8
REPORT OF VACCINATION IN BENGAL
Joynuggore, one in Nawabgunge, one in Assasoonee, two in Bankipore, two in Sooltanpore,
one in Nyehatty, one in Bishtopore, and one in Mothoorapore.
Burdwan.
" Nine outbreaks took place in the district of Burdwan, affecting nine villages in thana
Poorbusthullee, two in Cutwa, two in Bood-Bood, one in Culna, one in Muntessur, two in
Aousgram, and one in Sahibgunge.
Hooghly.
"Six outbreaks occurred in Hooghly, affecting 25 villages in thana Hooghly, one in
British Chundernuggur, one in Boidabatty, and three in Ballaghur.
Howrah.
" Two outbreaks occurred in the district of Howrah, affecting six villages in thana
Domjoor, and one in Juggutbullubpore.
" One was reported from Jessore, affecting one village in thana Dalootee."
Vaccinators
supplied to
municipalities, &c.
25. Several municipalities and a few private individuals applied for and obtained the
services of trained vaccinators from the staff of the Metropolitan circles, for periods varying
from one to six months, and at the rate of Rs. 12 per month. About 6,000 vaccinations
were thus done by their instrumentality.
Results.
26. The results of the Metropolitan circles are very satisfactory, and exceedingly credit-
able to Dr. Gupta and his assistants Rai Jadub Chunder Ghose Bahadoor, Rai Ram Soondur
Ghose Bahadoor, and Buddy Nath Brummo. The first-named assistant, Rai Jadub Chunder
Ghose Bahadoor, is singled out for special praise for returning the largest number ever
given, and deserves the favourable notice of Government. The Metropolitan circles have
contributed one-half of the total number of vaccinations done in the whole of Bengal, and
the work was of a high order, as proved by the personal inspection of the Superintendent
and his deputies. For such good work increasing year after year, and with the lowest
average cost (Re. 0-1-3), Dr. Gupta and his assistants are entitled to all the credit which is
usually bestowed upon the good and faithful servants.
DARJEELING
CIRCLE
Establishment.
27. Darjeeling Circle.—Surgeon-Major R. Lidderdale, M.D., the Superintendent, has
submitted a long, lucid, interesting, and exhaustive report. The establishment underwent
some changes
One head vaccinator for the Darjeeling district was sanctioned, but no suit-
able incumbent could be found for it. Three vaccinators were also sanctioned to equalise the
strength of the gangs The increased pay allowed by Government in July 1875 enabled
the Superintendent to get three competent inspectors of licensed vaccinators, or ex-inoculators
as they are more commonly called. Owing to sickness the effective strength of all the gangs
was always below par, and the whole staff suffered more or less. Two apprentices died, and
some of the men had to be sent home convalescent. Dr. Lidderdale had to surmount
another and a greater obstacle than sickness, viz. the obstructive and refractory behaviour of
some of his staff. As the systematic vaccination of one district at a time was only intro-
duced last year, the vaccinators thought they would be more frequently and more closely
watched by the Superintendent than before, when they were allowed to work just as they
liked, scattered in eight different districts, and they therefore tried to bring the work to a
standstill. Their misconduct has led to the introduction of a form of agreement rendering
it incumbent upon them to give a certain definite period of notice. Should this fail to
remedy the inconvenience caused by sudden abandonment of their duties during the working
season, it will be necessary to impose a further check by keeping recess pay in hand till
the season is well advanced. The Superintendent gives the old inoculators altogether a
bad character, and thinks these men rather impede than expedite or facilitate the work of
vaccination.
Detail of work.
28. Vaccination was carried on by the Government establishment in the following
districts, viz. Darjeeling, Dinagepore, Rungpore, Bogra, and Rajshahye. In the other
districts, viz. Julpigoree, Purneah, and Maldah, no work was done during the season.
Above 1,000 persons were vaccinated in the Maldah district during the recess on account
of the presence of small-pox. The following account is condensed from Dr. Lidderdale's
report:—
Darjeeling district.
" Darjeeling District.—The number of cases in this district was more than doubled ; but
as a head vaccinator could not be procured, the gang were not allowed to work during the
Superintendent's absence in the plains, otherwise the numbers would have been larger.
Vaccination in tea-
gardens
The presence of small-pox in the months of April and May, and of one case in August,
stimulated the Superintendent and his staff to visit every part of the district, including all the
tea-gardens, with a view to protect all unprotected persons. The coolies of one tea-garden
only resisted the efforts of the establishment; all the rest have been thoroughly done. The
members of the Darjeeling police force, including their wives and children, were all vaccinated.
A house-to-house visitation by the Superintendent and his staff disclosed a dangerously
large number of unprotected children at Darjeeling itself, and they were all protected.
Dr. Lidderdale is of opinion that if Act IV (B.C.) of 1865 were introduced into the district,
it would have a good moral effect on the hillmen, as well as on their neighbours, the
Nepaulese and Thibetians.
Dinagepore.
Area vaccinated.
Dinagepore. —The work in this district was in extension of former years. Two gangs
were employed and operations were carried on in thanas Chintamun, Nawabgunge, in
out-post Ghoraghat, and also in about three-fourths of thana Poteeram. The protected areas