4
From the figures presented in Appendix A, it will be seen that the
number of infants successfully vaccinated in Peshawar city was much larger
than the number of those available for vaccination. This is accounted for by
the fact that a large proportion includes infants of nomad tribes who while
passing through Peshawar on their way to and from independent territory find
it convenient to have their children vaccinated in Peshawar city. It also
includes many of the children of villagers who attend the weekly fairs held at
Peshawar. Taking all things into consideration, it is probable that about one-
eighth of the children born in the city are not submitted to vaccination.
Successful vaccinations with
annual ratios of deaths from
small-pox.
Appendix B.
16. The ratio of deaths from small-pox per thousand of the population
was slightly higher in the Hazara, Kohat and Dera
Ismail Khan districts than in the previous year. The
unhealthiness of the year prevented many parents in
these districts from submitting their children to
vaccination.
Particulars of vaccinations per-
formed by various kinds of lymph.
17. It will be seen that during the year under report, almost all the
vaccinations in the Province were performed with
glycerinated choloroform lymph. A small number
of persons, however, was vaccinated with animal
lymph in the Dera Ismail Khan and Kohat districts. In the former, this was
due to a sudden and unexpected demand by Powindas and by the Ustrans tribe
among whom there were many cases of small-pox. Through the exertions of
the Civil Surgeon, Dera Ismail Khan, the majority of the operations performed
in the Shirani country were performed with glycerinated chloroform lymph,
and the intention was to use this kind of lymph in that country for all the
operations but this was not possible as owing to the limited supply of lymph
from the Punjab Depôt, human lymph had to be used for a large number of
persons belonging to the Chuhar Khel tribe who unexpectedly presented
themselves for vaccination.
No report regarding the practice of inoculation was made during the year
in any of the settled districts of the Province. Reviewing the situation for the
period since the formation of the Province, it is most interesting to see what a
change for the better has occurred. Formerly there were several inoculators
in all parts of the Province engaged in the regular and constant practice of a
process that did much to account for constant outbreaks of small-pox.
Gradual instruction and the breaking down of long established prejudices has
made for progress, and the time seems now to be in sight when the practice of
inoculation in the Province will die a natural death.
Attitude of the people towards
vaccination.
18. Since the introduction of glycerinated chloroform lymph, vacci-
nation is becoming more popular among all classes
and in most parts of the settled districts of the Pro-
vince the people have shown less apathy and indifference than existed in former
years. The discontinuance of animal lymph has played an important factor in
lessening friction that was formerly constantly arising between vaccinators
and villagers owing to the difficulty of obtaining animal vaccinifers, but a
higher price has now to be paid for each successful case owing to the decision
of the Punjab Government to charge for all glycerinated lymph supplied by
the Vaccine Lymph Depôt.
I have the honour to be,
SIR,
Your most obedient servant,
G. W. P. DENNYS, LIEUT.-COL., I. M. S.,
Administrative
Medical Officer,
North-West Frontier Province.