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APPENDIX A.
Annual Vaccination Report for 1892-93, by Surgeon-Captain H. J. Dyson, Deputy Sanitary
Commissioner, Punjab.
During the year 1892-93 the Vaccinators of the Special Staff performed 75,296
vaccine operations against 72,009 in the year 1891-92, giving an increase of 3,287.
Animal lymph was employed in 73,361 cases against 48,804 in the previous year
being an increase of 24,557.
Human lymph was used in 1,935 against 23,205 in the previous year, showing a
decrease of 21,270.
Animal lymph has made steady progress since its introduction, and this is a source
of gratification when it is remembered how many children are spared the pain and incon-
venience of being used as vaccinifers.
I have impressed it strongly on the Vaccinators of the Special Staff that animal
(buffalo) lymph must be used wherever practicable.
The increase in the total vaccinations performed in 1892-93 as compared with
1891-92 is 3,287. This total would have been considerably higher had it not been for the
widespread epidemic of cholera which occurred in 1892, necessitating the employment
of a considerable number of the Special Staff Vaccinators in Hazára and Murree in the
distribution of cholera medicines. In some of the Hill States the Rájás were averse to
the introduction of vaccination owing to the prevailing fear of cholera.
In the summer of 1892 Vaccinators were sent to the following States : Biláspur,
Kunihar, Kuthár, Mailog, Dhámi, Kumharsain, Bághal, Keonthal, Bíja, Baghát, Nálagarh
and Sirmúr.
I personally visited and held interviews with the Rájás and Ránas of Biláspur,
Kunihar, Kuthár, Dhámi, Bhajji, Keonthal, Nálagarh, Bághal and Rámpur (Bushahar) (to
inspect the previous year's work). I was able to persuade the Ránas of Kuthár and Kuni-
har to allow their sons to be vaccinated with animal lymph, and to sanction the intro-
duction of animal lymph for the first time for use among the people. Buffalo lymph was
also this season for the first time used for vaccination purposes in the States of Nálagarh,
Dhámi and Keonthal. Animal lymph has now been used in every Hill State of any
importance during my term of office in this appointment. In Biláspur State 23,673
people were vaccinated, all with buffalo lymph; the details are—
Brahmans ...
Kathrís and Boras
Rájpúts
Lower castes
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
6,440
292
6,694
10,247
During the previous years only low caste people were vaccinated in this State,
since the Rájpúts and Brahmans objected to the use of animal lymph.
In 1892 1 stayed a considerable period in this State and induced the Rája to be
vaccinated with animal lymph, and it is to his action that the extensive vaccination of the
higher castes must be attributed.
It is difficult living in British territory to realize the religious and personal
influence exercised by a Rája. At Biláspur when animal lymph vaccination was com-
menced a Brahman objected to having his child vaccinated because it was his (the
child's) birthday, but consented immediately when the Rája laid his hands on the child's
head and blessed it. In the second case also at Biláspur the head "prohat" of the State
came to watch the vaccinator at work, he was greatly surprised by the Rája ordering
him to be vaccinated, but he made no objections and was vaccinated. Mián Pertáb Singh,
a Rájpút, and President of the Council of Biláspur, brought up all his sons ranging from
seventeen years down to be vaccinated with animal lymph. This action of his decided the
inhabitants of several large Rájpút villages who had previously objected to animal
lymph. I have found in all the Hill States that the mass of the people wait for the decision
of the Rája and his "prohat" as regards animal lymph. If then the Rája will only consent
to one inoculation of animal lymph in public all further opposition is swept away.
I believe and hope that during the present season the Rája of Mandi will consent
to allow himself to be vaccinated with animal lymph.