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REPORT ON VACCINATION.
SHERMADAVI CIRCLE.
The total number vaccinated during the year was 6,578 with a percentage of
84.41 of success. On comparison with the work performed during the preceding
year there is an increase of 1,641 cases, accounted for by the greater exertions of the
vaccinating staff and the material assistance afforded by the Revenue officials
under the Collector J. B. Pennington, Esq. Vaccination continues still backward
in the circle, and the usual frivolous objections of a bad day, sickness, absence of
relatives or parents, &c., are put forth. In some parts the people are so stubborn
that no coaxing or persuasion can induce them to undergo the operation. Many
difficulties exist in maintaining arm lymph for transfer, as the people in general
refuse to allow the lymph being extracted from the arms of their children, as they
think that it will enfeeble their children. In a village called Ervadi thickly popu-
lated by Lubbays, the Vaccinators have to contend against great difficulties in
getting the people vaccinated and in extracting lymph from those operated on.
They say that the operation of vaccination is against the doctrines of their religion,
and they would rather prefer the visitation of small-pox. A First-class Mahomedan
Vaccinator was specially deputed to persuade these people as much as possible to
accept vaccination, and 197 cases have since been operated on. Five vaccination
certificates have been granted to candidates for Government employ, and 80 to
village officials who were newly appointed : of the latter 14 were vaccinated at the
time the certificates were granted to them. Small-pox broke out in the southern
part of the Nanguneri Taluk, and two Vaccinators were immediately sent out to
arrest the further spread of the disease. 703 children under one year of age were
vaccinated with a percentage of 88.19 of success, comprising 378 males and 325
females. The quality of lymph has been good throughout the year. Rupees 16-6-6
were spent in batta to mothers for furnishing lymph. The conduct of the staff was
reported satisfactory, and the cost of each successful case was Annas 5 and Pies 2.
TRICHINOPOLY DISTRICT.
The Deputy Inspector reports 15,615 operations during the year under review
with a success of 95.90 per cent., and the results in 2,327 cases were unknown.
Of the total there were 7,961 males and 7,654 females. On comparison with the
work of the preceding year there is a marked decrease of 4,481 cases which the
Deputy Inspector attributes to the following causes : 1st, the abolition of the result
system which was in force during the previous year ; 2nd, the introduction of
the new vaccination rules in the district, and the maximum number of cases to be
performed by the staff being put down at 50 per cent. for First-class Vaccinator and
30 for Second-class ; 3rd, the prevalence of famine ; and 4th, the incompletion of the
staff (until the end of the latter part of the year) occasioned by dismissals, leave of
absence, and in training of new-comers to the vacant posts. Two Vaccinators were
punished by the Magistrate, one with a fine of 50 Rupees and the other simple
imprisonment for two months, for false entries of vaccination results. Each famine
camp was visited by Vaccinators, and good work was performed by the assistance
of the Relief Officers under orders from the Collector. There were two dismissals,
one resignation, and one transfer among the staff. 1,503 infants under one year of
age were vaccinated; of these 1,295 were successful, 66 unsuccessful, and 142
unknown. The largest number of operations, viz., 1,762, was obtained by Second-
class Vaccinator Mooroogasem, who stands first among the whole staff. The
conduct of the Vaccinators, with one or two exceptions, has been good. Small-pox
broke out throughout the district, and 3 temporary Vaccinators were entertained as
the present staff was found insufficient. The Deputy Inspector states that all the
taluk officials have rendered material assistance in promoting vaccination in the
district, and the names of such officials have been brought to the notice of the
Collector with a view of being published in the District Gazette in recognition of
their services. The working lymph in use was found effective and good. 87
vaccination certificates were granted to candidates proceeding for examination and
for securing employment as Village Munsifs and Kurnums, &c. The cost of each
successful case has been Annas 4 and Pies 8.