17
From Dr. K. T. MATTHEW, D.HY., D.P.H. (Cantab), Deputy Sanitary Commis-
sioner and Inspector of Vaccination, Northern- and Central Ranges,
Madras, to the Sanitary Commissioner for the Government of Madras,
No. D. Dis. 196, dated 9th June 1919.
I have the honour to submit the Annual Report on Vaccination for the
Northern and Central Ranges of the Presidency for the year 1918-19.
2. I was in charge of both the ranges throughout the year.
3. The following statements show the subordinate vaccination staffs employed
in the two ranges during the past year as compared with the year previous :—
Years,
Deputy inspectors of vaccination.
First
grade.
Second
grade.
Third
grade.
Total.
Vaccinators.
First
class.
Second
class.
Third
class
Total.
Northern Range.
1917-18... ...
1918-19... ...
5
13
4
10
18
21
27
34
84
27
139
84
77
64
300
175
Central Range.
1917-18...
...
1918-19...
...
7
7
10
14
11
16
28
37
63
39
154
86
36
62
253
187
4. Inspections by the Deputy Sanitary Commissioner.—During practically the
whole of April, I was engaged in training the Plague Inspectors. During the rest
of the year I visited the municipalities of Rajahmundry and Berhampur for
concerting plague preventive measures, Guntūr and Ongole for inspection of the
sanitary programmes of the Municipal Chairmen, and Adōni, Bimilipatam and
Chingleput for detailed sanitary inspection. I also inspected during the year
vaccination in the districts of Ganjām including the Agency, Vizagapatam,
Nellore, Bellary, Salem, Chingleput, North Arcot, South Arcot and Anantapur.
A total of two hundred and sixty-one villages and towns other than municipalities
were inspected in these nine districts and 4,106 cases of vaccination were veri
fied there. Separate inspection notes were submitted regarding the state of
vaccination of each district inspected.
5. The outstanding feature of the year under report was the introduction of
the new scheme of vaccination sanctioned in G.O. No. 963 L., dated 4th July 1917.
To appreciate the many difficulties in the way of its successful working and to
measure its value, it is necessary to go into some detail regarding principal features
of the scheme. Broadly speaking, these may be brought under two main heads:
(1) Changes as far as the staff is concerned.
(2) Changes in the system of vaccination work.
(I) Changes among the staff.—(a) Increase in the number of Deputy Inspec
tors of Vaccination and improvement of their pay and prospects. The number of
Deputy Inspectors in the Northern Range was raised from 27 to 34 and in the
Central Range from 28 to 37. The minimum pay of the Deputy Inspector was
raised from Rs. 40 to Rs. 50 per mensem and the maximum from Rs. 70 to Rs. 100
with a fixed travelling allowance of Rs. 20 for each Deputy Inspector irrespective
of his grade. The educational qualifications of the Deputy Inspector remain the
same as before, namely, a completed Sanitary Inspector's certificate with vaccina
tion training. Although the pay provided for the Deputy Inspector is considered
fair, it is generally felt that in the matter of travelling allowance he has a
grievance. Any increase in pay will not remove the heartburning caused by
being out of pocket in travelling on public duty, and it must be admitted that in
these days travelling, no matter by what conveyance, is expensive. The Deputy
Inspector is not therefore altogther satisfied with his lot under the new scheme
and his grievance should receive consideration sooner or later.
(b) Reduction in the number of vaccinators, increase of their scale of pay
and prospects and the provision of a minimum educational qualification for them.
E