6
REPORT OF VACCINATION IN BENGAL
Cause of the
comparative
mildness of recent
epidemics.
The comparative immunity of Calcutta from small-pox since 1865, and the comparatively
small dimensions of the past epidemic, may fairly be claimed as a triumph for vaccination.
The satisfactory result thus exhibited is attributed by Dr. Charles to the better protection of the
inhabitants and the increased power of vaccination to grapple with emergencies. He adds
his testimony, derived from personal experience, in favor of the comparative mildness of this
epidemic in support of the statistics.
Localities visited
by the disease.
Small-pox in the
suburbs
15. As usual, the epidemic was mainly limited to certain localities. Burra Bazaar,
whose vaccination has presented peculiar difficulties, as explained in previous reports, suffered
signally. The adjoining Muchooa Bazaar also suffered severely. A neighbouring community
of Mahomedan lascars were severely visited, as also a class of Mahomedans called Nacodas,
who came from Cutch 200 years ago, and colonised the heart of Calcutta in Moorgeehatta,
Amratolla Lane, and New China Bazaar. In the southern division of the town, the disease
was worst in the Taltollah Thana, at Harroo Luskur's Hât, Comedan Bagan, and Harreeparah
Lane; in the Padoopookur Thana, Hyderam Bannerjee's Lane and Kerannee Bagan
suffered considerably ; and scattered cases were met with in Fenwick Bazaar, Collingah, and
Bow Bazaar. In the suburbs the disease, though widespread, also exhibited a tendency to locali-
zation. There were sharp outbreaks at Zeerat, Garden Reach, and Kidderpore, and scattered
cases at Tallygunge and Bhowanipore. In the northern suburbs there was a comparative
exemption. Cases occurred in the Beliaghattah Thana (at Rajah Bagan and Rajah Bazaar)
and in the Entally Thana. No cases were reported from the Cossrpore, Chitpore, Manicktollah,
and Ooltadangah Thanas. These particulars have been thus fully detailed for the purpose of
illustrating the property which epidemic diseases possess of predominant prevalence in
particular places, and of recording in what manner this property was actually exhibited by
small-pox in 1874-75.
Particular classes
affected.
Residents
comparatively
exempt.
Strangers specially
liable.
16. The disease not only showed a proneness to affix itself to particular localities, but it
likewise showed a tendency to attack particular classes of the community. The habitually
resident Bengali population of Calcutta enjoyed the greatest exemption. This section of the com-
munity is also the most efficiently protected by vaccination, and the cases which did occur in it
took place principally among recent arrivals and temporary sojourners, whom it was found
very difficult to vaccinate. In contrast, the up-country Hindustani residents, who are
mostly a fleeting class, suffered severely. As a general rule, the epidemic prevailed rather
among outsiders and strangers than among the proper population of the town.
Immunity of
young
unvaccinated
children.
Cause.
Young children
should be exempted
from compulsory
vaccination.
Reasons
17. Dr. Charles draws pointed attention to the great immunity which obtained among
young unvaccinated children. He attributes this to oriental usage, which provides for the
comparative seclusion of infants of tender years; and he draws from the circumstance the
conclusion that, in the event of a law of compulsory vaccination ever being passed for India,
it will not be expedient, as in England, to enact that every child must be vaccinated before
the age of three months, because (1) the people have a strong prejudice against infant vaccin-
ation founded on their experience of inoculation, and it would not be prudent to run counter
to it; (2) the practice of vaccination in the hot weather and rains is not desirable on account
of the frequent irritative results then met with; and (3) experience shows that young children
are not liable to attack by small-pox if older children and adults are protected.
Present
establishment
sufficient.
Superintendents
commended.
18. Dr. Charles, after the experience of this trying and anxious year, arrives at the
conclusion that the present establishment is quite equal to the duties required of it. He
accords high praise to the superintendents, Baboos Kali Das Bose and Kassi Chunder Dutt.
On the former, as in charge of the northern division of the town, the brunt of the work of
stamping out frequently recurring outbreaks of small-pox mainly fell, and he acquitted
himself admirably, and displayed great tact and diligence in dealing with these. I need
hardly add that Dr. Charles himself continues to apply himself to this very important duty
with his usual energy and enthusiasm.
METROPOLITAN
CIRCLES
Superintendence.
Establishment.
19 Metropolitan Circles.—Surgeon K. P. Goopta, M.B., filled the office of superintendent
throughout the year, and has submitted a detailed and interesting report. The sanctioned
establishment remains unaltered.
Extension of area
of these circles.
Reasons for
inclusion of
Jessore.
Act IV of 1865
applied to that
district.
The law now
in force throughout
these circles.
20 The area of these circles has been increased by the inclusion of the district of
Jessore. This was done for two reasons : first, because the work was considered to come within
the ability of the establishment; and second, because it was considered undesirable that a
district in which vaccination was not systematically prosecuted, and in which inoculation was
permitted and practised, should intervene between the limits of the metropolitan and Dacca
circles. As a preparation for the work of the season, Act IV of 1865 was, on the recommend-
ation of this office, and with the approval of the civil authorities, extended to the Sudder,
Jenidah, Magoorah, and Narail sub-divisions of that district (Notification dated 27th Octoter
1874). The Act had previously been applied to the town (Notification dated 1st April 1873).
The Act was also applied to the thanas of Sonamookhy and Kotulpore (Notification dated
9th July 1874) after their transfer to the district of Burdwan, so that now the law prohibit-
ing inoculation obtains throughout the whole area of the Metropolitan circles (districts of
24-Pergunnahs, Nuddea, Burdwan, Hooghly, Howrah, and Jessore), with the exception of
such parts of Jessore as did not come within the scope of the season's work.