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in 1882-83, and has only risen to 3,606 in the year under report. There are
three Government vaccinators, two municipal vaccinators (Sibságar and Golághát),
and one man paid from Local Funds; and these six men performed only 3,064 operations
between them, or one-half the number that the Government has a right to
expect. There are three ex-inoculators, who performed 323 operations. and ought to
be got rid of. The Chief Commissioner trusts that Dr. Partridge will give his particular
attention to vaccination during the coming season, and expects the district officers to
co-operate with him towards ensuring a better outturn of work in 1884-85. There
are to be four vaccinators entertained by the Local Boards in the next season.
Lakhimpur.—A striking contrast to the apathy of Sibságar is presented
by the reforms introduced by Dr. Whitwell in Lakhimpur, and the progress
which has been the result of them. There are three Local Fund vaccinators
in this district, and four Government vaccinators, and though the average number of
operations per man is low (555), the total of the year is greatly in advance of that
for 1882-83. The Deputy-Commissioner mentions that the Khámtis show a decided
eagerness to be vaccinated, and that 50 adult Mishmis (Digaru and Chulikáta), with Lákho
their chief at their head, were vaccinated at Sadiya. Unfortunately Lákho died shortly
after. The Mataks have hitherto, under influence of their religious head, the Tiphuk
Goshain, been averse from vaccination: but the Deputy-Commissioner now expresses a hope
that the honorary Extra-Assistant-Commissioner, Rai Sadon, may be able to show
them the error of their ways, having, he thinks, even greater influence over them than
their Goshain. Dr. Whitwell's personal exertions deserve special commendation. It
only remains to get a higher average of work out of the vaccinators next season.
Gáro Hills.—Dr. McNaught has worked his vaccinators well, and has succeeded in
almost trebling the 1882-83 tale of operations. The result appears particularly creditable
when the unfavourable circumstances of the district, part of which is still suffering from
kála-ázár, are borne in mind. The number of operations per man, 1,150, is extraordinarily
large for a hill district with a scattered population: in former years the small average
was accounted for by saying that the vaccinators dared not go about alone, and must travel
in pairs: it is not explained whether and how this difficulty has been got over.
Khási and Jaintia Hills.—In the Khási Hills, inoculation is generally preferred
to vaccination, and the work of the department goes on slowly, owing chiefly, it is
said, to " the whims of a local chief, pleas of bad weather, or the obstructions of
divination."
Nága Hills.—The increase in the number of operations (473, against 363 last year)
may, perhaps, be regarded as an encouraging sign. In his administration report of the
district, Mr. McCabe wrote :—
" Vaccinations were chiefly among the Rengmas and Mikirs, who have no such aversion from
the operation as the Angámis have. A young Angámi has been trained as a vaccinator, and may
possibly have some -influence over the prejudices of his tribe."
It has been ascertained that the comparison instituted last year (paragraph 2 of the
Resolution) between the progress of vaccination at Makum and at Kohima was based on
an erroneous assumption, the 732 persons vaccinated by Dr. Paganini at Makum not
having been Nágas, but railway coolies. These operations brought the whole coolie
corps under protection, and left nothing to be done at Makum in 1883-84, as the new
coolies received during that year were vaccinated at Dhubri on their way up.
By order of the Chief Commissioner of Assam,
E. STACK,
Offg. Secretary to the Commissioner of Assam.
A. S. Press (General) No. 95—160—22-9-84.