6
REPORT OF VACCINATION IN BENGAL
Programme
embracing the
season's
operations.
19. A sensible programme embracing the season's operations which was prepared by
Dr. Gupta, and by me submitted formally to Government, was approved and sanctioned after
due consultation with the local civil authorities. The vaccinators were sent out in the middle
of September, after the usual preparations had been made, viz. the local civil authorities were
informed and requested to give every aid. The work of the season was partly carried on
in the southern half of the district of Jessore—-a country intersected by innumerable rivers
and khals, rendering the duties of the vaccinators very hard and unpleasant. In addition
to the physical difficulties encountered by the men, they experienced other obstacles in the
shape of strong prejudices; worse still, sickness in the form of an epidemic of cholera, &c.:
but by tact, determination, and perseverance, all difficulties were eventually surmounted.
Besides the three subdivisions of Jessore, viz. Magoorah, Khoolna, and Bagirhat, where
vaccination was introduced for the first time, several thanas in the south of 24-Pergunnahs,
in Howrah, and also in Burdwan, were protected; some for the second, and others for the
third time. The system pursued was precisely the same as formerly—continuous systematic
progress by gangs under close inspection, exhaustive protection of definite areas radiating
from a centre, and arm-to-arm vaccination.
20. The amount of work done is described in the following abstract from Dr. Gupta's
report:—
" The remaining portions of the Jhenida and Nurrail subdivisions (Jessore) have been
thoroughly done this year. The whole of the Magoorah subdivision has been completely
protected. The Khoolna and Bagirhat subdivisions have also been done, with the exceptions
noted in the detailed descriptions:—
"Thanas Sonarpore, Tollygunge, Alipore, Baraipore, Joynuggur, Motoorapore, and
Sooltanpore, in the south of Calcutta; thanas Ampta and portions of Juggutbullubpore
Domjoor, and Khanacool, in the Howrah district; parts of Bansberiah and Kistonuggur, in
Hooghly ; and parts of Burdwan, Sahibgunge, Kotulpore, Indos, Koksa, Ausgram, and
Raneegunge, in Burdwan, were all protected a second time ; and also portions of Assasoonee,
Kallaroa, and Kalligunge, in the 24-Pergunnahs, were protected."
Season's works
compared with
previous years.
21. The work of the season is shown in the following table as compared with the
preceding four years :—
STATEMENT No. XII.
CIRCLES.
1st Circle..
2nd do. ...
3rd do. ...
Total ..
1871-72
Area in square miles
960
551
720
2,231
Number of villages.
267
266
440
973
Number of success-
ful operations.
28,501
17,396
45,097
90,994
1872-73.
Area in square miles.
925
1,079
1,097
3,101
Number of villages.
1,085
946
1,185
3,216
Number of success-
ful operations.
83,807
74,666
108,638
267,111
1873-74.
Area in square miles.
1,105
688
1,333
3,126
Number of villages.
1,524
1,282
1,844
4,650
Number of success-
ful operations.
80,466
57,711
167,791
305,968
1874-75.
Area in square miles
1,366
1,368
1,469
4,203
Number of villages.
1,943
1,553
2,000
5,496
Number of success-
ful operations.
128,132
80,615
192,739
401,486
1875-76.
Area in square miles.
1,375
795
1,067
3,237
Number of villages.
1,467
1,540
4,661
7,668
Number of success-
ful operations.
120,617
99,042
252,147
471,806
Arithmetical
summary of work
done.
The work of each circle, with the exception of the first, is thus shown to be far in
advance of that of any previous season. On the whole, the operations exceeded those of
1874-75 by 69,471, and the successful operations by 70,320. The latter, i.e. the success-
ful operations, amounted to nearly 5 per cent. of the population of the circle—a rate
which exceeds the (3 per cent.) birth-rate. The Superintendent does not hope for an
increase of work in future years. He recommends that some consideration should be
shown to his staff, who work very hard and achieve such excellent results, and when the
time is less unpropitious financially, it may be expedient to make a recommendation to
Government.
Cost of each
successful case.
21. Owing to the increase of work the cost of each successful case has fallen from
annas 1-6 to annas 1-3, the rate being unprecedentedly low. The quality of the vesicle, and
the amount of success obtained, are also shown to have been in the highest degree
favourable.
Inspections.
22. The Superintendent details his tours of inspection, which extended to every part
of his circle. He inspected every gang twice, and some three times. He visited altogether