8
REPORT.
Conduct of the
manager of
Dniagepore Ranee's
estate.
gang. This year he pointed out an area where the gang was to work, so that he might inspect
them twice during the season. In spite of this the gang worked as far away as possible from
the defined area, and the manager sent the returns to Dr. Lidderdale in the month of April,
when the season was over, and when he could not possibly inspect and verify the cases.
This marked inattention to instructions on the part of the manager seems to call for the
notice of Government.
27. The total number of operations performed by the Darjeeling circle was 97,757,
against 106,399 in 1872-73, showing a decrease of 8,642; and successful vaccinations 94,128,
against 100,695—decrease, 6,567.
Operations.
If to this number be added the operations performed by other agencies, namely municipal
vaccinators, the Rajbaree gang, and ex-inoculators, then the grand total will be 116,160. Now
the population of the eight districts included in this vaccine circle is 8½ millions, which will
give, at 30 per 1,000, 255,000 births annually. The successful vaccinations amount only to
116,160, or somewhat less than half, showing that the work performed falls considerably
short of what would appear to be theoretically necessary. Dr. Lidderdale has carefully
described the working of all the gangs in the eight districts comprised in the Darjeeling
circle. The average number worked by each vaccinator is 2,327.5 persons, against 2,474.39
in the previous year. Some of the gangs, as Rajshahye and Rungpore, gave 4,545 and
3,788, which is very satisfactory. The percentage of success was 95.72, against 93.37 in the
previous year, and Dr. Lidderdale's inspection has more than verified it, it being 98.06
according to his table of inspection.
Cost.
The cost of establishment was Rs. 17,827, giving 3 annas for each successful case, against
two annas and ten pie last year
The amount, as well as the quality of the work of the different gangs, varied much,
as will be seen from Dr. Lidderdale's report.
Prohibition of
inoculation in
Bogra.
28. In the district of Bogra, which has hitherto been free from inoculation, two
inoculators practised inoculation, and thereby diffused small-pox over two different thanas.
And from the fact that fewer ex-inoculators came forward this year for vaccine lymph,
Dr. Lidderdale suspects that most of them practised their old art. The birth-rate of
Bogra is a little over 20,000, and the number vaccinated this year by the Government
establishment amounted to 18,477, and by municipal vaccinators to 5,143, making a total of
23,620, which exceeds the birth-rate. I quite concur with Dr. Lidderdale that a clear case
has been made out for extending the Act prohibiting inoculation into Bogra.
Small-pox.
It is satisfactory to find that small-pox was on the decrease during the past year.
Wherever the disease appeared it could be traced to the baneful practice of inoculation,
which, I fear, still prevails largely in several districts.
Inoculators are, however, coming round and learning vaccination. Dr. Lidderdale very
rightly took as many of them as he could get as apprentices.
In Purneah, thirty-five inoculators received purwannahs from the magistrate to practise
vaccination. Only one furnished any return of his work to the civil surgeon. With some
supervision, the system might be worked very successfully to protect the whole district.
Supeintendence.
29. Dr. Lidderdale's inspections have been conducted with the same zeal and energy
which have always characterized his work. He has verified nearly 30,000 cases, or somewhat
less than one-third of the total number of operations. He complains his time is much taken
up in verifying the cases, and the system of inspection enjoined upon him leaves him little
leisure to exercise more control over all his gangs and to see the district authorities. I am
still of opinion that a little inspection done very carefully and closely is far better than
much hurried and rambling inspection, and I cannot concede that it is so very arduous and
fatiguing after all, or that it is so much opposed by the people as to render inspection
impossible. Dr. Lidderdale is in error when he says that this system of close inspection has
fallen into disuse in the Metropolitan circles; on the contrary he will find that the number
of verified cases was 51,000 in 1872-73, and about 48,000 this year.
Deputy
Superintendent
The deputy superintendent did not verify many cases, as he was chiefly employed in
looking after the vaccination of Dinagepore. He is reported to have been active and
attentive to his duty.
Future plan of
operations.
30. Dr. Lidderdale is of opinion that " it would be much better to take up one zillah,
forbid inoculation there, and employ all the vaccinators in it till it was completed, leaving an
organized staff behind to carry on the work of protecting the annual increment of the popu-
lation." Dr. Francis entirely agrees with him, and recommends the adoption of his plan.
The staff of the Darjeeling circle, comprising eight districts and containing 8½ millions of
people, had been hitherto inadequate. Forty-two apprentices and three inspectors were
sanctioned last year. If Dr. Lidderdale can fill up all the vacancies and bring up the establish-
ment to its full strength, then he may be allowed to bring his circle under the operation of the
first principle laid down in my previous reports. He will be asked to choose one district and
to concentrate his whole establishment in it, leaving a flying gang to cope with outbreaks of
small-pox.