ABSTRACT OF REPORTS BY SUPERINTENDENTS.
21
that the so-called small-pox eruptions were nothing more than mosquito bites or some
papular eruptions on the skin. But in those localities where epidemics of small-pox were
prevailing some of the children who had already imbibed the poison caught the disease on the
fourth or fifth day after vaccination, and this circumstance raised grave doubts in the minds
of the people about the protective influence of vaccination. These doubts were, however,
removed on the matter being explained to the parents. Some people are said to still labour
under an impression that they will be subjected to fresh taxation for getting their children
vaccinated, and therefore hesitate to bring their children for inspection. The result of the
Deputy Superintendent's inspection is given in the following table :—
Seen after the 16th
day
Seen from 13th to
16th day
Seen from 9th to
12th day
Seen from 5th to
8th day ...
Seen from 1st to
4th day ...
Total ...
Vaccinated in six points,
of which there were
successful.
6
15
31
21
27
17
111
6
9
16
7
5
...
37
4
6
7
3
9
...
24
3
7
2
5
2
...
16
2
5
3
...
6
...
14
1
3
1
2
3
...
9
Failed
2
1
...
1
...
4
Vaccinated in four points,
of which there were
successful.
4
3,557
2,755
3,063
3,616
187
13,178
3
605
387
167
373
...
1,532
2
126
119
52
131
...
428
1
12
9
21
23
...
65
Failed
123
107
101
113
...
444
successful.
2
307
557
638
403
15
1,920
1
53
29
37
23
...
142
Failed.
5
7
11
13
...
36
Doubtful
7
5
11
2
...
25
Compared with
the register.
4,841
4,036
4,139
4,750
219
17,985
Total
4,841
4,036
4,139
4,750
219
17,985
Absent.
211
167
89
107
5
579
GRAND TOTAL.
5,052
4,203
4,228
4,857
224
18,564
Attitude of the people.—The Assistant Surgeon reports " that the people of Orissa
are now beginning to appreciate the value of vaccination, especially those who have enjoyed
its benefits and witnessed its advantages over inoculation. In many villages where small-pox
had sprung up the inhabitants invited the vaccinators and availed themselves of their
services in getting their children protected." He adds that " there are many people, however,
who still entertain doubts about the protective influence of vaccination, on the ground that no
eruptions appear on the body after vaccination, as is observed in cases of inoculated small-pox.
These eruptions are looked upon by them as a sure sign of future protection. Inoculation,
with all its dangers and disadvantages, therefore finds favour with these people." The Deputy
Superintendent states that the publication of some articles on vaccination by Dr. Stewart
and by the editor of a local vernacular paper seems to have done much in advancing the
progress of vaccination.
Some difficulties, the Assistant Surgeon reports, were experienced, especially in those
localities where vaccination was introduced for the first time. The people could not be
easily prevailed on to give up their old practice and adopt a new one. Every mode of
reasoning and persuasion was resorted to to remove their prejudice and opposition, but once
the inhabitants of a few villages were induced to submit to vaccination the people of
the adjacent localities willingly followed their example. It is stated that the early
appearance of inoculators in the localities selected for protection, and the false rumours
circulated by them to prejudice the people's mind against vaccination, much interfered
with its regular progress.
Small-pox.—The Deputy Superintendent reports outbreaks of small-pox in several of
the villages in his circle of operation, and the measures taken by him to arrest the progress
of the disease. The origin of the outbreaks in many cases is traced to the practice of
inoculation and to the careless habits of the people in mixing freely with the infected.
He states that " there is a certain class of people in Orissa who are opposed to inoculation
as well as to vaccination, and it is this class which is especially apt to be infected at times
of small-pox epidemics."
Assistance of civil authorities, semindars, &c.—The Joint-Magistrate and the police
authorities of the Kendrapara sub-division gave every assistance, but the police-officers
of other places showed great apathy and indifference to the cause of vaccination. The
zemindars, as a general rule, took no interest.
Conduct of establishment.—The Deputy Superintendent reports that most,of the men
showed great zeal and activity, and spared no pains in advancing the cause of vaccination
in the midst of all opposition and prejudices. The services of three apprentices, who
did not turn out good vaccinators, were dispensed with after the close of the season's
work.
Remarks by the Civil Surgeon, Magistrate, and the Commissioner.—The Civil Surgeon,
in forwarding the report, states that the total mortality from small-pox during the six
months ending March 1880 is given as 2,112, or 1.4 per mille. In the town of Cuttack
the deaths reported in six months were only 291, but from house-to-house enquiry the
deaths turned out to be 436. The attitude of the people towards vaccination, the Civil
Surgeon says, is somewhat better than in former years, though strong prejudice still
prevails. Dr. Stewart recommends that inoculation be interdicted by law in the municipalities
of Cuttack, Jajpore, and Kendrapara. The Magistrate and the Commissioner of the Division
are, however, of opinion that " eoercive measures for the prevention of inoculation are at
present premature. As the people become aware of the benefits of vaccination, the