NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
58
in the Police force during the year 1868. Of six recruits who joined the Police corps
during the year, three had had small-pox, and three had been vaccinated before they
were enlisted.
The largest percentage of unsuccessful cases was in the month of January 1868,
and doubtful cases in the month of October 1868. The Vaccinators were both of them
very attentive to their duties.
SATTARA.
One Government Vaccinator, under 'the Civil Surgeon, Assistant Surgeon H. V.
CARTER, M.D.
Population 24,257. Total cost, Rs. 300. Average cost of each Vaccination,
1 Anna and 6 Pies.
Years.
1867
1868
Total
Vaccinated.
1,344
3,177
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
....
1,833
Decrease.
....
....
Successfully
Vaccinated.
1,270
2,825
Percentage of
Success.
94.4
88.9
The above return shows a total vaccinated of 3,177, being an increase on the pre-
vious year of 1833, and the highest number for any one of the last five years. That
small-pox was prevalent in the districts around this city during the period under report
may be one efficient reason why vaccination was sought after by the people more freely
then than during the previous two years, when the disease did not generally appear.
Of the total vaccinated 1,147 subjects were under one year of age. The month of
April shows the highest monthly number, viz. 909 ; and it may readily be understood
that the majority of the children operated on came from the districts, and not from the
town or station to which the Vaccinator's operations are supposed to be chiefly con-
fined. In fact, it may be inferred that the children in the city of Sattara are already
largely protected by vaccination, from the circumstance that so few fatal cases have
occurred in the city during the past year, notwithstanding free communication with
infected districts. It is difficult to account for the smaller percentage of success during
the past year than previously, since the lymph employed has always, when it succeeded,
caused good vesicles, and shows no signs of deterioration of quality.
59
SHOLAPOOR.
One Government Vaccinator, under the Civil Surgeon, Assistant Surgeon G. Y.
HUNTER.
Population 60,000. Total cost, Rs. 187-14-8. Average cost of each Vaccination,
4 Annas and 6 Pies.
Years.
1867
1868
Total Vacci-
nated.
1,655
671
Compared with the pre-
ceding year.
Increase.
....
....
Decrease.
....
984
Successfiilly
Vaccinated.
1,229
585
Percentage of Succese.
74.3
87.2
During the past year the number of persons vaccinated was 671, of whom 379
were males, and 292 were females ; 291 were children under one year of age, and 380
were above that age. 585 operations were successful, 43 doubtful, and 43 unsuccessful.
There is a very great falling off in the number of operations, as compared with the
previous year, when 1,229 children were vaccinated. This is probably owing to the
fact, so far as I can gather from the Hospital records, that a new Vaccinator was em-
ployed during the year 1868 in place of the late Vaccinator, Ramchunder Shreeput,
who was sentenced and discharged for rioting during the year 1867. This new Vac-
cinator was recommended and sent by the Superintendent of Vaccination, Central Circle,
from Ahmednuggur; he was quite a stranger to this station, and besides for about the
period of five months he had no Peon or Sepoy to assist him in procuring children for
the operation. There is another reason to account for the falling off in the number of
operations, viz. that another Vaccinator was employed at the Charitable Dispensary in
Sholapoor, by the Municipality, since the year 1867, for the purpose of vaccinating in
the city.
The successful operations amount to 87.5 per cent. There is, I am happy to be
able to state, a very decided increase this year in the percentage of success, as compared
with the previous one, when the percentage of success was only 74.4.
The quality of the lymph was very favourably reported on by my predecessors,
during the year, and I can testify to the goodness of its quality now, from personal
observation, on three distinct occasions since my arrival in the month of December
last.
I beg to state that, as I have only recently joined this appointment, I am unable
to speak very positively of the system of vaccination established at this station ; but I
have no doubt, with careful supervision, the good work will progress, and Natives will
be persuaded to give their children the benefits of vaccination.
60
DHOOLIA.
One Government Vaccinator, under the Civil Surgeon, Assistant Surgeon G.
BAINBRIDGE.
Population, 13,277. Total cost, Rs. 216-4-9. Average cost of each Vaccination
4 Annas.
Years.
1867
1868
Total Vacci-
nated.
808
878
Compared with the pre-
ceding year.
Increase.
....
70
Decrease.
....
....
Successfully
Vaccinated.
710
796
Percentage of Success.
87.9
90.7
It will be seen that the percentage of successful cases and the total number of
cases vaccinated have somewhat increased during the past year ; and the total num-
ber of vaccinations is in excess of the average number for the last five years. Con-
siderable difficulty has been experienced in inducing the people to send their children
for vaccination to the station where it is performed, not owing, I think, to any
strong prejudice against the operation, but in most cases to ignorance, or indifference.
I regret to say that the village authorities have been somewhat irregular in the per-
formance of their duties of assisting the Vaccinator in collecting the children for vacci-
nation, and have frequently required reminding of this work, which it is incumbent
on them to aid. The difficulty of gathering together subjects for vaccination has
however been in a great measure obviated since Government have sanctioned three
Peons on the establishment of the Civil Hospital; one of these was appointed to
assist the Vaccinator, and he being under my direct authority, is of more service
than the Police Peons and other village servants, who have other duties to perform,
and are consequently not always available. The duties of the Vaccinator being ex-
tremely light, and the area of his work very small, confined as it is to the town of
Dhoolia, I have directed that he shall personally visit the houses of those people who
are unwilling to bring their children to the vaccine station, so that he may use per-
suasion to induce them to submit to the operation. The Municipality of Dhoolia
have had brought before their notice the question of entertaining a Vaccinator in
their service, in lieu of the one at present who belongs to the Vaccination Department.
The subject was discussed at a general meeting of the Commissioners, and they gave
a unanimous decision against the proposal, on the ground that the expenses incurred
in carrying out public vaccination were, they thought, properly debitable to Imperial
funds as at present. I think that probably the influence of the Municipality might
be productive of greater facility and success in the prosecution of vaccination; but
seeing that a considerable number of the persons vaccinated are not inhabitants of the
town, but only temporary residents, prisoners, or camp followers, and that the employ-
ment of Vaccinators out of local or Municipal funds, is not yet uniformly adopted or
61
proposed, there does not appear to me to be any strong argument in favour of the
expenses of vaccination in this station being borne by the Municipality.
Two cases of variola were treated in the Civil Hospital during the year, one of
them being a bad confluent case; both recovered. Two other cases were attended in
the town, one of which recovered, and the other died, having been visited for the first
time on the eighth day of the disease, which proved fatal on the tenth.
Lymph was sent to several Vaccinators in the districts, and especially to Malli-
gaum, where, for some reason, it was most frequently reported to have proved inert,
though that which was sent was of uniformly good quality. Vaccination has been
performed twice a week throughout the year, and the supply of lymph has been
constant and productive of perfectly characteristic vesicles.
The conduct of the Vaccinator during the past year has been good, and he has
given me satisfaction in the performance of his duties.
NASSICK.
One Government Vaccinator, under the Civil Surgeon, Honorary Sub-Assistant
Surgeon A. SUMMERS.
Population, 21,855. Total cost, Rs. 204. Average cost of each Vaccination,
3 Annas 2 Pies.
Years.
1867
1868
Total Vacci-
nated.
1,079
1,013
Compared with the pre-
ceding year.
Increase.
....
....
Decrease.
....
66
Successfully
Vaccinated.
1,029
956
Percentage of
Success.
95.3
94.3
During the year just expired there have been some changes in the establishment.
A good old Vaccinator belonging to the Nassick Civil Hospital died on the 28 th of June,
and on the 29th June Ballaje was appointed to fill his place. The first Vaccinator was
well up to his work, and expert in its operations; his successor is wanting in the same
zealous energy, and the result of last year's operations shows a decrease of 66 in the
numbers operated upon, compared with the preceding year.
Another feature in the changes for the past year was the employment of a Native
Vaccinator at Rs. 12 per mensem by the town Municipality, for part of October and
months of November and December ; the number operated upon by him is not shown
in the Nassick Civil Hospital Vaccination Return, but it is noted here separately.
Vaccination performed by the Municipal Vaccinator, total, 75 ; successful, 44 ;
failed, 20; doubtful, 11.
I am happy to state Nassick has enjoyed an immunity from small-pox, measles, &c.
62
BELGAUM.
One Government Vaccinator, under the Civil Surgeon, Surgeon R. C. THORP,
M.D. (Acting).
Population, 27,242. Total cost, Rs 120. Average cost of each Vaccination,
3 Annas and 3 Pies.
Years.
1867
1868
Total Vacci-
nated.
803
578
Compared with the pre-
ceding year.
Increase.
....
....
Decrease.
....
225
Successfully
Vaccinated.
759
566
Percentage of
Success.
94.0
97.9
During the year 1868 there has been a large decrease ; this is in a great measure
to be attributed to the caste prejudices of the Lingayets and Marathas, also to the fact
that two Vaccinators are working in the same district, in opposition, as it were, to
each other. If the pay of one man were increased to Rupees (15) fifteen, and this sum
given partly by Government, and partly by the Municipality, it would make the
situation worth keeping; so the Vaccinator would be careful to give true reports and
that there should be no shortcomings. In the Staff bazaar and lines 96 have been
vaccinated in a population of 6,078, making a total of vaccinations 674, at a cost of
120 Rupees, being nearly at the rate of 2 Annas 10¼ Pies for each person vaccinated.
DHARWAR.
One Government Vaccinator, under the Civil Surgeon, Surgeon M. M.
MACKENZIE.
Population, 30,000. Total cost, Rs. 116-12-5. Average cost of each Vaccination,
3 Annas 1 Pie.
Years.
1867
1868
Total Vacci-
nated.
635
661
Compared with the pre-
ceding year.
Increase.
....
26
Decrease.
....
....
Successfully
Vaccinated.
548
536
Percentage of
Success.
86.3
81.1
63
The Vaccination Return for the year 1868 shows an increase of 26 over that of the
preceding year, being 661, of which 536 were successful, giving a little over 81 per cent.
successful, or 5 per. cent less than that for the preceding year. The decrease may be
accounted for by the disappearance of many of the vaccinated children, removed inten-
tionally or otherwise by their parents, and to some extent, doubtless, the failing health
and strength of the lately deceased Vaccinator prevented his seeing many of the cases
personally after the operation. I have always been able to keep an ample stock of
good healthy lymph ; the vesicles being round, full, and of ample size. The authorities
have on all occasions given the Vaccinator every aid in his zealous endeavours ; and I
much regret his death, which occurred on the 21 st December 1868. He had always
proved himself a good, steady, quiet, and zealous servant of Government, and I had
always every cause to be satisfied with him.
HOOBLEE.
One Municipal Vaccinator-under Sub-Assistant Surgeon WAMON WASSADEV,
Medical charge of Dispensary.
Population, 40,000. Total cost, Rs. 159-10-6. Average cost of each Vaccination,
1 Anna and 7 Pies.
Years.
1867
1868
Total
Vaccinated.
1,375
1,597
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
......
222
Decrease.
......
......
Successfully
Vaccinated.
1,287
1,519
Percentage of
Success.
93.6
95.1
The total number of persons vaccinated during the last year is 1,597, being an
increase of 222 over the number vaccinated during the year 1867.
The increase is, in my opinion, greatly due to the efficient manner in which the
Assistant Vaccinator performed his duties. Of the total number vaccinated 854 were
males, 743 females, Mussulmans 236, Hindoos 1,375, and Christians 4. Of these
1,519 were successful, 15 doubtful, and the remaining 63 unsuccessful.
The percentage of success is in excess of that of the previous year by 1.5.
The condition of the lymph and vesicles has been good throughout the year.
A few isolated cases of small-pox occurred during the month of January
The increase in the number of vaccinations shows that the good effects of vac-
cination are being better appreciated by the inhabitants.
64
KOLAPOOR.
One Native State Vaccinator, under Mr. Apothecary ANDING, in Medical charge
Civil duties.
Population, 110,000. Total cost, Rs. 90. Average cost of each Vaccination,
1 Anna 6 Pies.
Years.
1867
1868
Total Vacci-
nated.
1,751
2,028
Compared with the pre-
ceding year.
Increase.
....
277
Decrease.
....
....
Successfully
Vaccinated.
1,740
2,013
Percentage of
Success.
99.3
99.2
During the past year the number of vaccinations performed by the station Vaccina-
tor in the city of Kolapoor, with the whole of the villages of the Petta Kurveer,
amounts to 2,028, which is more than that of the year preceding by 277 cases. Of
the total number vaccinated in the year under report, 1,068 were males, and 960
females, 395 were children under one year, and the remaining 2,013 were above that
age. The percentage of successful cases has been 99.2, which is about the same as last
year. During the year a few isolated cases of small-pox occurred in ten villages of
the Kurveer Petta, namely, Boura, Kundulgaum, Balinga, Vulewda, Wassee, Singna-
poor, Saverda, Beed, Padley and Kandgaum, but the disease was not reported to have
shown itself in an epidemic form.
The lymph in use has been of good quality, and has not failed, and was pronounced
to be good by Dr. Dick, of H. M.'s 17th Regiment N. I., to whom lymph was supplied,
as usual, for the camp, and also to some of the Vaccinators serving under the Superin-
tendent of Vaccination Southern Circle, when required. The station Vaccinator was
diligent and attentive to his duties, and his conduct on the whole has been satisfactory.
The annual Vaccination Return at the Dispensary is also annexed, from which it
will be seen that 328 cases, out of 334 vaccinated during the year, have proved success-
ful, thus leaving but six unsuccessful and doubtful. The number vaccinated is greater
than that exhibited in the previous year's return by 88 cases. The vesicles have
always presented the normal character of the vaccine pock.
The increase in the total number vaccinated during the year is partly to be attri-
buted to the confidence the people are now acquiring in the benefits of vaccination.
and partly to the circumstance of small-pox having prevailed to a greater extent this
year than the last, as there were then only four villages affected, while in the year
under report the disease prevailed in two, the names of which are given.
65
AHMEDABAD.
Two Municipal Vaccinators, under the Acting Civil Surgeon, Surgeon Major J.
PIRIE, M.D.
Population, 100,000. Total cost, Rs. 456-12-0. Average cost of each Vaccina-
tion, 1 Anna and 7 Pies.
Years.
1867
1868
Total
Vaccinated.
4,273
4,604
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
......
331
Decrease.
......
......
Successfully
Vaccinated.
4,153
4,489
Percentage of
Success.
97.2
97.5
The returns of vaccination for the year now under report exhibit an increase of
331 operations over the previous year, and the total number of vaccinations was 4,604.
The work done by the two Vaccinators was 2,146 and 2,458 respectively, which
gives a difference of 312 in the number of operations performed by each. Though the
increase is due to the labours of the Mussulman Vaccinator, I do not attribute any
want of zeal to the Hindoo lad, but to the greater apathy of the Hindoo community,
particularly of the Banian section of it, to the advantages of the protection. There is
no actual opposition made to vaccination by the people, but the difficulty the Vacci-
nators have to contend against is the fact that the parents frequently conceal the
children after being vaccinated, and will not allow the matured vesicles to be opened,
for the propagation of the lymph, in the belief, that by taking the fresh lymph from
the child's arm, the successful result is impaired. The Vaccinators state that the
people are not unwilling to submit their children for protection, but object to the
lymph of one child being taken to vaccinate several, whilst others are not used at all.
In respect of sex, 2,357 were males, and 2,247 females, showing an increase of 122
cases in males, and 209 in females, indicative of an increasing regard for the protection
of female offspring. In the preceding year a considerable increase in this respect was
also recorded. In the age the excess was 247 under one year, and 84 above one year.
In caste the rise was 128 in Hindoos, and 221 in Mussulmans ; the decrease was 11 in
Christians, and 7 in Parsees. In result 4,489 were successful, 78 failed, and 37 were
doubtful. The percentage of success was 97.5, showing a slight difference from the
previous year.
The quality of the lymph has been good and active throughout the year, and the
resulting vesicles large, well-formed, and distinctive, leaving well marked cicatrices.
During the monsoon the vesicles did not develope so well, were smaller, and the lymph
not so clear, but no deterioration was reported, and supplies have regularly been fur-
9 v
66
nished to cantonment and distant stations. After the heavy rains in August last fever
prevailed to a large extent, with secondary chest affections, and infantile diarrhœa, and
the people were naturally unwilling to expose their children. From the sickness and
distress consequent on the excessive rains, a large falling off in operations was appre-
hended, but the returns compare very favourably with the work done in the preceding
year. March, April, May, and June were the months in which the greatest number
of vaccinations was effected, and the highest number for one month was 512 in April.
In March 4 cases of small-pox occurred, two in children, and two in adults, and all
recovered. The disease was imported by these persons arriving from Marwar and
Hindoostan, but as measures were speedily taken to arrest the spread of the disease,
no more cases appeared during the year. From what I have observed, I partly agree
with the Vaccinators in believing that, with the assistance of Police Peons, the people
would be still more induced to bring forward their children for vaccination, than is
at present done by the help of the Municipal Peons, whose presence appears to produce
much less influence than a Government servant. The Vaccinators are instructed to
avoid all compulsory action, and employ persuasion as much as possible.
By the latest census the population within the walls was estimated to be about a
lakh. The total cost of the establishment for the year was Rs. 456-12-0, including
contingencies, as charge of lancets, cases, tubes, bottles, and stationery. The rate of
each vaccination was 1 Anna and 7 Pies. In the previous year the cost was Rs. 457,
and the rate was 1 Anna and 1½ Pies. For 1866 the expenditure was Rs. 460, and
for each operation 1 Anna and 3½ Pies, and the total number vaccinated was 5,689.
KAIRA.
One Government Vaccinator, under the Civil Surgeon, Assistant Surgeon H.
COOK, M.D.
Population, 13,000. Total cost, Rs. 330. Average cost of each Vaccination,
2 Annas and 7 Pies.
Years.
1867
1868
Total
Vaccinated.
867
796
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
......
......
Decrease.
......
71
Successfully
Vaccinated.
764
638
Percentage of
Success.
81.1
80.1
The total number of cases vaccinated during the past year was 796, showing a
decrease on the number vaccinated during the previous year of 71, the causes of which
68
protected by the disease, but, it must be confessed, at a cost of a great deal of blindness
and disfigurement; so there does not appear much danger of a serious epidemic from
this cause. So far as I am aware, inoculation is not practised here ; I never heard of a
case, though I have made frequent inquiries on the subject.
The population among whom the vaccination work was performed numbers from
12,000 to 13,000, and the cost of each vaccination has been a little over 2 Annas and
7 Pies ; the pay drawn by the Vaccinator during the year was Rupees 130.
RAJKOTE.
One Government Vaccinator, under the Civil Surgeon, Surgeon A. M. BLOMFIELD,
(Acting)-
Population, 2,500 (Camp). Total cost, Rs. 120. Average cost of each Vaccina-
tion, 6 Annas and 2 Pies.
Years.
1867
1868
Total
Vaccinated.
999
308
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
......
......
Decrease.
......
691
Successfully
Vaccinated.
940
259
Percentage of
Success.
94.0
86.3
The decrease in the number vaccinated is owing to the operations being confined
to the town and station of Rajkote, and its immediate neighbourhood. The few
children that I have seen have been properly done ; a large number of those residing in
the Sudder bazaar are unvaccinated.
VEERUMGAUM.
Operations performed by DOWLUT SING, 1st Class Hospital Assistant, in Medical
charge of Dispensary.
Population
No cost.
Years.
1867
1868
Total Vacci-
nated.
....
122
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase
....
122
Decrease.
....
....
Successfully
Vaccinated.
....
106
Percentage of
Success.
....
86.8