( 4 )
11,017 in 1873. Judged by this primary test, then, we must acknowledge,
with great regret, that no head has been made in the country generally against
this disease. The Lieutenant-Governor expects, however, that this considera-
tion will have the effect of stimulating our officers to further efforts. The
better test will, however, be the examination of the statistics of the disease in
those particular localities where vaccination work has been concentrated in the
manner recently laid down. And the Lieutenant-Governor hopes that this will
be done in future annual reports.
13. The fact that the outbreak of this disease is in a great many
cases traceable to the operations of inoculators, has often been pressed
on the notice of Government. The prohibition of inoculation where efficient
vaccination is substituted is, as remarked by the Surgeon-General, an
unmixed good. Still the day when it can be generally prohibited in these
provinces appears to be yet far distant, unless greater efforts can be put forth
than those which have been heretofore made. The Lieutenant-Governor hopes
that this consideration will sink into the minds of all district officers in whose
jurisdiction vaccination has not yet been fully organized, as there are few
districts where the existing staff of vaccinators is sufficient. In the Metro-
politan circles the Lieutenant-Governor is glad to observe that the number of
vaccinations performed is estimated to be more than sufficient to meet the
requirements of the population in this respect, and there accordingly inocula-
tion has been prohibited, as well as in other places where proper and sufficient
arrangements have been made to carry on vaccination. Still, however, inocu-
lators are found to practise, and so long as this is the case, the Lieutenant-
Governor cannot absolve the local magistracy from the charge of apathy and
indifference. In Calcutta itself, though inoculation has long been prohibited,
scattered outbreaks of the disease continue to occur. The figures given by
Dr. Charles, to show the effect which vaccination has had in repressing the
disease, are very interesting. They seem to prove that comparatively large
as was the number of deaths from small-pox in the town during the past year,
they yet represent but a very small proportion of the results of such an
epidemic as might reasonably be expected to occur in Calcutta every fifth or
sixth year in the absence of vaccination.
14. In conclusion, the Lieutenant-Governor would express his concur-
rence with the opinion of the Surgeon-General that the history of vaccination
in Bengal during 1874-75 contains some (though not sufficient) element of pro-
gress, and is suggestive of hope for greater things in future. Sir Richard
Temple has also to thank the Surgeon-General and his subordinate officers for
the efforts they have made to promote the work of the department.
By order of the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal,
R. L. MANGLES,
Offg. Secy. to the Govt. of Bengal.
No. 3188.
COPY forwarded to the Officiating Surgeon-General, Indian Medical Depart-
ment, for information and guidance.
By order of the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal,
J. CRAWFURD,
Offg. Under-Secy. to the Govt. of Bengal.
CALCUTTA,
The 11th November 1875.
F. B.—Reg. No 4013.