VACCINATION REPORT.
5
The greatest percentage increase in the number protected as compared with
births is shown by the districts of Nilgiris (19.1 per cent.), Vizagapatam (11.5 per
cent.) and Madura (8.5 per cent.). In the case of the Nilgiris no reason has been
assigned, though asked for, but it is to be noted that this increase just slightly
exceeds the decrease noticed in this district last year. In Vizagapatam the
increase is said to be due to the exertions of the vaccinators, and in Madura to the
maintenance of unprotected lists by the village heads. The districts showing the
greatest decrease are Salem (5.3 per cent.), Coimbatore (2.8 per cent.) and Chingle-
put (2.0 per cent). The explanations offered by the deputy inspectors concerned
are : objection of the people and carelessness of the vaccinators (Salem), prevalence
of cholera, chicken-pox and fever, with long continued rain (Coimbatore), and
opposition by parents (Chingleput).
As regards municipalities, the largest increase in the proportion of infants
protected is shown by the following : Srívilliputtúr (42 per cent.), Madura (21.4 per
cent.), Ellore (19.6 per cent.), and Ádóni (16.2 per cent.). The figures given for
Srívilliputtúr last year refer to a few months only, and cannot therefore be com-
pared with this full twelve-months' return. In the case of Madura no explanation
has been offered though called for, but it is evident that a large number of infants
belonging to strangers are operated on. In Ellore and Ádóni the reason given is
the better working of the vaccinators.
The following towns show a considerable decrease when compared with the
number of births registered: Parlákimedi (21.2 per cent.), Chicacole (18.7 per
cent.), Ootacamund (18.3 per cent.), Máyavaram (17.6 per cent.), Cocanada (16.4
per cent.) and Walajapet (15.5 per cent.). In the case of Parlákimedi and Chicacole
the explanation given is insufficient quantity and bad quality of the vaccine supplied
from the Chicacole depôt; this is probably a correct explanation, as this depôt has
at times supplied a very inferior glycerine paste. As regards Ootacamund, the
floating character of its population must be reckoned with, and, as a matter of fact,
vaccination has been well carried on here during the year. The explanations offered
by the last three are : large number having left the town, large number having been
vaccinated last year, and bad quality of vaccine supplied from Madras respectively.
The small amount of work credited to Tiruvannáinalai and Chingleput is due to the
fact that these towns have only lately been made municipalities, and that vaccina-
tion has not yet been made compulsory in them.
I would here call attention to the very small proportion of infants protected
in the six last districts in the list, the case of Malabar being specially bad, showing,
as it does, a decline as compared with even the small outturn of last year. Towns
also which show less than 60 per cent. of births operated on, cannot be regarded as
having worked the compulsory clauses in a proper way.
12. The following table shows the cost of the various establishments and of each
successful case. The average cost has decreased except in the case of municipali-
ties and cantonments. In Local Fund circles the cost of each case has varied from
6 annas in the Nilgiris to 2 annas 1 pie in Salem; while among municipalities
Tirupati is highest with 11 annas 9 pies per case, and Anantapur is lowest with
1 anna 4 pies :—
Establishment.
Government establishment... ... ... ...
Local Fund
do.
...
...
...
...
Municipal
do.
...
...
...
...
Zamindary
do.
...
...
...
...
Cantonment
do. ... ... ... ...
Total ...
Total expenditure.
1895-96.
RS.
8,864
1,86,339
33,550
1,228
2,314
2,32,297
A.
6
4
15
10
6
11
P.
6
5
3
8
2
0
1896-97.
RS.
* 7,288
1,92,065
34,616
972
2,296
2,37,240
A.
7
14
7
14
11
6
P.
5
9
1
4
0
7
Average cost of each
successful case.
1895-96.
RS.
0
0
0
0
0
0
A.
7
3
4
3
8
3
P.
11
3
10
11
1
6
1896-97.
RS.
0
0
0
0
0
0
A.
6
3
5
3
8
3
P.
8
2
0
2
4
6
* Information as to cost from the Deputy, Gunupur, has not been received.
2