FOR THE YEAR 1880-81.
13
to the progress of vaccination are lessening. Complaints about the difficulty
of realizing fees were, as usual, felt, but to a lesser extent than in former years.
Not a single complaint was made in the Sonthal Pergunnahs Circle.
The following facts connected with the licensed agency work are worthy
of reproduction here.
(a) In order to obviate the great difficulty that was experienced in
controlling the licensed vaccinators in the Metropolitan Circles, a plan was
adopted by which each vaccinator has to deposit Rs. 16 as security for good
conduct, and to execute a deed of agreement binding himself to work accord-
ing to the rules and regulations under a penalty. This plan might be bene-
ficially adopted in other circles where the self-supporting system is in operation.
(b) Owing to some of the ex-inoculators having behaved badly last year
in Bhagulpore and Monghyr, in the Sonthal Pergunnahs Circle, the Superin-
tendent determined to subject the candidates to a course of practical training
before granting the licenses. The result was that not a single man would
consent to be trained. This shows that these men never practise vaccination,
but simply obtain licenses to impress the people with the belief that they have
authority to practise inoculation.
(c) Thirty-seven out of the 178 men who received licenses in the Eastern
Bengal Circle did not practise. The cause is referred to a feeling of uncer-
tainty as to whether they would be able to get a livelihood being entertained
by them, and to the difficulty they believed would be met in realizing their fees.
It is said that here vaccination is not sought for by the men so much as a pro-
fession as a supplementary means to eke out a precarious and scanty living,
and the Superintendent fears that unless something is done to improve their
position there must sooner or later be a break down.
(d) In some parts of the Metropolitan Circles men without licenses yet
practise vaccination and charge fees, and the Superintendent asks for the inter-
ference of Government to put a stop to this. Its evils will be found described
in the abstract of the report of these circles. Although the Government
might not deem it expedient to interfere, yet these men should be discouraged
in every way. The effect of such work is well shown, in the frequent outbreaks
of small-pox in Dinagepore, which was overrun by this class of operators.
(e) At Ranchi the licensed vaccinators who worked in the Tributary
Mehal of Jushpore were not remunerated for 1,500 cases, as the Rajah of the
place ordered a forfeiture of Rs. 150. In this circle also the zemindars of
Seraikela and Doogni compelled the vaccinators to levy a fee of four annas for
each male and two annas for each female whom they vaccinated, and appro-
priated to themselves one-fourth of the proceeds realized. Again, in many
villages the zemindars as well as the vaccinators collected the fees, and thus
both appropriated to themselves as much as they could collect.
(f)
The Superintendent of the Sonthal Pergunnahs Circle is of opinion
that the time has arrived for the Sonthal Pergunnahs district being left in the
hands of the local licensed vaccinators under a properly-organized plan with
four or five vaccinators to supervise their work. I quite concur in and support
the recommendation.
Attitude of the people towards
vaccination.
25. There are indications in the reports of this year that the attitude of
the people towards vaccination was somewhat better,
but still the instances are many in which extravagant
beliefs and prejudices, fostered by the inoculators, men of position, influential
and large communities, &c., are still entertained. They are mentioned in the
abstracts of the circle vaccination reports, but the catalogue is too long for
reproduction here.
Local aid rendered for the promo-
tion of vaccination.
26. The reports of the Superintendents show several instances in which
the civil authorities could not, or would not, render
material assistance in promoting vaccination, and
of zemindars and others who passively opposed, or were actively hostile to the
measure. No doubt, in the absence of a compulsory law, the magisterial
authorities find it difficult to act in the matter. The police could render
valuable assistance if they honestly advised the people to accept vaccination,
but their sympathies are too often the other way.
d