9
I have very little to say about the Vaccination work performed in the
Native States noted above as I exercise no control or supervision over
the work of their Vaccination establishments, but a glance at this statement
shows the relative amount of work done during these three years in each of
these States.
In Patiala State, while there is a decrease in Primary Vaccinations in
1897-98 and 1898-99 as compared with 1896-97, there is an increase in re-
vaccinations ; so also in the States of Bahawalpur, Nabha, Jhind, Faridkot and
Maler Kotla so far as Primary Vaccinations are concerned, but in Kapurthala
there has been a slight increase in the Primary operations in 1898-99 and
1897-98 as compared with 1896-97.
Establishment of Vac-
cine Depôts.
16. There has been a great deal of correspondence on the subject of
the establishment of suitable lymph depôts. With regard
to the use of animal lymph preserved in vaseline, His Honor
the Lieutenant-Governor observes (Punjab Government letter No. 731, dated
22nd April 1898), that " in primary vaccinations the vaseline lymph has, on the
whole, been less successful than either animal or human lymph, both in the
hands of the ordinary and of the Special Staff, and though His Honor is open to
conviction of the fact that this partial failure is due to unfavourable conditions in
the preparation and use of the vaseline lymph, he is unable at present to regard
this as proved. Under these circumstances His Honor observes that it will not
be possible for him at present to consider proposals of the character put forward
in letter No 3/ 109, dated the 8th of January 1897, from the Sanitary Commissioner
to the address of the Punjab Government, involving considerable expenditure on
buildings, apparatus, furniture and establishment, for the preparation of the new
lymph; but invites such suggestions as to render it possible to give the lymph a
fairer trial without committing Government to any large outlay on what must
still be regarded in the light of an experiment."
Action taken on order of
Government.
17. On receipt of this letter the plans and estimate for the construction of
two permanent depôts—one at Murree and the other at
Amritsar—prepared by Captain C. H, James, I M S., Deputy
Sanitary Commissioner, were not submitted; and although no further action
was taken by this Department in the matter, yet Lieutenant-Colonel Roe and
myself were of opinion that some better arrangement must be made sooner
or later for supplying the Province with good vaccine lymph, and he left the
following note for my guidance before he proceeded on furlough.
Note on lymph Depôts by Brigade-Surgeon Lieutenant-Colonel W. A. CRAWFOED ROE,
F.R.C.S., Sanitary Commissioner, Punjab.
The question of establishing lymph depôts has been under consideration for a long
time. That such depôts are necessary is a fact which cannot be disputed, for, whether
stored vaccine (vaseline or glycerine) be employed, or fresh lymph from calves in closed
tubes, the same necessity exists for a suitable and convenient depôt in which it should be
prepared. I have carefully considered the locality, and am of opinion that Murree, as a.
hill depôt, cannot be improved upon. Simla has been suggested as the best place, but for
many reasons I do not concur in this opinion. I should therefore recommend Murree to
be kept on as the most suitable place for preparing and preserving vaccine for vaccination
purposes during the hot weather months.
Amritsar has hitherto been the place selected for the depôt during the cold season,
chiefly because of the facility the town and surrounding district present for obtaining
calves. During the lifetime of the late Mr. Nicholl, Secretary to the Amritsar Municipal-
ity, there was no difficulty experienced in obtaining calves, but as soon as his personal
influence was removed, difficulties sprang up on every side : the immediate result was bad
vaccine, careless work, and complaints on all sides that the stored vaccine was in many
cases useless. Unless the native establishment is carefully watched and supervised by
European officers such results are always sure to follow. For these reasons I am inclined
to the view that the depôt should be removed from Amritsar to Lahore, so that it may be
under the eye of the Head of the Sanitary Department at all times, as well as the Deputy
Sanitary Commissioner, whose head-quarters are also at Lahore. 1 do not think that any
greater difficulties are likely to arise in obtaining calves at Lahore than at Amritsar, and
I would certainly purchase, not hire, the animals for use as vaccinifers. The cost would not
exceed the present amount spent on hiring animals, and the chief advantage would be that
the calf would be kept clean and under proper condition from the moment it was vaccin-
ated until the vaccine was taken for use. At present the animals go back with their owners
to filthy houses, and fifthy conditions of all kinds, and the wonder is that the vaccine is
worth taking at all. In fact the whole system is thoroughly unsatisfactory in every sense,
and it is surprising that under such difficulties and opposition good results are obtainable