83
The total number vaccinated was 4,047, which, compared with the work of the
previous year as above exhibited, shows a decrease of 557 operations. The unusual
prevalence of measles, more or less present throughout the entire year, is assigned as
the chief cause of decrease. But, apart from this, other influences must have been
operating to account for the large falling off in vaccinations since 1866 ; and this, I
think, is due to the fact that, as a municipal institution, the establishment has not the
same status in popular estimation that it had when it was directly employed by Go-
vernment. The repeated complaints of late years, that parents, on one pretence or
other, conceal or withdraw their children after vaccination, so as to prevent their em-
ployment in propagating the prophylactic,—the excuse commonly put up resting on
an assumption that removal of lymph from a ripe vesicle vitiates the protective efficacy
of the operation,—is a matter that Municipal Peons are almost powerless to deal with,
and hence much time is vexatiously wasted in daily search for children to vaccinate
from. Moreover, it would appear that the utility of the establishment is affected by
the position the Municipality may chance to occupy in public favour; and in this view,
the Vaccinators have, no doubt, been working at some disadvantage of late. It is thus,
I believe, that vaccination has retrogaded since 1866, when the operations amounted
to 5,505.
Of the number for the year, 2,018 were males and 2,029 females. Hitherto, maks
have ever predominated; and although, latterly, in lessening ratio, it is still a notable
fact to find that the corelative proportion of females is now almost fairly represented.
As to age there were 2,795 operations under one 1 year and 1,252 above. These
figures relatively are in close correspondence with previous experience. In respect
of results, the ratio of successful cases was 96.8 per cent. of the whole, the unsuccess-
ful and doubtful aggregating 126, while 40 shown as unknown were altogether lost
sight of.
The lymph employed was that introduced from England in 1863. It is reported
to have continued good throughout the year, and the vesicles that have come under my
inspection since resuming charge have been distinctive, although somewhat small.
In several instances, however, the cicatrices have appeared less typical than could be
desired, and I therefore think it advisable that fresh lymph should be tried.
Both Assistant Vaccinators are steady, experienced men, earnest in their efforts
to extend vaccination. They have been favourably reported on throughout. One
(Shnik Hoosain) performed 2,046 operations ; the other (Mahasook Wiswonath) 2,001;
the number of unsuccessful and doubtful cases amounting in the instance of the former
to 90, and as respects the latter to 76. The total outlay was borne by the Munici-
pality. Inclusive of lancets and stationery it reached Rs. 464. The average cost of
each operation was thus 1 anna and 1 pie. The amount of population can only be
guessed at. By the imperfect census of 1854 it was returned at 100,000. It is now
roughly estimated at about 150,000. As to the practicability of improvement, there
can be no doubt that the substitution of Police Peons for those of the Municipality
would materially conduce to promote the extension of vaccination.
The more