( 4 )
Of the subordinate inspecting staff, 13 District Inspectors of Vaccination
inspected more than 50 per cent. of the primary operations performed in their
respective charges, 10 between 40 and 50 per cent., 7 between 20 to 40 per
cent., and 2 below 20 per cent.
In 13 districts the Sub-Inspectors of Vaccination inspected more than
80 per cent. of the primary operations in their jurisdictions, in 19 districts
between 50 and 80 per cent. and in 2 below 50 per cent. Suitable notice has,
as usual, been taken departmentally of the inadequate amount of inspection
performed by the subordinate inspecting staff.
General remarks.
17. There is nothing special to note in respect of vaccination during the
past year except that further experiments were
carried on with glycerinated lymph manufactured
in the Central Animal Vaccination Depôt, Calcutta, in the districts of Gya,
Murshidabad, Serampore, Midnapore, 24-Parganas and Howrah. The result
achieved was very encouraging, the Civil Surgeons of Howrah, Gya and
Midnapore recommending its substitution for lanoline vaccination paste at
present in use. Its only drawback is that it deteriorates in transmission
through heat and requires careful handling by the vaccinators and does not
retain its efficacy so long as the lanoline paste. I shall, however, give this
lymph a further trial exclusively in two or three selected districts during the
present year, and if successful, the question of its general introduction will
be considered. By introducing the routine method of passing the lymph
frequently through rabbits, both in the Calcutta and the Darjeeling Depôts,
the potency of the lymph was well maintained throughout the year.
Another satisfactory feature of the year was the considerable impetus
given to vaccination in the districts of Puri and Cuttack, by the appoint-
ment of the Special Inspector of Vaccination for Orissa, who being a
specially trained officer succeeded with tact and energy in overcoming oppo-
sition to vaccination and in inducing the people of the tracts affected with
small-pox and other areas where vaccination had always been resisted in accep-
ting the prophylactic. This had the effect of cutting short the epidemic in
Puri where the mortality was appreciably reduced. Another very highly
encouraging result was the marked increase in infant protection in the districts
of Cuttack and Puri, specially in the latter district. The appointment of the
Special Inspector is thus justified and it will be desirable to retain his services
till a thorough protection is given to the people of Orissa and they are made
to appreciate the benefits of vaccination. During the past year progress was
retarded in certain districts owing to the inability of the poor to pay the
vaccinator's fees, and applications were received from the Civil Surgeons of
Midnapore, Champaran, Murshidabad, Bhagalpore and Durbhanga for grants
from Government to compensate the vaccinators for the loss sustained by them.
But on a representation being made to Government in the Midnapore case
it was suggested that the District Board might be asked to consider the ques-
tion of contribution to some of the most deserving vaccinators. The matter
has accordingly been referred to the District Boards concerned for consi-
deration. In the case of Durbhanga where the District Board have declined
to sanction a grant, I am in communication with the local officers with a view
to approach Government, if necessary, for a grant.
18. The prescribed statements are appended to these notes.
F. C. CLARKSON, LIEUT.-COL., I.M.S.,
Sanitary Commissioner for Bengal.
CALCUTTA ;
The 1st June 1909.