DARJEELING CIRCLE.
37
Percentage of
success.
The percentage of success in prisons was for the year 95.72.
The percentage of success according to the above inspection table is 98.06, giving a
difference of 2.34. As the inspection of the largest numbers takes place in those districts,
such as Rajshahye and Bogra, where the work is of the highest quality, a slightly better
result is brought out than really obtains for the whole circle.
The deputy superintendent being chiefly employed in looking after the vaccination
of Dinagepore during the seasons, did not verify returns to such an extent as otherwise would
have been the case. He was active and attentive to his duty.
Distribution of
vaccinators.
13. Distribution of vaccinators.—The vaccinators were distributed in all sudder thanas,
except Purneah, which had not been completed in former years, and in those districts in
which this was the case thanas adjoining the sudder ones were taken up so as to make the
protected area continuous. This is the greatest amount of concentration permitted me, and
distributes forty-two vaccinators over an area of 19,862 square miles among a population of
8,559,690.
I am still of opinion that it would be much better to take up one zillah, forbid inocula-
tion there, and employ all the vaccinators in it till it was completed, leaving an organized
staff behind to carry on the work of protecting the annual increment of the population.
Instruction of
vaccinators.
14. Instruction of vaccinators.—This is a matter which has always been carried on with
great difficulty, and chiefly done orally. I have, however, obtained a sufficient number of
copies of Dr. Pearson's book translated into Bengali. Every vaccinator and apprentice has
been put in possession of one, from which I anticipate the best results. More are required to
give away to ex-inoculators.
I believe Dr. Charles has also had a small book of instructions for vaccinators translated
into Bengali. I should be glad to have a number of copies of it, too, as I believe the
great secret of successful vaccination—doing it from arm-to-arm—will there be particularly
dwelt upon.
This pamphlet, giving popular information on small-pox, inoculation, and vaccination,
if translated into Bengali, would be most useful if distributed to zemindars and influential
heads of villages before beginning vaccination.
Small-pox and
inoculation.
I should like to be permitted to have it translated into the Nepalese language. A
sufficient number of copies could be turned out of the Misson Press here for about Rs. 100.
15. Small-pox and inoculation.—Small-pox was again on the decrease during the hot
months of 1873, Rungpore being remarkably free from it; but in Rajshahye and Julpigoree,
it existed from May to September. It was present in Dinagepore, Julpigoree, Bogra, and
Maldah, during the cold season of 1873-74. I have the police returns of small-pox in
Rungpore, Bogra, and Julpigoree for the year—in all 420 cases with fifty deaths.
It was reported from the other districts, but returns were not afforded me.
In every instance in which the early cases could be discovered the disease was traced to
the baneful practice of inoculation. This is not to be wondered at, as it is so carelessly done
as to be a source of little protection but of great danger to the people. During my inspec-
tion in Rungpore I found that 140 persons remained unprotected in one village where
an inoculator had been at work in May. He had not been interfered with, as the police
knew nothing of his operations. Variolation as practised in the Darjeeling circle is not
accompanied by isolation of the affected or any form of quarantine. It is not done in several
villages simultaneously, and no precautions are ever taken to prevent the disease spreading.
The inoculators know that there is a vaccine establishment whose business it is to do this,
while they, as soon as the loss of life grows serious, abscond to their own homes.
Amount of
protection afforded.
Inoculators.
The amount of protection may be judged of from the results brought out this year by
the vaccine establishment in thana Khetlal, of Bogra. The population is 38,632, and the
number who were vaccinated 12,836. This thana had been twice visited by vaccinators
before, whose operations are omitted, as they did not all come under my observation. One-third
of the whole population was therefore left quite unprotected by inoculators. This is not a
solitary instance, but I bring it forward as its truth was thoroughly ascertained by me.
Many places are in as bad or a worse state. Inoculators having now found out that vario-
lation is not forbidden by law, are carrying it on in Rajshahye and Rungpore as actively
as ever. After having fallen out of use in Bogra for some years, it was practised in two
places in the district last cold season, and in Patgram and Juliporee. A Rajbungshi and a
Mussulman as a firm have established themselves as practitioners, and defy all vaccin-
ation. They produced in the hot months of 1873 an outbreak of small-pox, 158 cases, of which
17 died. As 250 operations per annum are the most I have ever heard credited to any
inoculator, the two may be supposed to have protected 500 persons, followed by 158 cases
of small-pox and 17 deaths, which is a pretty high average of suffering and death
for the protection afforded. The deputy superintendent, Baboo Taroknath Gangooly, was
deputed to the scene of this outbreak, but seemed to have effected nothing, as on my visiting
it in March I found the above firm had been at work as before close to the thana. The
police tried to stop them and send them in to learn vaccination; the zemindari amlah did
the same ; but Amasoo and Sookoor were masters of the situation. I visited Amasoo's
village, but he would not come and see me. One person had died in it from communicated
small-pox just before my arrival. These men are not only obstinate in refusing to learn