4
vaccinations which occurred in several districts is ascribed partly to the
diminished prevalence of small-pox and partly to the fact that the full staff
of vaccinators was not at work in consequence of epidemics of malaria.
Free vaccination was continued in the 24-Parganas and one subdivision of
Bakarganj, and was introduced in Jalpaiguri. at the cost of the District
Board, as well as in the Asansol mining settlement : in all these districts
there was a marked increase in the number of operations. On the other
hand, free vaccination had to be discontinued in a thana of the Faridpur
district, where it had been introduced as an experimental measure in the
previous year, as the people elsewhere refused to pay fees to the licensed
vaccinators.
10. Cholera.—There was an unusually small mortality from cholera,
deaths numbering only 45,021 or 25,815 less than in the previous year. This
is the lowest figure recorded since the reconstitution of the Presidency in
1912. The marked diminution in the prevalence of the disease is associated
with increased rainfall and especially heavy falls in June and October.
11. Plague.—Plague remains an almost negligible factor in the health
statistics of Bengal, the number of deaths in 1917 being only 163. All those
who succumbed to the disease were residents of towns, and it was entirely
absent from rural areas : 81 occurred in Calcutta, 48 in the 24-Parganas, 24
in Hooghly, and 10 in Howrah, the rest of the Presidency being immune.
12. Miscellaneous enquiries.—The researches made a few years ago by
Lieutenant-Colonel Clayton Lane, I.M.S., brought to light the prevalence
of ankylostomiasis or hook-worm disease in the Darjeeling district ; and
during the year a systematic enquiry was instituted, with his assistance, in
order to ascertain the prevalence and distribution of the disease in other parts
of the Presidency. An examination of prisoners in fourteen jails, which were
selected as affording facilities for the enquiry, shows a high degree of hook-
worm infestation in the districts concerned, the percentage of infection being
over 80 per cent. in five, from 70 to 80 per cent. in four, and from 60 to 70 per
cent. in five of those in which the investigation was made.
The Committee appointed to consider the sanitary organization of the
Port of Calcutta, with special reference to the action necessary to ensure its
security against yellow fever, finished its enquiry. Its report was submitted
to Government after the end of the year, and is now under consideration.
13. Sanitary Engineering.—The total cost of sanitary work carried out
by Government, District Boards, municipalities and private individuals
during the year 1916-17 is returned at Rs. 15,19,316 as against Rs. 14,60,006
for the preceding twelve months. The expenditure comprised in this total
is so lacking in uniformity, however, including as it does the construction
of reservoirs for agricultural purposes, the acquisition of a burial ground
and the construction and maintenance of dispensaries, that the figures
have no clear statistical value.
The actual capital expenditure on works of sanitary engineering
reported by the Sanitary Engineer amounted only to Rs. 3,32,108 as against
Rs. 4,61,89,4 in the previous year, the falling off being due to the continued
policy of economy imposed by financial conditions. Of the total expenditure
Rs. 1,95,293 was on account of water-works and Rs. 1,36,815 on account
of drainage schemes.
Work was in progress during the year on new water-supply schemes in
the towns of Uttarpara, Satkhira and Nator, and on the extension and improve-
ment of existing water-works in Howrah, Burdwan and Berhampore.
Little progress was effected in Satkhira owing to delay on the part of the
contractor and the eventual cancellation of the contract, but the water-
works in Uttarpara were approaching completion by the end of the year, and
it is hoped that those in Nator will be ready before the close of the current
year. In Howrah the construction of new settling tanks and filter beds was
completed, but otherwise work was almost at a standstill owing to financial
difficulties.
The improvement of the Berhampore water-works was
completed, but at Burdwan disputes with contractors put a stop to the
work which had been begun on a new elevated reservoir. Detailed water-
supply schemes were under preparation for the towns of Dacca, Mymensingh,