2
REPORT ON VACCINATION IN BURMA FOR THE YEAR 1891-92.
5. One hundred and twenty-nine thousand five hundred and nine persons
have been vaccinated during the year against 140,321 in 1890-91 and 120,552
in 1889-90, showing a decrease of 10,812 on the former and an increase of 8,957
on the latter year. There is a decrease in the number of operations performed
in the Arakan (30), Pegu (5,798), and Irrawaddy (6,764) divisions, and an in-
crease in the Tenasserim (1,780) division.
6. Arakan Division—Shows an increase in the Hill Tracts (96) and San-
doway (275), but a decrease in Akyab (335) and Kyaukpyu (66). The de-
crease in Akyab is attributed to the occurrence during February of a severe epi-
demic of cholera, to combat which the services of the entire hospital staff (in-
cluding the vaccinators) were called into requisition. Up to the end of the
official year, owing to the failure of the lymph supply, vaccination had not been
again placed on a satisfactory footing. The Civil Surgeon remarks that seven
private vaccinators, formerly inoculators, have been working in the district, and
that they have operated on 6,095 cases, which are not included in this return.
The decrease in Kyaukpyu is stated by the Civil Surgeon to be due to the
opposition shown to the operation by the village people, and also to the un-
usual prevalence throughout the year of fever and bowel-complaints. The in-
crease in Sandoway is satisfactory. The Civil Surgeon reports that vaccination
is making steady progress, which he attributes to the interest taken in the work
by the District Officers.
7. Pegu Division—Shows an increase in Tharrawaddy (1,171), but a de-
crease in the remaining three districts, Hanthawaddy (657), Pegu (575), Prome
(5,737). The total number of operations performed by the Rangoon Municipal
vaccinators was 31,449 as against 32,812 in 1890-91 and 20,735 in 1889-90.
At the Rangoon Central Jail 2,870 operations have been performed with
2,495 successful results.
In Pegu the district vaccinator was absent on sick leave for three months,
his place being filled by an incompetent substitute. The Civil Surgeon, Prome,
states that the attitude of the people is very favourable to vaccination, particu-
larly in the town, where the total absence of smallpox has followed upon the
introduction of compulsory vaccination. He considers that the decrease in the
number of operations is due to the immunity from smallpox that the district
enjoyed, as during the preceding year when smallpox was very prevalent, pri-
vate vaccinators performed 3,403 successful vaccinations, but during the
present year they have had no call on their services.
8. Irrawaddy Division.—In all the districts of this division there is a
decrease in the number of operations performed—Thôngwa (1,693), Bassein
(554), Henzada (3,118), Thayetmyo (1,399).
In the Thôngwa district the poor result is attributed to the indolence and
want of energy of the Donabyu district vaccinator; in Bassein the dimi-
nution is more apparent than real, and is chiefly accounted for by the exclusion
of 442 cases vaccinated in the jail. All jail vaccinations were included in pre-
vious returns. The Civil Surgeon states that the Act has worked satisfactorily,
and that 1,035 infants have been vaccinated in town against 470 in 1890. He
attributes the decreased number of operations to the non-existence of smallpox,
and states that in 1890-91, when smallpox was epidemic, the Burmans eagerly
availed themselves of the protection afforded by vaccination.
The Civil Surgeon, Thayetmyo, states that owing to famine, and the con-
sequent emigration to paddy-producing tracts, vaccination has been carried on
under great difficulties.
9. Tenasserim Division—Shows an increase in Amherst (2,476), Tavoy
(340), Shwegyin (465), and Salween (110) ; but a decrease in Mergui (329),
Toungoo (1,282).
The Civil Surgeon, Moulmein, reports that during the year voluntary ap-
plications were received for the vaccination of 442 children, and that in the
town, where only 1,206 births were registered, 1,389 infants were vaccinated.
In Mergui and Shwegyin the inferior results are ascribed to the prejudice of
the people.