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Pergunnahs in the face of much difficulty, as little more than half the number
of the vaccinators required could be obtained. In the Darjeeling and Eastern
Bengal Circles also difficulty was experienced in keeping the establishments up
to the sanctioned strength.
5. With the exception of the results in the Ranchee Circle, the high
character of the work performed in the different circles, as established in previous
years, was fully maintained. The general ratio per cent. of successful cases in
primary vaccination was 97.2 per cent. against 96.53 in 1874-75, and 96.18 in
1873-74. In the Calcutta, Eastern Bengal, and Metropolitan Circles the ratio was
over 99 per cent. Opportunity has been frequently taken of testing these figures
with the result of establishing their accuracy. There is always a difficulty,
however, in regard to figures relating to dispensary vaccination. They are not
probably altogether trustworthy; still, so far as opportunities have been taken
of testing the character of the work done, the results have not been
unfavourable, and the greater attention which the matter is now receiving will
eventually, it is hoped, result in greater accuracy in the returns.
6. Judged by the number of operations performed by each vaccinator on
an average, there seems to have been an improvement in the efficiency of
the establishments employed in all the circles, the Eastern Bengal and Ranchee
Circles excepted. In the Ranchee Circle the falling off has been as marked as
the improvement in the Sonthal Pergunnahs. For the former result the
Superintendent, Surgeon J. Wood, is responsible. The Lieutenant-Governor
gathers from the report that no sufficient nor satisfactory explanation has been
given by the Superintendent of his failure, and that he is not free from
blame in the matter. In the Sonthal Pergunnahs the Native Deputy Superin-
tendent deserves great credit for the results achieved under unfavourable
circumstances.
7. Of the whole number of persons recorded to have been vaccinated
during the year, details as to caste, sex, and age have not been noted in respect of
about one-fourth. Of the remaining three-fourths, it is reported that 4.75 per
cent. were females against 52.5 per cent. males; 54.16 per cent. Hindoos against
42.06 per cent. Mussulmans; and 7 per cent. under one year of age against
93 per cent. over one year. Comparing these with the corresponding results
for 1874-75, there has been a slight improvement in the proportion of females
vaccinated, and a slight falling off in infant vaccination. The figures disclose
no change worthy of remark in the proportion of people belonging to the
different castes who have submitted to vaccination; but from several passages
in the report, it is to be gathered that there has been less difficulty than
heretofore in persuading the people to adopt vaccination, and that the prejudice
in favor of inoculation is gradually passing away.
Government
...
Municipal ...
Local Funds ...
Native States ...
Dispensaries ...
Ex-inoculators ...
74,7 429
59,469
3,000
1,425
8,438
168,567
8. In table C appended to his report, the Surgeon-General gives the
number of persons, as abstracted in the margin,
who were operated upon by vaccinators paid by
Government, by Municipalities, and from Local
Funds, &c. It is true that we have not yet any
complete returns showing the amount of work done
by private practitioners; still it is evident that a
very undue share of the cost of vaccination continues to fall on Government.
The comparatively small number of operations performed by municipal vacci-
nators, and the smallness of the sums devoted by municipalities to their
support, has lately attracted the special attention of Government, and separate
instructions on the subject have been issued to district officers. The Lieutenant-
Governor cannot but view with dissatisfaction the small number of operations
performed by dispensary vaccinators. It is the duty of every medical officer
in charge of a dispensary to promote vaccination, and the apparent general
neglect of this part of their duty should engage the attention of the Surgeon-
General.
9. The aggregate cost of vaccination during the past year, as shown in
the report, was Rs. 1,05,800, of which Government contributed Rs. 96,629, the