16
REPORT OF VACCINATION IN BENGAL FOR THE YEAR 1875-76.
Diminution of
small-pox.
deaths; but even in those districts there would still be a favourable comparison with the
amount of disease and mortality which happened in 1874. On the whole the past year
shows a great diminution of small-pox.
Inoculation still
practised in many
districts
Act IV (B.C.)
of 1865
68. Inoculation is still practised in many districts, as reported by Civil Surgeons and
their subordinates; but whether it is attended with any large mortality, is a point which it is
most difficult to ascertain. That the practice is pernicious there cannot be any doubt, since
it gives rise to small-pox, which always endangers the safety of a community. It ought,
therefore, to be prohibited where a sufficient provision has been made for vaccination; and
this is being steadily carried out. The Act IV (B.C.) of 1865, prohibiting the practice of
inoculation, is gradually being extended to all towns and districts where a sufficient vaccin-
ating agency exists. The happiest results must follow. The Act in question is in operation in
Calcutta, the Metropolitan circles, Chota Nagpore, Sonthal Pergunnahs, Bogra, and Dacca
districts, and to almost all sudder stations. The provisions of the Act will probably be soon
extended to Orissa, Behar, and Eastern Bengal, whenever in fact the staff of the several
vaccine circles shall be able to complete their protection to the point which alone justifies its
enforcement.
Vaccine census.
69. A vaccine census was collected by the vaccine circles, and also by the Civil Surgeons
and medical subordinates, and these have been compiled into table No. VI in the appendix.
The figures for jail convicts are perfectly reliable, and show that between 60 or 75 per cent.
of convicts are inoculated. As prisoners are never inoculated in jails, the ratio of the
inoculated may fairly be taken to represent the degree of protection which exists in the
community by the practice of inoculation. In the same way the figures for schools may be taken
as a very fair standard of the amount of protection conferred on the juvenile population by
means of vaccination. The ratio for different districts and parts of Bengal varies from
8 in Behar and Orissa, where vaccination is still very backward, to 82 per cent. in places where
vaccination has become the established custom. But as all the returns have not been very
carefully supervised, and as they belong to different districts, no general conclusion can safely
be drawn from them.
General conclusion.
70. In conclusion, I have to observe that though the number of vaccinations during the
year has not undergone any great increase as compared with 1874, still much has been
done to extend vaccination. His Honor the Lieutenant- Governor has taken a deep interest
in this very important department of preventive medicine. Two new circles were opened
during the year, and provision was made for placing the self-supporting system of vaccin-
ation by converted inoculators on a better basis, by the appointment of inspectors to some
of the districts. When all the vaccine circles shall work without any hitch or friction, and
when all converted inoculators shall carry on vaccination on a correct system and under
competent supervision, the province of Bengal will become as completely protected from small-
pox as vaccination can render it. This is the end which is being steadily kept in view ; and
with the Government thoroughly interested, and the vaccine establishment fully alive to the
call for continued exertion to accomplish this most desirable consummation, I sincerely trust
the day may not now be very far distant when it may justly be regarded as un fait
accompli.
I have the honor to be,
SIR,
Your most obedient servant,
J. FULLARTON BEATSON, M.D.,
Surgeon-General, Indian Medical Department.