( 2 )
increased very largely since the year 1886; for in that period only 570,586
persons were vaccinated against 853,676 in the past year, while altogether in
the former period 627,313 operations were performed by the different staffs
compared with 934,110 in the year 1889. On the whole, therefore, if the figures
are reliable, considerable progress has been made during the past three years,
and, as no complaints have been received by the Lieutenant-Governor regarding
the conduct of the subordinate officers of the Department, it seems that the
prejudices of the people against vaccination are being rapidly overcome.
5. The work of the Special staff as compared with that done, in the
year 1888-89 shows a decrease of no less than 34,297 operations. This falling-
off is attributed by the Sanitary Commissioner partly to the action of the Rája
of Náhan in refusing to allow Vaccinators to work in his State, but principally
to the conduct of certain Vaccinators who declined, on alleged religious grounds,
to use animal lymph. The Lieutenant-Governor is glad to notice that these
men eventually set aside their scruples and agreed to use buffalo calf lymph.
The Rája of Náhan objected to the Special staff of Vaccinators carrying
on vaccine operations in his territory on the ground that on a previous occasion
(August 1887) the Vaccinators had misconducted themselves by refusing to
pay the hire claimed for certain coolies and mules engaged for the conveyance
of baggage. It appeared on enquiry that the hire had been withheld because
the coolies and muleteers failed to carry out their engagement efficiently. The
sum actually due was eventually paid, and the Rája withdrew his objection,
but the protracted inactivity of the Vaccinators who had already proceeded to
Náhan caused a considerable loss of valuable time. It was further represented by
the Rája that an adequate machinery for vaccination already exists in the Sirmúr
State, but His Highness did not press this matter as an insuperable objection
to the acceptance of co-operation from the Provincial establishments. As soon
as the Lieutenant. Governor is assured that any Native State has made efficient
arrangements for vaccination, he will be ready to leave the control of the
operations to the authorities of the State, but meanwhile, considering the
proximity of so many of the Hill States to the various cantonments situated
in the Simla hills, it is very desirable that the British authorities should
supervise and carry out the work of vaccination.
6. Of the total number, of vaccination operations performed during
the year 645,871 were "primary" and 288,239 were " re-vaccinations." In
the case of the primary vaccinations 618,268, or 95.73 per cent., were successful,
and it is stated that about 80 per cent. of the infant population of the Province
were vaccinated during the season. If the statistics given in the Report are
trustworthy, this result may be regarded as most satisfactory, but, considering
the difficulty of supervising and testing the work of the subordinate officers
of the Department, there are some grounds for thinking that their returns are
not always accurate. In the case of the re-vaccinations, which were 14,402
more than in 1888, 146,014, or 50.66 per cent., were successful. In this
connexion the Lieutenant-Governor is glad to observe that his remarks in
the Review of the Sanitary Report for the year 1888, to the effect that the
subject of re-vaccination might receive attention in view of the high mortality
from small-pox, have not been overlooked; and His Honor trusts that the
importance of re-vaccination will continue to engage the attention of the
Sanitary Commissioner and those working under his control.
7. The total cost of the vaccination establishment for the year
1889-90 was Rs. 75,671, or Rs. 812 less than in 1883-89. This decrease is
largely due to a less highly paid officer being at the head of the Special staff
for a portion of the year. In the District staff there was an increased
expenditure. of Rs. 1,367. This and the fluctuation in expenditure generally
as compared with the expenditure of last year is due to ordinary causes, such
as the entertainment of additional Vaccinators and increased cost of travelling
allowances and contingencies. On the whole however, notwithstanding increased
activity in the Department generally, the total expenditure was less than in the
previous year.