2
REPORT ON VACCINATION IN ASSAM.
co-operation of the people by a direct appeal to their affections and family interests, rather
than to force on them any system which is attended with local distress and followed
by inadequate benefits.
Improved quality of vaccination resulting.
7. This higher standard cannot be attained without constant care and thorough
inspection. The men selected for this superior grade should
be reliable, hard-working, and capable; those who are
merely plausible and superficial must be dismissed. It too often happens that old
vaccinators are promoted on the grounds of past efficient service, but the real test should
be their present, not their past, fitness.
Additional inspection in South Sylhet yet
necessary.
Where licensed vaccinators are being
employed anew.
8. In Sylhet there is ample space and work for a third native inspector, who must
have his head-quarters at Habiganj. The Local Board have
this season re-opened on trial the system of licensed vacci-
nators; men who are paid by fees on successful results, and who are under no efficient
inspection. This system is to go backwards; and the result will be figures only, and not
protection. It has been pointed out in past annual reports that vaccination so performed
is pernicious, and brings good work elsewhere in disrepute.
If a native inspector is sanctioned for South Sylhet and located
at Habiganj, there will be no objection to a limited number of licensed vaccinators
working within his beat, under his orders, and on the terms of private remuneration which
obtain in Goálpára and Kámrúp; but, except under such conditions, the re-employment of
these men should be prohibited.
A native Inspector is also wanted in
Lakhimpur.
9. Lakhimpur is now the only plains district without an Inspector, although it
is so extensive and straggling that one is particularly
required. An effort should be made next season to increase
the working staff by three more Local Fund vaccinators, and no time should be lost
in forwarding an application to have a native inspector sanctioned.
Inspection in the bills districts is nominal
only.
10. In the Nága and Khási Hills, vaccination is still in a very immature and
disorganised state; but in the Gáro Hills, where the annual
record shows several thousand successful cases every year,
the necessity of more thorough inspection should be carefully considered.
TABLE No. II.
Showing increase and decrease of vaccination work in each district during the past two years.
Districts.
Goálpára .......................
Kámrúp ...................
Nowgong ...............
Darrang .....................
Sibságar ....................
Lakhimpur ..................
Nága Hills ....................
Khási „ ..................
Gáro „ ....................
Sylhet ......................
Cachar .............................
Sum of increase and decrease.
Tea-gardens by garden agency
Total ..........
Total number
vaccinated.
1884-85.
16,691
9,872
10,879
9,012
4,971
6,629
1,228
3,659
8,688
18,896
4,757
......
8,449
103,731
1885-86.
15,352
15,858
6,819
9,681
12,994
8,005
495
4,279
7,641
25,015
9,503
......
6,249
121,891
Difference.
Increase.
......
5,986
......
669
8,023
1,376
......
620
......
6,119
4,746
27,539
......
27,539
Decrease.
1,339
......
4,060
......
......
......
733
......
1,047
......
......
7,179
2,200
9,379
Actual
increase.
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
18,160
Comparison of present and previous
result.
11. In the above table the comparative results of the season's vaccination for the
past two years is detailed. In seven districts there has been
an increase more or less marked ; in four the figures of
1884-85 have not been maintained. Exclusive of vaccination on tea-gardens, the sum of
the increase is 27,539, and of the decrease 7,179; and, inclusive of the same, the
gross total of all vaccinations for 1885-86 is 121,891, compared with 103,731 in 1884-85;
the net increase being 18,160 operations for the season 1885-86, or an advance of
17.50 per cent. Although such an increase reads large as a total, it is not satisfactory
when analysed. The season was favourable, vaccination was commenced early, the
subordinate staff was largely added to, and inspectors were active and diligent. Yet the
average for 209 operators (excluding the work done by garden agency) is only 553.3
per individual, whereas the average for 169 operators in 1884-85 was 564 nearly.
The serious decrease in Nowgong is ascribed by Mr. McNaught to the fact that nearly