REPORT ON VACCINATION IN ASSAM.
11
Constant inspection of their work reiter-
ated.
himself see that they do not touch the main point of adequate protection. The mere fact
of payment by fees on successes casts a doubt also on their returns. It cannot be too
often repeated that the licensed vaccinators should be con-
stantly inspected. So long as they are doing honest work,
they are valuable adjuncts, and their influence and care render them still more so. But
once they are left to their own devices, and no means are taken to see they use good lymph
and that protection is real, abuses are certain to grow up, and the vaccination which is
being spread is only a mischievous delusion.
Mode and plan of employment.
Lymph supply exceptionally good.
Averages of the vaccinators.
46. As usual, the greatest care was taken in beginning the season early, and with
an ample store of good lymph. The twelve tubes of
English lymph obtained on the 2nd October from the
Sanitary Commissioner of Assam were all successful; and from these 12 children more
than 100 ivory points were charged, and the district operations commenced. I had an
opportunity of inspecting the vaccination in Kámrúp, and found the vesicles in every case
healthy and protective. The good quality was maintained until the season closed. All
the subordinates worked well, although no one in particular
is mentioned. The provincial vaccinators had an average of
789, the municipal 774, and the Local Fund men 571 each. The licensed vaccinators
in Gauháti had an average of 382 cases, and those in Barpeta
of 301. The municipal vaccinator at Gauháti had the
highest recorded average of successes, with 91.28, and the licensed vaccinators at Barpeta
the lowest, with 75.96.
Inspection.
47. Inspection has also been very good. The Civil Surgeon verified 2,153 cases,
the Hospital-Assistant at Barpeta 207; and the native
inspector 5,647, total 8,007. The percentage found success-
ful was 86.99, 67.63, and 81.83 respectively; and these figures convey the impression
not only of ample inspection, but also that the standard of what is a success is being
materially raised.
Inoculation
No small-pox epidemics.
48. Dr. Mullane is of opinion that inoculation is by no means banished from
Kámrúp. He could not say that he had actually traced any
outbreak of small-pox to this practice; but he discovered
patients in two villages who were undergoing it, and he infers its existence elsewhere.
Small-pox was, however, nowhere prevalent, except an out-
break in April and May at that focus of epidemics, Nalbari,
on the north bank, where 35 deaths occurred. But the mortality for the whole district in
1885 was only 116, equal to 18 in 100,000 of the population (Census of 1881).
Compulsory vaccination in Gauháti.
49. The Gauháti Municipality is one of the compulsory areas under Act V. (B.C.)
of 1880. During the season 23 notices were served on heads
of families for neglecting to comply with the law, but in only
4 of these was it found necessary to prosecute and fine. The more active provisions of the
law which had been enforced in 1884-85 had a good effect.
Tea-gardens.
50. Of vaccination in tea-gardens in this district the report makes no mention.
They are few in number, and the population insignificant.
Since writing the above the returns have come in, and it
appears that only 61 vaccinations were performed, of which 59 were successful. The
garden population of Kámrúp during 1885 was 2,915.
Examination of prisoners for protection.
51. To give some idea of the extent to which the population is protected, Dr.
Mullane examined 150 prisoners on the 31st March. He
found 81 had been inoculated, 31 had been vaccinated, 27
had had small-pox, and 11 were unprotected.
Expenditure.
52. Lastly, the expenses are summarised in Statement V. Provincial revenues were
charged with Rs. 450 as salaries and Rs. 136 for travelling
allowances; the Local Funds paid Rs. 432 and municipal funds
Rs. 120 in addition as salaries. The total cost was, therefore, Rs. 1,138, and the average
of 6.526 successful vaccinations by paid agents was 2 annas 9½ pies. If, however, the
gross total of 13,854 successful vaccinations of the district be counted, the average cost is
1 anna 3¾ pies only.
53. All this is highly satisfactory, and is mainly due to Dr. Mullane's close
supervision of details, to adequate inspection, and to the economy observed in the
distribution of work.
NOWGONG.
54. The annual report is prepared by Mr. McNaught, Civil Medical Officer, who
has been in charge the whole season.
c2