10
REPORT.
in Lohardugga The number of deaths from small-pox in the circle during the past year
was 667, of which 338 were reported from Hazareebagh, 201 from Lohardugga, 95 from
Manbhoom, and 33 from Singbhoom. The mortality was much larger this year than in the
previous one, and the disease prevailed to a greater extent.
Ex-inoculators.
38. Vaccination by the agency of ex-inoculators in the Chota Nagpore division has
now become an institution, more especially in the districts of Manbhoom and Singbhoom, as
will be seen from the abstract reports of the civil surgeons of those districts. Dr. Wood has given
in his report a summary of the proceedings of the ex-inoculators in his circle. In Manbhoom
six Hindustani vaccinators and 23 ex-inoculators worked in 295 villages, and vaccinated 15,150
cases, of which Mr. Wilson, the civil surgeon, verified 12,213. Out of the number verified,
9,775, or 87.85 per cent., were successful.
In Singbhoom 24 ex-inoculators were engaged in vaccination, and worked in 291 villages.
The number operated was 17,777, of which 16,722 are said to have been successful and 455
unsuccessful, though Mr. Manook inspected only 541 cases. Thirty converted inoculators
worked in Hazareebagh and vaccinated 10,132 persons, of whom 9,320, or 93.21 per cent.,
are said to have been successful, and 37 men vaccinated 26,804 persons in the district of
Lohardugga, and 14,021, or 97.90, successfully. No check* or supervision was exercised over
the operations of these men, and the figures are not very reliable. Three Christian Coles
learnt vaccination and operated on 2,307 persons. Five others also worked, but submitted no
return. A great many apprentices, exact number not given, were attached to the circle.
Though they received no allowance, they worked remarkably well, as they had the prospect of
being appointed as vaccinators whenever vacancies occurred. The native superintendents are
reported to have taken more pains and trouble for them than for the establishment. They
vaccinated 17,922 persons, of whom 17,667, or 99.53, were successful. I concur with
Dr. "Wood's remark that these apprentices should receive some subsistence allowance.
Eastern Bengal
circle.
39. Eastern Bengal circle, establishment.—The establishment sanctioned for this circle
consists of one superintendent, six head vaccinators, and 72 vaccinators. The actual
establishment employed in 1872-73 was one superintendent, three head vaccinators, and 36
vaccinators, while during the past year two head vaccinators and 15 vaccinators have been
added to the staff. For the want of a sufficient number of hands the strength of the circle
has not yet been brought up to its full complement. The superintendent got two head-men
and one good vaccinator from the staff of the Metropolitan circles. During the non-working
season the 18 extra vaccinators of the previous year were discharged. The plan of employing
extra men was introduced by Dr. Charles, and forms a reserve from which vaccinators are to
be recruited. Baboo Bhoobun Mohun Mitter thinks the reserve of extra vaccinators will in
time prove very useful. The permanent vaccinators were employed in taking the vaccine
census and in writing up registers during the non-working months. Those who had been
taken from Calcutta got two months' leave to visit their homes.
Strength of
establishment
Operations
Cost
40. In 1873-74 five head vaccinators and 51 vaccinators took the field. Besides the
Government establishment, six municipal vaccinators also worked. The work performed by
the Eastern Bengal circle amounted to 78,550, of which 78,413 were primary, 78 secondary,
and 59 repetition cases. Of the primary, 77,970 were successful, giving a percentage of
of 99.44 (which the superintendent nearly verified), which is very satisfactory. If to this
number be added the work of the municipal vaccinators employed in the Dacca district, there
would be a grand total of 80,599 successful vaccinations. The population of the Dacca
district is 1,852,993, and the birth-rate at 30 per 1,000 will amount to 34,805. The number
of successful vaccinations is much more than double. I am therefore of opinion that the Act
prohibiting inoculation might very safely be extended to the Dacca district. Each vaccinator
performed 1,539 against 1,320 in 1872-73, and the cost of each successful case is one anna
eleven pie against one anna and eight pie. Surgeon K. P. Gupta, the superintendent of the
Metropolitan circles, was again deputed during the past season to inspect and report on the
working of the circle. He reported very favorably of the plan of operations, of the quality
of vaccination, and of the energy and zeal of the superintendent.
Plan of operations.
41. A definite area continuous with the work of the previous years was taken up, and
operations were conducted on a systematic plan. Four entire thanas and portions of two
thanas in the Dacca district, and one thana, namely, Goalundo, in the Fureedpore district,
have been pretty thoroughly vaccinated; a few villages belonging to other but contiguous
thanas were also visited. Sickness interfered somewhat with the work in all the thanas,
more especially in Manickgunge and Jaffergunge; and in consequence of this some villages
could not be protected, while others were only partially done. Vaccination being a novelty
with the people of the interior of the district, a good deal of prejudice and opposition was
encountered by the vaccinators. In many places the vaccinators failed to make any impression
on the people till they received the aid and support of influential men. The Deputy
Magistrate of Manickgunge, Baboo Poorno Chunder Ghose, and two influential natives,
* Since writing the above a statement has been received showing that 4,721 cases in all were inspected with a percentage of
success of 81.39