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14. Omedwars.—For some years past it has been in some circles customsry to
allow any number of volunteers to attach themselves to vaccinators for the purpose of
learning vaccination, in order to fit themselves for any vacancies which might arise
in the department. I have now prohibited the practice, for it is attended with many incon-
veniences. Not being regularly enrolled servants, our control over them was of the
lightest description, and is was not easy to punish them for irregularities. The system
has, moreover, been rendered unnecessary by a staff of paid apprentices having been
allowed by the Government, one apprentice being attached to the vaccinator of each
huzoor tehseel. Being but learners, the work of these apprentices has very properly
not been shown separately by any of the Superintendents, but has been incorporated
in the sum-total of the returns furnished by their instructors. In special cases I do
not object to a vaccinator associating with himself a brother or friend to assist him
in his work; for the people are benefitted by more vaccination being performed, and
the department gains a man trained without expense. But it is necessary to hold the
Native Superintendent responsible for his character and qualifications ; and no one should
be allowed to act without the special sanction of the Superintendent.
15.— Comparison of the working of vaccine systems in the N.-W. Provinces with the
systems in operation in other parts of India.
Government.
Bombay, ...
Bengal, ...
N.-W. Provinces, ...
Central Provinces, ...
Punjab, ...
Madras, ...
Oudh, ...
Burmah, ...
Average number
per vaccinator
per season.
1.411
1.306
1.194
1.112
1.002
.797
.677
.521
Average per cent.
success in
primary cases.
94.8
90.8
88.1
90.6
87.1
90.4
79.7
70.5
Average per cent.
success in se-
condary cases.
70.4
76.3
63.2
89.8
60.4
63.8
64.7
...
Cost per suc-
cess case.
Rs.
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
a.
6
5
4
2
2
5
3
9
p.
1
2
6
1¾
4
10
9
4
Remarks.
Superintendent's pay not debited
to Vaccination Department.
Cost will increase when the two
Superintendents
attain to
higher pay of rank.
Superintendent's pay not debited
to Vaccination Department.
16. Re-vaccination.—It is only in the Kumaon Division that any amount of
revaccination has been done. In fact, this is the only division where it is as yet required.
Vaccination was commenced pretty generally in these hills nearly 20 years ago, so that
those vaccinated in their infancy are now needing the vaccinator's second visit. It has
recently been laid down as a vaccine law that once again, soon after puberty, the
operation should be repeated. I think the precaution a necessary one. In the plains,
where vaccination was only generally introduced in 1864, some few years must yet
elapse ere re-vaccination occupies any great space in the columns allotted for that purpose.
I should like, however, to see more attention devoted to it by the Superintendents, as in
times of epidemic and endemic outbreaks it ought to be more generally resorted to.
I know of no plan which so certainly arrests the spread of the disease.
The percentage of success in re-vaccination everywhere recorded in each circle
is fallacious. The fact is that the vaccinators are not yet up in their subject, and
consequently put down all local irritation as "successful," whereas it should be so
called only in the event of a characteristic vesicle ensuing. If the lymph inserted is
good, some local action always follows, even if the patient was fully protected and did
not need the operation in any degree. But this kind of action is very different from
that which is symptomatic of real success.
17. Vaccine Census in Jails.—The Inspector-General of Prisons in the North-
Western Provinces reports as follows:—"I was aware that in many jails the record