year has been noteworthy for an enormous increase in the
demand for cholera vaccine due to a widespread epidemic of cholera starting in
May 1927. The increased demand was also largely due to the making of cholera
vaccine a free issue by G.0. No. 1129, Public Health, dated 10th June 1927. The
demand increased so much in July and August that the staff of laboratory
attendants had to be increased and officers taken from other work put on to
vaccine making. Double shifts were arranged for, so that at this time the Insti-
tute literally worked day and night trying to cope with the unprecedented demand.
The situation eased off in September, but the demand still remained abnormal
and continued to do so for the rest of the year. Extra work had to be continued
to manufacture a reserve, which is now fixed at 500,000 c.c. The total issued in
the year was 727,000 c.c. which is eleven times last year’s amount.
3. Other vaccines.—The demand for nearly all other stock vaccines parti-
cularly typhoid also increased, as shown by the fact that, while last year the total
stock vaccines less cholera was 23,000 c.c., this year’s total is 41,000 which is
nearly double. The work in the bacteriological vaccine section is now so great
that not only has the subordinate staff been increased, but the superior staff has
also been increased from one officer to two. This is possible only at the expense
of an investigation unit.
4. Bacterial strains.—The Institute is in the fortunate position of being able
to isolate new strains of cholera vibrios, typhoid bacilli, etc. So much so that
many cultures of new strains are annually exported to laboratories in Europe. In