Second Annual Report of the Eastern Bengal Circle of vaccination, by Assistant Surgeon
BHOOBUN MOHUN MITTER, Superintendent.
Establishment.
1. Establishment.—The
establishment sanctioned by Government consists of one
superintendent, six head vaccinators, 36 vaccinators, and 36 extra vaccinators; but for want
of experienced hands the work was carried on, from the 1st November 1873 to the 31st of
March 1874, by five head vaccinators instead of six, and by 51 vaccinators instead of 72.
Throughout the non-working season there were three head and 18 ordinary vaccinators,
but by the middle of September 1873 two head and two ordinary vaccinators were brought
from Calcutta.
On the 1st of October 1873, 16 men were added to the staff: of these, 12 served me as
extra vaccinators last year, and four were new men, who of their own accord are learning the
work since August last.
Changes among
vaccinators.
2. Changes among vaccinators.—In the beginning of November 1873, head vaccinator
Roghoo Nath Chuckerbutty, who had been ill for some time past, took leave and returned to
Calcutta to recruit his health; but the man who officiated for him was found incompetent to
carry on the work.
Having no other person fit for this post, I applied to the superintendent of the
Metropolitan circles of vaccination for a head vaccinator, and I am greatly indebted to him
for the favour he showed in permitting Peary Mohun Buttacharjee to serve under me, who
was put in charge of the Hurerampore division. Two men died of cholera, one absconded,
and another was dismissed for negligence and misconduct. New men were appointed
in their place. Among those who suffered from fever, there were three who could not
work at all on account of general debility, and it was found necessary to get new men to
officiate for them.
Necessity of extra
vaccinators.
3 Necessity of extra vaccinators during tho organization of a vaccine circle.—The work
of a vaccinator is so trying and disagreeable, that those only who cannot earn their
livelihood in any other way enter this department. While so employed, the majority try to
get a situation in other Government offices, and submit their resignation when opportunity
offers. Of those who remain behind, some cannot work in a satisfactory manner; others do not
take any interest in their work, and it becomes a matter of necessity to get fresh men in their
place. Out of a 100 men employed, 10 only turn out good vaccinators and become useful
servants of Government; it is only in time we expect to get a set of good men.
The system of extra vaccinators acts as a safety-valve; those who are found unfit after
a season's work are to be rejected.
These men can be taken into service in time of need
Employment of
vaccinators during
the non- working
season.
4. Employment of vaccinators during the non-working season.—On the 1st of April 1873
the extra vaccinators, 18 in number, were discharged, and there remained behind three
head and 18 ordinary vaccinators. These men assisted me in carrying on my inspections
till the 8th of May 1873, and from this date to the 28th of this month they took the
vaccine census. After this, I employed them in making a fair copy of all the registers, and
taught them everything connected with vaccination.
I granted two months' privilege leave to those men who were brought from Calcutta. to
enable them to visit their families.
To prepare the minds of the people, I, in the beginning of September 1873, directed the
vaccinators to proceed to those thanas where vaccine operations are to be carried on during
the ensuing season, with instructions to post the Biggopuns in the hauts and known villages,
and to explain to the people the aim of Government in offering vaccination.
Plan of work
5. Plan of the work for the year 1873-74.—To overtake those portions of Srenagur and
Nawabgunge thanas, which remained unfinished last year, it was thought advisable to work
in the adjoining thanas of Manickgunge, Jaffergunge, and Hurerampore, so as to finish at one
time the southern, south-western, western, and north-western portions of the Dacca district.
The geographical position of Goalundo thana made it also desirable to finish it at the
same time; it lies on the west, while Jaffergunge and Hurerampore are on the east-side of
the river Pudma.
The work so undertaken is double that of the last year.
Assistance of civil
-authorities.
6. Assistance of civil authorities.—To make vaccination popular in a district where it is for
the first time introduced, there is so great a need of the moral support of civil and municipal
authorities, that without which it is incapable of taking a deep root in the virgin soil.