6
NOTES ON THE STATISTICS OF VACCINATION IN BURMA FOR THE YEAR 1894-95.
As remarked last year this table can but imperfectly serve its purpose till vital
statistics are made more reliable.
23. The Vaccination Act was extended to the towns of Kyaukpyu, My-
aungmya, Ramree, Zalun, and Kyangin during the year.
UPPER BURMA.
24. The total number of persons vaccinated was 114,863, or 16,137 in
excess of those of the previous year. Of these 110,943 were primary and 3,920
re-vaccinations. Most districts show an increase, but there has been a falling off
in the numbers returned from Mandalay, Kindat, Pakôkku (including Gangaw),
Yamèthin (including Pyinmana), and Myingyan. In Yamèthin alone has this
been considerable (2,857 less). In the other districts the decrease ranged from
726 in Mandalay to 41 in Kindat.
25. At Yamèthin the falling off is attributed to—
(i) frequent changes in the Town vaccinator, two occupants of the
post having been removed for incapacity and want of energy ;
(ii) carelessness of the vaccinator at Pyinmana in allowing the supply
of lymph to run short; he was severely fined for his neglect;
(iii) increasing apathy on the part of the people concurrent with the non-
appearance of small-pox.
In Mandalay it is accounted for by the lesser number of subjects available
at headquarters. The reduction at Kindat is slight (41), and, considering that
the average number of operations per vaccinator in this district was 3,837 (the
highest in Upper Burma), it calls for no remark. In the Pakôkku district the
reduction (439) is due to the absence of a vaccinator at Gangaw during May, June,
and July and again from November to March. The vaccinator there resigned
and the substitute sent from Rangoon absconded after reaching Pakôkku. The
former man was then re-appointed, but was removed for misconduct and a sub-
stitute obtained from Mandalay, who likewise absconded on arrival at Pakôkku.
It has not been possible to get another man since, owing to the remoteness and
unpopularity of the station and the low pay (Rs. 15). I am in correspondence
with the Civil Surgeon on the subject.
The decrease in Myingyan (156) is due to the services of the Municipal
vaccinator at Pagan having been dispensed with for want of funds.
26. The number of operations performed in the Northern Shan States
(433), though an improvement on the previous year, is still very small, but as ex-
plained in the report for 1893-94 the difficulties encountered are considerable.
27. Compared with the preceding year the percentages of success in both
primary and secondary operations have improved—88.91 and 45.59 respectively
as against 86.35 and 44.73.
28. A low percentage of success in primary cases was obtained in the
Mogaung subdivision (65.95), the Ruby Mines district (72.62), and the Northern
Shan States (58.66), a result attributable in great part to the difficulty of com-
munication in these tracts and the deterioration of lymph from consequent delays.
29. On the whole, vaccination work in Upper Burma during the year of
report has considerably advanced, but that much room for improvement still
exists is evident from the fact that in the Mandalay, Ruby Mines, Ye-u, and
Upper Chindwin districts alone, does the amount of protection exceed or approxi-
mate what may be considered the normal birth-rate.
30. Statement II.—The cost of the department exceeded that of the pre-
vious year by Rs. 1,569, which included the salaries and travelling allowance of
the six additional vaccinators by whom the establishment was increased.
31. The average cost of each successful operation was 2 annas 8 pies, or
3 pies less than in the preceding year. As in the previous year, it was highest in
the Northern Shan States (though reduced by 4 annas and 6 pies) and lowest in
Shwebo (11 pies).
32. A little over 40 per cent. of the cost was borne by Municipalities and
the balance by Government.