10
REPORT OF VACCINATION IN BENGAL
Small-pox during
1875.
32. There was not much small-pox in the Darjeeling circle during the year 1875. No
cases were reported from Rungpore—a fact which had never before happened in
Dr. Lidderdale's experience. Cases were reported from Bogra, Maldah, and Dinagepore,
and 24.94 vaccinations were required to suppress the disease. Some cases occurred in the
Darjeeling district during the hot weather. Inoculation is still practised in some districts of
the circle, and it gives rise to outbreaks of small-pox, as was the case in Rajshahye. The
Act IV (B.C.) of 1865, prohibiting the practice of inoculation, was introduced last year into
the Bogra district: it is in force in Darjeeling station, and in four thanas of Rajshahye.
Licensed
vaccinators.
33. Licensed Vaccinators.—The higher rate of pay allowed by Government enabled
Dr. Lidderdale to obtain three competent inspectors from the Metropolitan circles. One was
appointed to Maldah and Rajshahye, one to Bogra and Rungpore, and the third to
Dinagepore, Purneah, and Julpigoree. They appointed 29 men, and instructed them how
to vaccinate with the lancets. When they had become sufficiently proficient, they obtained
" licenses " or perwannahs to work under the supervision of the inspectors, but on their
own account. They received no pay from Government; the people whose children they
vaccinated were expected to pay them: four annas for a boy and two annas for a girl.
They sometimes experienced difficulty in realizing their fees, but it is hoped that as the
people get accustomed to, and learn to appreciate fully, the advantages of vaccination, they
will pay the very moderate amount herein noted freely, even cheerfully. The number of
persons operated on by 29 licensed vaccinators was 29,911, with a success of 98.48,
which was more than verified by the Superintendent's inspection in Bogra. Dr.
Lidderdale deprecates the practice of vaccination by private individuals, who would not
submit to any sort of supervision.
Lymph
General conclusion.
34. Lymph was supplied to several civil and regimental surgeons from Darjeeling.
35. On the whole the report of the past season indicates good work, and much credit
is due to Dr. Lidderdale for the energy and thoroughness with which he applies himself to
his important duties, and for the decided success which he secured in the face of difficulties
which might have checked a less competent and zealous Superintendent.
RANCHEE CIRCLE.
Establishment.
36. Ranchee Circle.—Surgeon J. J. Wood, M.B., held the superintendence of this circle
from 1st April to 8th March 1876, when he made over charge to Surgeon G. C. Roy, M.D.,
who submits the report. The establishment remain unchanged, viz. 1 superintendent,
3 native superintendents, and 20 vaccinators.
37. During the recess one-half of the vaccinators were attached to dispensaries, and
the rest went home on leave. When reports of the outbreak of small-pox were received,
vaccinators were sent to stamp out the disease.
Programme of the
season's work.
38. The season's work was not commenced till November, owing to the failure of
lymph during the hot months. A supply was eventually obtained from Calcutta in order
to start the season's work, but I am scarcely satisfied that there was due energy in this matter.
The establishment was divided into three gangs, each under a native superintendent. One
gang, under Native Superintendent Baij Nath Shah, worked in thana Huntergunge in
Hazareebagh for three months, when the native superintendent was ordered to proceed to
Burhee with three men, leaving the rest of the party to complete the protection of that
thana. The latter did almost no work, and were therefore ordered to go to thana
Pagar, also in the same district, with a view to protect the remaining portions left unprotected
by Native Superintendent Mahee Bux. This gang visited 229 villages and vaccinated 3,848,
of whom 2 766, or 76 per cent., were successful. Dr. Wood inspected their work only once
in the beginning of December. The second party or gang, under Native Superintendent
Mahomed Ishak, worked in Palomatu and Pankey in Lohardugga, and Palamow districts,
respectively, and visited 326 villages, and vaccinated 3,419 persons, of whom 2,081, or 71 per
cent., were successful The work of this gang was inspected twice by Dr Wood. One vaccin-
ator of this batch was, agreeably to a circular from this office, placed under the Regimental
Surgeon of Durundah, to protect the cantonment bazar. He vaccinated only 73 cases in two
months. Dr. Roy remarks that the services of this vaccinator were lost to the department,
and thinks it is the duty of the municipal vaccinator of Ranchee to attend to the cantonment.
The third party, under Native Superintendent Ellahi Bux, worked in Chittia Pagar; in the
Hazareebagh district, and then proceeded southwards to Burwa thana in Lohardugga.
They visited 290 villages and vaccinated 5,802 persons, of whom 4,884, or 86 per cent., were
successful. Dr. Wood inspected this gang once in December, and Dr. Roy once in March.
The season's operations were confined to some parts of Hazareebagh, Lohardugga, and
Palamow
Decrease in the
number vaccinated.
39. The numbers vaccinated by this circle have fallen off by one-half, while only the
usual causes are assigned to account for this, such as the negligence of some of the staff, and the
prejudices of the people, neither of which do I consider sufficient or satisfactory. It is the duty,
and ought to be the pride, of a superintendent to overcome obstacles and; only when he does
so by tact, talent, and resolution, does he justify his appointment. Some unpaid apprentices
worked with the gangs, and are said to have vaccinated 3,046, creditably too; with a success of
92 per cent. Both Drs. Wood and Roy recommend a subsistence allowance of Rs. 5 for
some of them. Besides the work done by the apprentices and the paid establishment in this