( 5 )
provincial vaccinators is only 514. and for local board vaccinators only 433. As regards
inspection work, the report shows that 403 cases were inspected by the Civil Surgeons,
and 3,593 by hospital-assistants ; the results of these inspections are not separately shown,
but in the total 89.36 per cent. are entered as successful. On the whole, there is much
room for improvement still.
The work done in Lakhimpur was 6,629, against 5,398 operations. Dr. Whitwell
inspected 2,604 cases, finding 81.6 per cent. successful. This district has more than
trebled its number of vaccinations since 1881-82, and Mr. Ward trusts that it will
continue to make progress under Dr. Whitwell's charge.
Considerable advance has been made in vaccination work in the Nága Hills, 1,228
operations having been performed, as compared with 473 in 1883-84. The low percentage
of inspections (16 per cent.) deducts from the value attached to the reported results: 1,182,
or 96.25 per cent. of the operations, are said to have been successful, but among the
inspections 84.65 only were found successful. The persons vaccinated were chiefly Mikirs,
but there were 382 Lhota Nágas and 80 Angámis.
The number of operations in the Khási Hills rose from 1,861 to 3,545. Considerable
impetus has been given to the cause of vaccination among the Khásis by a serious outbreak
of small-pox during the year, the disease having been propagated by the practice of
inoculation. This visitation has opened the eyes of the people to the risks attending
inoculation, and disposed them to accept the preventive offered them by the Government.
The success attained in the Gáro Hills in 1883-84 continued during 1884-85, and
the number of operations has risen from 7,263 to 8,683, of which 8,464, or 97.47 per cent.,
are reported as successful. Inspection work was efficiently performed by Dr. McNaught
and his successor Dr. Gupta, the former examining 1,370 cases, of which 96.35 per cent.
were considered successful, and the latter 533 cases, finding only 7 unsuccessful. The
Officiating Chief Commissioner observes with satisfaction the favourable mention of Dr.
McNaught in the Report, and agrees in ascribing in a large measure to his exertions the
signal success of vaccination among the Gáros.
The progress recorded in Sylhet has fallen back after the great advance made in
1883-84. The number of operations has decreased from 22,993 to 18,818. This
backsliding is attributed by Dr. Macnamara to the disadvantages of working with a
temporary staff, especially where the number of men employed is so large as in Sylhet,
This is a question which has beentouched on by Dr. Eteson in paragraphs 36 and 37 of
his Report, and the Officiating Chief Commissioner will be glad to consider any proposals
he may have to make for giving greater permanency to the etsablishment, always remem-
bering that the present is not a favourable time for increased expenditure of any kind
In Cachar also the number of operations fell from 5,073 to 4,757, though three new
local board vaccinators were added. Here the cause was the change of Civil Surgeons
during the year. Dr.Monteath was incapacitated by illness, and Dr. Banarjea, who held
charge during the greater part of the year, was confined to the station by his regimental
duties. The present Civil Surgeon, Dr. Partridge, must endeavour to show an improve-
ment during the coming season.
Conclusion.
17. In concluding this review of vaccination work in Assam during 1884-85, the
Officiating Chief Commissioner desires to express his satis-
faction at the steady progress of the work, and the interest
taken in it by Civil Surgeons, and also to thank Dr. Eteson for his full and interesting
Report.
By order of the Chief Commisaioner of Assam,
E. STACK,
Offg. Secretary to the Chief Commissioner of Aesam.
A. S. Press (General) No. 29—170—15-10-85.