4
TRIENNIAL REPORT ON VACCINATION IN BURMA
populated by Chittagonians being particularly severely affected. A
number of extra Vaccinators were employed between February and
May 1922, and a vigorous vaccination campaign was started resulting
in the revaccination of a very large number of persons. One of the
Vaccinators was convicted at Minbya for illegal collection of money
from people of Chaunggyi, was fined Rs. 100 and dismissed from
Government service. Another was dismissed for falsification of his
diary. It appears that for several years little or no vaccination was
done in many of the affected villages, and in consequence the people
were highly susceptible to an outbreak. The Civil Surgeon remarks
that these Chittagonian settlers hide their children whenever a Vacci-
nator visits them, and the enforcement of a thorough house to house
inspection to determine the exact number of unprotected persons is diffi-
cult, owing to caste prejudice and the purdah system. An additional
Vaccinator was however sent to this area to meet all contingencies.
It is hoped that the lesson learnt by these Chittagonians will not be
quickly forgotten and it would be well were the Akyab District
Council to follow the lead of Thayetmyo and Tharrawaddy and apply
for an extension of the Vaccination Acts, in order to obtain the
necessary powers to enforce vaccination among the recalcitrant foreign
element in their population.
Kyaukpyu district showed an increase of 29,988 operations, of
which only 17,581 were primary. Most of the operations were per-
formed in rural areas. The presence of small-pox was a factor contri-
buting to the increase. This district has been without a Supervisor
of Vaccination from the 38th February 1922 to the 31st March 1923.
The work in Sandoway district referred to last year as being very
unsatisfactory is showing signs of improvement. There were in 1922-23,
9,662 operations (7,452 primary) of which 6,685 were successful,
this being the highest figure for several years. This result is said by
the Deputy Commissioner to be due to the strong stimulus given by
the Civil Surgeon Dr. Gupta. Small-pox was also prevalent in several
villages—notably in Taungup, Nabinchaung, Kyaungchaung and Pein-
takaing. Cases were not. promptle reported and segregation was not
immediately enforced ; so the infection spread rapidly. It is reported
that the district is full of quacks. These men inoculate by their own
methods using active smallpox virus and causing an attack of true
infectious small-pox and some have a large following. A man is
recently reported to have acquired great popularity with pills.
Although several of those who took his pills died shortly afterwards
from small-pox, he continued to have a following. It is satisfactory
to record that action has been taken against him under section 133,
Criminal Procedure Code. No more convincing argument is needed
to enforce the Prohibition of Inoculation and Extension of Vaccina-
tion Act to all rural areas, than the continued presence of these
inoculators who by their dangerous methods spread small-pox from
village to village, conferring immunity no doubt upon the few
but endangering the health of the many, and originating numerous
small foci of the disease from any one of which a serious epidemic
may rise.
Rangoon Division.—Insein and Hanthawaddy districts maintain
their steady output. The Act for the Prohibition of Inoculation and