REPORT.
9
31. I am sure Dr. Charles if asked will "be glad to supply Dr. Lidderdale with a
number of copies of his Bengali pamphlet on vaccination, and also give him permission to
translate the other brochure on popular information regarding small-pox, inoculation, and
vaccination into Nepalese.
Lymph supply.
32.
The Darjeeling hills as a source of lymph supply.—Last year Dr. Charles proposed
that an effort should be made to make the Darjeeling hills a source of lymph supply, like
Kumaon and Ghurhwal in the North-West. The proposal was referred to Dr. Lidderdale for
report. He now points out that the differences between the two places are so great that
there can be no comparison between them. Kumaon and Ghurhwal have a much larger
population, the people live in higher abtitudes, the climate is much colder than in the
Darjeeling hills. Again, inoculation is prohibited in the former, while in the latter it is
forbidden only within the limits of Darjeeling. The number of vaccinators on duty in
Darjeeling is only three, while the number must be greatly larger in Kumaon and Ghurhwal.
The last two difficulties, viz. inoculation and smaller number of vaccinators on duty, can be
easily got over, but the others, viz. a meagre population and lower elevation, are beyond our
control, and seem to be insuperable.
Ranchee circle.
33. Ranchee circle.—The same establishment, consisting of one superintendent, three
head and 20 ordinary vaccinators, continued in 1873-74 as in previous years. In addition to
this agency paid by Government, 120 ex-inoculators carried on vaccination in the Chota
Nagpore division, and submitted returns of their work, viz. 37 in Lohardugga, 29 in
Manbhoom, 24 in Singbhoom, and 30 in Hazareebagh. Eight native Christian vaccinators
and a great many apprentices were also engaged in vaccination. The municipality of
Ranchee employed one vaccinator for four months. The civil surgeons and their assistants
also performed some vaccinations.
Operations.
Quality and cost.
34. The total number of operations performed by the Government establishment amounted
to 37,411, against 36,518 in season 1872-73, showing an increase of 993; the number of successful
cases was 35,177, against 35,206 : decrease, 29. The average number performed by each
vaccinator was 1,870. The quality of vaccination attained last year has been nearly main-
tained, viz. 97.49, against 97 77. The slight decline is accounted for by a larger number of hot-
weather vaccinations, viz. 1,578, against 525 in 1872-73. The total cost of the establishment
was Rs. 11,008, giving five annas for each successful case, against five and six-tenths' annas in
the previous year. The work of the additional agency not paid by Government amounted
to 66,291, as detailed partly in table No. V and partly in Dr. Wood's report. The results
of the whole of these operations were not ascertained. The percentages of those that were
ascertained was 87.85 in Manbhoom, 97.35 in Singbhoom, 99.53 of the work of the
apprentices ; but taking 80 per cent. as the average ratio of success, we would have 53,084
successful cases, which, when added to the 35,177 successful operations performed by the
Government establishment, would make a grand total of 88,151. Now the birth-rate of the
Chota Nagpore division at 30 per 1,000, in a population of 3,450,023 would be 103,500.
The successful vaccinations, therefore, amount to more than four-fifths of the figure which
would appear to be necessary. Last year it was only one-half, and it is very satisfactory to
note that it has this year risen to more than four-fifths.
Systematic
proceeding.
35. A definite area continuous with that protected before was selected, viz. two thanas
in Lohardugga and three adjoining thanas in Hazareebagh. The establishment was divided
into three gangs and placed under the three head vaccinators, and set to work in the thanas
apportioned to each. Four of these thanas have been pretty well vaccinated, while of the
fifth about one-third has been done. The high caste men, like mahajuns and Kaisthus of
large villages, still refuse to take vaccination. No active opposition was offered. Prejudices
against vaccination are gradually disappearing.
36. As the three parties worked in adjoining thanas, the Superintendent could easily
pass from one gang to another and inspect their work. One party was visited twice, and the
remaining two parties three times during the season. Dr Wood travelled over 657 miles.
It is satisfactory to observe that the superintendent exhibited greater energy and zeal this year
than he had done in the previous season.
Result of
inspection.
The table* of inspection has not been received with the report, which, by the way, was
submitted very late (16th August). Dr. Wood reports that efforts were made to get persons to
be vaccinated in more than one point; but the instrument employed was the needle, and rarely
the lancet. I cannot understand why needles should be preferred to lancets. There was not
much difficulty experienced for lymph, as it had been preserved throughout the non-working
season on account of small-pox.
Small-pox.
37. Inoculation has been prohibited by law within the Chota Nagpore division, and
rendered penal. The law was not infringed in Manbhoom or Singbhoom, but two inoculators
were convicted in Lohardugga and three in Hazareebagh. Native Superintendent Mahomed
Ishak greatly exerted himself in hunting up the offending inoculators, for which he deserves
credit. Two hundred and fifty persons were inoculated in Hazareebagh and 100
* The table has just been received. Dr. Wood inspected 7,807 cases, of which 95.79 were successful.
b