II
STATEMENT IV.
Number of persons pri-
marily vaccinated and the
number successfully vacci-
nated since 1867.
29. Is a comparative one, indicating the number of persons primarily vac-
cinated and those successfully in different years extend-
ing as far back as 1867. The figures for the period under
review show a satisfactory result.
Sources of lymph.
30. In the Appendix is shown the number of calves vaccinated and the cost
incurred in this connection, together with the numbers vacci-
nated from this source.
31. During the non-working portion of the year the supply of lymph was
kept up at District Head-quarters principally by arm-to-arm vaccination, and when
the vaccination season commenced it was issued to Vaccinators in the form of
lanoline and vaseline paste, and by them propagated in calves. A trial was also
made of glycerinated lymph, but the results were unsatisfactory and not in accord-
ance with those alleged to have been obtained in other countries, as stated in
a report of the Royal Commission on Vaccination reproduced in the British
Medical Journal of 21st August 1897, a copy of which was circulated to Civil
Surgeons from this office. The virus, when freshly issued in this medium,
appears to be fairly active, but evidently soon deteriorates probably due to the
introduction of other organisms from want of scientific cleanliness in carrying out
the method of preparation. I do not recommend a repetition of the experiment
and consider that the present mode of vaccinating direct from the calf is the
most effectual yet tried. In some districts a certain amount of difficulty was
experienced in obtaining animals, but in nearly all cases it was overcome.
STATEMENT V.
Inspection of operations.
32. This statement shows the particulars of vaccina-
tion verified by Inspecting Officers.
In the Nagpur district, formerly, an Assistant Surgeon was deputed to
check the results of vaccination, but, during the past year, on account of the exist-
ence of plague in the Provinces, an official of this class could not be spared for
the purpose, and as the time of the Civil Surgeon was fully occupied with other
duties the entry in the column remains blank.
33. In all other districts in the Khalsa inspections were performed by Medi-
cal Officers and Superintendents. The total number of vaccinations checked by
the former amounting to 69,318 and in individual cases varying from a maximum
of 9,421 (Sambalpur) to a minimum of 1,185 (Mandla). As regards Superin-
tendents, the respective numbers were 190,333, 27,692, 3,087.
34. Proceeding to the percentage of success thus ascertained, the total aver-
age for the Khalsa is 89.02 by Civil Surgeons, 91.56 by Superintendents and 96.82
claimed by Vaccinators. In the first two instances the success must, to a large
extent, be judged from the resulting cicatrix and not from the appearance of the
vesicles, as also from a limited number of the children vaccinated
Taking these
facts into consideration, the difference in the figures is not remarkable. As I have
already stated, the district of Betul shows the lowest percentage of success—63.29
as checked by the Civil Surgeon, and 89 63 as claimed by the Vaccinators. No
explanation of the falling off has been given by the Civil Surgeon, who reports
favourably on all his Vaccinators with one exception. Numerous complaints have
been received from other quarters and in many instances the Vaccinators have
been punished by fine, reduction or dismissal. Although eligible for pension
they appear to me to value the privilege lightly and to have but little sense of dis-
cipline. In one instance, that of Raipur, the Apprentice Vaccinators at Head-
quarters, flatly refused to relieve Vaccinators who had become ill, necessitating
their dismissal and the entertainment and training of other men. The Civil
Surgeon of the same district also reports that several of his Vaccinators left their
Circles without leave before the end of the season.