( 10 )
Raising the standard of operation.
21. A paragraph was inserted in last year's report with reference to " the distine-
tion between good and imperfeet vaccination," and
an endeavour might now be made to raise the stand-
ard of operation in certain localities, by obtaining two or three well-marked cicatrices
instead of the one ordinarily aceepted in India as successful vaccination. Dr. Griffith,
Deputy Sanitary Commissioner, 3rd circle, advocates " an increase in the area of vesi-
culation in combination with an adequate number of insertions ;" but it is not expe-
dient to make much advance in this direction without due consideration of the
prejudices of the people.
He states " during the year I inspected the work of 130 vaccinators to the extent
of 11,070 cases with the following results, viz:—
Successful, both arms (efficient and sufficient) ... ... ...
Successful, one arm (inefficient and insufficient) ... ... ...
Unsuccessful ... ... ... ... ... ...
Modified ... ... ... ... ... ...
Total
9,097
1,032
590
351
11,070
"These inspections extended over the whole circle and not always along beaten
tracks, so they may be looked upon, I think, as reliable tests of the character of the
work done by vaccinators generally."
Dr. Thomson, Deputy Sanitary Commissioner., 2nd circle, writes—" My inspections
include 11,033 cases and represent visits to, and enquiries in, 395 towns and villages.
For the cases tested in Kumaun and Rohilkhand, the observed percentage of success
was—
Both arms and one arm
...
...
...
...
...
Both arms
...
...
...
...
...
...
For Oudh alone it was—
Both arms and one arm
...
...
...
...
...
Both arms ... ... ... ... ... ...
96.58
89.72
90.01
77.99
The percentage of success in Oudh, was 90.01—of perfect success (i.e. on both arms)
77.99. Only the latter can be considered to be fully protective against small-pox."
The necessity of revaccination.
22. Revaccination, as an admitted safeguard against small-pox in after life,
should be carried on as far as practicable, and the
decrease in the number of revaccinations notably in
the 1st circle is unsatisfactory.
The number of cases of imperfect and unsuccessful
vaccinations annually recorded, indicates the necessity of largely extending the second-
ary operation.
The supply of lymph.
23. The supplies of lymph were ample at the beginning of the season. Operations
were begun on the 1st October, and by the 15th
of the month there was no further general demand
for lymph. In the 3rd circle each vaccinator was supplied on an average with 14
tubes of fresh lymph before the 1st October, and a large reserve was sent to each
Deputy Superintendent. The distribution of lymph in the 1st and 2nd circles was
completed before the 15th October, and the Deputy Sanitary Commissioner of the 1st
circle noted that the supply was " chosen with great care" and " pronounced excel-
lent. " All the tubes of lymph sent to Gwalior and Bikanir Agencies proved effec-
tive and " gave excellent results."
Dr. Thomson, Deputy Sanitary Commissioner, 2nd Circle, reports that " There
was a little difficulty at the commencement of the operations in collecting lymph in
the northern pattis of Kumaun, on account of the objection of the people to allow
lymph to be taken from their children's arms. A sufficient supply was however collect-
ed, and the work started, on the proper date, and the usual number of tubes were
despatched in good time to the plains. The quality was satisfactory. "