ABSTRACTS OF REPORTS BY SUPERINTENDENTS.
31
Of the total number vaccinated, the males formed the larger number operated on, but
considered in reference to population, the female population was somewhat better protected.
Ages of the vaccinated —Proportion of
infants vaccinated to number born.
47. The information under this head, is given
below:—
In 1880-81...
...
...
Total number primarily
vaccinated.
8,535
Ages of the successfully
vaccinated.
Under one year.
2,066
One year and
under six years.
5,057
Above six years.
1,375
Proportion per cent. to total
primary vaccinations.
Under one year.
24.20
Over one and
under six years.
59.25
Above six years.
16.11
Number of births.
3,919
Proportion per cent. of
infants vaccinated to
number born.
52.71
Of the total vaccinated the largest number operated on were children of one to six years of
age. The proportion of infants vaccinated to number born, 52.71 per cent., is, considering
the drawbacks to vaccination, not an insignificant figure, and reflects credit on the agency
that brought it about: —
Religion of the vaccinated.
48. The next table furnishes particulars relating to the
religion of the vaccinated :—
Hindus...
...
...
Mahomedans...
...
...
...
Christians... ... ... ... ...
Population.
152,751
100,610
3,534
Total number of
each class vaccinated.
6,458
2,724
210
Proportion per cent.
of each class
vaccinated to total
vaccinated.
68.76
29
2.23
Proportion per cent.
of each class
vaccinated to popu-
lation.
4.22
2.70
5.94
Of the total vaccinated the largest number were Hindus, the next the Mahomedans, and
the lowest the Christians. But with reference to population, the Christian population were best
protected, the Mahomedans the least, and the Hindus intermediately. The suburbs contain
many Christian families, both European and Native, and a larger proportion of them than
shown above should have been vaccinated; but it appears that the European residents get
their children vaccinated at some of the dispensaries in Calcutta.
Cost of vaccinations.
49. The actual cost incurred during the year amounted to Rs. 4,188-11-9, which, distri-
buted over the 9,776 successful operations performed, shows
the average cost of each to have been 6 annas and 10 pie,
against 9 annas and 3 pie per case in 1879-80. The reduction in the cost is due,
to some extent, to the post of the Deputy Superintendent who died, not having been filled
up for about two months
Inoculation.—Prevalence of small-pox.
50. Inoculation was not practised. Reports of outbreaks of small-pox were received
from the police-stations of Cossipore, Chitpur, Ultadinghee,
Manicktollah, Balliaghatta, Entally, Baniapookur, Alipore,
Bhowanipore and Ekbalpore. The cases in the two last-named stations proved on enquiry
to be either chicken-pox or measles. The outbreaks at the other stations were not of a
formidable character. On the whole 53 attacks and 16 deaths were reported. Of the
attacked, four had been vaccinated, of whom one, or 25 per cent., died; ten had been inocula-
ted, of whom three, or 30 per cent., died; and 39 were unprotected, of whom 12, or 30 7 per
cent., perished. Besides the above, 11 more cases occurred, full particulars regarding which
could not be gleaned from Dr. Charles' records, except that of this number nine were unpro-
tected. The mortuary records, however, show that in all 72 deaths occurred during the year,
being at the rate of .27 per 1,000 of population. In some cases the disease was traced to
importation. The Superintendent notes that while so many outbreaks of small-pox occurred in
the north of the suburbs, the south enjoyed perfect immunity, only two imported cases having
been seen in Chetla. This, he thinks, supports the statement made by the late Deputy Superin-
tendent, Ashootosh Gupta, which Dr. Charles declined to accept, that the southern division
of the suburbs was well protected, and that there were no unprotected persons there His
own opinion is that " among a population which daily counts as its members strangers from
remote districts cases of small-pox are sure to be imported from abroad; but the compara-
tive small mortality which the disease caused last year, and the high success obtained in
rendering the population small-pox proof, are facts worthy of commendation. To what
extent protection from small-pox is enjoyed by the suburban population can be best known
by the fact that in not one of the outbreaks that occurred last year the disease could find
many subjects to attack."
Mortality among infants.
51. During the year 1,696 deaths from all causes were reported to have occurred among
infants under one year. It has been shown before that of
the total number born 52.71 per cent. were vaccinated. The
above deaths carrying off 43.27 per cent. of the births, the proportion of infants unprotected