Resolution on the Vaccination Report in Assam for 1887-88.
Extract from the Proceedings of the Chief Commissioner of Assam in the General Department
No. 4,858, dated 3rd September 1888.
READ—
The Annual Report on Vaccination in Assam for 1887-88.
RESOLUTION.
Vaccinating staff
THE Report has been much curtailed in accordance with the orders of the Government
of India, and was received in print on the 9th August.
2. The number of vaccinators employed has increased from 214 to 231. Only-
three districts show a decrease. The increase is chiefly due
to the employment of more compounders and Local Fund
vaccinators. Two Assistant-Surgeons were employed, and two Native Inspectors were
added to the list.
Number of vaccinations.
3. The number of operations performed has increased from 128,833 to 132,349.
The districts of Darrang and Lakhimpur have made the
greatest progress, while there was a falling off in Sibságar,
Sylhet, and the Gáro Hills, as also under the heading " Tea-gardens by garden agency."
A separate explanation should be submitted of the large decrease of operations in the
Gáro Hills.
Inspections.
4. The number of inspections made by Civil Surgeons has fallen from 15,671 in
1886-87 to 12,729 in 1887-88. The decrease is common to
most districts, but in Nowgong the number of inspections
has fallen to less than half, and in Sibságar to less than one-fifth, of the number in the
previous year. These decreases should be explained. Native Inspectors examined
53,452 cases, against 39,644 in the previous year. It is satisfactory to notice that the
percentage of successful cases actually verified by inspection shows an increase from
88.82 to 91.51 in the case of Civil Surgeons, and from 91.92 to 93.24 in the case of
Native Inspectors. On the other hand, in the comparatively small number of vaccinations
inspected by Hospital-Assistants, the percentage of successful cases shows a considerable
decrease—from 92.32 to 81.41.
Vaccination on tea-gardens
5. Table 4 exhibits a decrease in the number of primary operations performed on
tea-gardens by garden agency from 6,933 in 1886-87 to
5,046 in 1887-88. Dr. Eteson attributes this decrease to
a misconception on the part of managers and others that the work of vaccination in tea-
gardens devolves on Government. The circular recently issued on this subject by the
Sanitary Commissioner clearly explains the position, and the Deputy-Commissioners of tea
districts should direct the attention of managers to their obligations in this particular.
Compulsory vaccinataon
6. The statistics of vaccination in Gauháti, Dibrugarh, and Sylhet, in which towns
Act V. (B.C.) of 1880 is in force, are still unsatisfactory.
The Deputy-Commissioners should report separately, and in
detail, what has been done up to date under the Act, and what arrangements exist for
enforcing its provisions.
Vaccination in Sylhet.
7. Dr. Eteson's remarks in paragraph 14 of the report illustrate the backwardness
of vaccination in Sylhet. The Chief Commissioner com-
mends these remarks and suggestions to the Deputy-
Commissioner of Sylhet, and will be glad to hear at the end of six months what steps
have been taken in the matter. . There should be little difficulty on the score of expense
in Sylhet, where the Local Boards have at their disposal more ample funds than
elsewhere.