Resolution on the Vaccination Report of Assam for the three years 1902-
1903 to 1904-1905.
Extract from the Proceedings of the Chief Commissioner of Assam in the
General Department, No. 5754G., dated Shillong, the 14th July 1905.
READ—
The Vaccination Report of Assam for the three years 1902-1903 to 1904-1905.
RESOLUTION.
During the past three years there has been a satisfactory extension of vaccination,
operations having increased by 7 per cent. The number fell during the middle year of
the triennium, possibly owing to carelessness engendered by a fall in the mortality from
small-pox, the death-rates from this cause having been, respectively, 1.26, 0.21, and 0.30
per mille during the three years. Roughly speaking, one vaccination is performed in Assam
annually for every 20.5 persons of the population, the ratio in Bengal being 1 to 27.
In paragraph 17 of his report the Sanitary Commissioner refers to the opposition to
vaccination which still exists among certain sects and tribes, but this will doubtless
disappear in time, as it has disappeared among the general population. The practice
of inoculation, which 15 years ago rivalled vaccination in popularity, is now almost
entirely confined to the two Surma Valley districts. But there are indications that
in these districts the dangers of inoculation are being realized, and that the practice is
gradually yielding in favour of vaccination. While much of the success of vaccination
in Assam is attributable to the interest taken in its working by Civil Surgeons and the
tact displayed by their subordinates, the Chief Commissioner believes that the excellence
of the lymph supplied from the Shillong Vaccine Depôt, which has rendered operations,
generally successful, has been a considerable factor in lessening popular opposition. The
depôt was started in January 1890, and, save on two or three occasions, the lymph
supplied has been uniformly good. In 1889-90, when lymph was supplied partly from
Bengal and partly from England, the total number of operations performed was 146,506,
of which 91.9 per cent. were reported to be successful. One hundred and sixty-nine
vaccinators were then employed, of whom 128 were in salaried employ. In 1904-1905
the number of vaccinators had increased to 227, of whom 200 were in salaried employ.
During this interval of 15 years the vaccinating staff has been increased by 34 per cent.,
whereas the number of operations has increased by 103 per cent. and the percentage
of reported successes has risen to 98.8.
2. These results are undoubtedly good, but they need not be accepted as the best
that can be obtained. Mr. Fuller has now under consideration the question of the
prohibition of inoculation in all rural areas. Such prohibition will entail in some districts
a strengthening of the vaccination staff, and of the agency that is employed for
its supervision. The expediency of substituting salaried vaccinators for the few men who
are still licensed is under discussion.
3. In addition to vaccinators, salaried and licensed, Hospital Assistants attached
to dispensaries, and their compounders, are required to perform vaccinations in their
neighbourhood. They appear to have paid insufficient attention to this branch of their
duties, especially during the last year of the triennium. Allowances to Hospital
Assistants in Assam are given on a liberal scale, and the Chief Commissioner considers
that vaccination should receive a substantial share of their attention. It should be under¬
stood that a Hospital Assistant in charge of a dispensary, who neglects this branch of
his work, renders himself liable to a withdrawal of allowance. Vaccinations on tea
gardens, which are carried out by the medical officers of the gardens, show little variation;
the number vaccinated in 1904-1905 was 14,080, compared with an average of 14,090
during the five years preceding.
4. In the eleven towns in which vaccination is compulsory, out of 1,591 infants,
1,142, or 71 per cent., were protected by successful vaccination. Unsatisfactory results
are exhibited by Sylhet, Sibsagar, Golaghat, and Jorhat, where the percentage of
protection was under 60.
By order of the Chief Commissioner of Assam,
L. J. KERSHAW,
Offg. Secretary to the Chief Commissioner of Assam.
A. S. P. O. (Genl.) No. 298—210—15-7-1905