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2. The total number vaccinated was 159,553, and of these 131,110 were success-
ful. Compared with last year, this shows an increase of 4,178 vaccinated, and of 1,317
successful cases. The increase is more than accounted for by the increased number of
vaccinators.
3. The number of males and females vaccinated was nearly the same; the latter
exceeding the former by only 403. Last year the males were slightly in excess.
Although in the total results the approximation of these numbers is close, yet when the
large towns are compared with the rural districts, striking differences are manifest.
In the municipal towns, the proportions of those vaccinated were 100 males to 89
females. For the country, these proportions were reversed, there being only 95 males
for every 100 females. In conjunction with this, it will be seen from the returns that
whilst Mahomedans constituted about one-sixth of the whole number vaccinated in
municipal towns, they constituted only about one-ninth in the country. This is only what
might have been expected from the known tendency of Mahomedans to congregate in
towns. Whether the comparatively smaller number of females vaccinated in cities be
a consequence of the larger proportion of Mahomedans found in cities as compared
with the country, I am unable to say ; but it has struck me that both the higher Hin-
doo castes, as well as the Mussulmans, of the cities, are more averse to having their girls
brought to be vaccinated than those of the country. It may be that the proportion of
the sexes vaccinated in the cities is normal. Such would certainly be the case were the
results of the census to be relied upon. From the published returns, the number of
males in these provinces'is shown to be largely in excess of the number of females,
and this agrees with the proportions of the sexes vaccinated in cities. Similarly, accept-
ing the census as correct, the proportion of girls to boys vaccinated in the country
would be abnormally great. Amongst the rural population of all the districts, except
Dehra Doon and the Tehree State, the number of girls is considerably in excess of the
number of boys vaccinated, and in some districts, such as Allygurh and Mynpoory,
very greatly so. That the returns are correct can admit of no question ; the nominal,
registers are left in each village visited by a vaccinator, and their accuracy can be tested
by any one. Next year I shall ascertain from these registers the exact proportion.
of the sexes vaccinated according to caste.
4. The percentage according to population of the different castes vaccinated was
—of Christians 4.5, of Mahomedans 1.6, of high caste Hindoos 1.2, and of low caste
Hindoos 1.9. Estimating the annual births at 30 for every 1,000 of population, the
percentage of vaccinations to the number of children born would be—of Christians 152.9,
of Mussulmans 53.5, of high caste Hindoos 42.3, and of low caste Hindoos 63.8; or
taking the whole population, for every 100 births 53.1 persons were vaccinated.
From this it is evident that, even supposing arrears overtaken, nearly half the
children annually born would still remain unprotected against small-pox. Of children
under one year vaccinated, the percentage to the assumed annual birth-rate was only
15.8. At the same time, this does not altogether arise from the insufficiency of the
means furnished by the Government for affording protection against small-pox by
vaccination. Were the people anxious, or even willing, to accept of vaccination, it
would be possible, with suitable arrangements, and with little, if any, increase to the
existing establishment, to protect every child born. Taking the births at 300,081,
with the existing establishment each vaccinator would have to operate upon 2,256
children during the season. Considering that even now, when he has to search them
out in their homes, a vaccinator not unfrequently succeeds in operating upon 2,000
persons in a season, it would not be expecting more of him to assume his ability to
operate on half as many again were they brought to him,
5. The number of children vaccinated under one year of age was 47,681, and.
those over one year 110,456. Last season there were 42,819 of the former, to 110,282
of the latter. The proportion of children under one year has consequently increased.
This is so far satisfactory, and should have been attended by a proportionate improve-
ment in the ratio of successful cases. This result has not followed.
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