REPORT ON VACCINATION.
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total 6,047 were males and 5,237 females. This year shows a decrease of 516
operations when compared with the work of the preceding year, and the Deputy
Inspector accounts for this first, by the prevalence of famine, and second, to the
prevalence of fever, dysentery, &c. First-class Vaccinator Aroonachellum Moodelly,
No. 128, has obtained the largest number of cases, viz., 2,433, among the whole staff,
and he stands also first in respect to infantile vaccination. The Deputy Inspector
states that the above named Vaccinator has been recommended for extra allowance
for each successful operation in excess of 1,200 in the year, as provided in the
revised rules, to act as an inducement to other Vaccinators to compete for the
reward. Objections regarding the practice of vaccination are gradually dying out in
many of the larger towns, and there the people freely come forward of their own
will to get their children vaccinated ; but in the remote corners of this circle some
people are quite ignorant of the results of vaccination, and they believe small-pox
to be one of their deities. When the treatises on vaccination are explained to
them, they look to the village authorities to set them an example, but they do not ;
and the Deputy Inspector suggests that vaccination be made compulsory for Village
Munsifs, Monegars, Kurnums and their families, and that the Revenue authorities
should be requested to take a greater interest in the work of vaccination by takeeds
to their village subordinates. Small-pox prevailed to a great extent in the circle,
and the havoc committed by it was greater than in the previous year. Among the
staff there were one dismissal, one resignation, and three transfers. The Deputy
Inspector acknowledges with thanks the material assistance given by F. R. H.
Sharpe, Esq., the Acting President of the district, in promoting vaccination. The
conduct of the staff, with one or two exceptions, has been good. The Deputy
Inspector complains that no travelling allowance is granted to him, whilst it is
allowed to some Deputy Inspectors in other districts. The value of each successful
case has been Annas 4 and Pies 7.
VIRUDACHALAM CIRCLE.
During the year under review the district of South Arcot was divided into
two vaccine circles, and the Deputy Inspector to this circle was appointed in May
1877. He reports 5,264 operations with a percentage of 84.9 of success. This
circle comprises three taluks with an area of 15,568 square miles and an estimated
population of 598,684. The staff consists of 1 Second-class Deputy Inspector,
3 First-class and 3 Second-class Vaccinators, 2 Probationers and a peon. Second-
class Vaccinator S. Narainasawmy has performed the largest number of cases,
viz., 1,263, among the whole staff. The usual obstructions to the spread of vaccina-
tion still exist in some parts of the circle from religious superstition, the people
believing that there is a small-pox goddess presiding over them. The extraction of
lymph for transfer from the cases vaccinated is objected to by the people, and the
only means the Deputy Inspector suggests to overcome this obstacle, as well as to
promote vaccination in the circle, is to make it compulsory. Small-pox was preva-
lent slightly during the year, and every precaution was taken to check the disease.
No irregularities in the progress of vaccination nor any ill-effects resulting from
the operation were noticed. The conduct of the staff has been good and the work-
ing lymph effective. The Deputy Inspector complains that no travelling batta or
other allowances are conceded to himself and his staff as provided in the Revised
Vaccination Rules, dated 2nd September 1876, No. 1,591. The value of each
successful case has been Annas 5.
SOUTH CANARA DISTRICT.
In this district the Deputy Inspector reports 42,140 operations during the
year under review with a percentage of 90.24 of success, comprising 24,014 males
and 18,126 females. The total shows a decrease of 1,913 cases when compared
with the work performed during the preceding year. This decrease, the Deputy
Inspector states, is attributable to small-pox not having been so prevalent as in the
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