6
The quality of the work of the Special Staff, as judged by the percentages of suc-
cessful cases, has slightly improved, the total percentage of success being 8264 as com¬
pared with 82.58 of last year. This improvement is, however, confined to re-vaccinations,
of which the percentage of success has risen from 56.83 to 62.38, while the percentage
of successful primary vaccination has fallen from 88.68 to 86.40. The variations in these
figures have been due more to differences in the number of operations whose results are
returned as unknown than to any real alteration in the quality of the work.
Small-pox map.
11. I attach a map to this report showing the death-rates from small-pox
in the different districts of the Province. The death-rates
by districts are noted in the margin of the map and the
shades of brown color indicate the districts which have a low or a high
death-rate. Kángra and Simla, it will be seen, show complete immunity from
the disease, while 26 districts give a rate varying from 0.05 to 0.50. Gurgáon
and Kohát give roughly a death-rate of 1.00, while Pesháwar gives a rate of 3.50.
The Civil Surgeons of Pesháwar, Kohat and Gurgáon report as follows
regarding the high mortality from this disease in their respective districts:—
Peshawar.—Small-pox was very prevalent both in the city and in the
district. Many cases occurred also in cantonments. The epidemic began in the
hot weather, it reached its height in the cold season, and it has since declined.
Two thousand two hundred and eighty-eight deaths were registered as due to
the disease, or 2,163 more than in the previous year.
The people of this district are evidently quite averse to vaccination.
The District Authorities, however, are using their best endeavours to make
the people accept the prophylactic more readily than they have done in past
years. The Civil Surgeon has recently made certain proposals on the subject
of making vaccination more popular in this district which are under con-
sideration. In this district inoculation is very rife, and is the cause of the
spread of the disease.
Kohat.—The Civil Surgeon of Kohát remarks, that “small-pox has been
prevalent throughout the district during the latter months of the year. It
appears in some cases to be spread by Hindús (small communities such as
bauiás) who are averse to vaccination, and they in time suffer much more
severely in proportion to their numbers than the Muhammadans of the district."
Gurgaon.—The Civil Surgeon, Gurgáon, says, "I find that all
Civil Surgeons of this district have brought to notice the difficulty ex-
perienced in vaccination in Rewári town and tahsíl, and I can most strongly
add that it is almost hopeless to carry out thorough vaccination in Rewári.
The members of the Municipal Committee are personally averse to
vaccination, and have rendered no help whatever to Vaccinators.
I have
actually seen a case of small-pox in a child belonging to one of the members
of the Municipal Committee, and this child had not been vaccinated.
If these
members who, no doubt, bear a deal of influence, and could set a good
example by having children of their community vaccinated, do not come
forward and give the assistance they ought to, vaccination will never be
perfectly done in Rewári. Though I am not in favor of compulsory vaccination,
on account of its having obvious disadvantages, some strenuous measures I
think ought to be taken in Rewári to effect perfect vaccination." During the
next vaccinating season I shall take special measures, in consultation with
the District Authorities, to have vaccination work more thoroughly done in
Rewári than has been done heretofore. This matter is now engaging the atten-
tion of the District Officers. I have suggested that some man of good caste and
tact be appointed to persuade the people, such as Rai Bahadur Bal Kishen, who,
since he was appointed in Kangra in 1888, has made small-pox almost an
unknown disease in that district.
Small-pox chart.
12. The printed vaccination chart is attached to
this report.
Extent of supervision
exercised by the officers of
the Department.
13. The following statement shows the extent of supervision exercised
by the Sanitary Commissioner, Deputy Sanitary Commis-
sioner, Civil Surgeons, Divisional Inspectors and Native
Supervisors of the Vaccination Department:—