3
In Eastern Bengal the largest triennial increase is reported from Chittagong
(+ 105,373), Noakhali (+ 70,733) and Faridpur (+ 28,374) ; on the other hand,
Dacca reports a decrease of 47,000 and Dinajpur of over 7,000.
In the Assam and Surma Valleys, Cachar (+ 19,000) is the only district in the
plains which has shown a fairly steady increase in the number of operations, and in
Darrang, Nowgong, and Sibsagar there has been a distinct and gradual decline.
The conditions under which vaccination is carried on in the Assam Valley are
more difficult than those which obtain in Eastern Bengal. The sickness and
mortality from kála-ázár, cholera and small-pox, tend to disturb the population, and
have no doubt had a share in hindering vaccination; and to these may be added the
sparseness of the population, and the difficulty of communication. It is, moreover,
difficult to obtain competent Assamese Inspectors at the present time, and experienced
Bengali Inspectors are very unwilling to leave their own part of the Province.
These are probably the main causes of the want of progress in the Assam
Valley, and most of them can only be remedied in the course of time. Proposals for
making service in the Assam districts more agreeable to the inspecting staff are under
consideration.
Vaccination in the Hill districts seems to be making satisfactory progress.
With the exception of the Lushai Hills and Manipur, the returns of the other districts
show a considerable increase in the number of operations during the last triennium :
and in the Naga Hills and Chittagong Hill Tracts, the villagers are acquiring the
habit of applying for the services of a vaccinator whenever they are threatened with
an outbreak of small-pox.
The following extracts from the district reports are of interest:—
Dacca Division.—The Civil Surgeon of Dacca reports an increase of over 18,000
operations on the records of 1906-07. This is one of the few districts in which
arm-to-arm vaccination is still practised, but the number of operations has now dimi-
nished to below 7,000. In Faridpur and Bakarganj the Ferazi Muhammadans still
continue to oppose vaccination, though in the former district their prejudicies are being
overcome year by year, and they are learning to appreciate the advantages of using
vaccine supplied in capillary tubes.
In Bakarganj, in spite of considerable opposition from the people, both Hindu
and Muhammadan, and the difficulty of finding licensed vaccinators to undertake the
work, the number of operations has increased by 18,000, compared with the number of
the previous year.
Chittagong Division.—In the Chittagong district the number of operations
during the last three years exceeds that of the previous triennium by over 100,000 ;
this is owing to the activity of the staff during the years 1905-1906 and 1906-1907 in
the presence of an extensive outbreak of small-pox. The number of operations during
the current year has again fallen to the average of the previous triennium. The Civil
Surgeons of Tippera, Bakarganj and Noakhali report an increase in the number
of the operations ; but they dwell on the difficulty that licensed vaccinators find in
realising their fees.
Rajshahi Division.—The Jalpaiguri, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Bogra, Malda, and Pabna
districts report an increase in the number of operations, for which the Civil Surgeons
give credit to the inspecting staff. Rangpur is worthy of mention, as showing an
increase of 17,000 over the number recorded last year. The Civil Surgeon of Malda
reports that the opposition of the Ferazi Muhammadans, which has given so much
trouble in previous years, is at last being overcome, and also mentions that there are
some thanas in which the villages are situated far apart and are inhabited by aboriginal
tribes, who are too poor to support licensed vaccinators, and he thinks it desirable to
appoint paid vaccinators in their place.
Surma Valley.—Satisfactory progress has been made in Cachar. The triennial
total exceeds that of the previous period and the Civil Surgeon reports that he has
inspected vaccination in almost every part of the district, including visits to children
in schools, and has found the work well done. In Sylhet the triennial figures show a
decrease of 8,000 operations. The Civil Surgeon is of opinion that the fall is only
apparent, owing to stricter supervision and more accurate registration.
Inoculation is still being practised in the Habiganj subdivision.
Assam Valley Districts.—In Kamrup alone has there been a steady increase
in the number of operations during the last three years. Small-pox has always been
prevalent in this district, owing to the objections to vaccination offered by the
Mahapurushiyas ; but there is evidence that their prejudices are being overcome,