10
actually increased, and continue to increase, owing to the general appreciation of the
quality of the lymph.
Remarks on paragraph 13 of the
bovine depôt report.
29. As regards Dr. Campbells remarks at paragraph 13 of the bovine vaccine
depôt report for the past year attached in Appendix A. it
has always, since the opening of this depôt, been held
by me that the first supplies of lymph sent out should be
of the best quality, so as to insure good successful results to start with in each district and
in order as far as possible to make vaccination popular and sought after for the rest of
the season.
Kámrúp, 3rd supply, gave bad results.
Darrang, 1st and 3rd
ditto.
Lakhimpur, 1st
ditto.
Cachar, 1st and 3rd
ditto.
Sylhet, 1st to 3rd
ditto.
Goálpára, 1st especially, and also 2nd
and 3rd, gave bad results.
Gáro Hills, 1st to 3rd ditto.
During the early part of my inspections of the past year, and before I inspected the
Shillong vaccine depôt on the 11th November 1892, I had heard reports that the lymph
was not, up to that time, as generally successful as could have been desired. I there-
fore thought fit to make the enquiries mentioned, seeing the important interests concerned,
and in order to prevent a recurrence of the laxness referred to, and I am glad to
say that the end I had in view was obtained, i.e., such subsequent care and exactness in the
collection and in the storing, &c., of the lymph as procured even more than usually excellent
results for the remainder of the season. Considering that in the three vaccination seasons
from 1890-91 to 1892-93 the total percentages of successful cases of primary vaccinations
for the province in each year came to 91.41, 93.50, and 93.73 respectively, the average
result of the first three supplies in the districts as noted in
the margin must still be considered as having been generally
unsatisfactory. In the Gáro Hills a success of 99.84 per cert.
was obtained in the season 1890-91 (paragraph 31, Annual
Vaccination Report for that year) and in paragraph 10 of
the depôt report for the same year it is mentioned that the
medical officer of the 43rd Gurkha Rifles had a success of
100 per cent., which shows what can and has been effected in Assam. Of course the same
success cannot be expected in October in the plains as is obtainable in December and January;
but, with equal care to send out from the depôt none but good lymph properly stored in air
tight tubes, there should not be any great difference in the results ; and Dr. Campbell has
acknowledged that such care was not taken at the outset of the past vaccination season.
With reference to the probable causes put forward by Dr. Campbell to explain the want of
success in some districts, we must remember that the districts showing the unfavourable
results are, or were then, in medical charge of some of the best and most careful officers in the
province, who are not by any means likely to allow the lymph " to lie " in their offices or
to display any want of " care," and who in my experience of them have been always most
keen in trying to make vaccination as perfect a success as possible in their respective districts.
As regards the Goálpára district, Dr. Dobson informs me that he invariably sends the lymph
out to the vaccinators within 24 hours of its receipt, and that he keeps a careful record of
the number of the supply, so that no error in this respect could have occurred ; and
I believe from experience gained at my inspections that a similar custom prevails in all the
other districts. I think, however, that the precautions mentioned by Dr. Campbell as
regards the preservation of the lymph and the mode of operating should be always
observed, as they are certain to prove most useful.
Remarks on the management of
the bovine vaccine depôt at
Shillong in the past season and on
its present state.
30. I inspected this depôt lately, since Dr. Dobson took charge, and I found it in
good order, as, indeed, it always was in Dr. Campbell's
incumbency, the very temporary falling off during the last
Poojahs, as above noted, having been the only exception
to Dr. Campbell's otherwise successful and able management
during the past season. I also examined the (glycerine) lymph, and found it to be of
excellent quality.
Experiments with lanoline and
glycerine lymph.
31. Dr. Campbell's experiments both with lanoline and glycerine, the original
report of which was submitted to the Secretary to the Chief
Commissioner with this office letter No. 951S., dated the
10th October 1892, prove that, at least as far as Assam is concerned, glycerine answers
much better than lanoline :—owing to the length of time which, from the present
general comparative difficulties and slowness of the communications in Assam, must elapse
between the loading of the tubes and their reaching the vaccinators for use.
I have the honour to be,
SIR,
Your most obedient Servant,
C. P. COSTELLO, Surgeon-Colonel,
Principal Medical Officer and Sanitary
Commissioner, Assam.