71
The favourable results attendant on vaccine operations in Kurrachee are clue to the
attention bestowed by the Vaccinator on the selection of typical vesicles, and the
practice of direct vaccination from arm-to-arm. The people generally do not show
any unwillingness to the removal of lymph from the vesicles, and allow their children
to be taken about for vaccination purposes for a small gratuity and free conveyance.
In proportion to the rising importance of Kurrachee, and its yearly increasing
population, vaccination does not appear to be progressive. During the year under report,
as compared with the previous year, there has been a decrease of 376. From the annexed
comparative table, showing the number vaccinated annually since 1864, it is apparent
that for the last four years it can scarcely be said to have increased. The total
number operated on was very small in comparison to the population, which may be
approximately estimated at 75,000. It therefore admits of but little question that the
prophylactic benefits of vaccination are not clearly understood, much less appreciated
by the people.
In a daily increasing and populous place like Kurrachee, the seaport and outlet
for the traffic of Sind and the Punjaub, every effort " to render the protective system
of vaccination more extended, efficient, and complete," to dispel the prejudices of some,
and to overcome the apathy and indifference of others, should be put forth. Every
means to keep the subject constantly before the people should be resorted to, and no
opportunity of explaining and impressing upon their mind the advantages of infantile
vaccination, should be lost. These remarks apply more particularly to the town of
Kurrachee, where opposition, through prejudice and ignorance, shows itself in the persist-
ent refusal of a large number of the inhabitants to allow their children to be vaccinated.
A comparison with the birth-rate of the town would prove interesting, but unfortunately
no reliable data can be obtained, on which to base a comparison of the relative propor-
tion of births to the number of children vaccinated.
To awaken the people to the prophylactic benefits of vaccination, I would recom-
mend that an energetic intelligent man, himself convinced of its blessing and capable
of convincing others, equal to giving inquirers a history of vaccination, its progress,
termination, and preventive virtues, and able to meet their questions with full and satis-
factory replies, be employed on an adequate salary, with the present Vaccinator, as his
assistant. The exertions of a man of tact and kindly feeling, daily moving in the midst
of the residents in the town and its vicinity, seeking opportunities of explaining the
principles of vaccination, and endeavouring to persuade them of its benefits, would,
I have little doubt, be crowned with success. The barriers of prejudice once broken
down, and the minds of the people enlightened on the subject, a large increase in the
number of operations will testify to the appreciation of its advantages by many, but.
I fear this increase at least will only be comparative; the apathy and indifference of
the masses can alone be overcome by legislation stepping in and making vaccination
compulsory.