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concerned, and he would ask the Deputy-Surgeon-General to consider whether some
steps might not be taken to bring about a development of vaccination at that place by
increasing the number of municipal vaccinators, or by such other measures as may
appear feasible. Any prejudicial influence which may be exercised by kála azár affords
a reason tor increasing rather than relaxing the efforts not only in regard to vaccination,
but in regard to all sanitary measures.
Paragraph 15.
(Inoculation in Sylhet and Cachar )
5. The Chief Commissioner has had under his consideration the subject of inocu-
lation as practised in the Province, and will shortly apply
to the Government of India for permission to bring into
operation the Bengal Acts, IV. of 1865 (which prohibits inoculation) and III. of 1880
(which renders vaccination compulsory), in certain localities adjoining Bengal. The
Acts in question are already in force in the adjoining Bengal districts, and their
operation could be fully watched in the particular areas in Assam to which it is proposed
to apply them.
Paragraph 16.
(Employment of licensed vaccinators.)
6. The employment of licensed vaccinators in Goálpára, as supervised by Dr.
Dobson, has proved successful; but the system is open to
obvious abuses, which can only be kept down by the exercise
of strict control. The case referred to in paragraph 16 of the report, in which a vaccinator
demanded more than the sanctioned fee (two annas), attracted the Chief Commissioner's
notice when on tour at Goál pára last cold weather, and such cases, if of frequent occur-
rence, would outweigh the benefits attributed to the employment of this agency. The
Civil Surgeon of Shillong should be able to spare more time for the inspection of vaccina-
tion operations during the cold weather, when the European population of the station is
at its lowest.
Paragraph 54.
(Prevalence of small-pox in Nowgong.)
7. It is satisfactory to note that no epidemic of small-pox has taken place in the
district of Nowgong during the last five years, while no
death from small-pox has occurred during the last two
years. This fact, coupled with the statistics given in the report, affords the best testimony
to the value of the services of Dr. McNaught in this department, which Mr. Quinton has
much pleasure in recognising.
Paragraph 58.
(Work done by licensed vaccinators in
Sibságar)
8. The plan followed in the Sibságar district in the matter of the employment of
ex-inoculators as licensed vaccinators is worthy of adoption
elsewhere, when favourable conditions exist, as being likely
to conciliate the people towards vaccination.
Paragraphs 93-94.
(Compulsory vaccination in the Silchar
and Sibságar stations.)
9. The proposal to introduce the Compulsory Vaccination Act into the stations
of Silchar and Sibságar should be separately submitted for
the Chief Commissioner's consideration and orders.
Paragraphs 95, 96, 99. and 100 of report
(Results in Shillong Station and Habi¬
ganj, Jorhát, and Golághát Unions)
10. As observed by the Deputy-Surgeon-General, although vaccination is not
compulsory in the Shillong Station, the results are satisfactory.
The results obtained in the Habiganj Union by the appoint-
ment of a special vaccinator are good, but a larger number of operations should have been
shown. In the case of the Jorhát Union the results were especially good. As regards
the Golághát Union, the sub-divisional officer will be directed to use his influence with
a view to forward the cause of vaccination.
11. The extent to which small-pox prevailed in the several municipalities and
stations of the Province is shown in the Annual Sanitary Report, but the Chief Com-
missioner would be glad if the Deputy-Surgeon-General would be good enough in future
to embody this information in the Annual Report on Vaccination, so that a judgment
may readily be formed of the practical success or otherwise of vaccination work in each
of the municipal areas.
12. In conclusion the Chief Commissioner desires to thank Dr. Costello for his
efficient supervision of vaccination work throughout the Province during the year under
report.
By Order of the Chief Commissioner of Assam,
F. C. DAUKES,
Offg. Secretary to the Chief Commissioner of Assam.
A. S. Press (General) No. 53—175+50—1-8-90.