2
obligations imposed on them by statute. If the proposal to place the control of
vaccination in the hands of district boards were adopted, most of these difficul
ties would automatically disappear. Meantime, it is suggested that Government
should issue a circular to all union boards on the subject.
In municipal areas, the off-season detection of unrecorded births and unpro
tected children was generally unsatisfactory, although many of the municipal
registers showed grave deficiencies. With the increased employment of Munici
pal Health officers, gradual improvement may be anticipated.
6. The delegation of powers to Health Officers in matters of Public Health
administration, including vaccination, has been a vexed question during the
triennium under review. This would not be so keenly felt by Health Officers, if
the presidents and chairmen accepted their recommendations. Unfortu
nately, even in matters affecting discipline, reasonable requests are ignored,
as the following instances show. In the case of Hospet Taluk Board,
the District Health Officer is not permitted to grant even casual leave to vacci-
nators, whilst the President sanctions leave without the Health Officer's
knowledge, so that lymph is wasted. The same President has himself taken
charge from his vaccinators after granting them privilege leave; and has delayed
the supply of equipment because he is of opinion that the old scarifying knife is
as good as the new rotary lancet. In Dharmavaram taluk, the President gave
five increments at a time to a vaccinator in spite of the District Health Officer's
objection. In Chicacole Taluk Board area, unqualified men have been appointed,
although qualified candidates are available. Vaccinators are also granted leave
without reference to the District Health Officer ; they are permitted to corre
spond directly with the President, and are paid in full in spite of the District
Health Officer's recommendations regarding recovery of the cost of wasted lymph.
Finally, in Palladam taluk, the District Health Officer for obvious reasons
recommended the removal from service of an unqualified vaccinator suffering from
chronic intractable eczema. The President, Taluk Board, gave him six months
leave, and at the end of the period sent him with a requisition to the District
Medical Officer (without the District Health Officer's knowledge and without
furnishing particulars of the case) asking his opinion if the disease was contagious.
On receipt of a negative opinion, the vaccinator, still suffering from eczema, was
taken back into service.
These examples afford sufficient indication of the difficulties experienced by
Health Officers in vaccination administration. Unless local bodies are prepared
to trust their Health Officers, give due consideration to their advice, and, at least,
give them disciplinary powers over the subordinate staffs, it will be very difficult
to effect improvements.
7. The office of Assistant Director of Public Health (Vaccination) was held
by Dr. R. Adiseshan from the 1st April to 31st August 1925, by Dr. Matthew from
1st September to 31st October 1925, and by Captain N. R. Ubhaya during the
rest of the official year.
The subjoined statement shows the inspections carried out by these officers.
Dr. R. Adiseshan.
Date.
1925.
7th to 11th April
25th April to 2nd May.
4th to 7th May
Remarks.
Inspection of vaccination in Negapatam and Māyavaram Munici
palities, and routine sanitary inspection of Tiruvālūr Municipality.
Attended fairs and festivals conference in Palamcottah, inspection of
the District Health Officer's office, inspection of Siyalaperi cattle
fair, and scrutiny of vital statistics and vaccination records in
certain villages in Tinnevelly district and investigation of charges
against the Health Inspector, Srivilliputtūr Range.
Inspection of Chittarai festival arrangements in Madura Municipal
ity and of Kochadai water works, inspection of vaccination in
Madura Range, conference with the District Health Officers of
Tanjore and Trichinopoly at the latter place and inspection of
Arisipalaiyam Tank in Salem Municipality.