42
ABSTRACTS OF REPORTS BY SUPERINTENDENTS.
The following account regarding small-pox is taken from the sanitary reports of the
Civil Surgeons :—
" Small-pox prevailed throughout the district of Lohardugga, and was most fatal from
March to July. The Civil Surgeon remarks that in spite of the spread of vaccination the
disease appears to be steadily on the increase, and there can be little doubt that inoculation is
carried on to some extent, and thus the disease is perpetuated. The Magistrate believes
that the increase of deaths from the disease is partly due to improving registration.
" At Manbhoom small-pox prevailed with severity only in the Jhalda union. In this
town three are several lac-factories, containing a preponderance of unprotected coolies, some
of whose employers were opposed to vaccination. The town is, moreover, on the main line
of communication between Ranchi and Hazaribagh on the one side, and Purulia, Barakar,
Ranigunge and Bankoora on the other. For this reason when any infectious disease is
conveyed into this from another district. it is apt to show itself first at Jhalda. This was
the case with small-pox in the year under notice. "
Mortality among infants.
83. The mortuary returns show that in this circle 9,709 infants of under one year died
during the year under review. Contrasted with the number
born, 107,420, this figure gives a percentage of 9 04 deaths
among the number born. It has before been shown that 37.40 per cent. of the infants born
had been vaccinated. The inference therefore is that 53.56 per cent. of the number born
this year remain unprotected.
General remarks.
84. In July the Commissioner of Chota Nagpore and Deputy Commissioner of Lohar-
dugga requested the services of the vaccinators of this circle
as census enumerators in February 1881. As their services
could not possibly be given for the purpose, inasmuch as it would lead to the loss of all
living stocks of vaccine lymph, and consequently to the suspension of vaccine operations
during perhaps two months—Februaary and March—out of the short working season, I was
compelled to refuse the request.
Conclusion.
85. It is quite evident that Dr. Brander received over this circle in a state of very bad
discipline, and that matters must in previous years have been
carried on in the loosest way. The conduct of Mahomed
Jan in spreading his vaccinations over an area much larger than he was ordered to do, and
of the inspecting vaccinator in Hazaribagh, completely establish this. The failure of the
inspecting vaccinator to submit returus or to take the trouble to find out who were his
licensed vaccinators, or where they live, is most discreditable, and throws an element of
doubt over the returns submitted from his district. The whole work of this circle seems
to have been pursued in the most unsystematic way. Licensed vaccinators, ex-inoculators,
and Government vaccinators, have been mixed up in the most confused way, interfering
with one another and preventing complete protection of any distinct area; the operations
of one being used as an excuse of neglect of duty by others. This was prevented this year
in Lohardugga, and although the whole Government establishment was working throughout
the cold season in this district alone, small-pox is still reported prevalent. Work, too, is
being carried on in Singbhoom by licensed vaccinators, though it has been efficiently
protected by the Government staff. This is contrary to the orders conveyed in the
Government Minute on the subject, dated Darjeeling, the 28th June 1875.
SONTHAL PERGUNNAHS CIRCLE.
86. The following is an abstract of the report on vaccination in the Sonthal Pergunnahs
Circle for 1880-81, prepared by the Deputy Superintendent, Assistant Surgeon Probodhe
Chunder Bose, and submitted by Dr. Ahmed, the Officiating Superintendent, with the remark
that the results of the year are satisfactory.
Establishment.
87. The following establishment carried on the work
during the year :—
Government establishment, permanent.
1 Superintendent.
1 Deputy Superintendent.
3 head vaccinators.
17 vaccinators.
Temporary. establishment.
4 inspectors
22 vaccinators.
Licensed establishment.
42 licensed vaccinators.
The temporary establishment was employed from the 15th October 1880 to the 13thApril
1881. The cost of the Government permanent and temporary establishment amounted,
to Rs. 5,979-14.
Conduct of establishment.
88. The conduct of the Government establishment was
reported to be generally satisfactory, but several of the vaccin-
ators were fined for neglect of duty. The conduct of the licensed vaccinators was also good