2
REPORT.
Details of increase
as compared with
previous year.
Caution as regards
the accuracy of
the figures.
The sum total
probably not
excessive.
This increase is shared by all the circles except Darjeeling, which shows a slight decrease.
The particulars are as follows: increase, Calcutta and suburbs, 7,313 ; Metropolitan circles,
39,602; Ranchee, 893; Sonthal Pergunnahs, 3,968; Eastern Bengal circle, 30,942; and
dispensary vaccinations, 30,152; total increase, 112,870 ; decrease, Darjeeling circle, 8,642;
net increase, 104,228. This result is very satisfactory. The details of the operations of the
different circles, with their results, are given in statement No. II. The returns of the vaccine
circles are trustworthy, since they have been subjected to careful scrutiny by comparison
with actual vaccinations by trustworthy officers. They amount to 573,170, or 72.3 per cent.
of the whole. The dispensary vaccine returns are not so reliable as those of the circles, since
much of this vaccination has not been inspected and verified as frequently and carefully as is
desirable. The amount of check and supervision exercised over the work of dispensary vac-
cinators and ex-inoculators varied in the different districts, as will be noticed in my remarks
under that head. There is one feature in dispensary vaccination which I will now notice, viz.
the percentage of successful cases. In season 1872-73 the percentage of successful cases in
dispensary vaccination was 89.33, whereas in the year under report it is 79.12, showing that
greater pains were taken in the way of check and supervision to ascertain the truth. In addition
to the 493 ex-inoculators who worked and submitted their returns, there were others who were
also engaged in vaccination, but who never sent in any return. The unrepresented work of
these additional men would more than compensate any exaggeration or inaccuracy in the
returns of dispensary vaccination, and the figures given in the above statement may be
accepted as very near the truth. But even taking the total number of operations at
791,634, I find it falls far short of the requirements of the province. The population
being 68 millions, the birth-rate, at 30 per 1,000, would be 2,040,000, whereas the total
number of vaccinations is 791,634, or a little more than one-third. It is, however, satis-
factory to find that in this respect some progress has been made during the past year,
since in season 1872-73 the number of vaccinations did not reach quite one-third of the
birth-rate.
Number of
operations per
vaccinator.
STATEMENT NO. III.
CIRCLES.
Metropolitan Circles... ...
Sonthal Pergunnahs ... ...
Darjeeling Circle... ...
Ranchee
„ ... ... ...
Calcutta and Suburbs... ...
Eastern Bengal Circle ... ...
Number of operations
per man
1873-74.
3,931
2,506
2,327
1,870
1,847
1,539
1872-73.
2,967
1,845
2,474
1,825
779
1,820
4. Number of operations performed by each vaccinator.—A glance at statement No. III
will show that the results of 1873-74 are exceed-
ingly satisfactory, and indicate decided improve-
ment in all the circles except Darjeeling, which
exhibits a slight decrease. The work performed
by each vaccinator in 1873-74, as compared with
the preceding year, is more than double in
Calcutta and suburbs, while the increase in the
other circles varies from 45 to 964 for each
man. The most marked improvement in Calcutta
must be very gratifying to Dr. Charles and his
superintendents, but unfortunately it does not indicate greater facility in, and fewer
obstacles to, the work of vaccination in Calcutta in season 1873-74 as compared with 1872-73,
because the increased work was due to greater activity in emigration. The inference to be
drawn as regards vaccinations in the districts from the average increase in each man's
work is that prejudices are subsiding and obstacles disappearing. In calculating the figures
of the Metropolitan and Darjeeling circles respectively, 24 and 42 apprentices have not
been taken into account. The average of the Metropolitan circles, as given by Dr. Gupta in
his report, is 2,690, including the 25 apprentices.
Ratio of success.
5. Number of successful operations.—These are shown in detail in table A, and the
ratios of success in primary and secondary operations are stated in statement No. II
in contrast with those of 1872-73. Out of 766,297 primary cases 711,333, or 92.99 per
cent., were successful, and out of 25,337 secondary or re-vaccinations only 5,716, or 22 79
per cent., were successful.
The ratio of successful re-vaccinations is equal to that of
last year, while the ratio of primary successful vaccination is less than that of the
preceding year, viz. as 92.99 against 96.20.
This decrease is due to the falling off
in the ratio of primary successful cases in dispensary vaccination.
The vaccine circles
have more than fully maintained the high ratio of success. In the Calcutta, Metro-
politan, and the Eastern Bengal circles, the ratio of success has always been high, viz.
more than 99 per cent. in every 100. This result was first questioned by the late Com-
missioner of Dacca as regards the Eastern Bengal circle, and afterwards in last year's
Government resolution. The grounds on which the results were doubted were not vouchsafed,
and that being the case, I cannot categorically deal with the views held in that resolution.
The result, viz. 99 successful operations in every 100, has been vouched for in Calcutta and
the Metropolitan circles by officers of the highest integrity and honesty, viz. Dr. Charles,
Dr. Powell, and others, in such tones as to render it difficult to doubt its accuracy, though no
doubt the figure looks high.