18
REPORT ON VACCINATION.
MADRAS COLLECTORATE.
The Deputy Inspector reports 116,335 operations during the year under review
with a success of 91.09 per cent., and the results in 59,855 cases were not ascertained.
On comparison with the work of the preceding year the total shows a marked
increase of 64,840 cases. The increase is attributed to the greater number of
Vaccinators and to the work carried on in the different camps which were established
in the town and suburbs for the famine coolies. A large amount of work -was
performed among the inmates of the various relief-camps, works, and poor-houses
with the assistance of the camp superintendents. No obstructions to the spread
of vaccination were met with during the year, as the people came forward of their
own accord to get their children and their families vaccinated owing to the severe
outbreak of small-pox. Small-pox was prevalent in the town, and on the receipt
of mortuary reports Vaccinators were deputed at once to the infected parts to arrest
the disease in its progress by vaccinating all the unprotected in the vicinity. The
amount of batta to vaccinated subjects was reduced from 6 to 3 Pies, and that of
mothers from 8 to 4 Annas at the end of September last, owing to want of funds.
The Deputy Inspector states that the batta is now too small to induce the people
to be vaccinated, and suggests that it be raised to 6 Pies. He suggests that
compulsory vaccination be introduced in the town of Madras as in other Presi-
dencies. The conduct of the Vaccinators has been in general good and the nature
of the working lymph in use effective. 7,335 subjects under one year of age were
vaccinated, comprising 4,155 males and 3,180 females. Of these 5,090 were
successful, 328 unsuccessful, and 1,917 unknown. 534 vaccination certificates were
granted to candidates appearing for examinations. Rupees 3,631-7-0 were spent
in batta to vaccinated children and mothers for supplying arm lymph. The cost of
each successful case has been Annas 2 and Pies 3.
MADURA DISTRICT.
In this district there are two circles, one being presided over by a First-class
Deputy Inspector and the other by a Second-class Deputy Inspector.
MADURA CIRCLE.
The Deputy Inspector reports 32,704 cases during the year under review, with
a success of 90.76 per cent. The total shows an increase of 9,797 operations on
comparison with the work of the previous year, and the Deputy Inspector attributes
this increase to the employment of additional Vaccinators among his staff, viz., 3
First-class and 9 Second-class Vaccinators during the year, and to the exertions of
the staff in vaccinating in the various famine relief-camps. Vaccination conti-
nued still backward in some parts of the circle owing to sickness and frivolous
excuses advanced by the people. The inhabitants of Eliyankudi, Arupakotai,
Tiruchulai, Devikotai, Karakudi, Kondanore and Mana-Madurai, &c., entirely
refuse vaccination, and it is hard, the Deputy Inspector says, to convince the
people of the benefits resulting from vaccination, and thus the Vaccinators have
great difficulties in keeping up arm-to-arm vaccination as the parents will not
allow the lymph being extracted from the arms of their children. The Deputy
Inspector therefore suggests that vaccination be made compulsory. The quality
of the vaccine lymph has been excellent throughout the year. Small-pox prevailed
to some extent in parts of the circle, and immediate steps were taken to arrest the
disease. In some parts of the zemindaries the inoculators settle themselves and
necessary measures are being taken to have the men punished. The number of
subjects vaccinated under one year of age is 4,976. The conduct of the Vaccinators
has been generally good. 26 vaccination certificates have been granted to candi-
dates for Government employ. The cost of each successful case has been Annas 3
and Pies 6.