4
NOTES AND STATISTICS ON VACCINATION IN BURMA FOR THE YEAR 1915-16.
protected by vaccination. Of the estimated population at ages 5-10, 63.73
per cent. were seen and 57.19 per cent. found protected by vaccination. Thus
we find that, whereas of the total estimated population aged 0-1 a larger propor-
tion was brought up for inspection in the Lower Burma District, in the case of
infants this position was reversed, and a rather larger percentage of infants in
Kyauksè District was found protected by vaccination. At 0-5 the percentage
protected was higher in Kyauksè District, while at 5-10 Hanthawaddy District
stood first. For the whole population inspected the protection afforded in
Kyauksè District was slightly the higher, in both districts being over 50 per cent.
As to the state of vaccination among absentees, nothing is known, but experience
shows that nearly all vaccinated children below ten years of age are usually
presented for inspection, while a considerable proportion of the unprotected are
kept out of sight. Above the age of ten years it is impossible to collect more
than a small proportion of the children, and nearly all of these are those who
have been successfully vaccinated, so that the statistics obtained have little
comparative value. In other areas of Lower and Upper Burma than those
concerned in the analysis given above a far lower proportion were found to be
vaccinated, and as a corollary a smaller proportion of the total estimated
population at each age-period was made available for inspection.
Statement II.
12. Cost of the Department.— The total expenditure was Rs. 2,20,475-7-5,
being Rs 14,206-5-9 in excess of the expenditure in 1914-15. This excess is made
up by increases under the following heads—Establishment, Rs. 8,270-4-9 ; Travel-
ling allowance, Rs. 883-5-0 ; Contingencies, Rs. 5,052-12-0. Of this excess
Rs. 11,753 was borne by Provincial Funds.
The excess under Establishment and Travelling allowance is accounted for
by the increase in the staff of vaccinators and the grant of increments of salary
to all grades. That under Contingencies was due to an increase under this head of
expenditure by the Meiktila Vaccine Depôt of Rs. 5,436-6-4 (excess cost of calves
and larger number of students under training). The cost of each successful
operation was increased by Re. 0-0-8.
Statement I.
13. Ratio of successful to total operations.—The percentage of primary opera-
tions of which results are known which proved successful was 97.14 against 94.93
in the previous year, and of re-vaccinations 57.18 against 60.46. These results
are satisfactory.
14 Meiktila Vaccine Depôt.—The new laboratory buildings were occupied on
1st April 1915. The old laboratory is used as a lecture room for students under
training, for which purpose it is well suited.
The number of calves used was 345 against 282 in the previous year. Of
these 24 were rejected after inoculation for various reasons. On ten occasions
passage through rabbits was performed for the intensifying of the vaccine virus.
Passage through healthy children and through a buffalo calf was also carried out
for the same purpose.
The outturn of glycerinated lymph was 748,720 doses, against 776,432 in
1914-15. The amount issued for use of vaccination staffs and others was 722,314
doses which is less than in either of the two preceding years. This is accounted
for by the low state of small-pox prevalence.
Attention is directed to the great waste of lymph in many districts.
It appears that only about 65 per cent. of the lymph issued to the Province is
actually used. Some waste must be expected, but steps will be taken to reduce
it to the lowest possible ratio.
Experiments were made in storing lymph in the refrigerator for four months,
at the end of which period the samples gave excellent results when inoculated
into calves.
Training classes.—Sixteen Native Superintendents and forty vaccinators
underwent training during the year. All of the latter and eight only of the former
passed out at the end of their course. Four Native Superintendents passed after
further training.
The Office of Director was filled by Captain L. K. Rodriguez for eleven
months, and for the remaining period by Mr. W. D. Jones, and that of Assistant
Director by First Grade Sub-Assistant Surgeon Rao Sahib Govinda Pillai. These
officers sustained the previous high traditions of the Institution. The clerical and
subordinate staff also worked well, and my thanks are due to all.
C. E. WILLIAMS, M.D., D.P.H., D.T.M.,
Lt.-Col., I.M.S.,
Superintendent-General of Vaccination, Burma.