56
ABSTRACTS OF REPORTS FROM CIVIL SURGEONS.
Vaccination was commenced by Dr. Hill on 15th November 1873, and the work was
taken up by Mr. Conolly on the 15th December. He divided the district into four divisions,
and allotted a gang of ex-inoculators to each, viz., Bishenpore, Onda, Bankoora, and Gunga-
hatty. The Government vaccinator and the municipal vaccinator conducted the operations,
and supervised the work of the converted inoculators. Small-pox of a severe type broke out
in Bishenpore and in other places of the district. It assumed an epidemic form, and affected
69 villages. The civil medical officer exerted himself greatly to cope with the epidemic, and
his efforts were attended at first with partial success. He travelled all over the district, and
verified a large proportion of the operations. The total number vaccinated by the four gangs
was 21,511, of which 17,934 or 83 37 were successful. Small-pox had almost died out, though
a few cases lingered when the report was submitted. Three flying parties were organized to
cope with fresh outbreaks. Mr. Conolly is of opinion that a few deserving and hard working
ex-inoculators should be allowed something in the shape of retaining fee, as in.Midnapore.
He again asks for a tent, and some personal allowance for the season, for the work of
inspection.
Midnapore district.
Midnapore district.—Dr. Mathew's report is reproduced, in extenso, on account of its
interest. The work has fallen off. The withdrawal of the retaining fee was unfortunate.
" 2. As compared with the previous year there has been a considerable falling off in the
numbers vaccinated, but when comparing the seasons it must be borne in mind that two of
the inspecting vaccinators were employed last season in vaccinating at Moynah, where small-
pox then prevailed. The numbers vaccinated by them amounting to 9,639, and as these men
were employed during the past year in purely inspection work, the above figures must be
omitted when comparing the work of the season in question.
Difficulties
experienced.
Season 1872.73
Number vaccinated ...
24,276
Season 1873-74.
Number vaccinated ... ...
18,956
"3. When, however, comparing the work performed by the trained inoculators a
considerable deficit is apparent, as noted in the margin.
This is a marked falling off, and could only be regarded
as a lamentable failure, were not the difficulties that had to
be encountered taken into account.
"4. During the period under report the epidemic fever prevailed to a great extent, not
only in the villages which it attacked in former years, but it spread to fresh tracts of the most
densely populated country in the district, i.e., Chunderkonah, Kurpoy, and Ghattal. The men
who had been appointed vaccinators at these places were struck down by the fever, and only
about 1,517 people were vaccinated along this line of country, owing to the serious extent to
which the villagers were affected by the disease.
"5. Again, the proceedings of the vaccinators were crippled at Dasupore, Debre,
Subbong, and Panchkoorah, the fever having attacked these thanas with more than its
former violence. In fact, the efforts made to carry on the work were frustrated by adverse
circumstances beyond control, and I think but little blame can be attached to the vaccinating
staff for the very feeble results obtained.
Re-distribution of
vaccinators.
" 6. During the past season a re-distribution of the vaccinators employed in the district
was carried out by the magistrate.
To each individual Government sanctioned a payment of Rs. 2 per mensem during the
working season, inasmuch as it was considered advisable to give the men some encouragement;
and, moreover, it was thought that the payment of this small sum would place the men
more under control, and more en rapport with the civil surgeon's office than they would
otherwise be.
" 7. In deference to the views of the magistrate, this allowance was not paid, Mr. Harrison
urged that the men were quite willing to work without it, and that this payment was estab-
lishing a precedent which should not be encouraged. With these opinions I generally
concurred ; but I cannot help thinking now that the withdrawal of this small fee caused much
disappointment, and it certainly deprived me of a valuable means of controlling the proceed-
ings of the vaccinators.
" 8. Now that the men have worked for a season without pay, matters had better remain
as they are; but it will be necessary to give some of the vaccinators to understand that they
will be liable to have their appointment cancelled by the magistrate, unless they display more
energy than they have hitherto done.
" 9. The numbers vaccinated by some of the men is shamefully small, and were it not
for the reason already detailed would admit of no excuse.
"10. Personally, I was not able to supervise the proceedings of the vaccinators, nearly
so much as in previous years. The Surgeon-General is aware how largely the medical staff
employed in the district has been increased, and how greatly my time was occupied in looking
after the working of some 20 dispensaries during the past season. I was obliged to trust a
good deal to the reports of my inspecting vaccinators, who, as far as I could judge, worked
very fairly, and submitted correct returns.