NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
59
viously vaccinated the revaccination was successful in 63, unsuccessful in 34 and
the result in 5 was unknown. Of those who had the inoculation or small-pox
before, 16 were successful and 6 unsuccessful.
5. The condition of the lymph during the year was mostly good. When-
ever it failed it was renewed from the state vaccinator.
Weekly vaccinations
from arm-to-arm were performed almost througout the year in all the different
parts of the town. Vaccination is firmly established in this state and though the
people are not very forward to have it, yet they have no objections to its per-
formance.
Small-pox.
6. 10 sporadic cases of small-pox occurred in the town during the year;
one case was in May, 2 were in January, 3 in Febru-
ary and 4 in March. All the subjects had been vac-
cinated and they all recovered. In 5 the small-pox was distinct and in 5 it was con-
fluent. There was some small-pox in the districts generally throughout the year.
The state vaccinator has said about 131 cases, 74 in males and 57 in females ; 51
were vaccinated and 80 were unprotected. 13 of the unprotected died.
ALIBAG DISPENSARY.
Assistant Surgeon M. F. Pereira, L.M.
Population 5,473.
Vaccination and revaccina-
tion.
During the year 1873-74 the total number of
vaccinations (primary) and revaccinations was 209 or
2 more than in the preceding year. 200 were pri-
mary and 9 revaccinations.
Result and percentage
2. Primary vaccination was successful in 182 cases, giving a percentage of
91 ; revaccination succeeded in 8 out of 9 cases,
giving a percentage of success of 88.8.
Caste, age and sex.
3. All the revaccinations were performed on christians. Primary vaccina-
tion was practised on 177 hindus, 9 musalmans and
14 jews. Of these 103 were males and 97 females ;
94 were under and 106 above the age of one year.
Small-pox.
4. This cruptive fever prevailed to a slight extent in the months of April
and May, and again in November and December. In
the month of May the European, gentry were revac-
cinated, and the result showed that they were not protected by the former vac-
cination performed in infancy. Although these examples were before the eyes of
the natives, yet I could not prevail on even one of them to receive revaccination.
Lymph.
5. The quality of the lymph was very good, but whenever it deteriorated it
was renewed. The failure in the 18 cases was attri-
butable, probably, to the lymph having been forwarded
to me in tubes. Arm-to-arm vaccination invariably gave successful results. As
it is not possible to get children every eight days to keep up the supply, it renders
the use of tubes a matter of necessity. However, direct vaccination was practised
as much as possible. The supply of lymph was sometimes obtained from the tá¬
luká vaccinator, but that forwarded by the district vaccinator of Pen gave the
most satisfactory results.
House to house vaccination.
6. This was the only way in which vaccination could be performed. Al-
though the people believe in the benefits conferred by
vaccination, yet they, through mere indifference or
inability to perform certain religious ceremonies connected with the small-pox,
60
generally try to evade or postpone vaccinating their children. This circumstance
renders it necessary to carry on vaccination from house to house. I received very
little assistance from the mámledár.
Area.
7. Dispensary vaccination extended over the town of Alibág, containing
5,473 inhabitants according to the last census, and the
neighbouring villages of Chendrá, Warsoli and Chál¬
málá.
PEN DISPENSARY.
Mr. Haríráo Powár, 2nd Class Hospital Assistant.
Population 6,514.
The total number of vaccinations amounts to 121 or 60 more than in the pre-
vious year. All were primary vaccinations. 111 were hindús. 66 under one year
and 55 above it. One was a grown up person. 1 had 9 operations in excess of
persons. 107 were successful, 21 unsuccessful and the result of the remaining two
was unknown. The percentage of successful vaccination was 83.5.
The people of this town are generally against vaccination. I took every op-
portunity of informing them of the very many benefits that arise from vaccination ;
but I am really very sorry to say that all my attempts to remove their prejudices
have been fruitless. Though they admit this innovation to be good, yet they are
deterred from adopting it, on the ground that they thereby incur the displeasure of
the goddess Shitalá. Of late, through the assistance given by Ráo Sáheb Pándu¬
rang Sadáshiva Sháháne, mámledár of this táluká, I am very happy to say that, I
was able to vaccinate a good many children.
MÁT'HERAN.
Surgeon-Major David Simpson, M.D., Superintendent.
Population
(small and variable).
Vaccination has been performed as shown in the accompanying statement by
1st Class Hospital Assistant Mr. Gangáji Ramji ; at the present time all the chil-
dren are protected. Under 1 year 3 vaccinations are reported, over 1 year 7 chli-
dren have been vaccinated ; the age of the oldest was 5 years, the others were be-
tween 1 and 2 years of age. The parents of the children submit to have their chil-
dren vaccinated but very few of them show any anxiety to have the operation per-
formed, and in some instances their sanction could only be obtained by making
known amongst them that unprotected children could not be permitted to remain
on the hill. During the past year the existence of small-pox in Matheran or in its
vicinity has not been known.
KURLA' DISPENSARY.
Assistant Surgeon Cuvarjí Dorábjí, G.G.M.C.
Population 3,000.
142 children were vaccinated, being 44 more than in the previous
year. The operations were mostly performed by the assistant surgeon in
charge and a few by the native medical pupil attached to the dispensary. The
population in which these operations were performed was about 3,000. The
people of this district, chiefly the christians, seem to appreciate the bene-
fit of this prophylactic and willingly submit their childern to it, but are
61
very unwilling to allow the lymph to be taken from their children's arms,
for the purpose of vaccinating other children. This acts as a great draw-
back, the lymph supply gets interrupted and often a week or two pass with-
out any operations being performed.
2. The percentage of successful cases was 90.7.
3. The lymph employed was generally good, but great difficulty was ex-
perienced in keeping up its supply. Lymph was introduced several times from
Bombay, by sending a man by train so that it might be used the same day.
4. No cases of small-pox were admitted during the year.
KALIA'N DISPENSARY.
Assistant Surgeon A Bomanjí, G.G.M.C.
Population 12,804.
161 Operations were performed during the year. This number, when com-
pared with the population of the town, which according to the last census is
12,804, is I must confess small. There is no want of zeal on my part nor of aid
from the mámledár and other officials, but the people are much behind in recog-
nizing the value of vaccination. For the most part they offer resistance to vacci-
nation and still greater resistance against allowing lymph to be taken from their
children's arm, so much so that for the latter three and a half months of the year—
the time during which I held charge of this dispensary—the lymph was brought
from a distance four or five times. Once a week I go into the town and collect
children for operations near the mámledár's kacheri or other convenient part as
near the houses of the inhabitants of Kalian as possible.
2. Of the total number vaccinated there were 139 hindús, 15 muslamáns, 6
pársis, and 1 of low caste. There were 68 males and 93 females.
3. The number vaccinated this year shows a fall when compared with the
previous year, and I am unable to account for this, inasmuch as I have been in
charge of this dispensary during the latter three and a half months only of the
year. In future I shall try my best to vaccinate a greater number of subjects.
KHA'NDESH BHIL CORPS HOSPITAL.
Mr. J. A. Lafond, Apothecary.
Population 10,385.
Vaccination in the Bhil Corps Police was carried out by myself and my assis-
tant with the following results :—
Primary Vaccination.—Under this heading 61 children were vaccinated, of
these 27 were under 1 year old and 34 above that age. 51 of the operations were
successful, 10 failed, and the result of one child, who was twice vaccinated, could
not be ascertained as the mother left the lines, taking the child with her, after the
second operation. The 10 cases that failed occurred chiefly amongst weakly
children and children of Bhils, who, as a rule, are very neglectful of their offspring
in many ways.
Revaccination.—As a large body of recruits for the Khándesh Bhil Corps and
unarmed police were entertained during the year, I commenced to revaccinate
them in June and completed the undertaking in September with the following re-
62
suits. 178 men were operated upon, and 40 men were operated upon twice ; 170
operations succeeded and 48 failed, giving a percentage of 77.9 successful cases.
Small-pox.—One slight case of small-pox occurred in a recruit boy of the
Bhil Corps during the month of July. He was isolated in a separate room by
himself, and under ordinary treatment recovered and returned to duty. As far
as I know, no cases of small-pox occurred in the town of Dharangáon or in the
villages in its immediate vicinity. Dharangáon (both town and lines) enjoys a
peculiar immunity from epidemics.
BALSA'D DISPENSARY.
Assistant Surgeon Nasarwánjí Dhanjibháí, G.G.M.C.
Population 11,315.
214 vaccinations were performed. As compared with the preceding year
there is an increase of 29 vaccinations. This is the largest number ever vacci-
nated at this dispensary. The castes were 1 christian, 159 hindús, 33 musalmáns
and 21 pársís ; of these 97 were males and 117 females ; 106 were children under
one year and 108 above one year of age. There were 183 successful operations,
19 unsuccessful and doubtful and 12 unknown. The percentage of successful
cases was 90.5.
2. There was no admission from small-pox into the dispensary. The popu-
lation of the town is 11,315. In order to carry on vaccination more efficiently and
to keep up the supply of lymph throughout the year in this large town, where the
people are more opposed to vaccination and conceal their vaccinated children or
scratch their children's vesicles to prevent the lymph being taken away, the
assistance of a peon attached to the dispensary is absolutely necessary, as there is
no peon attached to the dispensasy at present, and as the assistance of the haval-
dár of the town, and a peon from the municipality given for a couple of hours on
vaccination days, is irregular and insufficient.
JAMBUSAR DISPENSARY.
Mr. Parashram Nágesh, 3rd Class Hospital Assistant.
Population 14,924.
358 children were primarily vaccinated, out of whom 189 were males and
169 females. 333 were hindus, 24 musalmans and, 1 pársí. 224 were under one
year and 134 above it. 337 were successful and 21 unknown. There were 2
revaccinations.
2. Vaccination was generally performed weekly in the streets of the town,
where there was no objection to come made by any caste of the people.
3. I found many difficulties in getting children of high caste people, and
found them generally unwilling to have the operation.
4. Assistance given by the mámledár here was of no use, because I was
myself obliged to go to get children from house to house.
5. The number of children vaccinated during the year amounted to 360,
which is less than the year 1872-73 by 111. The lymph was of a good quality.
6. There was no epidemic small-pox during the year 1873-74.
63
GODHRA' DISPENSARY.
Assistant Surgeon Shántarám Vináyak Kantak, L.M.
Population 10,641.
During the past year 466 individuals were vaccinated primarily against 356
in the previous year. Vaccination was performed throughout the past year in
the town. During the greater part of the year the lymph was good, but it
deteriorated about the months of October and November. As vaccination in a
kasbá town, throughout the year, is very difficult to accomplish from the paucity
of numbers, I submit that it might cease four months in the year during the
monsoon. The people are averse to getting their children vaccinated during the
hot season. It will be seen from the return that the musalman element predomi-
nates. The police authorities lend me the assistance of a police peon to enable
the police patil to collect children. There is no doubt that the people have felt
the benefits of vaccination ; but they resolutely refuse to allow lymph to be taken
out of their children's vesicles. They seem to think that a child gets weakened
and anæmic by such abstraction of lymph.
2. There has been no epidemic of small-pox in the town of Godhrá during
the past year.
GOGO DISPENSARY.
Mr. Lewis George, Apothecary.
Population 9,571.
The total number of persons vaccinated during the year has been 254. 141
males and 113 females ; among them were two male adults, who being sea-faring
men had to obtain a certificate of having been vaccinated. One of these had
faint marks of having been vaccinated, and the other had visible marks of having
had small-pox; the latter on being revaccinated, took the disease, but the youth who
had faint marks of having been previously vaccinated did not. There has been an
excess of 58 operations over the preceding year, when only 198 were vacci-
nated. The vaccination up to the 10th October 1873 was steady in progress,
and although the lymph on that date appeared good, yet the vesicles were small
on the 8th day, and the only way I could account for this deterioration is by
the thermometric maximum sun's rays having considerably increased on the
6th idem to 135° and on the 17th idem I saw that the vaccination had completely
failed. It was found afterwards difficult to obtain good lymph in tubes, as only
3 children were vaccinated in November and 2 children in December from lymph
received in capillary tubes from the assistant superintendent of vaccination who
was then at Talajá, and these failed, which rendered vaccination in abeyance till
the 23rd January 1874 when the superintendent of vaccination sent some lymph
in tubes, and this was successful, and from this period I vaccinated 93 children,
giving a result of 11 unsuccessful vaccinations from 93. Although the vaccina-
tions have not proved uniformly successful, yet I have been fortunately keeping
up the vaccination till the arrival of the present superintendent, who has now
introduced English lymph, and I hope to continue up the success.
64
KARACHI CIVIL HOSPITAL.
Surgeon Major N. Hopkins, Civil Surgeon.
Population 51,822.
Vaccination has been carried on during this year as previously, by one
of the vaccinators provided by the municipality.
2. The vaccinator sends his returns to the superintendent of vaccina-
tion in Sindh through me. He brings me some children every week so as to
enable me to report every month on the character of the vesicles and lymph.
3. There were only 2,828 persons vaccinated and revaccinated during the
year, which the vaccinator explains by the increased difficulty in getting
children to be vaccinated as there has been no small-pox about to frighten
the parents ; among primary vaccinations there were 1,754 successful, 100
unsuccessful and 46 unknown ; of the number of revaccinations 989, there were
591 successful, 375 unsuccessful, and 23 unknown, giving a percentage of
94.6 in primary and 61.1 in revaccination.
4. The pay of the vaccinator is Rs. 15 a month, or Rs. 180 a year,
the contingent bills amounted to Rs. 53-8-0, so that the cost of the whole
working establishment was only Rs. 233-8-0, which divided by the operations
gives one anna and three pies as the cost of each operation and one anna and
seven pies as the cost of each successful operation.
5. There is a great increase in the number of revaccinations over former
years ; this is in a great measure due to revaccination being carried out
thoroughly in the jail. All convicts who have not distinct cicatrices of either
vaccination or small-pox are vaccinated. Persons vaccinated at the jail and
hospitals were not included in this return, but were shown separately till
this year. The vaccinator reports that he has great difficulty in getting
some parents to permit their children to be vaccinated, and afterwards there
is great difficulty in finding them to ascertain the result, and it is only
when small-pox comes to the immediate neighbourhood that they seek vacci-
nation.
KETI BANDAR DISPENSARY.
Mr. F. Jacob, 3rd Class Hospital Assistant.
Population 2,199.
The total children vaccinated during the year is 228, being 167 in excess
of the previous year.
2. The quality of the lymph was very good.
3. On my arrival in April last, I heard that small-pox was prevailing
in the town and adjacent villages. I immediately applied for and obtained
fresh lymph from the táluká vaccinator and vaccination was practised until
15th July last. The assistant superintendent of vaccination, Karáchi collec-
torate, on visiting this dispensary in February last, informed me that one
case of small-pox had been seen by him in the out-skirts, in close proximity
to this station : I therefore applied to the vaccinator for fresh lymph and
commenced vaccinating the children newly-born and also those that were left
unvaccinated from July owing to their illness. 19 cases of small-pox have
been reported at the kotwál's office during the year, of these 3 were males, 10
females, and 6 children, out of these 3 cases proved fatal. None of these applied
66
6. With the exception of sometimes an erythematous or eczematous eruption
occurring after vaccination on the arms of children, I have not observed any
irregularity in its progress or any ill effects resulting from it.
7. In this town only one case of small-pox after successful vaccination
was brought to my notice, and it was a very modified type of the disease.
8. During the last year when small-pox broke out in this town, only
those who were not vaccinated were attacked, while the vaccinated children
escaped the disease.
MEHAR DISPENSARY.
Mr. Hanmantráo Bhosle, 3rd Class Hospital Assistant.
Population 1,246.
325 vaccine operations have been performed during the year under
report, of which 223 were primarily vaccinated and 102 revaccinated. The
former consisted of 193 males and 28 females ; 85 hindús and 136 mohamed-
ans ; 45 were under one year and 176 above it; the result was 207 successful,
2 unsuccessful and doubtful, and 14 unknown, and the percentage of success is
990. The result of the latter was 92 successful and 10 unknown, and the
percentage of success 100.
2. There is a considerable increase of 291 in the number of persons
vaccinated and revaccinated compared with the previous year ; this is chiefly
owing to the adoption of special measures for securing the attendance of
persons at the dispensary by me as well as to my taking the trouble to visit
them at their own houses for the purpose of vaccinating.
3. The lymph during the year was fresh and good ; the vesicles appeared
full and were of large pearly appearance, and the cicatrices were good in
most of the cases.
4. No small-pox came under my notice nor the custom of inoculation.
5. No ill effect resulted from vaccination
ROHRI DISPENSARY.
Mr. Shaik Walí, 1st Class Hospital Assistant.
Population 8,781.
The number of children vaccinated was 303 and as compared with the pre-
vious year there is a decrease of 234. This is chiefly owing to an order having
been received on the 21st December last from the Superintendent of Vaccination
in Sindh, to the effect that I should discontinue the performance of the operation
till further orders, as also to strong objection and opposition on the part of the
inhabitants of the town.
2. There were 174 male and 129 female children vaccinated; 193 were un-
der and 110 above the age of one year. The number shown above comprises 133
hindús, 166 mahomedans and 4 other castes. The result in those primarily vacci-
nated was 296 successful and 7 unknown.
67
3. The lymph was very good ; the vesicles appeared full and the cicatrices
good.
4. No small-pox prevailed during the year, nor inoculation or other obstruc-
tion to the spread of vaccination existed with the exception of the one mentioned
in the first para. of this report.
5. No irregularities in the progress of the vaccine disease have occurred,
nor have any ill effects resulted from vaccination.
6. No instance of small-pox occurred after unmistakeably successful vaccina-
tion or after well marked previous small-pox.
ADEN.
Surgeon G. W. R. Hay, M.D., Acting Civil Surgeon.
Population, 19,289.
There has been an increase in the number of persons vaccinated during the
past year of no less than 581 as compared with 1872-73. The number of cases in
which the operation was successful is also greater by 386. The percentage of
success is also higher, but is still, I think, much lower than it might be. The un-
successful operations are, I am led to believe, principally among the Somalis,
while among the Jews nearly every one succeeds ; this I think shows that it is not
altogether the manner in which the operation is performed which influences the
result. Many of the cases brought for inspection have the vesicles quite destroyed
by the persons having scratched them about the fifth or sixth day. I have not
been able to find out what sort of cicatrices result. The vesicles are also stated
to have been good. Those I have seen during the last two months when not
scratched have been typical. Lymph has been supplied during the year to the
different regiments and I believe has given satisfaction.
2. At present vaccination is practised thrice a week, once in camp and the
other two days at the Malla and Steamer Point.
68
Report
on Re-vaccination
by
the Deputy
Surgeon
General,
Puna
Division
of the
Army.
In conformity to the instructions contained in your letter No. 3198, dated the
12th September 1872, monthly returns of revaccination from 6 jails and 4 native
regiments have been received, and the results are shown in a tabulated statement
appended to this report.
The experiments undertaken embrace a period of three months, and the total
number of persons operated on is 249. Of these 76 were adults, bearing distinct
traces of previous vaccination and 173 who showed equally traces of small-pox.
Of the 76 persons operated on who had been previously vaccinated 17 or 22
per cent. proved successful. 52 or 67 per cent. were unsuccessful and in 7 the
results are unknown.
The results obtained from persons who had had small-pox were still more un-
successful. Of the 173 vaccinated, only 41 or 23 per cent. were successful cases
and 130 or 75 per cent. unsuccessful, leaving 2 in whom the results could not be
ascertained as they left the jail very shortly after vaccination.
The summary then of these experiments is as follows :—Of the 249 operations
performed (omitting the cases unknown) vaccination proved successful in only 58
persons, and unsuccessful in 182, giving a percentage of 23.1 in the former to 75.8
in the latter. The result now obtained will be found, I think, more in accordance
with ordinary belief and with the experience of all who have largely practised vac¬
cination in this country.
Re-vaccination.
Record of the results of experiments made agreeably to directions conveyed
in letter No. 3198, dated 12th September 1872, from the Secretary to the Surgeon
General, Indian Medical Department :—
Number of persons
37
44
46
23
2
14
11
19
34
14
249
Number or name of
regiment or jail.
Kolhàpur Jail
Puna City do
Yerowdà
do
Ahmednagur do
pur do ..........
.k Civil do
Regt. 1st Gr., N. I. ......
„ 2nd „ N. I
„ 13th N. I
Sappers and Miners ....
Of persons previously
vaccinated with success.
Number of
persons
operated
on bearing
traces of
previous
vaccina-
tion.
12
8
9
2 1
2
8
14
16
4
76
Result.
Successful.
5
1
...
...
...
...
...
5
5
1
17
Unsuccessful.
...
7
9
2
1
2
8
9
11
3
52
Unknown.
7
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
7
Of persons who have
had small-pox.
Number of
persons
operated
on bearing
traces of
small-pox.
25
36
37
26
1
12
3
5
18
10
173
Result.
Successful.
17
6
...
3
...
6
...
2
6
1
41
Unsuccessful.
8
30
37
23
1
4
3
3
12
9
130
Unknown.
...
...
...
...
... 2
...
...
...
...
2
Remarks.
G. G.MAITLAND,
Deputy Surgeon General.
31st March 1873.