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ABSTRACTS OF REPORTS BY CIVIL SURGEONS.
Agency.
Hutwa.—Eight vaccinators were at work here, three paid at Rs. 10 a month each, and five
received a commission of two annas for each successful case, all from the Hutwa Raj
treasury, for December to March. Two of the paid men worked in Hutwa, and one was
sent to Gopalgunge. The ticca men, who were all old inoculators, were ordered to vaccin-
ate among their old clients.
Inoculators taught
vaccination.
Altogether 1,225 persons were vaccinated, of whom 1,022, or 83 per cent., were successful,
and the work was supervised by the Assistant Surgeon of the dispensary. The people
appreciate vaccination. The Manager of the Raj rendered great assistance. Inoculation is
still prevalent. Five inoculators were taught vaccination and worked well. No outbreak
of small-pox during the year.
Inoculation.
Revilgunge.—Two vaccinators on Rs. 8 each, paid by the local municipality, were
employed for four months, and operations were confined to municipal limits. They vaccin-
ated 388 persons—293, or 75 per cent., successfully. The people are opposed to vaccination.
Inoculation is extensively practised. No inoculators were instructed. Small-pox prevailed
to some extent, but the mortality therefrom was small.
Agency.
Inoculation .
Act IV (B.C )
advocated.
Chumparun District.—Dr. Meadows reports that one paid vaccinator on Rs. 10 and
48 ex-inoculators were engaged in vaccination from November to March. The Government
vaccinator worked in and around the station of Moteeharee, while the ex-inoculators were
allowed to work within their old beats and jurisdictions. The Civil Surgeon constantly
inspected the operations. The total number vaccinated was 3,407, 2,123 being performed
by the old inoculators. The people are said to be indifferent to vaccination so long as it is
done by their own inoculators. Inoculation is still prevalent in some parts, but inoculators
are changing their practice. Small-pox constantly broke out, engendered no doubt by the
practice of inoculation. Dr. Meadows advocates the prohibition of inoculation by the
introduction of Act IV (B.C.) of 1865.
BHAGULPORE DIVISION.
Agency.
Inspection.
Inoculation
practised even by
licensed men.
Monghyr District.—Dr. Nicholson has submitted a long report. The agency consisted
of four vaccinators, paid by the municipalities of Monghyr and Jumalpore; two paid by the
Durbhunga Raj, who worked at Khurruckpore; five apprentices, and 124 ex-inoculators, all
under one inspector, who supervised the operations. The paid vaccinators worked in Monghyr,
Jumalpore, and Khurruckpore respectively, while the licensed vaccinators or ex-inoculators
worked in the interior of the district. The Civil Surgeon inspected 331 cases in Monghyr
and 458 in the district. The Assistant Surgeon of Monghyr and the hospital assistant of
Khurruckpore saw 89 and 208 respectively. The inspector moved about constantly in Monghyr
city and district, and supervised the work of the paid as well as licensed vaccinators. The
head vaccinator of Monghyr was also deputed into the interior to look after the ex-inoculators.
Altogether 11,654 persons were vaccinated, against 13,523 in 1874, of whom 11,065, or 94 per
cent., were successful. The work was more systematic and defined than in former years. The
prejudices against vaccination are disappearing, as shown by the large number of inoculators
changing their practice. Inoculation is sometimes clandestinely practised by some of the
licensed men even. Dr. Nicholson thinks that the mortality from the practice of inoculation
is one per cent., but this seems d priori improbable. Small-pox occurred sporadically and
caused 399 deaths, against 490 in the previous year. Dr. Nicholson advocates the prohibition
of inoculation by law, and yet it only kills one per cent. of those subjected to it.
Inspection.
Bhagulpore District.—Dr. Warden, Officiating Civil Surgeon, reports that two vaccinators
on Rs. 5—one paid by Government and another by the municipality—were employed. These
men also received a commission of Rs. 5 for the first hundred successful cases, and Rs. 10 for
every subsequent hundred cases. The reverse should be tried. Higher rates to commence with
when the difficulties to be surmouted are increased. Another man received only a commission
on the cases—the successful ones only in all probability. 202 inoculators received passes or licenses
to practise vaccination, against 167 in 1874, being an increase of 35 men. These men reported
3,857 cases. They received neither pay nor commission; the people among whom they worked
were expected to remunerate them by small fees. An inspector of vaccination was appointed
in the month of February, and sent out to inspect in the district. He got ill, and another
was appointed in March. The Civil Surgeon made 44 visits to inspect, and verified 243 cases.
The municipal vaccinators performed 805 operations—624 successfully. Vaccinations were
also done in the following dispensaries situated in this district by the native doctors:—Banka
76, Colgong 9, Madhuporah 15, Tulshia 16.
Purneah District.—This district is included in the Darjeeling circle of vaccination.
Dr Picachy reports that one vaccinator on Rs. 10, paid by the municipality, was employed,
and he worked in Purneah, and also in some of the indigo factories of the district.
He vaccinated 441 persons. Vaccination is not popular among the well-to-do persons.
Inoculators have almost given up their old calling and betaken themselves to vaccination.
They were supplied with virus, i.e. it was given to those who had been duly taught before, and
others were instructed during the year. 12 of them sent in returns of 1,196 operations.