2

Explanation of annual statement
No. IV.

7. Annual statement No. IV exhibits the number of primary vaccinations performed
in Assam during the past ten years. The total number
of operations increased from 177,356 in 1890-91 to 197,572
in 1891-92, and the successful cases from 161,625 to
184,225. The work of the Local Board vaccinators increased by 13,488 cases, of the
dispensary staff by 6,452, and of the licensed vaccinators by 4,369; but the operations
done by the Government vaccinators decreased by 8,109, which was mainly due to
the unsatisfactory work done in the Kámrúp district, as is explained in paragraphs 8
and 9 of the report given below, and to the opposition of villagers where vaccination
is not compulsory, to the prevalence of inoculation in some Sylhet subdivisions, as well as
to some necessary changes of districts amongst the Civil Surgeons during the year, causing
a few districts to be for short intervals in the charge of a Medical Subordinate only.

                                               TABLE No. 1.

Showing the increase and decrease of vaccination work done by all agencies in each district
                   during the two years 1890-91 and 1891-92.

Increase or decrease of vaccina-
tion work.

8. The above table gives the grand total of vaccine operations of all kinds
(compulsory and non-compulsory) during the past year,
and exhibits the increase or decrease in the number of
vaccinations in each district as performed by all classes of
operators in comparison with the work done in the preceding year. 206,331 persons
were vaccinated during the year, against 187,110 in the previous year, showing an actual
increase of 19,221 operations. There was an increase of vaccination work in all
the districts of the province excepting in Kámrúp, Darrang, and Sylhet, which districts,
in the order given, show a falling off. In the Nága Hills district the operations were
increased by 10,430 over the figures of the previous year, in the Goálpára district by
4,117, in the Nowgong district by 2,902, in the Cachar district by 1,324, in the
Lakhimpur district by 1,226, in the Sibságar district by 996, in the Khási and Jaintia

Hills district by 658, and in the Gáro Hills district by 430. In Manipur 7,481
vaccinations were performed against nil in the previous year, which is very gratifying;
and the Political Agent hopes, in time, to-have all the people of that State protected
against small-pox. The work has been very unsatisfactory in the Kámrúp district from
want of proper supervision on the part of the Civil Surgeon (Dr. Macleod), who
was in charge of the district during the greater part of the season. In the Kámrúp
district alone there was a decrease of 4,217 operations, in the Darrang district of
1,869, and in the Sylhet district of 123 operations, which last is a comparatively slight
decrease. Surgeon-Major Borah, the Civil Surgeon of the Darrang district, should show
better and more satisfactory results in the ensuing season. On tea gardens the
work done was less by 4,134 vaccinations than in the preceding year, and the cause
of the falling off will be found under paragraph 10 of this report.