NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
6
where his services would be better appreciated. To do otherwise would have been not only a
waste of time but an injustice to other districts where no such prejudice existed. In the
event of my receiving again a report of epidemic small-pox in that talooka I shall decline send-
ing a vaccinator, until I have some guarantee from the native officials that his services are
likely to be accepted by the people.
Remark has been made in the General Annual Report of Vaccination in the Presidency, of
the much larger proportion of children who are shown in the Returns as being above
one year of age than under, especially in this and the Central Circle. To a great extent no
doubt there is an objection among parents to submit their children at a very early age
to vaccination, but admitting that this prejudice might be overcome, there is still a cause
left which as long as it remains must necessitate the proportion of the " over one year" being
greater than the " under one year of age. " It is the small number of vaccinators as compared
to the large number of scattered villages under their charge. In many parts of the Circle
the number of villages comprised in the district of one vaccinator is so great that it becomes
impossible for him to visit the whole within a space of two or three years, consequently when
he arrives at a village under these conditions, the children above one year must be in consider-
able excess of those under one year of age.
In referring to vaccination under Municipalities in my last Annual Report I spoke of it as
being in a most unsatisfactory condition. This opinion has been questioned, and it was
suggested that my disappointment was due to my having expected too much from so recently
established a system. This, if an error on my part, has the redeeming feature of being an
error on the right side, it was better to expect too much than to be satisfied with too little,
and being so dissatisfied I probably exerted myself more to improve the then existing condi-
tions of affairs then I should otherwise have done. That there was much room for improve-
ment, and that my efforts have not altogether been in vain, the accompanying Form, giving
the number of operations monthly, will show :—
7
Returns of the Vaccinators employed by the Municipalities of the Southern Circle.
MONTHS.
1865.
January
February ....
March
April .......
May ..........
June ...........
July .........
August
September....
October ......
November....
December ....
Total..
AverageMonth¬
ly number..
SATTARA.
Wetta or
Khanapore.
17
24
26
33
33
29
29
30
15
36
41
31
344
28.6
Waee.
51
47
40
40
43
43
44
36
40
41
43
36
504
42
Walway.
132
124
96
92
93
105
59
62
79
105
159
78
1,184
98.6
Mon.
17
25
22
8
33
60
52
55
65
72
127
132
668
55.8
Punder¬
pore.
44
40
39
40
40
38
34
40
40
44
34
58
491
41
Kurrar.
59
52
57
59
71
48
41
45
41
45
45
47
610
51
DHARWAR.
Gudduck
and Betti-
gherry.
90
40
35
35
62
71
74
73
80
80
80
80
800
66.6
Dharwar.
49
45
35
40
35
30
..
..
..
..
..
..
234
39
BELGAUM.
Gokak 3
months
only.
49
105
60
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
214
71
REMARKS.
The Vaccinator at Gokak was employed for
only 2 calendar months, but it embraced parts
of 3 months.
8
No important change has taken place in this branch during the year under review. The
working for a couple of months at Gokak is shown for the first time, and would prove that a
vaccinator employed only for a short period does the largest amount of work at the smallest
cost. In Sattara no change has taken place. In the Dharwar zillah, where last year there
were two vaccinators employed by the Municipalities, only one is now engaged, namely at
Guduk with Bettigherry. The Dharwar one has been discharged, nor do I think there is any
intention of replacing him. In Canara there are no Municipalities employing vaccinators.
Mr. Jervoise, who, for a short time, was acting Collector of the zillah, wished, during
an epidemic of small-pox in the Sircy talooka, to employ additional aid there, and endeavoured
to induce the people to pay for it, but the attempt failed. They were perfectly ready to avail
themselves of the benefits of vaccination if offered to them gratuitously, but do not appear to
appreciate the boon sufficiently to make them think it worth paying for.
NORTHERN CIRCLE.
Superintendent.—Assistant
Surgeon R. DICK, M. D.
Acting Superintendent.—Assistant
Surgeon H. COOK, M. D.
Establishment.—Thirty-three
Vaccinators (Government).
Twelve Vaccinators (Native Chiefs).
One Vaccinator (Municipal).
ESTABLISHMENT.
Government ....
Native Chiefs ....
Municipal ......
YEARS.
1864
1865
1864
1865
1864
1865
Total.
Vaccinated.
67,457
70,212
19,564
20,118
....
160
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
....
2,725
....
554
....
....
Decrease.
....
....
....
....
....
....
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
61,741
66,166
17,840
18,189
....
147
Per-centage
of
Success.
91.5
94.2
91.2
90.4
....
91.8
The above table exhibits an increase of cases of vaccination of 2,725 over the previous year.
This is to be attributed to increased activity on the part of the vaccinators, and the assistance
they have received from their peons and the village officials. With a few exception the
vaccinators have displayed zeal and activity.
9
With the exception of the Bulsar and Bugwara districts, and some parts of the Mahee
Kanta, the inhabitants of this Circle generally avail themselves of the benefit of vaccination;
The castes most prejudiced against vaccination, are, as I am informed, the Bhatelas, Machees
and Dooblas of the southern districts, a few Parsees of the villages in the neighbourhood of
Surat and Bulsar, Mahomedans of Radunpoor, and Bheels, and Thakoors of Mahee Kanta.
One of the most unhealthy districts of this Circle, namely Mandvee, is peopled by an ignorant
and timid race, whose prinicpal pleasure is drinking, who live in grass huts, and eat the
commonest food. The vaccinator of this district is an inhabitant of Mandvee, well acquaint.
ed with, and, therefore, better able to overcome the prejudices of the people. It is usually
found that a vaccinator placed over his native district, for the above mentioned reason, is
more successful, and wins the confidence of the people, more readily than a stranger. It is
also desirable that as few transfers as possible be made, as time is lost before the confidence
of a new district can be gained.
I have much satisfaction in reporting an increase in the numbers of children vaccinated
under the age of one year, also the per-centage of successful cases. That of children under
one year old, is 51.9 or 3.6, that of successful cases is 94.2 or 2.7 over the year terminating
31st December 1865.
Vaccine lymph throughout the year has been good, and the vesicles normal. Loss of lymph
being reported by three vaccinators during the monsoon, steps were immediately taken to
supply fresh lymph, in capillary tubes, from the Civil Hospital.
Small-pox was slightly prevalent in a few villages of Cambay, Wagra, and Duskroe districts,
but in no other districts.
SIND DIVISION.
Superintendent.—Assistant
Surgeon J. PINKERTON, M.D.
Establishment.—Seventeen
Vaccinators (Government).
Eleven Vaccinators (Local).
One Vaccinator (Native Chief).
ESTABLISHMENT.
Government....
Native Chiefs ..
YEARS.
1864
1865
1864
1865
1864
1865
Total
Vaccinated.
46,440
50,524
....
11,891
503
816
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
....
4,084
....
....
....
313
Decrease.
....
....
....
....
....
....
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
43,151
47,618
....
11,176
400
681
Per-centage
of
Success.
92.9
94.2
....
93.9
79.5
83.4
v 2
14
KATTYWAR CIRCLE.
Superintendent.—Assistant
Surgeon E. R. BUTLER, M.D.
Establishment.—Eight
Vaccinators, (Government).
Twenty-four Vaccinators, (Native Chiefs.)
ESTABLISHMENT.
Government ....
Native Chiefs ..
Years.
1864
1865
1864
1865
Total
Vaccinated.
6,682
6,940
20,007
20,079
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
....
258
....
72
Decrease.
....
....
....
....
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
6,173
6,654
18,365
18,469
Per-centage
of
Success.
92.4
95.8
91.7
91.2
The total number of children vaccinated in Kattywar, as per returns received for 1865,
is 27,019, an increase of 330 on the total vaccinated during 1864. The principal reason why
the returns do not show a greater increase for 1865 is, that during the first eight months of
the year cholera was very prevalent—it carried off hundreds of children—almost every village
I have visited since the rains have lost two or more children from cholera; it was so bad in the
Saiela, Wurdwan, Rajcote, Dedan, and part of the Bhownuggur Talooka, that the assistant
vaccinators had to suspend work altogether. Another reason, the vaccinators themselves have
suffered much from sickness ; two of them were ill for three months consecutively, a third
reason is attributable to the disturbed state of part of the peninsula.
The Political Agent and his assistants have given me the greatest assistance, indeed, if it were
not for their ever ready and rapid support, I am afraid the Returns would show a much smaller
total.
The Native Chiefs have given more assistance than during any previous year. The com-
plaints from assistant vaccinators concerning arrears of pay have not been so numerous, but
the complaints that the sepoy (who every State agreed to furnish each assistant vaccinator
with when travelling on duty from gaum to gaum) is not forthcoming, or that he has been
sent on some other duty, have been nearly as numerous as any other year. The three
Talookdars of Babriawar have just agreed to entertain a vaccinator between them, viz., Joona¬
ghur, Jafferabad, and Dedan ; Joonaghur employed three vaccinators before, great praise is
due to them for so readily acquiescing in this last arrangement.
The per-centage of success again shows an improvement on former years, in a great
measure attributable to the very superior lymph obtained from Ahmedabad. Lymph has been
transmitted from child to child when practicable, and when sent by myself in tubes. I find
that the assistant vaccinators, with one or two exceptions, cannot fill tubes, even after
instruction.
15
I have not found a single false return. None of the vaccinators reported any cases of
small-pox last year, but during my tour of inspection I found that several villages had
suffered from the disease, at Khaterkotree, in the Dedan Talooka, more than 100 children
had died from small-pox during the year, but the Patel assured me that not one of the
children who had been vaccinated had died from small-pox. During my inspection in
Babriawar I visited two gaums where inoculation had been performed, two children who had
been inoculated had suffered slightly from small-pox. The inoculator I could find no traces of,
he did not belong to Kattywar, and it was nearly two years since his visit; this is the
first time I have met with any cases of inoculation in Kattywar.
I was not able to travel more than three and a half months on inspection duty last year, on
account of two months' leave to Bombay for the benefit of my health, and because I was
ordered into Rajcote in April, the whole of December I was on duty with the Political
Agent and Kattywar Field Force. During my tour of inspection I examined the work of
20 vaccinators.
REWA KANTA CIRCLE
Superintendent—Assistant
Surgeon W. FLEMING.
Acting Superintendent—Assistant
Surgeon J. T. WELSH, M.D.
Establishment.—Five Vaccinators (Government).
Five Vaccinators (Native Chiefs).
ESTABLISHMENT.
Government
(Punch Mahals)
Native Chiefs ..
Years.
1864
1865
1864
1865
Total
Vaccinated.
3,195
3,337
3,264
3,994
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
....
142
....
730
Decrease.
....
....
....
....
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
2,906
3,015
3,069
3,988
Per-centage
of
Success.
91.0
90.3
94.0
99.8
In the Rewa Kanta Circle during the year 1865, there has been an increase of 872 children
over the number vaccinated in the previous year, and there still remains to be added to this
the amount of four monthly returns from the Rewa Kanta States, which have not as yet
been received. Of the whole increase only 142 belong to the Punch Mahals; this is certainly
very small, yet as each year there is some increase, we may fairly expect that as soon as the
Bheels understand the object of it, that the work will advance rapidly. At present the
vaccinators have a great deal to contend with, as the people, particularly the Naikras, are very
much opposed to it, and on one or two occasions have threatened to murder them.
The increased exertions of the Rewa Kanta vaccinators I consider due to the larger pay
which the Native Chiefs have at last given them, as they now consider the appointments
worth holding, knowing well that their places can easily be filled up should they be dismissed.
The districts have been generally reported healthy except during the hot weather when there
16
were several cases of cholera, paticularly in Ballasindoor, where it almost put a stop to the
work for more than a month ; a few cases of small-pox were reported on the border of the
Dohud district, but the disease did not prevail to any extent. The lymph and vesicles have
been well reported on, and any that I have seen were remarkably good.
The Civil Authorities have kindly rendered every assistance, by sending orders to all their
subordinates to help the vaccinators in every way.
PRESIDENCY DIVISION.
Local Superintendent.—Sub-Assistant
Surgeon ANUNTA CHUNDROBA.
Establishment.—Three Vaccinators.
YEARS.
1864
1865
Total
Vaccinated.
7,495
7,829
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
....
334
Decrease.
....
....
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
5,696
5,646
Per-centage
of
Success.
75.9
72.1
During the year ending the 31st December 1865, the total number vaccinated amounted
to 7,829, being an increase of 334 over the total vaccinated in the year preceding it; of
these, 4,382 were males, and 3,447 females ; 4,760 Hindoos, 1,207. Mahomedans, 1,110
Christians, 574 Parsees, and 178 of all other castes—chiefly Jews; 3,676 under and 4,153
above one year of age. As to the result of the operations performed, 5,646 or a per-centage
of 72.1 were successful, in 862 they failed, and 1,321 the result could not be ascertained.
The per-centage of success has apparently been only 72.1, but it will be seen that this is
not owing to any increase in the number of failures, though when often reduced to the
necessity of using dry lymph on points and glasses, this cannot but be considerable. Besides,
the mass of the people we have to deal with instead of co-operating with and assisting us in
the performance of our duties, are rather, from selfish motives, opposed to us, and consequent-
ly it becomes an impossible task for the few hands in the department—3 vaccinators and 3
peons—to ferret out the whereabouts of all the subjects operated upon, and as a matter of
course, comparatively a large number remain unseen. During my past experience, also, I have
found that persons not relishing the visits of the vaccinators during their daily circuit, for the
ascertainment of the result of the operations, for fear that they might try to carry away their
children to take lymph from, should the operation have proved successful, deceive the
establishment by giving false addresses. This is a state of things which, however desirable
to be removed, is quite out of the power of the department to remedy. There can, however,
be no doubt that in those that are not seen afterwards, the operations must have proved
successful to a considerable extent.
Nothing worth special notice occurred during the year. The lymph in use throughout had
been of an excellent quality. Now and then, and here and there, however, it showed a
tendency to degenerate, but was easily and quickly replaced.
17
VACCINATION UNDER CIVIL SURGEONS.
TANNA.
One Vaccinator (Municipality's) under the Civil Surgeon,
Assistant Surgeon J. G. ASHER, M. D.
YEARS.
1864
1865
Total
Vaccinated.
64
109
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
....
45
Decrease.
....
....
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
51
100
Per-centage
of
Success.
79.7
91.7
The Municipality has employed a vaccinator throughout the year, but further than sanction-
ing payment of salary, the Commissioners have taken no active interest in the cause. The
difficulties in making vaccination general in and about the town of Tanna, which have been
commented on in all the reports by myself and predecessors, are as great as ever, the greater
numbers being not merely indifferent, but having a positive aversion.
POONA.
One Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon,
Surgeon Major R. MILLAR, M.D. (Acting).
YEARS.
1864
1865
Total
Vaccinated.
1,878
1,537
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
....
....
Decrease.
....
341
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
1,555
1,229
Per-centage
of
Success.
81.7
79.9
The diminution in the amount vaccinated would appear to be explained by the fact that
two other vaccinators are employed by the Municipality, whose vaccinators do the work which
would probably otherwise have been done by the vaccinator who is paid by Government.
v 3
18
AHMEDNUGGUR.
One Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon,
Surgeon M. M. MACKENZIE (Acting).
YEARS.
1864
1865
Total
Vaccinated.
1,413
1,480
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
....
67
Decrease.
....
....
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
1,236
1,183
Per-centage
of
Success.
87.4
79.9
I have much pleasure in bringing before you the present Vaccination Report, showing as it
does an increase in the actual vaccinations of 67 over that of the previous year. The num-
bers stand respectively 1,413 to 1,480 for the year 1865. Under the heading, however, of
"successfully vaccinated" it will be seen, that only 1,183 proved successful, or in other
words, a per-centage of success of 79.9, being about 9 per cent. less successful than that of the
preceding year. This falling off in a "successful issue " may be justly put to the fact, that
cholera had been more or less prevalent during the months of April, May, June, July and
August. At such periods, it is well known how difficult it is to get the parents to consent to the
vaccination of their children, and still more difficult, for the vaccinator to keep them in view
after the operation is performed. A great many hide about their homes or leave the town
altogether. The months that showed the least results were during the months of April, May.
June, July, and August, when cholera was more or less prevalent, while in 1864—January,
July, and September, gave the smallest return that year. There was no cholera in 1864
except in the month of December—5 cases only. The assistant vaccinator has in addition
to his more particular duties in connection with the city, carried out operations in the 3rd
Dragoon Guards, Battery R. A., and Her Majesty's 14th Regiment, N. I. As to the sexes, 867
were males and 613 females; 769 were under one year, the remainder 711 being above that
age. As regards castes, 12 were Christians, 1,338 Hindoos, 128 Mussulmans, and 2 Parsees.
I endeavoured to persuade the Municipal Committee of Ahmednuggur to give me a native
vaccinator, to be paid by them, as has been done with such good results in other towns, but
though by no means adverse to it at a future time, yet at present they report that their funds
will not allow them to do so. I trust by and bye to be more successful on this point.
19
SATTARA.
One Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon,
Assistant Surgeon H. V. CARTER, M.D.
YEARS.
1864
1865
Total
Vaccinated.
2,230
914
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
....
....
Decrease.
....
1,316
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
1,719
786
Per-centage
of
Success.
77.0
85.9
In the Annual Report of last year 1864, the chief feature was a considerable falling off in
number as compared with the previous year, but not as regards more distant periods; and again
a deficiency in number of the persons vaccinated has to be noticed. Last year I stated the
circumstances which appeared to account for this falling off, and as they continue to prevail,
have now only to repeat that the establishment of several (six in all) "fixed" vaccinators during
1864 in the various talookas around Sattara, has of necessity led to vaccination being prac-
tised at a distance from the latter city, where the operation for those districts was formerly
carried out to a considerable extent. A second circumstance is noteworthy, viz. that "small-
pox" has been singularly rare in the Talooka of Sattara during 1865 ; so rare, indeed, in the
city of Sattara, that I believe no deaths from this cause have occurred during the year. This,
of course, is a subject of congratulation for the inhabitants of the locality. Of one thing I am
sure, that no efforts to extend vaccination have been spared. I have inspected all the children
brought to the station, and have myself generally selected those best suited for furnishing
lymph for the next batch; and finding the numbers so reduced, I addressed a letter to the
Collector on the subject in October, proposing that every quarter public notice should be
given in each division of the city, inviting parents to send their children to the Hospital.
Mr. Arthur at once acceded to the proposal, and I think that the larger number vaccinated
in the latter months of the year, shows the plan to have had some good effect.
SHOLAPOOR.
One Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon,
Assistant Surgeon C. F. OGILVIE, M.D.
YEARS.
1864
1865
Total
Vaccinated.
1,459
1,969
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
....
510
Decrease.
....
....
Success.
fully
Vaccinated.
782
1,532
Per-centage
of
Success.
53.6
77.8
20
During the past year, the number of persons vaccinated has amounted to 1,969, of which
967 were males, and 1,002 were females; 686 were children under one year and 1,283 were
above that age; 1,532 were successful, 201 doubtful, and 236 were unsucessful. This work
has not been hitherto, since my arrival here in 1862, performed according to my satisfaction,
either in regard to the numbers vaccinated, or in the per-centage of success. I have during
the past year taken unusual pains with this work, and I am much pleased to be able to report
a decided improvement, and that as compared with the previous year, there is an increase of
24.2 in the per-centage of success. There is, however, great room for improvement, and as I
have never, I think, on one occasion been unsuccessful in any operation I have myself per-
formed here, I feel convinced, that the present want of success cannot be ascribed to the
lymph being of doubtful quality. I must remark, the 201 cases reported doubtful, might
have proved successful, had we the same facility for carrying on observations in this country as
in England, but as those facilities do not exist, according to my usual custom, all cases, where
the pustules are destroyed, or are for other causes considered doubtful, are ordered to be again
vaccinated, and it is very possible that in consequence, many of them are returned afterwards
as unsuccessful, which would with ordinary care, after the first operation, have proved
successful. In this case the per-centage of success would have been 88.
DHOOLIA.
One Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon,
Assistant Surgeon C. K. COLSTON.
YEARS.
1864
1865
Total
Vaccinated.
764
819
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
....
55
Decrease.
....
....
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
692
763
Per-centage
of
Success.
90.5
93.1
Vaccination has been performed twice a week with much the same result as hitherto,
the vaccinator meeting with about the same amount of passive opposition, except during
2 months at the commencement of the year, when small-pox was prevalent and committed sad
havoc in some of the villages near Dhoolia, at which time many people brought in their children
(some from long distances) for vaccination, great attention was given to the selection of cases
for the propagation of the virus. Vaccine lymph has been frequently supplied to other
stations. The vaccinator Shaik Emam has been most attentive to his duty.