12
REPORT.
great credit for having induced a greater number of inoculators to engage in vaccination.
They vaccinated a large number, but the quality of the vaccination could not have been
unexceptionable, as some of the vaccinated persons are reported to have had small-pox within
a period varying from three months to one year. In Beerbhoom the work performed by the
Government vaccinator was rather small. In Midnapore the work has fallen off, and
Dr. Mathews could not exercise any supervision over the ex-inoculators. The withholding of
the retaining fee at the instance of the magistrate was, in my opinion, most unfortunate. The
men could not be expected to work so well for nothing as they did when they received some
allowance. As, however, it has been taken away, it may not be thought advisable to give it back.
It is a doubtful point, which perhaps His Honor the Lieutenant- Governor may himself
decide. As the time of the civil surgeon is much taken up with the extra work on account
of the prevalence of fever in this district, I would recommend the appointment of one or two
vaccine inspectors. The work of the municipal vaccinators of Hooghly, Howrah, and
Serampore was considerable in amount and good in quality. Several municipalities in the
24-Pergunnahs and Nuddea applied for and obtained vaccinators from the staff of the
Metropolitan circles. The work was supervised by the local medical officers, and also by
the officers of the vaccine establishment, and it was found to be good. Jessore has made
much progress under Dr. Hutcheson, who employed a larger number of vaccinators and of
converted inoculators to carry on vaccination. Great improvement is visible in the district
of Moorshedabad, where the amount of work underwent considerable increase. No vaccin-
ation was performed in Dinagepore, and a trifling amount in Malda. Rajshahye exhibits
considerable improvement. There should be vaccinators attached to the Rajshahye sudder
dispensary. Dr. Ghose introduced dispensary vaccination in Rungpore last year with great
success, for which he deserves credit. The work in Bogra by municipal vaccinators has
increased, but the converted inoculators either did not vaccinate at all, or, if they did, they
have furnished no returns. Vaccination in Pubna was a miserable failure from bad
lymph; it was somewhat better in the Serajgunge sub-division. The Orissa districts show
somewhat better results than before. The amount of vaccination performed in the town of
Dacca under Dr. Wise's supervision was pretty considerable, with more than average
success. In Fureedpore the work was good in quantity, and considerably in excess of that
done in 1872-73. Dr. Bensley has succeeded in getting a larger number of vaccinations
done in Backergunge, but the ratio of success was not very high. In Mymensingh vaccin-
ation was much impeded by the frequent failure of lymph-supply, and the amount is
consequently less than in the previous year. In Sylhet, on the other hand, the work was
more than double of that in 1872-73. Dr. Monteath succeeded in getting some good work
done in Cachar. Chittagong shows better results, for which Dr. Meadows deserves credit.
Vaccination is gaining ground in the district, and the people are beginning to appreciate its
benefits. The work performed in Noakholly was considerably in excess of that in 1872-73.
A few inoculators were converted by Mr. Dutt. Tipperah shows better results this year. The
province of Assam has made considerable progress in vaccination, which is shared more or
less by every district. At the request of the commissioner the Government sanctioned the
appointment of one inspector and two vaccinators for Gowhatty. In addition to these,
Dr. Russell, the civil surgeon, instructed 55 inoculators, who carried on vaccination in the
district, and protected large numbers of the people. The employment of extra vaccinators
for the season was also sanctioned for other districts. The total number of vaccinations
performed in Eastern Bengal and Assam during the past year is more than double of that in
1872-73. In Patna the amount of work was considerable, and carefully supervised by
Dr Smith and his assistants. In the year 1872-73 the Dinapore vaccinator had done shame-
fully little work; and in 1873-74 he did only 28 cases more than in the preceding season, with
less than average success. Dr. R Macleod has fully maintained the progress made in Gya in
the preceding years. In the Arrah district vaccination was performed assiduously in all the
dispensaries. Dr. Harvey of Buxar deserves great credit for pushing on the work of vaccination
by the agency of 51 converted inoculators. Notwithstanding the famine, the number of
vaccinations in Tirhoot was pretty numerous, and performed at several centres. In the Sarun
district a new centre has been formed in Hutwa, and the total number of operations has
increased. In Chumparun, on the other hand, the work has fallen off on account of the
famine ; Dr. Cullen, however, deserves credit for having induced many inoculators to change
their practice. In Monghyr a large number of vaccinations was performed by the agency of
converted inoculators, whose number increased considerably during the year. I quite agree with
Dr Purves that the Government grant for vaccination should be increased for the sake of giving
encouragement to the men. The work has fallen off in Bhagulpore, owing probably to the
famine, and also, it is said, to the absence of small-pox. Many who will not accept vaccination
when no small-pox is present willingly receive it when that disease appears. Dr. Baillie inspected
some of the work only, as his time was occupied by famine matters. More supervision over
the work of the converted inoculators is necessary in Monghyr and Bhagulpore. Vaccination
is still very backward in Purneah, though it is a good sign that 35 inoculators changed
their practice during the year. In Julpigoree a few vaccinations were performed by
the dispensary establishments. No return was received from Darjeeling. Vaccination in the