6
TRIENNIAL REPORT ON VACCINATION IN BURMA
The large increase in Myaungmya is attributed to a small-pox
scare. Karens are said to welcome vaccination in all districts, while
Burmans submit to it as a necessary evil. In Ma-ubin district primary
vaccinations were four times as numerous as revaccinations, and it is
suggested that an intensive campaign of revaccination should be
undertaken. The district has been comparatively free from small-pox
for some time and this should be treated as a danger sign. A small
outbreak of small-pox occurred from inoculation by Burmese Sayas and
the Township Officer is stated to be making enquiry. In Kyaiklat
and Dedayè townships(Pyapôn district) 27 and 15 children respective-
ly have been inoculated and the Sayas are being prosecuted. In
Henzada district several parents of children in different villages were
prosecuted for inoculating their children, and sentenced to a fine of
Rs. 20 each or 21 days rigorous imprisonment. Other cases are
under enquiry. Vaccination in this district has made considerable
progress during the Civil Surgeoncy of Dr. Isa Charan and he is to be
congratulated on the success achieved.
Tenasserim Division.—Mergui district returned a decrease in
the triennium of 5,856 primary and 5,544 revaccination cases; while
in Amherst the fall (1,610) in primary cases was more than made up
by a large increase (35,198) in revaccinations. The other districts
have all recorded a rise in primary as well as revaccinations.
The increased output in Salween is due to two permanent Vacci-
nators having been employed throughout the year. Formerly only one
permanent Vaccinator and a temporary Vaccinator for a few months
each year were employed. The Medical Officer calls attention to the
fact that while the less sophisticated hill people in his district have no
objection to vaccination, the people in closest touch with the rest of
Burma are those who object most. By contrast, in the Hill District
of Araken the more civilized townspeople are said to appreciate
vaccination and the uncivilized hill-tribes to resist it.
The decrease in Amherst district is reported to be due to absence
of small-pox and depletion of staff both for vaccination and supervision.
One Supervisor died and the other was suspended for malpractice.
There were also changes due to suspension and illness of vaccinators.
Tavoy district returned an increase in primary vaccination and a
decrease in revaccination. Vaccination is reported to be popular in
both district and town. The decrease in Thatôn and Mergui was due
to absence of small-pox. The previous years' figures in these districts
were unusually good owing to energetic vaccination campaigns and
the reaction is a natural one. In Thatôn there was a total absence of
check by Supervisors one of whom was subsequently dismissed and the
other suspended for four months.
Mandalay Division.—There was a heavy decline in revaccination
in this division due to cessation of the extensive vaccination campaign
in Yamèthin district in which nearly 250,000 people or more than
¾ of the total population of the district were revaccinated in the three
years 1918-19 to 1920-21. In 1922-23 only 1,426 revaccinations,
about half of number done in the previous year, were performed.
In Mandalay district the rural areas recorded an increase in primary
vaccination and a decrease in revaccination while the reverse was the
case in urban areas. Here also a campaign undertaken simultaneously