REPORT ON VACCINATION.
23
SALEM CIRCLE.
This is all nonsense.
Measles is not a very fatal
disease, and the mortality
from it in this country is
insignificant compared with
that from small-pox.
W.R.C.
During the year under notice 34,863 operations were performed in this circle
with 33,603 successful and 987 unknown results, showing a marked increase
of 24,315 cases over that of the preceding year. The Deputy Inspector ascribes
this increase chiefly to vaccination having been carried on most energetically during
the famine in the several relief-camps and works. No obstruction to the spread
of vaccination was met with during the year. During the famine to a certain
extent the people began to come forward of their own will to get themselves
vaccinated with the hope of obtaining a meal, or its value, &c., for the day. The
Deputy Inspector suggests that vaccination be rendered compulsory for all classes
of people on the payment of batta to the poorer classes, to act as an inducement
to accept vaccination, and this would be the best means for promoting vaccination
to a great extent in the circle. The mortality from small-pox was about
7,000 during the year, showing a high death-rate, and the Deputy Inspector
accounts for this by saying that most of these cases were
due to measles and chicken-pox followed by dysentery, &c.
" Ummay " is the generic term in Tamil for all eruptive fevers,
and small-pox is the only heading opened in the death
registers for eruptive fevers ; consequently the death-rate of
the disease small-pox is highly exaggerated. Vaccinators
were deputed to the infected localities to arrest the disease in its progress. 632
children under one year of age have been vaccinated, comprising 341 males and
291 females. The conduct of the staff, with the exception of a few, has been
reported satisfactory. The cost of each successful case has been Anna 1 and Pies
9½. On the 10th August 1877 Dr. Shortt left Madras for Salem, and on his way
thither the Deputy Inspector of this circle met him at Vaniambadi with the Taluk
Vaccinator, and he inspected a large number of good subjects and the equipments
of the Vaccinatrix. At Tirupatur the Vaccinator who was directed to meet Dr.
Shortt was absent, and the Vaccinator at Morappur met him with a good eighth-
day subject. He inspected his equipments and went on to Mallapuram, where the
Vaccinator appeared without a subject, but he inspected his equipments and went
to Salem. On the 13th arranged to vaccinate some gentlemen's children at Yercaud,
and returned to Salem on the 14th. Visited the famine relief-camp with the
Deputy Inspector, and reprimanded the Vaccinator for his carelessness, which was
pointed out to the Deputy Inspector also, and met the Collector Mr. Longley. On
the 16th Dr. Shortt proceeded to Sankaridroog and visited the famine relief-camp,
where vaccination was not kept up regularly. The Vaccinator was directed by
the Tahsildar to attend immediately on some cholera patients in a village. Saw
the Hospital Assistant and instructed the Deputy Inspector what to do for the few
cases of small-pox in the camp hospital, and returned to Sankaridroog and thence
to Salem, where he saw the Zillah Surgeon. Of the 3 Municipal Vaccinators he
inspected the equipments of one, the second was reported sick, and the third was on
cholera duty. Met the Collector on the 21st, and on the 22nd Dr. Shortt again
visited the famine relief-camp and found the same carelessness in the work. The
Vaccinator had defective vision, whom he ordered to be taken before the Zillah
Surgeon to ascertain his fitness for further service. Met Mr. Puckle of the Board
of Revenue and Major Baynes at the relief-camp. On the 23rd he visited the
conjee-house and inspected the work and equipments of the 2 Vaccinators. Went
into the town on the 24th, and inspected the work of the Municipal Vaccinators
excellently done. Visited also the poor-house, small-pox hospital and dispensary.
Examined the records of the Deputy Inspector and Municipal Vaccinatrix, who was
still on sick report, and went up to Yercaud to ascertain the results of the children
previously vaccinated. Returned to Salem on the 27th and left for Tirupatur on
the 28th, where he saw three subjects. Visited the Tirupatur Famine Camp, where
the Vaccinator was absent for a long time as his services were taken for a
compounder in lieu of his legitimate work. Dr. Shortt returned to Tirupatur
and got a supply of vaccine lymph, and visited the camp again the next morning
and vaccinated 13 cases. Directed the Vaccinator to vaccinate first and then
attend to other works that may be required of him. Visited the Civil Dispensary,
where the Medical Officer met him, and went on to Kistnagiri in the evening