18                       REPORT ON VACCINATION IN ASSAM.

7 pies to 2 annas 5¾ pies. In 1886-87, 94,202 paid successful vaccinations cost
Rs. 12,135-11 only, and the average cost shows the material reduction from 2 annas 5¾
pies to 2 annas 0¾ pies.

Continued decrease of inoculation and
small-pox.

91. All accounts agree in stating that the practice of inoculation is yearly becom-
ing more infrequent. The people consider it is still gifted
with more entire protection than vaccination, but a few
more years of careful and systematic supervision will satisfy them that good vaccination
has all the advantages without the dangerous risks of inoculation. Many of the Civil
Surgeons are of opinion that in districts, as distinguished from towns, compulsory vacci-
nation would be practicable. There has been unfortunately no progress made in remov-
ing the prejudices of the Gosains and their prohibitive orders. It is apparently due
solely to personal interest as proper to maintain alike their privileges and authority.

Reduced travelling allowances.

92. The excessive travelling allowances, which had hitherto been unchecked, and
which led to unreasonable claims, have been modified in accord-
ance with the views expressed in last season's report (para-
graph 24). By Circular letter No. 5-498 S.—502, dated 13th September 1886, the maxi-
mum limit for each native Inspector and vaccinator was fixed at Rs. 15 a month during
the working season only. The result, without any decrease of efficiency, has been a
saving of Rs. 894-0-1.

                                                                                                                                TABLE No. 8.

                                                                Showing the number of licensed vaccinators' operations inspected by the Civil Surgeons and Native
                                                                                                            Inspectors during the year 1886-87.

Inspection of licensed vaccinators

93. In conformity with paragraph 10 of the Chief Commissioner's Resolution on the
Annual Report on Vaccination for 1885-86, the inspection of
licensed vaccinators' work has been shown separately in the
above table. These men, formerly termed ex-inoculators, are only employed to any
extent in Goálpára and Kámrúp. In the latter district their work is still insufficiently
verified. It would be well if Dr. Mullane could arrange to have a second native Inspec-
tor for the north bank, with his head-quarters at Barpeta. A great increase to vaccination
awaits zealous efforts in that direction. There were 11 licensed vaccinators in Goálpára,
18 in Kámrúp, and 1 in Darrang. Altogether, they are credited with 15,838 vaccinations, of
which 8,164 were inspected. The proportion of successes among the verified operations
was 91.27 per cent., and that among the unverified was 92.60 per cent. The unauthorised
ex-inoculators employed last year about Barpeta have been discontinued.

Poor work done by Municipal vaccinators.

94. There has been no improvement in the work done by the municipal vaccinators
in Sylhet and elsewhere, notwithstanding the attention of
the Deputy-Commissioner was called to the subject by

Secretary to Chief Commissioner's letter No. 5,145, dated Shillong, the 31st August
1886.