8
REPORT ON VACCINATION IN BENGAL
Cost of
vaccination.
26. Owing to the large amount of work overtaken, the cost of each successful case has
fallen to Re. 0-1-6, " the lowest cost ever shown in the Metropolitan or any other vaccine
circle." The quality of the vesicle and amount of success obtained are also stated to be
excellent.
Superintendent's
tour of inspection.
Inspection by
deputy
superintendents.
27. The superintendent details his tours of inspection, which extended to every part of
the circles under his charge where work was being carried on. A hurried visit was made in
the earlier part of the season to ascertain that a good commencement had been made, and
more leisurely and systematic inspections subsequently carried out. Every gang, with one
exception, was visited once, and some twice and three times. The deputy superintendents
were also assiduously employed in supervising and verifying the work of their circles. In
the first circle 58.55 per cent. of the vaccinations were seen; in the second, 51.28; and in the
third 56.
The following is the record of the results of inspection by the superintendent:—
Statement showing
results of
inspection by
superintendent.
STATEMENT No. XIV.
Seen after 16th day
...
...
„ from 13th to 16th day ... ...
„
„ 9th to 12th „ ... ...
„
„ 5th to 8th „ ...
„
„ 1st to 4th „
...
...
Grand Total ...
VACCINATED IN FOUR POINTS, OF
WHICH THERE WERE SUCCESSFUL
4
8,129
28,441
3,841
2,987
2,846
46,194
3
154
691
82
74
...
1,001
2
45
191
47
29
...
312
1
3
58
7
8
...
76
Failed.
8
46
14
11
...
79
VACCINATED IN TWO
POINTS, OF WHICH
THERE WERE
SUCCESSFUL
2
141
518
45
57
8
769
1
12
22
6
5
...
45
Failed.
3
4
3
9
...
19
Doubtful.
5
16
25
13
...
59
Sore arms.
11
22
...
...
...
33
Compared with regis¬
ters.
8,539
30,009
4,070
3,143
2,854
48,615
Total.
8,539
30,009
4,070
3,143
2,854
48,615
Absent.
517
3,354
72
62
36
4,041
Grand total
9,056
33,363
4,142
3,205
2,890
52,656
The percentage of successful cases was thus found to be 99.54, and of successful points
99.58.
Attitude of the
people.
28. The attitude of the people is reported to be becoming more favorable. In many
places where vaccination was refused when formerly visited, it has been unhesitatingly
accepted on the second visit. The Mussulmans are still found to be more averse to it than
Hindoos.
Prevalence of
small-pox in these
circles.
29. The following extracts on the important subjects of the instruction of inoculators
and the prevalence of small-pox are quoted in extenso from Dr. Gupta's report:—
" 21. Instruction of Inoculators.—A good deal has been done this year in instructing
inoculators in the art of vaccination. One man from Jehanabad, in Burdwan, was granted a
certificate to practice vaccination among his old clients. He has been very successful.
Konuk Chunder Acherjee was more successful this year in earning a livelihood by the practice
of vaccination than he had been in the previous season: so were Nilcomul and his sons in
Khurda and the adjacent villages. One inoculator was attached to the 1st circle, one to the
2nd, and six to the 3rd circle for instruction. In the newly acquired district of Jessore a good
many inoculators attached themselves to the various gangs with a view to learn vaccination.
Two of them learnt well and were able to vaccinate a good many cases, for which they received
some allowance. I have proposed to the Magistrate of Jessore to take in hand all the
inoculators of Jessore who are anxious to learn vaccination and to give them a good training
next season.
Number of reports
received.
Number of villages
and persons
affected.
Mortality.
Measures adopted.
" 22. Reports of small-pox.—Fifty-three reports of the outbreak of small-pox were
received between 1st April 1874 and 31st March 1875. In 48 the disease was found to be
small-pox, in two chicken-pox, and in three the reports were groundless. In the 48 outbreaks
of small-pox, 88 villages were affected and 1,198 persons were ascertained to have been
attacked; of these, 884 died and 314 recovered. In 23 vaccination was performed round the
infected persons, and the spread of the disease was arrested; in 18 vaccination was not
required, the villages being already protected by vaccination or inoculation; and in seven the
people refused to take vaccination.
Previous
protection.
Disease caused by
inoculation.
" In 28 cases the villages were protected by vaccination, and in 20 by inoculation.
In 29 of the 48 outbreaks the disease was traced to small-pox, in three to inoculation, and
in 16 the origin of the disease could not be traced.
" Of the persons attacked, six were previously vaccinated, of whom one died and five
recovered; 37 were inoculated, of whom four died and 33 recovered; and 1,155 were unpro-
tected, of whom 879 died and 276 recovered.
Affected localities.
Burdwan.
" Of the 48 outbreaks of small-pox reported, 20 occurred in the district of Burdwan,
affecting two villages in thana Culna, six in Munglecote, two in Bood-Bood, four in Ausgram,
two in Kaksa, ten in Keogong, one in Muntessur, one in Sahebgunge, one in Assensole, one in
Cutwa, and one in Sonamookee.