REPORT.
5
The proportions per cent. of primary and secondary cases among the town-people and
the coolies are almost exactly the same as in the previous year, while among the suburban
population the per cent. of primary cases has risen from 78.7 to 97.9, and that of secondary
or re-vaccinations has fallen from 21.3 to 2.3. The percentage of primary as compared with
secondary cases among the coolies is owing to the fact that all coolies passing through
the depôts are vaccinated, and that the great majority of them have been already protected
before either by inoculation, natural small-pox, or vaccination.
Number of
successful
vaccinations.
11. Successful vaccinations.—The number of persons successfully vaccinated during the
past season was 20,152 out of 38,796, or 51.68 per cent., or a little more than half of total
operations. The ratio between successful vaccinations and re-vaccinations was 4 to 1, or 80
and 20 per cent. The actual number of successful vaccinations and re-vaccinations were—
Town...
...
...
...
Suburbs... ... ... ...
Cooly Depôts... ... ... ...
Vaccinations.
5,175
8,184
2,779
Re-vaccinations.
362
42
352
Though the number of successful cases constitutes a little more than half of the total oper-
ations, still the success of primary vaccinations continues high, the ratio being 99.82 against
99.51 in the previous year. This result indicates most careful and painstaking work.
Number of
operations
performed by
each vaccinator,
and reduction of
cost.
The average number vaccinated by each man was 1,847, against 779 in the previous
season, or more than double. This is very satisfactory, and indicates a most marked
improvement. The cost of each successful vaccination was eight annas, against ten annas and
one pie. The reduction of cost is due partly to the greater number vaccinated, and partly
to decreased expenditure from Rs. 11,561 of last year to Rs. 10,060.
Small-pox in
Calcutta.
Proofs of
protection against
small-pox existing
in Calcutta.
12. Small-pox was more than usually active in Calcutta during the past year, though
it never assumed an epidemic form. Case after case was imported into the city and required
to be promptly dealt with. The infected persons gave the disease to others, but it never
spread, owing either to the existing state of protection or owing to steps being taken to
localize the cases. Only in three localities was there anything like an outbreak, viz. Bamun
bazar, in Taltollah thana, Mudden Mohun Mitter's lane, and in Meteabruj. These were
promptly arrested, and all unprotected persons, specially in Meteabruj, were vaccinated.
The disease was present throughout the year, though no deaths occurred in September and
October. The total mortality from the disease was 67, which was thus distributed : April, 8;
May, June, and July, 5 each; August, 1; November, 1; December, 3; January, 9 ;
February, 5; and March, 25. There is reason to believe that the largest mortality in the month
of March was not wholly due to small-pox but also to some cases of measles which got mixed
up with that disease. Dr. Charles may well congratulate himself at this small mortality in
a populous city like Calcutta, and with such a shifting population. Besides this low
mortality, he adduces another proof showing how greatly small-pox has declined of late years.
Thirty years ago Dr. Duncan Stewart had a return prepared of patients who attended the
eye infirmary on account of disease of the eye following small-pox from 26th January to 13th
June 1844, showing that no less than 67 persons had thus suffered. Dr. Charles has got a
similar return from the superintendent of the eye infirmary showing only two cases of
sloughing of the cornea following small-pox among all the patients who attended the ophthalmic
hospital from February to June of the present year. This year was chosen for comparison on
account of the prevalence of small-pox. Another remarkable proof of the state of protection
existing in Calcutta was afforded by the landing of 450 small-pox tainted pilgrims returned
from Jedda from the S. S. Roma on 19th March 1874. They were allowed to land
before steps could be taken to put the ship in a state of quarantine. Only 95 of them could
be traced, and they were all vaccinated and sent to their homes under police surveillance.
The officers and crew, together with the coolies who went to work on board the Roma,
were vaccinated, and the ship was disinfected. Though many of the pilgrims must have
passed some days in Calcutta, yet not a single case of small-pox traceble to the Roma
was heard of.
Inoculation in
Calcutta.
13. Inoculation in Calcutta.—Dr. Charles reports that one bold adventurer, who had never
been an inoculator by profession, infringed the law and inoculated some six or seven children
in a small bustee in No. 11, Free School street. He was arrested, tried before a magistrate,
and sentenced to the full penalty of three months' rigorous imprisonment. In connection
with this case, Dr. Charles points out the defect of the law against inoculation, inasmuch
as the parents who allow their children to be inoculated are not liable to any penalty, and if
they conceal the fact there is none to give evidence against the inoculator, who may escape
punishment, and thus infringe the law with impunity.
Proposal to extend
the Metropolitan
circles.
14. Proposal to extend the vaccinated area round Calcutta.—Dr. Charles proposes that
the districts of Midnapore, Bankoora, Beerbhoom, and Jessore, which have not yet been
provided with vaccination, be added to the Metropolitan circles with a fourth deputy superin-
tendent, and four circles of subordinate establishment equal to the strength of the Dacca
vaccine circle. In two out of the four districts, viz. in Midnapore and Bankoora, a self-
supporting system of vaccination by the agency of the local ex-inoculators is under trial,