TRIENNIAL REPORT ON VACCINATION IN BURMA FOR THE YEARS 1905-06 TO 1907-08.
7
From these and other comparative figures which show a similar result, he is
inclined to consider glycerinated lymph superior to the quinated product, and does
not propose to continue the issue of the latter to the same extent as hitherto,
though on account of its superior preservative power, he proposes to continue its
issue to outlying stations. Major Entrican has continued his experiments with
regard to the effects on glycerinated and quinated Vaccines, of sealing the contain-
ing tubes by wax dissolved in Chloroform. The results of a series of carefully
conducted experiments in which ''controls" were at the same time carried out,
have enabled him to conclude that this method considerably reduces the number
of extraneous organisms, and does not appreciably affect the longevity of the
lymph, as chloroform certainly does when used in the ordinary way. He considers
that the continuation of these experiments on a large scale is fully warranted not
only by his laboratory investigations, but also by the practical results obtained
with Vaccines so sealed, in primary vaccination. With this view I concur, and
consider that much credit is due to Major Entrican for the active scientific
interest he has taken in the improvement and preservation of vaccine lymph for
use throughout the province.
The Health Officer, Rangoon, reports that the lymph supplied from the
Municipal Vaccine Depôt has been much better, and almost without exception, of
good quality, during the last year of the triennial period under review. No attempt
was made at the depôt to pass a strain of lymph through a series of calves. It
was recognised that better results were obtained by getting paste from the Banga-
lore stock and vaccinating calves with it, than by attempting to start a local strain
of calf lymph.
16. Training class.—With effect from 1st May 1906, the Vaccine Depôt,
Meiktila, became a teaching centre for Native Superintendents of Vaccination and
Vaccinators in Burma. Between that date and the close of the triennial period
under review twenty-six Native Superintendents of Vaccination and twelve
prentice Vaccinators have undergone a complete course of training, lasting in all
cases for six months. All successfully passed the qualifying examination, and
were duly posted to districts for vaccination work. Of the above, four Native
Superintendents of Vaccination and two apprentice vaccinators, having failed at
the examination which concluded the course of training, were retained under
training for a period of two months and one month respectively, at the conclusion
of which they were re-examined and passed successfully.
Seven vaccinators left the depôt without leave before the course of training
was concluded. At the close of the triennial period five Native Superintendents of
Vaccination and 13 vaccinators remained under training at the depôt.
The total number of Native Superintendents of Vaccination and vaccinators
who have entered upon the course of training at the depôt, since training first
commenced, has been 63. Much credit is due to the Superintendent, Major
Entrican, for his able and painstaking performance of this gratuitous duty. The
work has presented special difficulty, expressed in his remark that the depôt, not
having been originally intended for training work, is little suited for it as regards
accommodation.
Appendix B.
17. From a study of the statistics included in this table it will be seen that out
of a total of forty-four towns in which the Vaccination Act is in force, sixteen show
a satisfactory grade of protection to infants by vaccination. The figures for
Rangoon show an excess of 856 successful vaccinations on children below the
age of one year, over the number available for the operation. This is explained
by the fact that many children whose births are not recorded in municipal limits
are brought into residence at Rangoon during the first year of life, by parents
who are immigrants from outlying towns and districts; these children being
vaccinated in common with the rest. A similar excess is shewn in the case
of Ma-ubin, Kyaiklat, Myaungmya, Zalun, Myanaung, Tavoy, Mergui, Thatôn,
Thayetmyo, Mandalay, Yamèthin, Pyinmana, Myingyan and Pakôkku. It probably
arises from the same cause as in the case of Rangoon.
Form Medical Vaccination 19, devised in the office of the late Sanitary Com-
missioner, and sanctioned by Government during the year, will, when Civil Surgeons
have become familiarised with it and understand its use, considerably facilitate