4
TRIENNIAL REPORT ON VACCINATION
During the period 1902-03, 386 calves were inoculated with 342 successes,
during 1903-04, 557 with 456 successes, and during 1904-05, 252, of which 183
yielded lymph fit for issue.
The percentage of success of primary cases for the periods was 87.14, 87.20
and 84.71. The percentage of success shows a decline. This is very unsatisfac-
tory and the rates compare very unfavourably with those obtained in India.
Numerous reasons are given for the poor results, which are ascribed to bad lymph,
bad work, carelessness and sometimes wilfulness on the part of mothers, who rub
off the lymph, etc. It is possible that in this Province, where communications
are bad and distances great, the lymph deteriorates in transit; there is no doubt
much unskilful work in addition.
Vaccination is supposed to be carried on during the whole year in this
Province. In Indian provinces it is only during half the year, from October to the
end of March.
In the hot weather and rains much of the unsuccessful work results.
I think it might perhaps be desirable to limit the performance of vaccination
in the hot and rainy months to the suppression of outbreaks of small-pox and to
places within easy communication from the Depôt. Unsuccessful work and conse-
quent re-vaccination prejudices the people against the operation. I will make
enquiries as to the advisability of limiting the work as above suggested. I am
informed that during epidemics people accept vaccination freely, and the successful
stamping out of outbreaks creates most useful object-lessons and will largely help
to popularize it.
During the three years the lymph has deteriorated markedly during the
months of April, May and June, owing it is supposed to the vaccine organism
being affected by the high atmospheric temperature. This was especially so
last year when, during April and the first part of May, the lymph was very poor in
quality ; at the end of May all inoculations on calves failed and supplies could not
be sent out. Bangalore, Shillong and Rangoon lymph were tried without success.
Finally a child was brought from Mandalay, where arm-to-arm vaccination had been
carried on. From this child's arm a calf was successfully inoculated and a new
strain of lymph started.
Lymph was again issued to the Province in the end of June with a general
improvement in recorded results. The reason for this temporary failure of lymph
supply is attributed to high temperature, calves obtainable being poor and weakly
and weakening of the lymph strain by continual inoculation from calf to calf, which
appears after some time to diminish the potency of the lymph.
Re-vaccination from a child, however, restores its original strength.
The outturn of lymph for the period was lanolinated lymph for 472,489 cases,
glycerinated for 14,340 cases.
The average cost of each case was 1.92 pies.
No conclusion has yet been arrived at as to the best form in which to issue
lymph.
Glycerinated lymph in capillary tubes has been tried with favourable results ;
it is less liable to contamination, but its longevity is only 10 or 14 days, while
lanolinated lymph keeps and is reliable up to three weeks or a month.
Numerous experiments have been made by the Superintendent throughout
the year and it is hoped that a conclusion will soon be arrived at as to the most
suitable medium for this province.
Credit is due to Major Entrican for good work performed at the depôt.
Statement II.
Year.
1902-03...
1903-04...
1904-05...
Establish-
ment.
Rs.
61,279
63,965
71,332
Travelling
allow-
ance.
Rs.
15,857
21,671
21,234
Contin-
gencies.
Rs.
8,693
8,695
7,583
Total.
Rs.
85,829
91,331
1,00,150
Average
cost per
case.
Rs.
0
0
0
A.
4
4
5
P.
5
7
2
10. Cost during the triennium under review.—The total cost of vaccination
in the province was Rs. 2,80,310 as
compared with Rs. 2,31,674 for the pre-
vious triennium, the increased expendi-
ture was caused by increase of pay to
vaccinators, increase in the number of
vaccinators, increase in the number of
Native Superintendents of Vaccina-
tion, and extra charges incurred in
connection with the opening and establishing of the Meiktila Vaccine Depôt.