26
REPORT ON VACCINATION.
previous year, consequently the demand for vaccination was not so great. The
staff was also incomplete for some time as a few Vaccinators were on leave during
the year. The 10 temporary Vaccinators who were employed by the Local Fund
Board during 1876-77 continued at work for three months, viz., April, May and
June 1877, when their services were dispensed with as small-pox gradually subsided.
They show a total of 9,767 operations of the number given above with a percentage
of 88.58 of success. Second-class Vaccinator Bastian Gore, No. 987, obtained
4,334 operations, being the largest number among the whole staff. The Deputy
Inspector states that people of this district rush to the Vaccinators for vaccination
only when small-pox makes its appearance, and during its continuance large numbers
are vaccinated ; but when the disease abates they are reluctant to get themselves
vaccinated and plead some excuse or other to avoid the operation. He therefore
suggests that compulsory vaccination be introduced. The offer of rewards to the
Vaccinators in excess of 1,200 cases performed in any year is allowed in this
district, and the Vaccinators are trying their best to obtain the extra allowance.
Small-pox of a virulent type continued for three months, viz., April, May and June
during the year, and every means were taken to put a stop to the further spread of
the disease. 659 subjects under one year of age were successfully vaccinated
during the year. The conduct of the staff, with the exception of a few, has been
good. Two Vaccinators were detected having received remuneration from the
people vaccinated, and with the sanction of the President, Local Fund Board, they
were prosecuted before the Magistrate under Section 161 of the Indian Penal Code
and sentenced to pay a fine of 51 Rupees each. The vaccine lymph in use is
excellent. The average cost of each successful case has been Anna 1 and Pies 8.
TANJORE DISTRICT.
There are two First-class Deputy Inspectors at work in this district, one to
each of the circles into which the district has been divided.
TANJORE CIRCLE.
Fifteen thousand seven hundred and ninety-nine operations are reported
in this circle during the year under notice with a success of 96.93 per cent., thus
showing an increase of 6,078 cases when compared with that of the past year.
Had not most of the Vaccinators been employed in treating cholera patients the
increase would have been greater than that now shown. Owing to the prevalence
of cholera and famine objections to the spread of vaccination were raised by the
people in some parts of the circle. Small-pox was prevalent during the year in the
famine relief-camps, and Vaccinators were immediately deputed to vaccinate all the
unprotected, and through the assistance rendered by the Medical authorities the
disease gradually subsided. The Deputy Inspector suggests that compulsory vacci-
nation be introduced in this Presidency as in Bombay. Infants vaccinated under
one year of age amount to 1,575, consisting of 777 males and 798 females. The
largest number, 368, was vaccinated by Second-class Vaccinator T. Jaganadum
Pillay, No. 154, who has stood first among the whole staff in this respect for the past
three years. Great difficulties existed in maintaining supplies of arm lymph owing
to the prevalence of cholera and famine: some of the famine-stricken people left
their houses after being vaccinated in search of their daily bread, and the Vaccinators
in consequence lost their working lymph and had recourse to preserved lymph.
Inoculation is practised in this circle, and the Sub-Magistrate of Arandangy arrested
an inoculator through the assistance of the Police authorities, and sentenced him to
ten months' imprisonment. Batta to the amount of Rupees 52-3-0 was given to
mothers for furnishing vaccine lymph. During the year the Local Fund Board have
sanctioned the appointment of two additional First-class Vaccinators, one for each
taluk, and extra allowance of 2 Annas per successful case above 100 in accordance
with the Revised Vaccination Rules. The Deputy Inspector complains that no