ANNUAL REPORT ON VACCINATION IN MYSORE,
FOR THE YEAR 1878—79.
The accompanying statements are prepared for the official year 1878—79 accord-
ing to the forms prescribed by the Government of India, (Vide letter to the Chief
Commissioner, No. 2376 G, dated Simla, the 3rd September 1878).
2. Dr. Houston returned from furlough to Europe, and resumed charge of the
Office of the Superintendent of Vaccination from Dr. J. Henderson, on the 20th June
1878.
3. " There has been no change in the constitution of the Department, and it still
stands greatly in need of properly organized supervision.''
4. Eighty-nine thousand nine hundred and seventy-three cases, or 12,007 loss
than in the previous year, are reported to have been operated on. Of this number.
73,155 cases or 81.31 per cent are said to have proved successful, against 84,558 or
83.60 per cent in the previous year.
5. The falling off in the total number vaccinated is no doubt due, (1st) " to the
diminution of population by famine distress, (2ndly) to the great mortality and (3rdly)
to the low birth-rate during the year," and that in the ratio of successful cases, is
owing " to the low state of vitality of the population." As compared with the amount
of work done in 1877, the Nagar Division alone shews a decrease of 9,625 cases. In
1877 unusually large numbers were vaccinated in the Relief Camps in that Division
under the supervision of Relief Officers, but during the year under report the same
circumstances did not exist, or at least to the same extent.
6. The average number of cases vaccinated by each Vaccinator was highest in
the Túmkúr District where it was 1,231.9, and the lowest in the Shimoga District
where it was but 810. Several of the taluks of the latter District are Malnad, and the
climate is therefore at certain seasons unfavorable to vaccination.
7. The ratio of successful cases was highest (94) in the Mysore and Hassan
Districts and lowest (71.41) in the Kadur District.
8. The lymph in use is generally good, but that received from the Vaccine Insti-
tution, London, failed in the Nagar Division.
9. Very little was done towards inspecting vaccination during the year, as owing
to paucity of hands and press of work, the medical subordinates could not in some
instances accompany the District Officer on jamabandi tours. In the Nundydroog
Division three Hospital Assistants inspected 1,284 children, of whom they found 770 or
59.6 per cent bearing marks of vaccination.
The Vaccinators have had great difficulties to contend with during the famine
.years, as people in sore distress exert what energy they have to provide themselves
with food and are profoundly indifferent to the risks of small-pox. Though the cor-
rectness of the returns can by no means be vouched for, a certain amount of good work
has no doubt been performed.
In the present season when the prospects of the people
have so much brightened, it is to be expected that in spite of diminished population,
the number of vaccination subjects will increase.
10. The deaths from small-pox numbered 971 against 5,922 in 1877, in which
year from the pressure of famine the people crowded together to kitchens and relief
centres, and in the struggle for the necessaries of life were heedless of the danger they
incurred from the presence among them of poor wanderers suffering from small-pox.
11. The cost of the Department amounted to Rs. 10,720—15—11 against
12,346—9—6 in 1877. The decrease is due to fewer number of operations per-
formed in the Nagar Division, and to the cessation of famine batta granted to Vaccinators
in the previous year.