16
REPORT ON VACCINATION IN ASSAM.
whereas the return accounts for 1,899 vaccinations only in Snnámganj . Such as they
are, however, the general average of successes has been given above; but they are in my
opinion too favourable.
Vaccination on tea-gardens by private
agency.
76. There was an average resident coolie population of 54,397 in Sylhet during
1886. How many of them are unprotected cannot be stated;
but among them 460 men, 402 women, and 3,046 children
were vaccinated by private agency during the season. Of this total (3,908), 2,676, or
68.47 per cent., only proved successful. This is in startling contrast to the professions
of the public vaccinators; and Dr. Macnamara, while supporting his own figures, does
rot explain the different results attained by competent operators elsewhere in the district.
Inoculation and small-pox.
77. Most of the Sylhet villagers are ignorant of any distinction between inoculation
and vaccination; the former is now not practised commonly; but
its use seems to be dying out; no outbreak of small-pox was
traced to this cause. The mortality from small-pox in Sylhet has greatly decreased of late
years. In 1883 the total was 2,584; in 1884, 2,646; in 1885, 683; and in 1886 only 98.
Lymph supply.
78. Twenty tubes of English lymph were early obtained from the Sanitary Commis-
sioner of Assam; half of these produced vesicles, and the
quality was reported to be good. As the English supply is
obtained solely to commence the season with the best possible lymph, the Civil Surgeon
should himself supervise their initial use, and not leave its quality to be reported on by
his subordinates. At regular intervals during the season, further supplies were obtained
through the Sanitary Commissioners and Superintendents of Bengal, Dacca, Almorah, and
Darjiling. Generally speaking, the quality was good, though in many instances bovine
lymph was a failure.
Expenditure.
79. The budget allotment for the year amounted to Rs. 3,331. Provincial revenues
contributed Rs. 1,050, Local Funds Rs. 1,314-14-11, and
municipalities Rs. 53-14 in salaries and Rs. 234 travelling
allowances, towards the total expenditure of Rs. 2,652-13-2. It will be seen that no
less a sum than Rs. 678-2-10 lapsed unexpended. As 26,330 of the vaccinations are
claimed to have been successful, the average cost of each is the very small proportion of
1 anna 7 1/3 pies.
Compulsory area.
80. The town of Sylhet within municipal limits is a compulsory area under Act V.
of 1880. The population was 14,407 in 1881. During
the past season 350 vaccinations took place. 27 persons
were tried before an Honorary Magistrate under the Act, of whom 15 were convicted.
There is no competent registrar. An attempt was made to oblige Dr. Macnamara to be
registrar, and to prosecute under the Act, to which the Civil Surgeon made a strong
objection, and is supported by the Deputy-Commissioner. Failing in this, the munici-
pality compelled the Hospital-Assistant of Rainagar Dispensary to undertake registration
and prosecutions, " a duty which he cannot possibly perform."
Conclusion.
81. Although I cannot accept Dr. Macnamara's figures as accurate, I cannot help
expressing my sense of his zeal in vaccination, and his
capable administration of the large number of subordinates.
He has the chief merit of raising the number of vaccinations from 1,945 in 1881-82 to
27,951 in 1886-87.
CACHAR.
Superintendence and staff.
82. Dr. T. d'O. Patridge, Civil Surgeon, has been Superintendent throughout
the season, and has had under his orders one Inspector,
three Provincial, one municipal, and seven Local Fund
vaccinators, besides three Hospital-Assistants and two compounders.
Results.
83. The total number of persons vaccinated amounted to 10,646, of which 10,525 were
primary and 121 secondary. The percentage of success-
ful cases was 91.06 in the former and 76.86 in the latter.
The Government and Local Fund vaccinators each had an average of nearly 950, which
is very good; while the municipal vaccinators did fairly good work with 572.
Inspections.
84. The numbers verified on inspection were 1,293 by the Civil Surgeon and 3,644
by the Inspector, total 4,937; and the successful proportion
among them was found something greater than the general
average; though it is not quite clear how such a difference can occur as 82.38 in Lakhim-
pur and 94 per cent. in Hailákándi.