( 2 )
Success of revaccination.
6. As regards the success of secondary vaccination, there appears
to be still some misunderstanding, as it cannot nearly equal that of primary
operations. But Vaccinators are little apt, if they get any results, to make
fine distinctions ; and rather incline to give success the benefit of any
doubt as to the character of a vesicle. 114 of a total of 130 successful
revaccinations were recorded at Lucknow.
STATEMENT No. II.
Work compared by months
in quantity.
7. The vaccinations, comparatively few in October, doubled in num-
ber in November and again in December, attained a maximum in January,
declined somewhat in February and still more in the first half of March.
The early part of this history is explained by the scarcity of vaccine
already mentioned; and towards the end of the season Hindu festivals
and marriage ceremonies begin to interfere with regular work.
In ratio of success.
8. But for the bad results in October already explained, for which
the operators are not to blame. the percentage of success in 1873-74
would have been greater than in any of the three previous seasons.
STATEMENT No. III.
9. Vaccination is not supported to any extent by the Municipalities
in Oudh. The available funds of most of these bodies are required to
meet more urgent demands upon their income.
STATEMENT No. IV.
Cost of each successful
case.
10. The cost of each successful vaccination was Rs. 0-5-2,—less than
in any season excepting 1871-72. It varies with the same staff inversely
to the number of operations.
System pursued.
11. With exception of the season 1871-72, when the itinerant method
was tried, the plan of vaccination has been the same in Oudh since a
separate establishment was sanctioned in 1867. It consists of concentrat-
ing the work around certain centres, with the two-fold object of having
it under close supervision and therefore likely to be well done, and of
illustrating the utility of the process by reducing the prevalence of small-
pox in small and well protected areas. The second object is still far from
being accomplished in consequence of the ignorance of the people, espe-
cially those who are classed among the higher Hindus, causing them to
have superstitious objections to their children being vaccinated. Vaccina-
tion is understood to be voluntary, but if Vaccinators were to operate only
when requested by parents to do so, the amount of work done would be
much less than it is. The task of these men is indeed a very difficult one.
They are not allowed to force vaccination on the people and they cannot
draw pay for doing nothing; but how to strike the happy mean is rather
difficult in practice.
But if vaccination prove to be in India the valuable prophylactic it
is believed to be throughout Europe, it is quite certain to make its way
into popular favor here as elsewhere. It is merely a matter of time and
its progress will be accelerated by the enlightenment of education among
the masses.
12. For some years Lucknow was the only centre. Now there
are 12, one at the Head Quarters of each district. The number of Vac-
cinators varies at each station from 3 to 6 ; not including Lucknow where
11 of the most inexperienced hands and men in training are still retained.
Each centre has a radius of ten miles :—