FOR THE YEAR 1874-75.
17
Results of
inspection.
instructed regarding the comparative merits of inoculation and vaccination. The following
is a detailed record of his work:—
STATEMENT No. XIX.
Seen after the 16th day
...
...
„ from 8th to 16th day ... ...
„
„ 9th to 12th „ ... ...
„
„ 5th to 8th „ ... ...
„
„ 1st to 4th „
...
...
Total ...
Vaccinated with four points, of
which there were successful
4
14,409
1,331
1,664
2,403
1,101
20,908
3
1,293
183
172
258
...
1,906
2
440
75
68
104
...
687
1
145
22
31
58
...
256
Failed.
42
8
16
30
...
96
Vaccinated with two
points, of which
there were suc-
cessful
2
758
83
75
128
51
1,095
1
84
10
11
16
...
121
Failed
11
...
...
1
...
12
Doubtful.
25
5
8
4
...
37
Compared with
Register.
17,207
1,717
2,040
3,002
1,152
25,118
Total.
17,207
1,717
2,040
3,002
1,152
25,118
Absent.
2,851
126
91
155
75
3,298
Grand total.
20,058
1,843
2,131
3,157
1,227
28,416
The percentage of success which was thus verified was 99.44, against 99.53 in the returns—
a very satisfactory result.
Difficulties
encountered.
Advisability of
introducing Act
IV of 1865.
Inoculation.
69. Considerable opposition was experienced owing to the ground being new. The
people were suspicious and prejudiced, and incited to opposition by inoculators and others.
The superintendent very strongly recommends the application of Act IV of 1865 to the
area already vaccinated and about to be vaccinated, and urges that the introduction and
maintenance of vaccination would be greatly facilitated and aided thereby. This I fully
believe, and I purpose strongly supporting the superintendent's representations in a separate
communication. Inoculation was not performed to so great an extent as in previous years
in the area under vaccination, still several outbreaks of small-pox were due to the practice
in the later months of the season. Four inoculators were taught vaccination and taken on
the staff. They exercised great influence over the people.
Small-pox.
70. Small-pox did not prevail to any great extent in the circle. Reports of six
outbreaks reached the superintendent, five of which were traced to inoculation. Ninety-four
persons were attacked, among whom there were twelve deaths. In four of the outbreaks the
surrounding localities were vaccinated.
Vaccine census.
71. The results of a vaccine census, taken on a large scale by the vaccinators, were,—
inoculated 65.83 per cent. of those examined, vaccinated 23.71, had small-pox, 2.05,
unprotected 8.41. The people still retain a strong objection to allowing young children
to be vaccinated.
Death of the
Superintendent.
72. The superintendent, who I regret to say has died since the close of the season,
gives ample proof in his report that he rendered most excellent service during the past
season, and the great measure of success which this circle has attained in the face of apathy
on the part of officials, and positive opposition on the part of the people, is very creditable
and satisfactory.
DISPENSARY
VACCINATION.
Definition of the
term.
73. Dispensary vaccinations.—Under this head are included the vaccinations performed
by every agency which does not constitute a portion of the establishment of the several
circles. It includes vaccinators employed by dispensaries and municipalities, and all
ex-inoculators and private vaccinators who submitted returns of their work. The details of the
work are fully set forth in Table No. V, and the abstracts of the reports submitted by civil
surgeons, which have been compiled with great care, give a clear and complete view of
what has been done in each district. I shall here briefly draw attention to the state of
vaccination in each district, following the order in which they have been arranged in the
table and abstract.
Burdwan division.
Bankoora.
Midnapore.
Beerbhoom.
Presidency
division.
Municipal
vaccination.
Commencing with the Burdwan division, three of the districts comprised in it (Burdwan,
Hooghly, and Howrah) are included in the area of the Metropolitan circles, and are main-
tained well vaccinated. In addition several municipalities entertained vaccinators who
did good work under the supervision of civil surgeons. The other three districts, Bankoora,
Midnapore, and Beerbhoom, are not included in any vaccine circle. In Bankoora a system
of self-supporting vaccination has been organized by Mr. Connolly, and a large number of
ex-inoculators were employed during the year under a specially sanctioned scheme, which
included the important element of supervision. The amount of work done exceeded that of the
previous year, and the experiment may so far be considered a success. It is to be repeated next
season. Mr. Connolly deserves great credit for what he has done in behalf of vaccination
in the Bankoora district. Special arrangements for self-supporting vaccination were also
sanctioned for the Midnapore district, including a supervising agency. An increased amount
of work was obtained, but sufficient supervision by the civil surgeon was wanting, and the
season's proceedings were not so systematic and satisfactory as they ought to have been,
In Beerbhoom vaccination is confined to the civil station of Soory and its vicinity. Of the
districts included in the Presidency division, the whole of the 24-Pergunnahs and Nuddea,
and part of the Jessore district, are systematically vaccinated by the Metropolitan circles.
Several townships and municipalities employed vaccinators in addition. This is a commend-
able practice, inasmuch as it forms a nucleus of self-supporting vaccination. The vaccinators
E