9
likewise, time was necessarily lost in procuring qualified substitutes, and in recommencing
their work. These are causes quite sufficient to account for the decrease in the amount of work
for last year compared with the preceding one. Had the contingencies related not occurred, I
have little doubt that the amount of work of last year would have equalled that of 1858 ; as it
is, with the exception of the year 1858, the working of the past year has never been equalled in
this Division.
Of the total number vaccinated—viz. 39,669,—there were 36,971 successful cases recorded,
or 93.1 per cent. on the whole. Of unsuccessful cases there were 1,283, or at the rate of 3 per
cent.; and of doubtful cases—including those which had not been seen after operation—and
failures together, there were 2,698, or about 4 per cent. on the entire number.
With the exception of two individuals, I have had no cause to be otherwise than satisfied
with the conduct in general of the several Vaccinators in this Division.
As regards the sex and age of the total number vaccinated (i.e. 39,669), 20,338 were males, and
19,331 were females, being an excess of 1,007 in favour of the former; 33,119 were" above the age
of one year," and 6,550 below one year, showing a difference in excess of the former of 26,569.
I deem it unnecessary to dwell on the cause influencing this disparity. It will suffice to
mention that the people of the Concan have a great aversion to their children being vaccinated
until weaned. This dread—by no means an unnatural one—is inherent; and though it is
always explained to them that no harm need be anticipated from the operation at so early an
age as from three to four months, the dislike to its performance continues to exist. No
sooner is the child weaned, than they at once give it for vaccination. For the most part,
beyond promising to them that no injury will follow the operation if performed at an earlier age
than one year, I avoid interfering with their prejudices in this respect, having always found
that, with natives, it is a better plan to allow them, to learn and adopt practices from example
and observation, than force them reluctantly to accept what they show an unwillingness to.
During last year, in the Tanna Collectorate, the total number vaccinated was 13,781 ; in the
previous, there were 16,948 ; and in the year 1857, 10,412. There has been a decrease there-
fore, compared with last year's Report, of 2,708, and an increase over the year 1857 of 3,369.
In the Rutnagherry Zillah, the entire number vaccinated during the past year was 25,888 ; in
the previous one 29,344 ; and in the year preceding 23,344. A decrease of 3,147 is shown to
have occurred last year compared with 1858, but contrasted with 1857, an increase of 2,544.
The following table exhibits at a glance the working of the Establishment during the past and
two previous years in the Rutnagherry and Tanna Collectorates separately:—
Statement showing the total VACCINATIONS performed in the RUTNAGHERRY
and TANNA COLLECTORATES, for the years 1857, 1858, and
1859.
Tears.
1857....
1858....
1859....
Collectorates.
Rutnagherry .................
Tanna ........................
Total..
Rutagherry ..................
Tanna .......................
Total..
Rutnagherry ................
Tanna ......................
Total..
Total.
23,344
10,412
33,756
29,035
16,948
45,983
25,888
13,781
39,669
B