22
ABSTRACTS OF REPORTS BY CIVIL SURGEONS.
Zemindars who
rendered assistance. assistance in their power, and several native zemindars gave substantial aid. The following
gentlemen rendered valuable assistance:—
Rajah Damudur Singh Aucherjee, of Maliarah.
Baboo Radhabullub Singh, of Koochakole.
„
Seetaram Singh, of Bhanghuldighee.
„
Nodiar Chand Chowdhri, of Khamartearia.
Amount of work
done
The result of the season's work, as far as these thanas are concerned, is as follows:—
THANAS.
Bishenpore
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Onda ... ... ... ... ... ...
Gungajulghati
...
...
...
...
...
...
Chatna
...
...
...
...
...
Bankoora
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Total
...
...
Population.
147,252
121,361
155,064
64,015
39,080
526,772
Number
vaccinated.
14,477
4,475
6,072
2,697
979
28,700
Number
successfully
vaccinated.
14,290
4,294
5,535
2,538
901
27,558
Percentage
of success
98.78
95.95
88.40
94.10
81.36
95.74
Each man vaccinated 368 against 314 in the previous year, and 279 villages were
thoroughly protected and 32 partially, out of 311 visited. The comparatively small number
of operations per man was owing to many of the vaccinators coming forward late in the
season. Many of them carried on work far into the hot weather, until the vesicles began
to inflame, and some difficulty was experienced in stopping them. In addition to the
systematic operations above detailed, others were performed at the dispensary of Maliarah,
in and around the station, and by the flying party employed in stamping out outbreaks of
small-pox. The details of these are shown in Table No. V.
Inspection
Importance of
supervision.
Introduction of
Act IV of 1865
recommended.
Inoculation.
Small-pox
Prizes.
Fees.
General conclusion.
The Civil Surgeon made nine tours of inspection, and saw 40 per cent. of the operations,
comparing them systematically with the register. In one or two cases he found the results
bad, and took steps to re-vaccinate the cases and re-establish a good vesicle. The inspectors
and head-vaccinators did their work well. Mr. Connolly satisfied himself by his inspections
that this class of men is not to be trusted, and that close supervision is absolutely necessary.
He calculates that the outturn of the year is about double the birth-rate of the district, and
strongly urges the application of Act IV of 1865 to Bankoora. The people are now
becoming habituated to and tolerant of vaccinators, and the application of this law would excite
no irritation, hardship or discontent. Inoculation does not appear to have been practised
during the year. Small-pox was very prevalent in some parts of the district in the hot weather
of 1874. It subsided in July, and since then only occasional outbreaks have been heard of.
The granting of prizes to the men who worked best has had a great effect. Complaints were
made by many of the ex-inoculators that in some cases the villages refused their fees on the
plea that the people of Burdwan are vaccinated gratuitously. On the whole the experiment
in Bankoora has been so far a success, and very great credit is due to Mr. Connolly for
rendering it so. The continuance of it at an additional cost of Rs. 722 during the coming
season has received the sanction of Government.
Civil Surgeons
in charge.
Midnapore District.—During the year ending 31st March 1875 the following medical
officers held civil medical charge of this district:—Dr. R. G. Mathew up to 18th March 1874,
and again from 9th February to the close of the season; Surgeon-Major R. C. Chandra
officiating during the interval.
Agency.
Number
vaccinated.
Inspection
Small-pox.
Act IV of 1865
recommended.
Dr. Mathew has submitted a long special report on the vaccine proceedings of the
year, which however is wanting in precision and detail. It appears that three inspectors
and 25 ex-inoculators were employed in vaccination during the season. The vaccinators,
who received no stipend from Government, were assigned definite tracts, and their operations
were supervised by the Inspectors. 26,509 persons were vaccinated, with what success is not
stated. Dr. Mathew, in consequence of being in medical charge of the Midnapore jails,
was unable to devote much time to inspection, and in fact made only one inspection visit. He
states that he saw few unsuccessful or doubtful cases on this occasion. He found Mahommed-
ans very inimical to vaccination, more so than Hindoos. Another testimony in favour
of the excellence of vaccination was obtained from Assistant Surgeon Annoda Proshad
Mozumdar (Inspecting Officer of Endemic Dispensaries), who found the vaccinators working
well and the people willingly accepting it. Small-pox prevailed in some parts of
the district (Bankoora and Chunderkonah). No particulars or statistics are given, but it
appears that the vaccinators did good service in stamping it out. Dr. Mathew urges
the application of Act IV of 1865 to the thanas where vaccination is now practised. This
matter is now under the consideration of Government; and as the present scheme has
been sanctioned for another season, and special arrangements have been made to permit the
Civil Surgeon to inspect more frequently, it is hoped that next season's work will be more
closely supervised and carefully reported than this.