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ABSTRACTS OF REPORTS FROM CIVIL SURGEONS.
Sylhet district.
Sylhet district.—Mr. Griffith, civil surgeon, reports there was one Government vaccinator
on Rs. 10, who worked from October to March. One thousand three hundred and sixty-six
persons are said to have been vaccinated, against 637 in the previous year with, 77.01
per cent. of success ; and 11 persons re-vaccinated, of whom seven were successful. The civil
surgeon inspected the vaccinations about six times. The attitude and feelings of the people
towards vaccination are stated to be positively favorable Inoculation is carried on, but not
so much as before. Mr. Griffith saw some inoculated children at a village on the ninth day,
and remarked they were only slightly feverish and without any small-pox pustules. He
thought the operations were not perfectly successful. There was small-pox in the district,
but nothing like an epidemic. The vaccinator was sent to Guineghaut, where small-pox was
rather severe.
Cachar.
Cachar district.—Dr. Monteath, civil surgeon, reports there is one vaccinator attached to
the dispensary on Rs. 10 a month, paid by Government. He works in the civil station, in the
tea gardens, and sometimes in the villages, if the people are willing to take vaccination.
From 1st November to 21st March he vaccinated 1,431 persons, against 1,194 in the previous
year, of whom 1,211 were successful. The civil surgeon had frequent opportunities of closely
examining the vaccinator's work, and considered the result of his inspection to be, on the
whole, satisfactory. The attitude and feelings of the people towards vaccination remained the
same as in former years, though in some places the people appeared to appreciate its benefits.
The managers of tea gardens take much interest and give every aid. Inoculation is preva-
lent in the district. Dr. Monteath tried to get inoculators to learn vaccination, but all to
no purpose. No epidemic of small-pox occurred. Only one or two cases were met with.
A blank return is submitted from the branch dispensary at Brahmongram.
CHITTAGONG DIVISION.
Chittagong.
Chittagong district.—Dr. Meadows, civil surgeon, submits the report, and states that
one vaccinator was employed throughout the year, and two extra men were entertained
for two months. Their salary was Rs. 10, paid by Government. The permanent vaccinator
worked in the town, and the extra men were sent out in the district, where their
services were required to vaccinate the coolies of tea gardens and also the inhabitants
of villages
The magistrate gave every aid. One thousand two hundred and eighty-
nine persons are said to have been vaccinated, of whom 1,188, or 92.31, were successful.
The number in the previous year was 517, the work of one vaccinator. The civil surgeon
inspected the town vaccinator's work constantly, and that of the district vaccinator's on two
occasions. And when he could not go out, he asked the managers of tea gardens to send him
reports of all vaccinations done among the coolies. As regards the attitude and feelings of
the people towards vaccination, it is said—"There is no improvement in the town, but there
is a marked desire in many parts of the district for vaccination." Innoculation is extensively
practised both in town and district. There are 366 inoculators, and 86 per cent. of the
population are stated to be inoculated. Only one inoculator has been induced to change his
practice for vaccination, and he managed to vaccinate 232 persons very successfully. He
was employed chiefly in the tea gardens. Dr. Meadows, frequently inspected his cases. No
prevalence of small-pox: six deaths were reported. Under the head of general remarks, Dr.
Meadows writes:—" It appears that a belief in vaccination is gaining ground in this district
from the requests I have had from various talookdars to supply vaccinators to their districts "
Noakholly.
Noakholly district.—Baboo Odoy Chand Dutt, civil medical officer, reports there were
two vaccinators—one paid by Government at Rs. 10 per month, throughout the year, and
another paid by the municipality also at Rs. 10 for five months. They were employed in
the town and villages around it; no area was defined. Those who asked, or could be induced
to accept vaccination, were operated on. One thousand seven hundred and forty-one persons
were vaccinated, against 1,070 in the previous year, of whom 1,574 were successful. The
civil medical officer inspected all the cases in town, and each village was visited once or twice.
The people in and about town appreciate the value of vaccination, while in the district it is
still unappreciated Inoculation is generally practised throughout the district, but not in the
town, though not prohibited by law. Two inoculators were taught in the previous year to
vaccinate ; one of them came back this year and took some lymph to start the work. The
other man never appeared. A tailor's son is said to have learnt from the first man, and
vaccinated three children which were seen by the civil medical officer, and pronounced to be
satisfactory. Small-pox prevailed epidemically in some parts of the district early in 1873.
Sporadic cases appeared during the remainder of the year. In January of 1874 it prevailed
in some places. Baboo Odoy Chand Dutt proposes to train up inoculators as vaccinators, and
to appoint a native superintendent of vaccination over them.
Tipperah district.
Tipperah district.—Dr. Cowan, officiating civil surgeon, submits a long and interesting
report on vaccination in this district. There were two vaccinators, who received Rs. 10 each;
the salary of one was paid entirely by the municipality, and that of the other partly by
Government and partly by the dispensary committee. They worked within municipal limits.