NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
14
my charge, and from having to remain so much with it, cholera having attacked the
troops, I was unable to visit as many gaums as I otherwise should have done I have had
Dr. Plumptre's hand-bills freely circulated, and have explained to the people personally
the benefits to be derived from vaccination.
REWA KANTA CIRCLE.
Superintendent—Assistant
Surgeon W. FLEMING.
Establishment—Five Vaccinators (Government).
Five Vaccinators (Native Chiefs).
ESTABLISHMENT.
Government ....
Native Chiefs....
Years.
1863
1864
1863
1864
Total
Vaccinated.
3,002
3,195
4,089
3,264
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
....
193
....
....
Decrease.
....
....
....
825
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
2,714
2,906
3,614
3,069
Per-centage
of
Success.
90.4
91.0
88.4
94.0
There has been an increase this year of 193 over the last in the number vaccinated in the
Punch Mahals. This increase is small, but it must be remembered that the population in
the Mahals is stationary and has been so for some years. I, therefore, think that a large
increase every year is hardly to be expected. My tour commenced on the 1st of December,
having been up to that period in charge of the Guzerat Bheel Corps and Gaol of Dohud;
since the 1st of December I have visited upwards of 69 villages and seen 504 children in the
Punch Mahals and Rewa Kanta, and before the conclusion of my tour I expect to visit
the work of all the vaccinators in my circle. The districts already visited are Kalole, Godra,
Barria, and portion of Narrokote. The districts in the Punch Mahals that 1 have already
seen I consider very well protected. The Godra vaccinator was able to show me work in 81
villages in the Godra Purgunnah. I introduced fresh lymph into the Circle a few months
ago, which I procured from Dr. Dick, of the Northern Circle. My vaccinators reported
very favourably of it, and it was distributed in the capillary tubes furnished by Government.
The vaccinators in the Punch Mahals have had their pay raised from 13 to 18 rupees per
month, they have had general numbers given them, and their status fixed as assistant vacci-
nators. This has begun to work very well, but I would recommend that apprentices should
also be sanctioned, as there are none at present. The conduct of the vaccinators has been
correct, with the exception of the Kalole vaccinator, who was discharged for misconduct;
generally speaking their work has been good, particularly that of the vaccinator of Godra, who
has vaccinated double the number of any other man in the Circle. I have distributed the
Guzeratee circular of Dr. Plumptre in nearly all the villages that I have visited, but there
seems to be very little difficulty in prccuring children for vaccination in the Punch Mahals.
15
I regret I am unable to report so well of the Rewa Kanta. The decrease this year is owing
to the idleness of the vaccinators and the indifference of the Native Chiefs. The vaccinators'
pay in the Rewa Kanta is so small that they are perfectly indifferent about their situations, and
frequently leave them without giving any notice whatever. I am endeavouring to rectify this,
and have procured an increase in the pay of three vaccinators out of the five employed in the
Rewa Kanta. Two of the vaccinators resigned their situations and two have been dismissed
with the sanction of the Political Agent during the last year.
PRESIDENCY DIVISION.
Local Superintendent—Sub-Assistant
Surgeon ANUNTA CHUNDROBA.
Establishment—Three
Vaccinators.
YEARS.
1863
1864
Total
Vaccinated.
7,016
7,495
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
....
479
Decrease
....
....
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
5,494
5,696
Per-centage
of
Success.
78.3
75.9
During the year ending the 31st December last, 7,495 children were vaccinated, being an
increase of 479 over the total vaccinated in 1863. Of these 4,738 were Hindoos, 1,169
Mahomedans, 852 Christians, 566 Parsees, and 170 of all other castes; 4,197 were males,
3,298 females; 3,253 under, and 4,243 above, one year of age. Of the total operated on,
5,696 proved successful, 769 failed, and in 1,030 the result could not be ascertained. The
per-centage of successful on the total vaccinated is 75.9. Many children could not be found
out after the operation, and they are consequently returned as doubtful. A large portion
of these may reasonably be expected to have been successful.
During the year under report nothing particular occurred requiring special notice beyond
a little deterioration of the lymph during the months of June, July, and August. On account
of our. inability to procure good vaccine lymph from any out-station, the number of children
vaccinated during these and subsequent months was comparatively few—so much so as to
have attracted the attention of the Principal Inspector General of the Medical Department.
In a letter dated the 31st August last, I fully explained causes of the deficiency, and also
explained certain arrangements I had made with Drs. Nicholson and Atkins, in medi-
cal charge of the two Native regiments stationed in the island. These gentlemen, as
stated in the letter referred to, kindly consented to send a few children in rotation from
amongst the unprotected ones belonging to the regiments under their charge, to be vaccinated;
and when successful to send them back again, on the eighth day, to supply us with fresh
lymph, thus enabling me to have an independent supply of good lymph on which I could
16
fully rely. They obligingly fulfilled their promise, and though no fresh supplies of
lymph were received from the Mofussil I was enabled to establish a supply of excellent
lymph, and at the same time to vaccinate a great many children.
Unlike the previous year, small-pox did not prevail, during the last months of the
year, to any appreciable extent; and thus the total number for the year, though greater
by a few hundreds than in the year preceding, yet did not come up to what was expected at
the commencement of the year.
17
VACCINATION UNDER CIVIL SURGEONS.
TANNA.
Assistant Surgeon J. G. ASHER, M.D.
YEARS.
1863
1864
Total
Vaccinated.
71
64
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
....
....
Decrease.
....
7
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
61
51
Per-centage
of
Success.
85.9
79.7
Early in the year vaccination was carried on in the town of Tanna by one of the Central
Circle Vaccination Establishment, whose operations will of course be included in the
returns of that Circle.
At my instance a vaccinator has been lately entertained by the Municipality, and the
work reported for 1864 has been accomplished within the last three months through
his instrumentality.
POONA.
One Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon,
Surgeon R. G. LORD, M.D.
YEARS.
1863
1864
Total
Vaccinated.
1,918
1,878
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
....
....
Decrease.
....
40
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
1,587
1,555
Per-centage
of
Success.
82.7
81.7
The vaccinator has kept up his work regularly throughout the year, and been useful not only
in his own district, but as a means of supplying good and fresh vaccine infection to European
hospitals and families in the vicinity. One vaccinator is not enough for a town like Poona.
v3
18
containing over 80,000 inhabitants, exclusive of the adjoining Civil Limits, where this man's
duties also call him. The Municipality should be called on to divide the city into districts,
and appoint a vaccinator to each.
AHMEDNUGGUR.
One Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon,
Surgeon W. DAVEY (Acting).
YEARS.
1863
1864
Total
Vaccinated.
1,260
1,4 13
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
....
153
Decrease.
....
....
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
1,017
1,236
Per-centage
of
Success.
80.7
87.4
Dr. Fraser records that vaccination was diligently and successfully kept up in the city
and neighbourhood of Ahmednuggur by the station vaccinator, and by the establishments of
the Civil Jail and Police Hospitals within their respective departments during the year 1864.
In the city and neighbourhood of Ahmednuggur were vaccinated by the station vaccinator
1,413, of whom 1,236 were successful, 104 unsuccessful, and 73 doubtful. The per-centage of
successful cases is 87.4, which is the highest success recorded for several years, and may be
taken as a proof of the goodness of the lymph and of the skill of the vaccinator. The table
shows the work done by the station vaccinator in the year 1864 as compared with the previous
year, and is satisfactory as showing that vaccination is appreciated by the people and attended
to by the vaccinator. Regarding the sex, age, and caste of the vaccinated, I find that 846
were males and 567 females; that of these 619 were under one year and 794 above that
age; that 39 were Christians, 1,230 Hindoos, 143 Mussulmans, and one Parsee.
SATTARA.
One Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon,
Assistant Surgeon H. V. CARTER, M.D.
YEARS.
1863
1864
Total
Vaccinated.
3,832
2,230
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
....
....
Decrease.
....
1,602
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
2,924
1,719
Per-centage
of
Success.
76.3
77.0
19
The total number of vaccinations, as shown above, is considerable, being in fact larger
than any recorded in the annual reports for the previous 10 years, the year 1863 excepted ; yet
in comparison with this year a large decrease is noted. The explanation of this decrease seems
to be manifold. Firstly, additional vaccinators were established in districts around Sattara in
the earlier part of the year (as at Wai, Karar, Walwa, Wurooj, Malseerus) from all of which
localities children were formerly brought to Sattara. These new vaccinators are in pay of
the local municipal authorities, and report to the Superintendent of Vaccination. Secondly,
cholera was widely prevalent in the Sattara Collectorate during the fore part and middle of
1864 ; and as is usually the case at such times, the inhabitants are so stricken with fear that
the voice of the vaccinator is unheeded. Thirdly, small-pox was unusually rare in 1864 ;
hence the people had not the utility of vaccination so immediately brought to their notice,
and so far failed to appreciate it. Perhaps the next most notable feature in the return is
the much larger proportion of children vaccinated, under one year of age, amounting to near
61 per cent, in comparison with about 40 per cent. in 1863.
SHOLAPORE.
One Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon,
Assistant Surgeon C. F. OGILVIE, M.D.
YEARS.
1863
1864
Total
Vaccinated.
1,438
1,459
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
....
21
Decrease.
....
....
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
919
782
Per-centage
of
Success.
56.9
53.6
During the past year, the number of persons vaccinated has amounted to 1,459, of which
663 were males and 796 females; 519 were children under one year, and 940 were above that
age; 782 were successful, 373 were unsuccessful, and 304 doubtful, the per-centage of success
being 53.6. As compared with the previous year, there is a trifling increase in the number
of persons vaccinated, viz. 21. The per-centage of successful cases recorded, is less than in
the previous year, that having been 56.9. The apparent want of success I stated in my last
report, was owing to the carelessness of the parents in preserving the pustules : and I regret
to state they seem very careless of the result of the operation, notwithstanding I frequently
personally explained to them its importance as a preventive against an attack of small-pox.
20
DHOOLIA.
One Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon,
Assistant Surgeon C K. COLSTON.
YEARS.
1863
1864
Total
Vaccinated.
732
764
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase
....
32
Decrease.
....
....
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
655
692
Per-centage
of
Success.
89.4
90.5
Vaccination has been performed in this station twice a week, and with about the usual result
and under the usual difficulties in carrying it out fully, through the apathy and passive oppo-
sition of some classes of the community, though one would think that the most impenetrable
mind could not but discover the benefit of the prophylactic against small-pox in the almost
entire immunity from that disease, year after year, of the inhabitants of this town. No one
class or caste in particular, as the return shows, appears to me to object from religious
prejudices to vaccination ; in fact, when it is brought to their doors, one and all seem to appre-
ciate it, but some object to lymph being taken from the arms of their children. This I believe
is more for the sake of making some show of opposition than anything else, and is easily
overcome by authority.
NASSICK.
One Vaccinator under Sub-Assistant Surgeon A. SUMMERS.
YEARS.
1863
1864
Total
Vaccinated.
570
711
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
....
141
Decrease.
....
....
Success¬
fully
Vaccinated.
426
573
Per-centage
of
Success.
74.7
80.5
I have the gratification of reporting that vaccination has been carried on to a larger extent
during the past year compared with the preceding one of 1863—the increase amounting to
141 subjects. The children vaccinated were 398 males and 313 females, making a total
of 711.
21
BELGAUM.
One Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon,
Surgeon Major G. G. W. MAITLAND.
YEARS.
1863
1864
Total
Vaccinated.
547
689
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
....
142
Decrease.
....
....
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
536
669
Per-centage
of
Success.
98.0
98.0
The increase in the number vaccinated during the year, as shown in the above table, is no
doubt owing to the fact that during the past eight months the vaccinator has been assisted by a
peon, obligingly furnished by the Collector at my request. The total number of children
vaccinated in the town of Belgaum is 689 ; of these 669 were successful and 22 failed.
The vaccinator has likewise been engaged in vaccinating in the cantonment, and at the
Garrison and Detail Hospital. In the former, 96 persons were vaccinated, at the latter 22,
showing a total 307 vaccinations as the actual work performed by the station vaccinator.
The quality of the lymph throughout the year has been uniformly good, and although cholera
prevailed in the town and cantonment during the months of April and May, it but slightly
interfered with the progress of vaccination.
DHARWAR.
One Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon,
Assistant Surgeon E. H. R. LANGLEY (Acting).
YEARS.
1863
1864
Total
Vaccinated.
1,080
872
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
....
....
Decrease.
....
208
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
971
771
Per-centage
of
Success.
89.9
88.4
During the past year 872 persons have been vaccinated, whilst in 1863 there were 1,080,
showing a decrease of 208 between the two years in the number vaccinated; there were 771
successful cases recorded or 88.4 per cent. on the whole : 691 were above one year, 181 under
22
one year: the decrease in the number vaccinated may be accounted for from the fact that
small-pox did not prevail in an epidemic form during the year, and that therefore the Natives
were not so willing or anxious to undergo vaccination. The lymph appears to have been of
good quality, and, judging from the vesicles, it did not deteriorate in character. The conduct
of the vaccinator satisfactory, and his work carefully performed.
KOLAPOOR.
One Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon,
Surgeon J. MILLS.
YEARS.
1863
1864
Total
Vaccinated.
3,022
1,860
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
....
....
Decrease.
....
1,162
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
2,945
1,844
Per-centage
of
Success.
97.4
99.1
The annexed statement shows a very great falling off in the number of vaccinations per-
formed during the past year, there having been 1,162 less than in 1863 and 906 less than
the average of the previous five years. Several circumstances have combined to cause
this diminution, among which the principal are as follows:—
As noticed by me, in the remarks appended to the Monthly Return for January, a vaccinator
was appointed under the Superintendent of Vaccination, S.C., in the Pethas of Punalla and
Bhoodergud; this was at first, I believe, intended as a temporary measure, but he has remain-
ed throughout the year, and has operated in many of the villages formerly depending entirely
on the station vaccinator, who has in consequence not obtained as many children in those
villages as in former years. In 1863 small-pox prevailed extensively in many villages, dimi-
nishing the numbers of children left for vaccination in 1864 in two ways, viz. by impelling
many parents to have their children vaccinated, and by attacking many children. Cholera
has prevailed throughout the districts during 1864 very severely, and this always acts most
prejudicially in impeding vaccination.
I am not aware that there has been much more opposition to vaccination than in former
years, though probably the fact that during the past year the administration of the State
has been for the first time entirely in the hands of the Native authorities, may have made
the. subordinate village officials less prompt than formerly in giving assistance. The increase
in the proportion of children under one year of age, which has been noticed in the two pre-
ceding years, continues to progress, being in 1861, 16 per cent.; in 1862,18; in 1863, 24 ; and
in 1864, 32 per cent. The lymph has been supplied to the camp, whenever required, and has
also been sent to several of the vaccinators on the establishment of the Superintendent, S. C.
23
RUTNAGHERRY.
One Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon,
Assistant Surgeon II. DAY, M.D.
YEARS.
1863
1864
Total
Vaccinated.
713
987
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
....
274
Decrease.
....
....
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
572
740
Per-centage
of
Success.
80.2
75.0
The return of the number of cases vaccinated this year compares favorably with the return
of the preceding year. It will be seen that 274 more cases have been operated upon during
the year ; the per-centage of success, however, is not so great, but the difference is not very
marked.
VINGORLA.
Senior Apothecary S. HANSON.
YEARS.
1863
1864
Total
Vaccinated.
162
238
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
....
76
Decrease.
....
....
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
145
227
Per-centage
of
Success.
89.5
95.3
The total number vaccinated during the year 1864 was 238, being an increase of 76 on
that of the previous year. Of these 111 were male and 127 female children. 73 were
under one year, and 165 above that age. The successful vaccinations have been 227, or 95.3
per cent. on the total number vaccinated. The lymph and vesicles were good.
24
HONORE.
One Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon,
Assistant Surgeon E. M. Ross.
YEARS.
1863
1864
Total
Vaccinated.
474
547
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
....
73
Decrease.
....
....
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
371
475
Per-centage
of
Success.
78.2
86.8
I have much pleasure in noticing an increase in the number vaccinated by the station
vaccinator during the year under report of 73 over the number operated on in the preceding
year. I regret to state, however, that the people, especially the Brahmins and upper
class Hindoos, are still as averse as ever to the reception of the prophylactic. I believe that
nothing short of legislative interference (and how urgently it is called for may be judged by
the prevalence of small-pox epidemic in and near Compta, Gairsoppah, and other parts of
North Canara) will ever cause it to be universally adopted. The people are so blinded by
their religious prejudices that they will not see the advantages that the prophylactic holds
out to them, and it is hopeless ever to induce them by mere argument and example willingly
to submit to it.
The enforcement by legislation of vaccination on the people would be the means of saving
hundreds of lives annually in North Canara alone, and the importance of this fact, with
reference both to humanity and to its political bearing in a country already far too thinly
populated, is, I think, sufficient to outweigh all considerations against the measure.
KAIRA.
One Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon,
Assistant Surgeon A. N. E. RIDDELL (Acting).
YEARS.
1863
1864
Total
Vaccinated.
433
683
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
....
250
Decrease.
....
....
Sucess¬
fully
Vaccinated.
358
574
Per-centage
of
Success.
82.7
84.0
25
683 children have been vaccinated during the past year. Of these the result was doubt-
ful in 109 cases ; in the remaining 574 it was successful. Of the total vaccinated 619 were
Hindoos and 64 were Mussulmans ; 518 were under one year and 165 were above that age.
By this return it will be seen that a slight increase has taken place in the numbers vaccinated
as compared with the returns of last year.
No opposition is offered to the practice of vaccination; on the contrary the natives appear
to recognize the value of it, and readily avail themselves of its benefits.
The vaccine lymph employed and the vesicles have uniformly been of fair average quality.
AHMEDABAD.
One Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon,
Surgeon Major D. WYLLIE, M.D.
YEARS.
1863
1864
Total
Vaccinated.
2,686
3,440
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
....
778
Decrease.
....
....
Success¬
fully
Vaccinated.
2,588
3,429
Per-centage
of
Success.
96.3
99
Vaccination was more largely practised than during any previous years, the number exceed
ing by 778 that accomplished in 1863. The increase is simply due to the circumstance of
the vaccinator having had, since June last, the services of a municipal peon specially detailed
for this duty, whereas formerly he was dependent on such intermitting and uncertain assist-
ance as the police could give, and that latterly rendered with something like reluctance.
The change adverted to has, therefore, fully realized the expectation expressed in the last
Annual Report.
The vaccinator was employed on 356 days during which all the different quarters of the
city were gone over oftener than once, and the more populous neighbourhoods repeatedly.
The greatest number of operations was in June, when 361 were vaccinated, and the smallest
in March, when there were only 150; work being at all times hindered by the prevalence of
measles. In respect of sex, male preponderated, as invariably happens; the numbers being
1,925 to 1,539 females. These figures are in close keeping with the relative proportion of the
sexes vaccinated on an average of the past five years. There were 2,655 operations " under "
and only 809 " above " one year. Ever since 1858 each year's experience has shown a large
and growing increase in the proportion of vaccinations under one year—a fact of some signifi¬
cancy not only as confirmatory of the advance of popular appreciation but as illustrative of
the success that has attended the past working of the department. The results were
particularly gratifying, the per-centage of successful cases, viz. 99; being much higher than has
hitherto been attained. In other words, there were only 9 failures and 26 doubtful out of
a total of 3,464 vaccinations.
v 4
26
The lymph employed was that introduced from Europe towards the close of last year.
It has invariably produced a large, well-formed, typical vesicle, and has never exhibited any
tendency to deterioration. Supplies were sent to Deesa, Aboo, Sadra, and other stations
during the year. There was not a single case of small-pox in the city, throughout; but
within the last two months a few instances have happened in camp, all, however, due to
importation. The practice of inoculation has long since ceased as respects this neighbourhood.
Vaccination is never openly opposed, and there are seldom any more serious obstacles
to its spread than apathy and indifference on the part of the people, with here and there
some remains of prejudice, to contend against. Refusals, however, are comparatively rare, and
are now, with very few exceptions, limited to the lower classes of the Mussulman population.
SURAT.
One Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon,
Assistant Surgeon W. A. SHEPHERD.
YEARS.
1863
1864
Total
Vaccinated.
1,955
2,234
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
....
279
Decrease.
....
....
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
1,749
2,057
Per-centage
of
Success.
89.4
92.1
No report received.
BROACH.
One Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon,
Assistant Surgeon G. GLEN.
YEARS.
1863
1864
Total
Vaccinated.
1,203
1,221
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
....
18
Decrease
....
....
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
1040
1092
Per-centage
of
Success.
78.9
89.4