2
There is no doubt that there has been a stirring up of the public con-
science in the matter of maternal and infant welfare and that deep-seated
prejudices are being gradually uprooted. There are grounds for expecting a
material reduction in the rate of infant mortality in the near future as a
result of progressive enlightenment and increased interest in a subject
which is of such importance for the well-being of Bengal.
Cholera.—The mortality from cholera was 34,276 in 1925 as compared
with 48,514 in 1924, showing a decrease of 32.7 per cent. The steps taken to
cope with epidemics included inoculation and the disinfection of sources of
water-supply. Fifty Sanitary Inspectors sanctioned by Government for this
purpose and Assistant and Sub-Assistant Surgeons attached to the Public
Health Department were deputed from time to time to help local bodies in
suppressing outbreaks, while the Circle Assistant Directors gave the benefit
of their advice to the sanitary authorities of the affected districts.
Small-pox.—In 1925 the mortality from small-pox was 17,436 against
5,567 in the previous year, showing an increase of 233.3 per cent. The death-
rate increased by 17.6 per cent. as compared with the previous decennium.
The total number of vaccinations reported in 1925-26 was 3,030,178 as
compared with 2,662,966 in 1924-25. Of the total operations, 1,751,091 were
recorded as primary and 1,279,087 re-vaccinations, against 1,655,201 primary
and 1,007,765 re-vaccinations during the year 1924-25. There was thus
during the year 1925-26 an increase of 5.8 per cent. in primary and
26.9 per cent. in re-vaccination operations. In this connection the Assistant
Director of Public Health, Vaccination and Vital Statistics, remarks as
follows :—
"The substitution of free vaccination by house to house visitation in most of the
districts in place of the old licensed system, the increased activities of the local bodies
through their District Health Officers and the Vaccination staff, coupled with the financial
help by way of the Government contribution of Rs. 25,000 found the District Board
ready to meet the quinquennial onslaught of the anticipated small-pox epidemic, which
in consequence enacted a smaller toll of lives in the present than in the previous quin-
quennium. The gradual increase in the number of vaccinations performed can be taken
as a fair index of the rousing of the sanitary conscience of the people, who at present are
not so apathetic as they were in former times."
During 1925-26, out of 1,162,322 infants requiring vaccination 3,13,286
or 269.5 per mille were reported to have been successfully vaccinated in the
rural areas, as compared with 306,344 or 275.4 per mille during the preceding
year. In five districts including Calcutta, the proportion protected was said
to have been over 500 per mille.
Fever.—In 1925 the mortality from fever was 874,228 against 912,408
in 1924, giving a ratio of 18.8 per mille against 19.6 per mille in the previous
year. In comparison with the year 1924 the mortality decreased in 1925 by
4.08 per cent., while it was less than the decennial mean by 15.7 per cent.
As usual, deaths from fever represented 75.5 per cent. of the total mortality.
A remarkable feature of the year under review as compared with 1924 was
that the percentage of mortality from fever in this Presidency decreased in
rural areas while it increased in towns.
Kala-azar.—The number of reported deaths from this disease was
16,766 in 1925, against 9,997 in 1924, 4,565 in 1923, 1,531 in 1922 and 1,552
in 1921. The number of Kala-azar cases treated at hospitals, dispensaries
and special centres was 188,949 in 1925 against 139,085 in 1924, 57,238
in 1923, 13,317 in 1922 and 7,689 in 1921. It is gratifying to note that in
1925 every endeavour was made by District Boards to eradicate the
disease by utilizing District Board dispensaries and Kala-azar centres and by
opening special centres in addition to those started by voluntary organiza-
tions such as the Central Co-operative Anti-malarial Society and the Bengal
Health Association.
Sanitary Engineering.—Fourteen water-supply and drainage schemes
were prepared, and thirteen detailed projects of municipal water-supply and
sewerage were drawn up by the Chief Engineer, Public Health Department,
in 1925. Sixteen water-supply and sewerage projects were under consi-
deration, four water-supply and two sewerage schemes were completed, and