10
26. The total deaths from small-pox during the last five years are as
follows: —
1922-23
...
...
...
...
...
...
1923-24
...
...
...
...
...
...
1924-25
...
...
...
...
...
...
1925-26
...
...
...
...
...
...
1926-27
...
...
...
...
...
...
26,526
22,626
20,227
14,498
9,816
The progressive decline in the mortality from this loathsome disease since
the introduction of the District Health Service should serve to convince the most
sceptical of the value of that organization. In every infected area, prompt
action is taken to arrest the spread of infection, not only by means of a vigor
ous vaccination and re-vaccination campaign, but by systematic propaganda.
Enquiries instituted in infected areas go to prove that the majority of cases
occur either among unvaccinated persons or among those who have not been
re-vaccinated since infancy. The need for further intensive work is thus made
plain and the time has not yet come when the vaccination staff can relax their
efforts.
Although no district escaped infection during the year under report, in five
only did the mortality exceed 500, South Arcot registering the maximum of 936
deaths. Of 1,119 deaths registered in municipalities, no less than 616 occurred
in Madura. Trichinopoly recorded 96 deaths and Coimbatore 61, but in no other
town did the number exceed 40. Thirty-four municipalities remained free from
small-pox throughout the year.
In Ganjām, Madura and Tanjore districts, outbreaks of small-pox went
unreported, and were allowed to develop, until they were discovered by the health
staffs. Inordinate delays in reporting outbreaks, such as occurred in Anantapur
District, are almost as serious, and it is mainly because of these derelictions of
duty that constant vigilance is still necessary.
In G.O. No. 1415-P.H., dated 13th August 1926, Government requested all
Collectors to issue instructions to their subordinates regarding the importance of
prompt intimation of small-pox outbreaks, and the instances quoted above seem to
indicate the desirability of issuing a further reminder on the subject.
27. Information regarding the number of patients treated in small-pox
hospitals and their vaccinal condition, etc., asked for by the Government of
India in their letter No. 1250, Health, dated 4th September 1925, has been
consolidated from district reports. The number of institutions exclusively
reserved for the reception and treatment of small-pox patients has increased by
five during the year under report. Sixteen cases were reported to have been
treated therein, and 752 additional cases in sheds provided for general infectious
diseases. Of the 768 patients, details regarding the vaccinal condition of only
749 cases are available :—
(a) Vaccinated as evidenced by one or more cicatrices ... ...
(b) Stated to have been successfully vaccinated but no vaccination
cicatrices present ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
(c) Stated to be unvaccinated or unsuccessfully vaccinated but no
vaccination cicatrices present ... ... ... ... ... ...
(d) Previously unvaccinated but vaccinated during the incubation of
small-pox
...
...
...
...
...
...
(e) Stated to have been successfully re-vaccinated ... ... ... ... ...
496
21
162
54
16
749
It should be noted that these statistics do not represent the true vaccinal
condition of the population as a whole.
OOTACAMUND,
A. J. H. RUSSELL, C.B.E., M.A., M.D., D.P.H., LIEUT.-COL., I.M.S.,
20th June 1927.
Director of Public Health, Madras.