14
REPORT ON VACCINATION IN ASSAM.
fluential men who would come. The term is usually applied to youths; but certainly
youths are not the best operators. Men of middle age are more successful in overcoming
the prejudices of villagers. At present, the old hands who have acquired the confidence
of the people turn to some other occupation in the off season, and training has to be
done all over again in October. Inoculation is supposed to be widely prevalent from the
scars commonly met with, but no outbreak of small-pox was directly traced to its
practice. According to the vital statistics, small-pox was generally absent from Nowgong
during the year.
Lymph supplies
66. The supply of lymph was obtained from many sources during the year. The
original supply of eight tubes from this office was good, and
started the work; but it was found extremely difficult to
keep up the supply, owing to the children vaccinated being old enough to be worried
by the itching, and nearly all the vesicles were burst. This corresponds with my own
observation. I have seen very few cases of uninjured vesicle. During the season good
lymph was obtained from Bengal and Dacca; that from Almorah failed.
Tea-garden vaccination.
67. The vaccination on tea-gardens in Nowgong as reported is insignificant. The
coolie population for 1884 is 11,438, and of these 24
gardens, with a population of 5,725, returned 240 cases
of vaccination, with 199 successful; on 21 gardens there was none. The usual excuses
are advanced, viz., that the coolies object. On some gardens the managers consider the
vaccination should be done by Government agency, although by Rule 131, under Act I.
of 1882, the responsibility is clearly on the medical officer of the garden. District officers
should require more attention to the provisions of the law. These are neglected simply
from not being enforced. Every manager, both as an example and from self-interest,
should call on the medical officer of the garden to do his duty in this respect.
Expenditure.
68. The total cost of the vaccinating establishment of Nowgong for the season
and year was Rs. 930, of which Rs. 398 was charged in
salaries to Government, Rs. 382 to Local Funds, and
Rs. 149 travelling allowances. Each vaccinator, permanent and temporary, is credited
with over 1,000 successful operations, and the average cost, weighted as the annual charge
has been for the first time with an inspector, is reduced from 3 annas 1 pie in 1883-84
to 1 anna 7 pie in 1884-85.
Conclusions.
69. The report is favourable in the three most important points, viz., wide dissemi-
nation, efficient inspection, and reduced average cost. There
remains now only the doubt as to genuine protection,
which is general to the Province, and which it is plain from Mr. McNaught's Memoran-
dum will receive particular attention at his hands.
Acknowledgments of local efforts,
70. For the successful results of the year every acknowledgment is due to Mr.
Driberg's enthusiasm and support. To Assistant-Surgeon
Hari Charan Sen great credit is due. Mr. Driberg reports him
as most active and energetic, and constantly supervising the vaccinators. In a very able
covering report the Deputy-Commissioner makes the following remarks:—
and opinion of the Deputy-Commissioner.
" As far as I have seen, the people of the district are not opposed to vaccination. They have
no prejudice against it. Vaccinators, to conceal their laziness and
apathy, make the old excuse ' the Gossam forbid vaccination.' But
you won't find many villages where this is really the case, especially in a district like Nowgong, where
we have very large semi-aboriginal population, like the Mikirs, the Lalungs, the Hojars, the Kacharis,
and others; these people don't care a rap for twenty Gossains: if a vaccinator has the patience and
tact to talk them over, he will succeed. I recollect about three months ago I was at Dharamtul,
the Civil Medical Officer Babu Hari Charan Sen was also there, he had been vaccinating largely,
and was most successful. The following morning I was starting for my next camp, and as I was
stepping into the ferry-boat to cross the river, a man rushed down to me with an infant in his arms
complaining in great distress that the Doctor had vaccinated every child in the village except his,
and he wanted the operation performed on his infant. I left the Civil Medical Officer to vaccinate
the child, and went on. I learnt afterwards that other parents had taken their children to him; so
much depends on the behaviour, conduct, and bearing of the vaccinator."
DARRANG.
Excellent report and increased vaccination.
71. The favourable anticipations of improved work in Darrang which were set forth
in paragraph 91 of the Vaccination Report of 1883-84
have been realised. Dr. Campbell's energy and experience,
and increased support by the Local Board, have resulted in a total exceeding the highest
previous record of 1882-83, and an increase of 57.8 per cent. on the work of 1883-84.
Opening of the season, 1st October.
72. Vaccination was begun on the 1st October with good lymph, obtained from the
Sanitary Commissioner of Assam and by private arrange-
ment from Dr. Richardson at Almorah. The operators were