3
REPORT ON VACCINATION IN BURMA FOR THE YEAR 1880-90.
15. In November 1889 sanction to the entertainment of two vaccinators,
one at Gangaw and the other at Fort Stedman, was obtained. It was not,
however, till January and February 1890 that the men joined their appoint-
ments at Fort Stedman and Gangaw respectively, men previously nominated
having fallen sick on the way and returned.
16. Statement No. I shows the average number of vaccinators em-
ployed during the year and the result of vaccine operations. Twenty-nine
thousand seven hundred and seven operations were performed as against 20,348
(15,685 by vaccinators and 4,663 by Medical Officers) in 1888-89. Had it
been possible to start work earlier in all districts far better results would have
been possible, but through the delay caused by having to train men, and in
some cases to those appointed failing to join, several months passed without any-
thing being done. Difficulty was experienced especially at Mogaung, where
work did not commence till the 20th February 1890.
17. The largest number of operations is returned from the Mandalay dis-
trict (9,775), where six vaccinators were at work; but the best results were
obtained in the Upper Chindwin district, where the one vaccinator employed
operated on 4,086 cases, of which 92.76 per cent. are returned as successful.
The next largest number is returned by the Myadaung district (2,118).
18. The number of operations in the Shwebo (69), Minbu (80), and Bhamo
(161) districts is altogether insufficient. The Bhamo figures do not include 215
operations in the Mogaung subdivision, of which 195 were primarily success-
ful ; the remaining 20 were successful on re-vaccination. Further particulars
of these operations have not been received, hence they have not been included
in Statement No. I. The Civil Surgeon, Bhamo, remarks that the supply of
lymph does not appear to have been of good quality and that difficulty has been
experienced in getting subjects for vaccination as the Chinese section of the
community will not readily consent, and the Shans and Kachins do not fear
smallpox As with lymph sent from Bhamo 215 operations were performed by
the Civil Surgeon, Mogaung, during the remaining one month and eight days
of the year with, as already noted, 195 primarily successful cases, it seems
hardly fair to attribute the poverty of the results to the quality of the lymph.
The cause must be looked for elsewhere, and there appears to be no reason why,
if the Civil authorities lend their aid, good results may not be obtained at
Bhamo.
The Civil Surgeon, Shwebo, attributes the small number of operations to the
repeated failure of lymph supplies, while the Civil Surgeon, Minbu, merely
refers to the larger number of operations in his district as compared with the
previous year, and remarks that more will seek protection as the people begin
to see the advantages of vaccination.
19. The average number of operations by each vaccinator was highest in
Ye-u (1,984), Mogaung (2,118), and Upper Chindwin (4,086) districts, and the
smallest averages in the Bhamo (161), Minbu (80), and Shwebo (69) districts.
20. Of the number of primary operations (29,630) in Statement No. I
24,497 proved successful, and of 77 re-vaccinations 65 were successful. The per-
centage of success in primary vaccination was 82.68 and in re-vaccination 84.42.
21. In Statement No. II is shown the expenditure on establishments,
the sources from which paid, and the average cost of each successful case. The
cost per successful case compared with Lower Burma is only 2 pies more and,
but for the higher cost at Minbu (Rs. 5-13-8), Bhamo (Rs. 2-8-6), and Shwebo
(Rs. 2-8-7), would have been considerably less.
22. In Statement No. III the dispensary vaccination is exhibited. Three
thousand five hundred and thirty-four operations were performed, of which
3,440 were primary cases and 94 were cases of re-vaccination. The percentage
of success in primary cases was 81.66 and in re-vaccinations 61.70.
23. Of the total number of successful primary dispensary operations 1,830
were on children under six years of age and 979 on subjects above that age.
At Ye-u, Myingyan, and Pakôkku dispensary vaccination was confined chiefly
to children, 312, 151, and 114 respectively being subjects under six years of
age, while the number of persons vaccinated above that age were 72, 34, and 23
respectively.