FOR THE YEAR 1874-75.
5
Detail of work
done.
13. The work done during the year, as contrasted with the preceding year, is clearly
shown in the following statement: —
STATEMENT No. X.
Town
...
...
...
Suburbs
...
...
...
Cooly dopôts
...
...
Total ...
1873-74
1874-75
1873-74
1874-75
1873-74
1874-75
1873-74
1874-75
TOTAL.
Vaccinations.
5,210
8,304
8,195
9,787
2,785
1,894
16,190
19,985
Re-vaccin-
ations
1,617
1,593
177
2,217
20,824
17,520
22,618
21,330
SUCCESSFUL.
Vaccinations.
5,065
8,175
8,184
9,767
2,779
1,799
16,128
19,741
Re-vaccin-
ations.
362
304
42
322
3,520
2,984
3,925
3,610
RATIO OF SUCCESS.
Vaccinations
99.13
98.44
99.86
99.79
99.78
94.98
99.61
98.78
Re-vaccin¬
ations.
22.38
19.08
23.72
14.52
16.93
17.03
13.34
16.92
Comparison with
previous year.
Cause of increase.
From this table it is apparent,—(1) that the total number of operations exceeded that
of 1873-74 by 2,504, and of successful operations by 3,298; more people were therefore
vaccinated, and these more successfully vaccinated ; (2) that this excess was due to a
larger number of operations performed among the inhabitants of the town and suburbs:
there was a falling off of 4,195 in vaccination of emigrants, and a gain of 6,699 in municipal
operations; and (3) that the number of re-vaccinations among the general population increased
by 2,016. Both the general increase and the increase of re-vaccinations were due to the
excessive prevalence of small-pox, which led to an unusual effort by the establishment, and a
readier acceptance by the people. The increase is therefore not to be accepted as representing a
steady growth in the working capacity of the establishment, but rather as the result of a spasmodic
and strained attempt to cope with and overcome a threatened epidemic of small-pox.
Percentage of
success.
13a. The percentage of success in primary vaccination maintains its very high standard,
and Dr. Charles vouches for the accuracy of the figures given on the strength of personal
experience.
Small-pox in
Calcutta.
Prevalence of
small-pox in
Calcutta during
the past 43 years.
14. The year under report was remarkable for an unusual prevalence of small-pox in
Calcutta. In no year since 1865 has the disease been so rife, and 1874-75 must be considered
as representing an epidemic year. The annual prevalence of small-pox in Calcutta since the
year 1832 is shown in the following table:—
STATEMENT No. XI.
Years.
1832
...
...
...
1833...
...
...
1834
...
...
...
1835 ... ... ...
1836
...
...
...
1837
...
...
...
1838
...
...
...
1839...
...
...
1840
...
...
1841
...
...
...
Total ...
Deaths
from
small-pox.
679
2,548
36
53
16
266
1,507
81
22
56
5,264
Years.
1842
1843
1844
1845
1846
1847
1848
1849
1850
1851
Deaths
from
small-pox
25
336
2,840
67
78
33
107
1,724
4,430
32
9,672
Years.
1852
1853
1854
1855
1856
1857
1858
1859
1860
1861
Deaths
from
small-pox.
59
19
113
61
178
3,177
123
54
64
58
3,906
Years.
1862
1863
1864
1865
1866
1867
1868
1869
1870
1871
Deaths
from
small-pox.
48
100
633
4,923
83
35
43
39
15
32
6,087
Years.
1872
1873
1874
Deaths
from
small-pox.
18
34
125
Law of prevalence.
A thwarted
epidemic.
Limited
dimensions of the
outbreak of
1874-75.
This statement reveals a very definite law of prevalence of small-pox in Calcutta. The
disease is proved to break out in strength every fifth or sixth year, and every outbreak lasts
for two years, the first year being less severe than the second. The last severe outbreak
was in 1864-65, and it was in consequence of it that a law was passed prohibiting inoculation,
and the vaccine establishment put on its present efficient footing. The year 1870 may be
looked on as a thwarted epidemic, an outbreak stifled by diligent vaccination, and the disease
was again due in 1874 or 1875. We accordingly find that the mortality of 1874 was consider-
able, but that it has been greatly exceeded by that of 1875. In the following statement the
monthly prevalence of the disease is shown during 1873-74, and the first six months of 1875.
The mortality of the cold season of 1864-65 is introduced by way of contrast:—
STATEMENT No. XII.
YEAR.
1864 ... ...
1865 ... ...
1873
...
...
1874
...
...
1875 ... ...
Jan.
...
838
......
9
76
Feb.
.....
1,519
......
5
116
March.
......
1,438
6
24
243
April.
......
......
8
14
162
May.
......
......
5
8
85
June.
......
......
5
7
46
July.
......
......
5
5
......
Aug.
......
......
1
3
......
Sept.
......
......
......
4
......
Oct.
......
......
......
2
......
Nov.
55
......
1
7
...
Dec.
183
......
3
37
B