8
ANNUAL VACCINATION REPORT
the subject of vaccination, for, if in the whole science of curative or preventive medicine one
thing more than another is proved, it is that one of the direst scourges that ever afflicted
humanity is controlled exactly in proportion as the operation of vaccination is well and
thoroughly performed among the population. The earnest and most untiring efforts of
medical officers will be necessary as each vaccination season comes round, and they
should not, I think, despair of ultimate success even among a people so apparently averse
to vaccination as the Assamese are said to be, or yet in a Province where the difficulties
of transit and means of moving about among the population are unsurpassed in India.
The duties of Civil Surgeon in the employ-
ment of vaccinators.
15. We have, I think, no reason to be dissatisfied with the increase of work done last
year by the increase of the staff of vaccinators, especially
when we remember the lateness of the season before that
increase could be made; and as executive medical officers now have the assurance of the
Chief Commissioner that he is ready to sanction an increase of expenditure to meet an
increase of the staff or pay of the vaccinators, if he can be satisfied that correspondingly
improved results will be obtained, Civil Surgeons should consider it a part of their duty
to secure as far as possible the services of men of some family respectability, as I pointed
out in paragraph 7 of my last year's report, and they should endeavour to raise the status
of the vaccinator, and train and employ men in whom reliance can be placed, with the
view not only of improving the quality of the vaccination work, but of raising the
standard and the sense of responsibility of the vaccinators themselves. In such districts,
too, where a disposition is shown by the people to adopt vaccination, and the work appears
to warrant it, the advisability of the appointment of a head vaccinator, or even a native
superintendent, should claim consideration.
SHILLONG.
16. Khási and Jaintia Hills.—Two vaccinators were started in the Khási and Jaintia
Hills, but one of these showed so little zeal at the commencement of the season that
he had to be discharged, and a fresh man substituted, which caused much delay in the
work. During the season, 1,873 persons were vaccinated, and of these 1,583 were
successful, against 1,610 vaccinations and 1,272 successful of the previous year.
Steps were taken by the Deputy-Commissioner to secure the assistance of the
headmen of the villages, but no compulsion was made. In many cases, however, they
refused to give any help. The work was confined to certain centres and surrounding
villages. The district about Cherra Punji, Shillong, and Nongpo is fairly well protected.
The attitude and feeling of the indigenous population towards vaccination varies
in different parts and in different villages. At Shillong and Cherra Punji the attitude
is most favourable. At Jowai, Maoflang, and in some other localities, the feeling is
very averse.
There being only one executive Military Medical Officer in the Khási and Jaintia
Hills, the work of inspection was not so complete as desirable. The vaccination
at Cherra Punji and neighbouring villages was inspected in January last, and at
Shillong at various times. The work was found accurately recorded, and the reports
correct. 24 operations were performed by the Civil Surgeon, and he inspected 153
vaccinations. The Hospital-Assistants are good operators, and worked satisfactorily.
TURA.
17. Gáro Hills District.—Four vaccinators and three ex-inoculators were employed
in the Gáro Hills district during the season under review.
The total number of persons primarily vaccinated throughout the district was 3,169,
of which 2,603 were successful, against 3,708, of which 2,981 were successful, of the
previous season. This shows a decrease by 539 in the number of primary vaccinations,
and by 378 in that of successful operations. This decrease is accounted for chiefly by
the loss of the services of one vaccinator, who was attacked with small-pox while in the
district, and the services also of his companion, who had to attend on him during his
illness. Of the 2,603 successful operations, the ages of 662 persons were under one year
and of 1,004 over one and under six years of age.
The Civil Medical Officer performed no operations himself, but he made two
tours of inspection in the district and verified the results of the vaccination in 47 of the
villages vaccinated. Of 1,101 cases he inspected he reports that 1,037, or 94.18 per cent.
were successful. The work commenced early in September in the station of Tura, under
the immediate supervision of Mr. McNaught and his two Hospital-Assistants.
Subsequently, the four vaccinators commenced operations on 1st October, and two of
these were sent in one direction and two in another to work over definite areas in the
district. They were supplied with capillary tubes filled with good fresh lymph, taken