TRIENNIAL REPORT ON VACCINATION IN BURMA FOR THE YEARS 1890-91 TO 1892-93.
9
and to explain failures and shortcomings in every instance. Proposals were also
submitted for the increase of the vaccination establishments in certain districts
in Upper Burma.
The Commissioner of the Tenasserim Division kindly undertook to address
Deputy Commissioners in his division with a view to affording all possible assist-
ance to Medical Officers and vaccinators in this important work, and he desired
to be furnished monthly with progress reports, which is being done.
Attitude of the people.—The attitude of the people towards vaccination
is generally antagonistic, and the work of the vaccination staff is too frequently a
hopeless struggle against ignorance and prejudice. In Upper Burma in the years
immediately following the annexation much good work was done, particularly in
districts like the Upper Chindwin, in which the co-operation of the Deputy Com-
missioner and other Civil Officers was secured ; but the might and authority of the
Government were still very fresh in the recollection of the people, and the simple
order of a responsible officer received the same consideration and obedience as
law. The people are now, unfortunately for themselves, beginning to realize that
vaccination is not compulsory, and in some instances offer active resistance. In
my Sanitary Report for the province I referred to the opposition experienced in
the Bassein district, and I would again commend the suggestion made in that
connection to the favourable consideration of the Government, namely, that certain
districts be selected in which inoculation be prohibited.
The following is extracted from the report of the Civil Surgeon, Bassein :—
" The Burmans and Burmese inoculators are the greatest obstacle in furthering vacci-
nation in this district. If it were not for the Christian Karens the number of operations
performed in this district would be very few. * * * I myself visited Ngaputaw, Thi-
gwin and Einmè and tried to vaccinate, but it was of no use. The lugyis were all called in
and I myself and the Myoôks explained to them the beneficial effects of vaccination. They
pretended to believe in what was said, but had various pretexts to put off the operation,
In fact, while I was talking to the elders, all the children had left the village and were
secreted. The same occurred when I sent a vaccinator with Mr. Weidemann, the Deputy
Commissioner. The whole of the village of Tamangyaung Kanni was deserted except by
the old men and women. I visited the same place a week after and the same thing occur-
red. Not only was the village deserted, but the inhabitants intimidated the people of the
neighbouring Karen village with severe consequences if they took to vaccination. With
great persuasion I had some cases in the Karen village."
Practice of inoculation.—The spread of small-pox in the town and district
of Akyab owing to the practice of inoculation was brought to the notice of the
Chief Commissioner in February last, and the inquiry which resulted pointed to
the probability of the residents of the town stepping outside municipal limits to
place themselves in the hands of the inoculator.
From the decision of the Commissioner, Arakan, regarding the prosecution of
inoculators under section 269 of the Indian Penal Code, a copy of which was
received with General Department No. 362-3X.—5, dated the 10th April 1893,
from the Under Secretary to the Chief Commissioner, it is evident that the
spread of small-pox by the practice of inoculation outside of towns in which the
Vaccination Act is in force cannot be effectually put a stop to.
Scrutiny of registers of vital statistics by Vaccinators.—In accordance with
the instructions conveyed in General Department No. 538-4—2-4, dated the 22nd
April 1892, vaccinators were instructed to scrutinize the registers of births and
deaths in villages they visited, and to bring to notice any omissions detected.
This system has resulted in a large number of omissions being brought to the
notice of the Deputy Commissioners, several of whom speak in approval of the
good services so rendered. The work done by the vaccinators in this connection
has been set forth in the provincial Sanitary Report.
Cultivation and supply of lymph.—The supply of bovine lymph was main-
tained throughout the year at Akyab, Rangoon, and Moulmein. At Bassein three
calves were vaccinated during the year. Great difficulty was experienced in
securing calves. At Akyab a calf was vaccinated regularly every week and vac-
cinations in the town have been almost exclusively carried on with bovine lymph.
At Moulmein and Rangoon also the supply of calf lymph was continuous.
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