REPORT ON VACCINATION IN ASSAM.
13
with Mr. McNaught into the villages about Puranigudam, and all the cases I saw were
excellent in type. Mr. McNaught's colloquial acquirements and address increase his
influence.
DARRANG.
66. The vaccination in this district remained throughout the season under the
superintendence of Surgeon R. N. Campbell, M.B., Civil Surgeon of Tezpur.
Plan of operations for the season.
67. Operations were properly first begun in and around the sadr station with the
early supply of good English lymph obtained from the
Sanitary Commissioner of Assam, and when a sufficiency
had been established, the trained vaccinators went on to the more distant areas, viz., 2 to
Gohpur, 2 to Bishnath, and 2 to Tezpur.
Working staff.
More Local Fund vaccinators should be
employed.
68. The working staff has been increased from 13 to 14 this season. Two vaccina-
tors, paid by Local Funds, were deputed to Bishnath, an area
hitherto neglected, which it was necessary should be occupied.
The native inspector, sanctioned during the previous season, has been usefully employed.
He has not given proof of all the energy and tact requisite, but perhaps will do better
with more experience. Dr. Campbell has now an efficient staff of subordinates. But
the Local Funds might well support three more operators,
making three to each of the districts named.
Statistics.
69. The remarkable increase to the statistics which took place in 1884-85 has been
maintained. There were 9,681 primary vaccinations regis-
tered, compared with 8,986 last season. There were no
secondary vaccinations. The number found successful was 8,043, or 83.08 per cent.
The Provincial vaccinators worked well, four of them having an average exceeding 1,000.
The Local Fund employés also did well. Permanent Provincial vaccinator Kasinath Das
is mentioned for zeal and energy all through the season.
Inspections.
70. The inspection was also very thorough and good. Dr. Campbell himself inspected
1,056 cases, and found 81.25 per cent. successful; while the
native inspector verified 3,658, with a percentage of 83.81
successful. I observe, however, that the inspection is confined to Tezpur and Mangaldai
only. In future, Dr. Campbell should take Tezpur himself, and the native inspector
should give two months each to Bishnath, Gohpur, and Mangaldai.
Results.
71. The general results through the district are quite as good as in Nowgong.
Dr. Campbell states there is now little or no objection met
with around Tezpur, and that in the outlying districts the
fear of evil results following it is dying out. Inoculation is being gradually superseded;
no outbreaks of small-pox, attributable to its practice, have occurred during the year;
there was, in fact, very few deaths from it reported, and certainly no epidemic.
No compulsory vaccination.
72. There is no compulsory area under Act V. (B.C.) of 1880 in Darrang; nor
any municipality.
On tea-gardens.
73. The vaccination on tea-gardens is almost wholly under Dr. Campbell's manage-
ment, and is done by Government vaccinators. When it is
entrusted to the " Doctor-Babu," the lymph supply is usually
wasted and lost, no returns are obtained, and there is no subsequent reliable inspection.
Such drawbacks would, no doubt, happen from time to time; but neither the Civil
Surgeon nor his staff of operators can vaccinate all the garden coolies without neglecting
their proper duties to the people at large.
Expenditure.
74. The total cost of vaccination in Darrang was Rs. 1,110-6-0, comprising
Rs. 606-6-0 from Provincial, and Rs. 504 from Local Funds.
The proportion of the latter expenditure is inadequate, and
should be increased by three more vaccinators, as noted in paragraph 68. The average
cost of each successful operation was 2 annas 5 ½ pie. This is also too much.
Conclusion.
75. The annual report is forwarded with a letter containing certain recommenda-
tions for improving and developing registration and
inspection in villages. I am always ready to receive sugges-
tions of this nature ; but they should be made specially and dealt with promptly. The
heads of information necessary for an annual report to Government are printed ; and any
district or local requirements should be kept distinct. But Dr. Campbell's successful
vaccination, more especially its genuine protective value and thorough inspection, merit
full acknowledgment.
SIBSÁGAR.
76. This district report is prepared by Mr. Atkins, lately officiating in civil
medical charge, and who has now been transferred to the North-Western Provinces. It
has the value of being both concise and comprehensive.