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must observe that the conduct of operations in this circle demands the closest
attention on the part of the Medical Department. With the very large increase
to the establishment allotted to it in the past year, it is difficult to believe
that the failure in obtaining adequate results has not, in part at least, been due
to some inefficiency or neglect on the part of the Civil Surgeon and of the
inspecting staff placed at his disposal.
5. There is little to remark regarding the sex, caste, and age of the vacci-
nated. The results are very similar to those obtained in previous years,—males
exceeding females by some 7 per cent., and Hindoos exceeding Mahomedans by
some 11 per cent. It is satisfactory to observe, as noticed by the Surgeon-
General, that the vaccine and census returns, though collected on a very different
system, for very different purposes, and quite independently of each other,
agree very closely.
6. The aggregate cost of vaccination in these provinces during the past
year is shown to have been Rs. 1,02,069, against Rs. 98,207 in the previous
year. Of the whole, Government bears about 90 per cent. of the charges, the
rest being defrayed from municipal or other local funds. The average cost of
each successful case is shown to have been reduced from two annas to one anna
ten pies. This reduction is chiefly due to the increased efficiency of the establish-
ments entertained in the Calcutta, Metropolitan, and Darjeeling circles. In the
Ranchee circle, where, as before observed, there was a decrease in the number
of operations performed, the cost of each successful case has risen from six annas
to seven annas and five pies. Notwithstanding the apparent absence of proper
and energetic supervision in the Sonthal Pergunnahs, there was a reduction
there also of six pies in the average cost of each successful case.
7. Generally, the amount of inspection duty performed by the circle
superintendents has been creditable to them. The late Baboo Bhoobun Mohun
Mitter, Deputy Superintendent of the Dacca circle, appears to have shown
much zeal in the superintendence of the gangs working under him. In con-
nection with the failure of one of the gangs in the Ranchee circle, owing to the
misconduct of the native officer in charge, and to which the unfavorable out-
turn of the past year has been chiefly attributed, the Lieutenant-Governor
observes that but one visit to this gang by Dr. Wood is recorded. In the
absence of explanation this would seem to have been insufficient for the proper
supervision of the work of his subordinates. In the Metropolitan circles no
less than 48,615 cases were seen and compared with the registers; in the
Darjeeling circle the number was 31,299. As regards dispensary practice, and
the practice of vaccinators entertained by municipalities, Sir Richard Temple is not
satisfied that a proper amount of supervision is yet exercised by civil surgeons,
and he must repeat the request made in the Resolution on the report for 1873-74,
that in future reports a table be given showing, as regards each officer, what
proportion of cases he personally verified.
8. In his Minute of the 28th June last, the Lieutenant-Governor called
particular attention to the necessity of concentrated operations in the matter
of extending vaccination. From the present report, it seems to him that atten-
tion has been paid to this matter in the Calcutta, Metropolitan, and Dacca
circles with beneficial results. He is not, however, satisfied that a correct
system is being pursued either in the Ranchee circle or in the Sonthal Pergun-
nahs, and he trusts that the matter will receive the immediate attention of the
Surgeon-General, with a view to a proper plan being carried out in these
circles during the approaching season. In the Darjeeling circle the plan of
operations proposed has already been considered and approved of by Govern-
ment. In this circle the district of Bogra has been adopted as the basis of
operations, and it will be the object of the Superintendent so to direct the
progress of vaccination as gradually to connect the isolated areas which have
already been protected.
9. In reviewing the report for the year 1873-74, the Lieutenant-Governor
called attention to the great importance of promoting the system of vaccination
by independent practitioners, which had been introduced with good effect in