( 8 )
Relation between the state of protection
enjoyed by the people and the death-rate
from small-pox for the previous five years.
25. The preceding table has been drawn up with a view to illustrate the relation
between the state of protection by vaccination and the pre-
valence of small-pox during the past five years, vide para-
graph 12 of the Chief Commissioner's Resolution on the An-
nual Sanitary Report for 1887. I should here remark, with reference to the Chief Com-
missioner's direction in paragraph 7 of the Resolution on the Annual Sanitary Report for
1888, that I have acted in strict compliance with the orders contained in the Resolution
on the Sanitary Report for 1887, in retaining for and embodying in this report the above
comparison between the supposed protection of the people against small-pox by vaccina-
tion and the mortality from that disease. The position in the two scales (columns 2 and 3)
occupied by the several districts shows that there is generally very little relation between
the supposed state of protection and the supposed deaths from small-pox. This relation
does not in any case correspond exactly. In Cachar the figures correspond nearest. We
must only assume, as a cause of the general want of relation between columns 2 and 3, that
either the districts are not vaccinated equally well in every part so as to give equal pro-
tection throughout, or that the inspections of successful cases by Native Inspectors are
unreliable, or that false returns are made, or, again, that, as has happened in Darrang, cases
of measles, &c., are reported as small-pox, and thus the average of deaths for that
disease is untruly increased. As I know that vaccination in the Goálpára district, for
instance, is most carefully supervised and inspected by the Civil Surgeon, I cannot believe
that the relation between protection and deaths is only as 3 is to 6, and therefore it must be
quite incorrect. I think that this divergence between the figures is due to faults (ignorance,
&c.,) on the part of the vital statistics reporting agency. Nowgong and Sibságar are not
the best protected, and still the figures there show comparatively fewer deaths than protec-
tions, which supports the idea that imperfect registration of deaths explains the want of
better and more equal relation between columns 2 and 3. This remark applies to Sylhet
also. On looking over all the above reasoning, I am of opinion that imperfect registration,
rather than any deficiencies on the part of the vaccination agency, will explain the diver-
gencies above noted. Now that we have began this comparison, I hope that the columns
will correspond more with the actual results in the future.
Statement No. II.
26. The Annual Statement No. II. gives the cost of the department in a more concise
form. The total expenditure was Rs. 13,337-6-1, of which
the Provincial funds contributed Rs. 6,097-13-4, Local
funds Rs. 6,633-1, and municipalities Rs. 606-7-9. The average cost of each successful
operation rose from one anna six pies (the lowest) in Sibságar to one rupee fourteen
annas and eleven pies (the highest) in the Nága Hills.
Statement No III.
27. This statement has been prepared in the manner as
explained in paragraph 1 of this report.
Statement No IV
28. The Annual Statement No. IV. shows the progress of vaccinations in Assam
for the past ten years. The total exhibits a marked and
continued gradual increase from 1880-81 to the end of
the past season. The work done by the Government vaccinators has fallen from
40,464 in 1887-88 to 38,894 in 1888-89. There is also a decrease of vaccinations
performed by the dispensary staffs from 6,034 in the previous season to 4,415 in the
year under review. The work done by the municipal operators has sunk from 4,092
in 1887-88 to 3,176 in 1888-89. On the other hand, the work of the Local Fund vac-
cinators has increased to 58,924, against 55,668 in the previous year. It is also satis-
factory to note that the operations done by the licensed vaccinators has risen from 19,807
in 1887-88 to 22,284 in 1888-89 without any cost to Government. Except Goálpára
and Kámrúp, all other districts are dependent on paid agency, and in such districts a
beginning ought to be made to employ licensed vaccinators whose work, however, should
be carefully inspected by the Civil Surgeon, as in the Goálpára district.
Vaccination in Manipur.
29. One vaccinator has been employed since last year. He performed vaccinations
amongst the Nága and Manipuri children from October
to March 1889. No assistance of any kind was received
from the Rája, and the matter was reported to the Political Agent who tried his best
to improve matters, but without any success. The amount of work done during the
year was very small. Only 272 operations were performed, against 607 in 1887-88, which
is very unsatisfactory. It is hoped that the Political Agent will be able to secure a
better result next year. This year the work was done in a limited area, near the capital,
and the vaccinator of course had no permission to compel vaccination, but still persua-
sion on the part of the Political Agent may effect very much in this direction.