NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
44
Caste.
6. Christians 157 ; hindús 15,853 ; musalmans 74,292 ; pársis 73 ; and other
castes 9,269. The percentage of each compared with
that of the preceding year is shown in this table—
Year.
1872-73
1873-74
Christians.
.18
.15
Hindús.
14.58
15.91
Musalmans.
76.32
74.55
Pársis.
.12
.07
Other Caste.
8.77
9.30
Age.
7. 38,924 were " under " and 60,720 " above " one year old. The number of
children "under 1 year" vaccinated in the preceding
year was 32,098, this gives an increase for the past
year of 6,826 : satisfactory so far, but leaves about half the number of children born
during the year unprotected.
Result.
8. The percentage of success in primary vaccination was 97.5 and in re-
vaccination 77.2 : the corresponding figures for the
previous year being 97.2 and 69.3. The degree of
success in primary vaccination was pretty uniform : but in re-vaccination there
was a considerable range, running from 21.8 to 100. If there were a column in
the vaccinators' registers for entering cases of modified success, I believe we
should be supplied with more reliable results of re-vaccination.
Lymph.
9. The quality of the lymph was found as a rule to be very good. I found it
had deteriorated in three or four places and I had it
replaced by lymph that was unquestionably good.
English lymph.
Two supplies of English lymph were received from the Superintendent Gen-
eral during the year. The one failed altogether and
with the other 18 punctures made on 3 children, 5
vesicles resulted in one child. A tube of lymph had been used for each child.
Several supplies of lymph were sent to Bushire in Persia and Goadar in Mekran
during the year. The majority of them proved unsuccessful.
Tube lymph seems
to be useless in Sindh excepting in the cold weather ; the heat apparently destroys
its vitality.
Expenditure.
10. The total cost was Rs. 32,538-4-11. Each successful vaccination cost
five annas and three pies. There was an increase in
the expenditure on account of the addition of two as-
sistant superintendents, a second clerk, and a peon to the establishment. The; two
additional assistant superintendents were appointed in November and the 2nd clerk
in February ; the increase in cost caused by their appointments will be more than
doubled in the current year, and if we assume that we shall have about 80,000. suc-
cessful cases the cost of each successful case will be between 7 and 8 annas.
The
cost of each vaccination in England is, I believe, over a rupee and a half which is
more than six times the cost in this circle for the past year.
Dispensary vaccination.
11. As with the local fund, municipal and native state vaccinators, so there
has been an increase in the work done at dispen-
saries. This increase has been more or less general,
and is due, not merely to the dispensary officers having exerted themselves, but
48
KUTCH CICLE.
Superintendent.—Dorábji
Hormasji, G.G.M.C.
Establishment. —1 assistant superintendent and 11 vaccinators.
Population 486,900. Total cost Rs. 2,319-11-10. Average cost of each
successful vaccination Rs. 1-0-3.
Establishment.
Native state...............
Years.
1872-73
1873-74
Total
number
of per-
sons vac-
cinated
and re-
vaccinat-
ed.
1,932
2,476
Compared with
the preceding
year.
Increase.
......
544
Decrease
......
......
Successfully
vaccinated.
1,791
2,273
Percentage of
success excluding
those "unknown"
from the total.
In pri-
mary vac-
cination.
94.3
93.9
In re-
vaccina-
tion.
88.8
57.1
Progress.
In submitting the annual report of vaccination for the year 1873-74, it gives
me satisfaction to observe that there has been some
progress made during the year under report. The to-
tal number of vaccine operations was 2,476, while during the previous year it was
1,932, thus giving an increase of 544. Though the number of operations perfor-
med in this circle is very small when compared with other circles, yet considering
the difficulties the vaccinators have to go through, the progress made during the
last year is a hopeful sign. Of the total 2,476 vaccinated, there were 2,468 pri-
mary vaccinations and 8 re-vaccinations.
Sex.
2. 1,260 were males, and 1,208 females.
Caste.
3. 1,698 were hindus, 768 musalmans, 1 chris-
tian and 1 parsi.
Age.
4. 484 were under and 1,984 above one year
of age.
Result.
5. The result was, 2,269 were successful, 147
unsuccessful and 52 unknown.
Re-vaccination.
6. Of 8 cases of re-vaccination, 4 were success-
ful, 3 unsuccessful, and 1 unknown. The percentage
of success was 57.1.
Cost.
7. The cost of each successful case was Rs. 1-0-3 which was less by Rs.
0-3-2 than in the previous year. I may here remark
that in consequence of a long pending dispute between
His Highness the Ráo and his relations, called Bháyáds, vaccination is conducted
in Kutch under two heads. One set of vaccinators is paid by His Highness and
they vaccinate in Darbár towns and villages. Another set is paid by the Bháyáds
and they go round vaccinating in villages belonging to the latter.
49
Population.
8. Kutch, though a small province, has 868 villages, mostly, thinly populated ;
of which 520 belong to the Darbár and 348 to the Bhá¬
yáds. According to the census of 1871, the Darbár
population consisted of 302,254 and that of the Bháyáds of 184,646, giving a total
of 486,900. On finding an average population for each village, it comes to 561
souls.
Vaccine establishment.
9. During the early part of the year under report, the establishment con-
sisted of 9 vaccinators, but their number was sub-
sequently increased to 11 and
one assistant
superintendent. His Highness employed 1 assistant superintendent and 6 vacci-
nators. Of the latter, three were located in the biggest towns of the circle, viz.,
Mándvi, Bhuj, and Mundrá ; the remaining three moved about. The acting
assistant superintendent acted as such in the latter part of the year only, but was
acting as a vaccinator for the previous time. 5 vaccinators were employed by
Bháyáds.
10. The work done under each of the above divisions was as follows : —
Darbár towns and villages.
Bhuj dispensary..............................
Mandvi Do ....................................
6 Vaccinators.................................
Total
Bháyád towns and villages.
1 Tera vaccinator ...........................
1 Roá Do .......................................
1 Beraja Do .................................
1 Mothára Do ..............................
1 Nangrichá Do ...........................
Primary
vaccination.
310
196
1,242
1,748
108
258
201
12
141
720
Re-vacci-
nation.
2
......
4
6
2
......
......
......
......
2
Total.
312
196
1,246
1,754
110
258
201
12
141
722
Difficulties.
11. The chief difficulties the vaccinators meet, with, consist in the religious
prejudices, ignorance, and apathy of the people
They have a belief in a deity called " Shitalá Máta "
who presides over small-pox. Their belief is, that for some crime or fault
of the parents, the children are made to suffer, and the wrath of the deity
is shown by attacking them with small-pox, with more or less virulence in pro-
portion to her anger. In order therefore to appease her wrath, they try all their
means to keep her satisfied with them. For this purpose they observe two days
in a year called " Siri Satam " and " Shitla Teras." On these days all the parents
with their children go to the goddess, present her with certain sweetmeats and
bow before her, with the object of obtaining her mercy in keeping their children
7 VAC
51
latter 97 were successful, 40 unsuccessful, and 15 doubtful.
The following table
shows the work of each month with results —
Months.
November...........................
December...........................
January...........................
February...........................
March...........................
Total..
Calves
inocula-
ted.
3
5
5
4
5
22
Primary vaccination.
Successful.
...
25
48
14
10
97
Unsuccessful.
2
4
4
21
8
39
Doubtful.
1
1
...
10
2
14
Total.
3
30
52
45
20
150
Re-vaccination.
Successful.
...
...
...
...
...
...
Unsuccessful.
...
...
...
1
...
1
Doubtful.
...
...
1
...
...
1
Total.
...
...
1
1
...
2
Animal vaccination opens one great advantage to the people, in there being no
necessity to take lymph from the arms of the children, but it has one disadvant-
age in that it is attended with many failures as is shown by the above table.
Such
is not the case when lymph is used from arm-to-arm.
The percentage of success
in animal-lymph was 71.3, while in human-lymph it was 95-2.
Lymph.
15. The lymph used throughout the year was reported to be good.
After
the rains, a fresh supply was sent for from Katewád
and Bombay
the former proved unsuccessful and
the latter successful. Two tubes of English lymph were received from Dr. Pin¬
kerton, of which one was used in inoculating a calf and the other in
vaccinating
a child : the former proved successful and the latter failed.
Lymph was supplied
to the Bhuj regimental medical officer.
The vesicles observed were well deve¬
loped and good.
Small pox.
16. During the latter part of the year under report, small-pox was
prevailing to a considerable extent.
No reports
were received of any vaccinated, persons having been,
attacked by small-pox.
Inoculation.
17. The practice of inoculation in this province
has not been noticed for some years past.
No other disease than cow-
pox communicated.
18. Not a single case came to my notice in which any other disease was
communicated by vaccination than the cow-pox.
The
only ill effects observed, which were very rare were
ulcerations at the site of the vesicles in consequence
of the children scratching them and the parents not taking proper care of them.
Protective power of vaccina-
tion.
19. During the last epidemic of small-pox, though the persons who were
vaccinated were in the midst of others suffering from
small-pox, yet there were no reports of the former
suffering from it. This in itself is a sufficient proof
of the protective power of vaccination against small-pox.
52
Aid from Political Agent.
20. Thanks are due to Captain G. R. Goodfellow, the acting Political Agent,
for the ready assistance given in the cause of vacci-
nation whenever wanted throughout the year.
Tour of assistant superinten-
dent.
21. The assistant superintendent, who in the early part of the year was vac-
cinating himself (in consequence of having very little
to inspect), submitted certain forms which give the
following result:—Out of the 79 darbar villages vac-
cinated, he inspected 51 villages, which, together with 22 vaccinated by himself,
give a total of 73 villages having come under his observation. He inspected 413
vaccinated children which with 382 vaccinated by himself, give a total of 795 seen
by him. He did not hear of any complaints from the people about misconduct or
harsaness of the vaccinators, nor did he see any children suffering from small-pox
who had been vaccinated. He was not able to examine all the children vaccinated
in consequence of his being in a hurry to inspect all the villages, as he commenced
his tour rather late. He is asked to commence it earlier during the current year,
and a fuller account will be rendered.
New appointments.
21. One assistant superintendent and 3 vaccinators were newly appointed.
Out of the latter, two were added by the durbar and
one by the Bhayáds.
Conduct of the assistant su-
perintendent and vaccinators.
22. The conduct of the assistant superintendent and vaccinators was good
with the exception of two, who were fined one-sixth
of their salaries for not carrying out instructions
properly.
53
EXTRACTS
FROM THE
REPORTS OF CIVIL SURGEONS AND DISPENSARY
OFFICERS.
AHMADNAGAR CIVIL HOSPITAL.
Surgeon-Major H. T. Dann, B.A., Civil Surgeon.
Population 32,841
Vaccination was performed very assiduously in the civil hospital dis-
pensary during the year under report, and with, I am happy to say, very
good success, as will be seen from the absence of failures. 72 children of
all ages were vaccinated, all of them proved successful. 46 male and 26
female children were vaccinated. In rare cases the children vaccinated were
not presented by their parents punctually on the 8th day (although
the result was afterwards known), and consequently I had occasion to receive
lymph from the municipal vaccinator to continue the usual operations. This
year there was no appearance of small-pox.
SHOLAPUR DISPENSARY.
Mr. Narsu Gurappa, 2nd Class Hospital Assistant.
Population 53,403.
The number of persons vaccinated during the year was 572, being an
increase of 58 above that of the last year. Of these 283 were males and 266
females. There were 2 christians, 408 hindús, 132 musalmans, 1 pársi, and 6
other castes. 289 being under and 200 above one year old.
2. In 564 primary operations, 524 were successful, 32 unsuccessful and 8
unknown. 15 of the unsuccessful were vaccinated twice as the first operation
proved unsuccessful.
3. There were 23 persons revaccinated during the year. They were all
males. The operation in 13 proved successful and in 10 unsuccessful and doubtful.
The lymph used was good. The vesicles were normal and of the size of a grain of
pulse.
4. Vaccination does not appear to be progressing rapidly in this town. Al-
though the children are operated upon at the dispensary, still I and the native
medical pupils go about the different parts of the town and induce people to get
their children vaccinated. The brahmins seem to be the only caste that volun-
tarily bring their children to the dispensary or ask me or the municipal vaccinator
to go to their houses to vaccinate their children. The other castes are still un-
willing to subject their little ones to the operation of the lancet. What they dread
most is taking the lymph from the vesicles on the eighth day. Even the most
intelligent try to avoid this.
54
5. I am glad to state that no measles or small-pox prevailed during the year
under report.
6. The average number of weekly operations was 11.
MAHABLESHWAR.
Surgeon-Major George C. Bell, M.D., Superintendent.
Population 4,006.
During the season under report vaccination was successfully practised in every
case that presented itself. The most favorable months for vaccination are April
and May, and I may here remark that after careful observations for some years, it
may now be regarded as an established fact that on this range of hills the results
are more successful if attempted after the hot season commences, very few proving
successful during the cold months. Lymph in tubes was obtained on three diffe-
rent occasions from the superintendent of vaccination, central circle which proved
active and good. In all 38 operations were performed ; in these, 3 were excess of
operations over persons, and 35 were individuals primarily vaccinated, 13 males
and 22 females ; 21 being under one year and 14 over a year old ; result of the
total operations was 22 successful 14 unsuccessful, and 2 unknown.
VENGURLA DISPENSARY.
Apothecary Mr. D. M. Munday.
Population 10,618.
The total number vaccinated was 228, viz., males 133, females 95; of which
147 were under one year and 81 above one year old; 221 proved successful. 4
unsuccessful and doubtful and 3 unknown giving a percentage of 98.2 of success-
ful cases.
2. Vaccination has been performed by the native; medical pupil attach-
ed to the civil hospital at the station in the presence of the apothecary
in medical charge of the civil station.
3. There has been an increase of 55 in the number vaccinated compared
with the previous year, owing to the assistance rendered by the mahalkari
of this place who gave stringent orders to the pátils to assist with the
register of births and on all occasions to accompany me from house to house,
and persuade the parents of the children to allow the operation to be per-
formed. In a short time there will be no means of keeping up vaccination
constantly, for all will be protected by vaccination. Hitherto nothing but an
epidemic, of small-pox in the neighbourhood has induced the richer class or
Gujars to allow their children to Be vaccinated. Improvement might be
made if vaccination were made compulsory, but as it is not compulsory many
children are not operated upon until they are over one year old, owing to
the obstinacy of their parents. Our system is to go from house to house
in all parts of the place and vaccinate all that can be found
unprotected
of all ages.
4. There has not been an outbreak of small-pox.
5. Revaccination is positively objected to by all classes.
55
DAPULI DISPENSARY.
Honorary Surgeon A. Pollard.
Population 8,177.
During the year 1873-74 there have been 363 vaccine operations in Dá-
puli, and in the villages in the neighbourhood, all of which have been pri-
mary operations. Of this number 24 persons were operated on twice each,
so there were 339 persons operated on. 185 were males and 154 females.
As regards caste or religion, 4 were christians, 279 hiudús and 56 musalmans.
119 were under one year old and 220 above that age. 331 were suecesful,
29 unsuccessful or doubtful and 3 unknown. Compared with the year 1872-73 there
has been an increase of 29 persons operated on, with more success, the percentage
of successfull operations in 1872-73 being 81.0 against 91.9 in 1873-74. The
three unknown cases had left the village between the time of operating on
them and the 8th day following and who could not consequently be seen.
2. I do not think there is such difficulty experienced lately as there
used to be, in obtaining subjects for vaccination, especially in the villages
and hamlets about the country, but there are still some difficulties in Dápuli
where brahmins, vakils, karkuns. kotes &c. reside and they object to have their
children vaccinated, and make all sorts of excuses : but occasionally there are
some who come and request that their children may be vaccinated ;
however this is certainly the exception, and it need not be said that their
request is at once complied with ; I trust ere long I shall be able to say
that this is the rule instead of the exception.
3. Vaccination has been carried on slowly but steadily throughout the
year, some few children being operated on weekly, that a supply of lymph
may be always available should any demand arise for it. My dispensary
servant having been taught to vaccinate, is sent in different directions within
a moderate area, and according as his services can be spared to the different
villages and hamelts around Dápuli, and if at a convenient distance I gene-
rally examine his work, if too far and out of my range the assistant su-
perintendent or the superintendent of vaccination makes it a point of doing
so at their visits ; were I not to do this. I wouid not be able to vaccinate many
as the village of .Dápuli with the camp contain but. a small population ;
altogether from this source only 79 children have been obtained during the
past year.
4. The several villages visited by myself and dispensary servant for the
purpose of vaccination during the past year, are given below together with
the population as taken in last census, but how far the numbers can be
depended on I am unable to say. I cannot say whether or not any of those
villages have been visited by any local fund or other vaccinator during the
past year, but at the time of my visiting them all the children that could be
got were operated on.
Dápuli camp and village
Jimona................................................
Asuth
Jalgaum
Wanand.............................................
Sarang................................................
Total ...
2,808
976
1,219
1,739
423
1,012
8,177
population.
„
„
„
„
„
„
58
is revaccinatcd. This course has been pursued during the past four years, and
the unusual number of positive results attending these operations is remarkable.
During the past year 369 prisoners were revaccinated. The lymph was always
obtained from healthy infants who had been vaccinated at the dispensary during
the preceding week. Of 369 revaccinations, 33 presented marks of previous
vaccination, 290 had marks of small-pox and 46 bore marks of inoculation.
The results in the 369 operations were as follow :—
Previous vaccination ... ... ... ... ... ...
Do. smallpox-
...
...
...
...
...
Do. inoculation ... ... ... ... ... ...
Total...
Successful.
23
216
32
271
Unsuccessful.
10
64
14
88
Unknown.
...
*10
...
10
Total.
33
290
46
369
Percentag of
successful
operations.
69.6
77.1
69.5
75.4
Many of those returned as successful presented perfect vaccine vesicles. In a
large proportion, however, the resulting vesicles were more or less modified, i.e.,
although the vesicles were generally well developed and contained lymph, still
there was little or no inflammatory action present. I regret that I did not record
the successful operations under separate heads, viz., perfect vesicles and modified ;
this will be attended to for the future.
SA'WANTWADI DISPENSARY.
Assistant Surgeon Barjorji Ardaseer, G.G.M.C.
Population 8,017.
The number of persons vaccinated during the year was 518 in the town,
local corps lines, and the jail. Of these 352 were primary vaccinations and 166
were revaccinations. Of the former 184 were males and 168 females; 46
were christians, 226 hindus, and 80 musalmans ; 169 were under one year and
183 above one year of age. As regards the result, 336 were successful, 25 un-
successful and doubtful, and 7 unknown. There were 16 operations in excess of
persons. The percentage of success was 93.0.
2. Of the 166 revaccinations, 98 were successful, 63 unsuccessful, and 5
unknown. The percentage of success in revaccinations was 60.8.
3. 11 primary vaccinations and 1 revaccination were done in the local corps
lines in the sepoys' families.
4. 124 revaccinations were performed in the jail during the year. 102 sub-
jects had previous marks of vaccination and 22 were either inoculated or had the
natural small-pox. The result was as follows :—Amongst those who were pre-
* These 10 prisoners were released before the results of the operation could be ascertained,
but it is only fair to presume that more than half the number were successful.