24
REPORT ON VACCINATION IN BENGAL
they deem it superior to inoculation as that it is the Sarkar's hukum and a passive desire
to evince loyalty to that hukum. I have, however, no doubt but that in time they will
learn to know and appreciate its benefits, and of course to pay for it as they previously
did for inoculation.
The license vaccinators on the whole behaved fairly well and rendered their returns
tolerably punctually, though inaccurately, which necessitated repeated returns for correc-
tion.
ORISSA CIRCLE.
The fourth annual report of the Orissa Circle of vaccination reached my office on the
17th June. It is written by the Deputy Superintendent, Assistant Surgeon Prisitosh
Holdar, and is forwarded through the Civil Surgeon, Magistrate, and Commissioner.
Vaccination was not properly established till the end of October, when it was effected
by means of English lymph, three supplies which were previously received in September
and October from Calcutta having failed. The 30 vaccinators were divided into three
parties of ten under a head vaccinator. One party worked in the sub-division of Kendrapara,
another in Bhudrak, and the third in thanas Jogutsingpore and Sirlot. These vacci-
nators protected 847 villages and performed 34,619 operations, against 36,375 the previous
year. The successful cases numbered 33,731, or 97.71 per cent. against 34,748, or 97.87,
in 1877-78. The decrease is accounted for by the lateness in commencing operations and
the sickness of the vaccinators. Each man, however, on an average operated on 1,153.73
cases.
The cost of each successful case was two annas and nine pie. The character of the
vaccination is stated to have been high class.
The superintendent inspected 210 villages and examined 17,519 cases, which gave
a success of 99.43 per cent. The party which worked at Kendrapara has done 220 villages,
performed 10,036 operations with a success of 99.16 per cent. The second party did nearly
the whole of the outpost of Bonto and the greater part of Agurpara in Bhudrak, but
the details of number are not given in the report. The third party visited 236 villages
and performed 9,512 operations, of which 9,384, or 98.72 per cent., were successful. " No
pains were spared to work in a thorough and systematic manner and protect village after
village. But, notwithstanding all our efforts, portions of some villages had to be left
unprotected owing to the ignorant opposition of the people."
The Assistant Surgeon records that the practice of vaccination in Orissa during the
past four years has served to overcome much of prejudice and opposition that at first was expe-
rienced. It is now admitted by them who have received its benefits that it is free from
the dangers which result from the practice of inoculation, though some continue to doubt
the protective power of vaccination.
It is added that persons of the higher castes still favour inoculation. The lower
classes and Mussulmans are less prejudiced, it is said, than those before mentioned.
Assistant-Surgeon Prisitosh Holdar dwells on the difficulties experienced in carrying
out vaccination. By means of persuasion, however, strong opposition and prejudices were
after a time overcome, and he proceeds thus—" Another difficulty was presented in the
shape of inoculation which prevailed to a formidable extent this year and much interfered
with the progress of vaccination. Since the introduction of vaccination most of the
inoculators were under the impression that the practice of inoculation was rendered penal
by law; but as soon as they came to learn that they could practice their trade with impu-
nity, they appeared in great numbers among those places where vaccination was carried
on and tried to throw every obstacle in our way. They not only inoculated as many
children as they could get hold of, but tried every means in their power to dissuade others
from accepting vaccination. I need scarcely urge the necessity of introducing Act IV
of 1865 in those sub-divisions where our operations have been carried on for the last
four seasons. If the said Act be enforced in sub-divisions Kendrapara and Jajepore, where
our operations have been chiefly confined, we can expect, with the establishment now
entertained by this circle, to afford thorough protection to these two sub-divisions, as the
number of operations performed during this season greatly exceeds the birth-rate of the
two places."
It is stated that there was no report of any epidemic small-pox during the year, though
there were sporadic cases. The police officers, with very few exceptions, are said to have
given every assistance in their power, but many of the zemindars showed no interest, while
others threw every obstacle they could to prevent their people accepting vaccination.
Dr. Stewart, Civil Surgeon of Cuttack, in forwarding the report, suggests that in the
Kendrapara sub-division where vaccination has been introduced inoculation should be pro-
hibited, and that being divided into vaccine sections, it should be made over to ex-inocu-
lators to whom particular sections should be made over, the ex-inoculator having the sole
right to vaccinate in his own section or area. He proposes that the right to vaccinate
should be reckoned hereditary as in the case of chowkidars. These men, he proposes, are to
bind themselves to give up inoculation and to practise vaccination which they are to be
carefully taught, their remuneration for vaccination being by the same amount of fees that
used to be given to inoculators. He would punish any ex-inoculator adopting the practice
of inoculation, would put these men under regular Government Inspectors, and would reward
those who did good work, and punish those who did bad work by depriving them of their