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NOTES ON VACCINATION IN ASSAM FOR THE YEAR 1920-21.
1. Introductory.—The charge of the Department was held by Major T. C. Mc¬
Combie Young, I.M.S., up to 14th August 1920 and by Major J. Taylor, I.M.S., in
officiating charge from that date until the end of the year.
2. Vaccination Agencies.—The vaccination in plains districts was carried out
entirely by the staff of vaccinators paid by Local bodies, no unpaid vaccinators being
licensed during the year. Vaccinators in hill districts were paid by Government. The
total number of vaccinators employed during the year was 451 as against 430 in
1919-20. The number of vaccinators in Sylhet district was increased by 25 during
the year and minor increase took place in other districts. The numbers now employed
are approximately what was recommended in 1918, the Local Boards having almost
without exception brought their vaccination staff to the required level.
3. Total number of operations.—The total number of operations performed in
Assam during the year 1920-21 was 4,18,936 as compared with 4,41,866 in 1919-20
showing a decrease of 14,459 primary vaccinations and 8,471 re-vaccinations. The
decrease is accounted for by the reduction of vaccination in Manipur State by 44,771
the State having had a phenomenal vaccination year in 1919-20. Apart from this
special figure the general vaccination of the province would show an increase of 21,841
operations. The number of operations performed by the different agencies was as
followsof vaccination.-—All vaccinations were performed with:—
3,99,525 operations by departmental Vaccinators.
2,106 operations by Dispensary staff.
12,346 operations by Tea Garden Agencies.
4,687 operations by Jail, Asylum, Police Hospital and Cholera Hospital
Agencies.
272 operations by Railway agency.
4. Deaths from small-pox.—The rate of mortality from small-pox in Assam during
the year 1920 was .24 per mille of the population as compared with .20 in 1919. The
highest ratio (.49) was reported from the district of Darrang. The next highest rate
(.46) was in the district of Sylhet where small-pox was epidemic throughout the year,
the Habiganj thana being most affected. Sibsagar district with a rate of .28 per mille
was third in order. Other districts were little affected. Sixty-six per cent. of the total
deaths from small-pox in the province occurred in Sylhet district.
5. Dispensary vaccination.—The total number of persons vaccinated at dispen-
saries during 1920-21 was 2,106 as compared with 11,119 in 1919-20.
6. Percentage of successful operations.—The percentage of success in primary
vaccinations was 94.93 and that for re-vaccinations 65.01 as compared with 95.71 and
72.04 respectively in 1919-20.
7. Different methods of vaccination.-—All vaccinations were performed with
glycerinated lymph made in the Vaccine Depôt, Shillong.
8. Vaccination work in different districts.—Eight districts show an increase in the
number of operations performed during the year under report as compared with the
preceding year, viz., Sylhet (+15,109), Naga Hills (+7,726), Darrang (+4,955), Goal-
para (+2,464), Garo Hills (+2,142), Lakhimpur (+413),Nowgong (+142) and Khasi
and Jaintia Hills (+114). Decreases occurred in Manipur State (-44,771), Cachar
(-4,882), Kamrup (—2,900), Sibsagar (-2,166), Lushai Hills (-1,174) and Sadiya
Frontier Tract (-102). The increase in Sylhet was due to the large number of
operations done in Habiganj subdivision to combat the outbreak of small-pox in that
area. The decrease in Manipur State as compared with the previous year is due to
the very extensive vaccination campaign carried out in the State in 1919-20 during
which period 20 per cent. of the total population was vaccinated. The rate could
naturally not be kept up.
9. Composition and strength of the inspecting staff.—A Deputy Sanitary Commis-
sioner was appointed during the year. One additional Sub-Inspector of Vaccination
was appointed for the Sadiya Frontier Tract. No other changes were made.