REPORT ON VACCINATION.
29
VIZAGAPATAM DISTRICT.
This district has been divided into two ranges with one First-class Deputy
Inspector at work in one range, and a Second-class Deputy Inspector in the other.
Besides these there are the Hill Tracts of Jeypore, in which another First-class
Deputy Inspector and a staff of Vaccinators are working.
VIZAGAPATAM RANGE.
In this range 9,116 operations were reported during the year with a percentage
of 98.23 of success, and the results in 21 cases were unknown. The total comprises
4,644 males and 4,472 females. On comparison with the work of the past
year there is a decrease of 2,335 cases, which is accounted for 1st, by the unfavor-
able state of the season ; 2ndly, the prevalence of cholera ; 3rdly, the employment
of Vaccinators to treat cholera patients under orders of the President, Local Fund
Board. Since the receipt of G.O., dated 25th May 1877, No. 1,573, all the Vaccina-
tors employed in this duty have been relieved and ordered off to their legitimate
work of vaccination. Inoculation has to some extent been put a stop to in this
range as the President, Local Fund Boards, has issued instructions to the Taluk
and Divisional Magistrates to prosecute any persons practising inoculation. The
Deputy Inspector states that as Government has ruled that all seeking Government
employ must produce certificates of vaccination, the village authorities are now
alive to the benefits of vaccination, and set an example to their people by having
their children vaccinated. Small-pox prevailed more or less throughout the range
during the year, and every means were taken to check the further spread of the
disease. 8 cases of small-pox after vaccination occurred, but the disease was in a
mild form in these cases. Obstructions of various kinds still exist against vaccina-
tion among the people. First-class Vaccinator G. Veerannah has obtained the largest
number of operations, viz., 1,275. The conduct of the staff, with a few exceptions,
has been good, and the lymph in use effective. 139 infants under one year of age
were vaccinated. Only 6 Annas were paid as batta to mothers for furnishing
lymph. The cost of each successful case has been Annas 7 and Pie 1.
VIZIANAGRAM RANGE.
The Deputy Inspector reports that 12,989 operations were performed during
the year, comprising 6,625 males and 6,364 females, with an average per cent. of
98.94 of success. The total shows a decrease of 2,253 cases below that of the
previous year, and the Deputy Inspector attributes this decrease to the prevalence
of cholera and other diseases in the range. There are still great obstructions to
the spread of vaccination in this range. Cholera prevailed throughout the taluks
and committed great havoc, and it materially interfered with the progress of
vaccination. A few Vaccinators were deputed to distribute cholera pills for a
few months during the year. Small-pox appeared in all the taluks in a very severe
form, and immediate steps were taken to arrest the disease. The Deputy Inspector
suggests that vaccination be made compulsory and the practice of inoculation be
strictly prohibited. 752 infants under one year of age were operated on, comprising
374 males and 378 females. Of these 737 were successful, 13 unsuccessful, and 2
unknown. The vaccine lymph in use was good and effective. The conduct of the
Vaccinators, with a few exceptions, has been good.
The Deputy Inspector
states that the Acting President, Mr. Goodrich, gave great help in promoting
vaccination in the district. The average cost of each successful case has been
Annas 5 and Pies 3.
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