Sixth Annual Report on the Presidency Vaccine Department by T. EDMONSTON CHARLES,
M.D.,M.R.C.P., LONDON, Superintendent-General of Vaccination, Calcutta, 1874.
INDEX.
1. Submission.
2. Superintendents.
3. Number vaccinated.
4. Character and success of the vaccination.
5. Humanized animal virus.
6. Small-pox in Calcutta.
7. Sequelæ of small-pox.
8. Infected pilgrims landed from S. S. Roma.
9. Inoculation in Calcutta.
10. Proposal to extend the vaccinated area round
Calcutta.
Submission.
1. Submission.—I HAVE the honor to submit the sixth annual report of vaccination
carried on at the Presidency.
In presenting it, I do so with the fullest confidence that it represents a great amount of
most useful work done in the department of preventive medicine.
This large oriental city, after having been for years a perfect hot-bed for small-pox to
run riot in, has at last been reduced to a state of comparative protection through the agency
of the vaccine establishment.
For many years much money was spent with little apparent effect; and as year by year
I have now to record a sustained successful combat against the disease, I venture to express
the hope that the Government will view with satisfaction that the liberal policy which it
adopted towards the vaccine establishment at the instigation of my predecessors has been
crowned by the richest fruits.
The success thus obtained in Calcutta, though important in itself, is doubly valuable
when regarded from a broader point of view. When so much has been achieved in noto-
riously the worst part of Bengal, success in other parts is reduced to a certainty. A consider-
ation that the money spent on vaccination in Calcutta has so completely secured the wished-
for results may well be accepted as a guarantee that carefully-planned schemes for extending
vaccination to other parts of Bengal not yet provided for will, in like manner, save the people
from the ravages of small-pox.
Superintendents.
2. Superintendents.—Since October 1872 there have been only two superintendents
instead of three working in Calcutta and the suburbs. I have had no cause to regret the
reduction in the supervising establishment, and the measure has worked well. Both of the
superintendents are thoroughly trained officers, and perform their duties to my entire satis-
faction. They have cheerfully discharged the extra duties devolving on them, and though
their work has been very hard, they have kept abreast of it and,held the vaccinators well
in hand. I have much pleasure in bringing the names of Baboos Kally Dass Bose and
Kassy Chunder Dutt to the favourable notice of Government in recognition of the excellent
service they have rendered to the state during the past twelve months. Both of them are
zealous servants of Government, and have most efficiently discharged their duties during the
year. At present the number of superintendents remain nominally at three, while only two
are employed. I have no hesitation in recommending that the extra superintendent
be permanently reduced.
Numbers
vaccinated.
Cause of increase
over 1872-73
3. Numbers vaccinated.—The numbers vaccinated during the past twelve months have
been very great, and show an increase of 7,313 over last year. The last year showed an
increase of 10,948 over the previous one. As pointed out before, these large numbers do not
indicate extra work done among the permanent residents, but are in great measure due to an
increased activity in emigration. The actual figures are 38,796, against 31,483 in the season
1872-73. The increase in numbers to be placed to the credit of the non-resident persons
vaccinated amounts to 8,501. Amongthe permanently-resident population there has also been
an increase of 671 successful cases. This does not represent an annual progressive advance
in the working of the establishment, but is in great measure due to spasmodic efforts to over-
take unprotected persons dependent more or less directly on His Majesty the ex-King of Oude.
As reported in 1871, most of his dependents have been previously vaccinated. Since then,
however, they have steadily refused to have vaccination practised among them, and this year,
owing to small-pox breaking out in the neighbourhood, more than ordinary pressure could be
brought on them, and the arrears of previous years have now been overtaken and led to the
increase in this year's outturn of work. The extra work, though sufficiently important in