NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
51
overgrown weeds that seem to bury them in every direction. One can easily fancy
what would be the result of these weeds being left to swelter in a fierce October sun ;
and how dangerous to existence must be the atmosphere impregnated with their
effluvium. I think myself their removal and suppression would tend materially to
lessen the amount of sickness in these districts, together with some attention to the
drinking water. What I would suggest is—1st, to have a mud wall round the houses
or villages at a distance of say from 50 to 100 paces, and allow no growth whatsoever
inside this wall; and 2nd, have the wells cleared, and kept so, of all vegetable debris
and allow no surface drainage to escape into and fill them while the rain is falling.
The sanitary arrangements in the larger towns of the Punch Mahals are very fair and
are as good as could possibly be attained, all things considered. In the Rewa Kanta
the towns of Barrea and Loonawarra have been drained, and had streets constructed,
and are as to sanitary arrangements very much improved, more especially the former.
PRESIDENCY CIRCLE.
Local Superintendent.—Sub-Assistant Surgeon ANUNTA CHANDROBA, G.G.M.C.
Establishment.—6 Vaccinators (Government) from 1st April to 30th November
1870, and 11 Vaccinators (Municipal) from 1st December 1870 to 30th March 1871.
Population 816,562. Total cost Rs. 8,145. Average cost of each successful
vaccination 15 annas and 3 pies.
Years.
1869-70.
1870-71. ...
Government......
Government
Municipal...
Total
Vaccinated.
9,222
7,166
4,580
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
......
......
4,580
Decrease.
......
2,056
......
Successfully
Vaccinated.
6,002
8,510
Percentage
of Success.
84.0
86.0
Preliminary observations.
The past year has been, in every way, a busy one. A system of domiciliary vac-
cination has been inaugurated which, if carefully and pa-
tiently carried out bids fair to render vaccination popular.
It has been the burden of our annual reports, from year to year, that the greatest
obstacle in the way of the spread of vaccination is the want of a sufficient quantity
of good lymph, consequent on the extreme unwillingness of all to allow lymph to
be taken from the succesfully-vaccinated children, and this acts injuriously in a
threefold way. 1st, It prevents persons, not wanting in confidence in the protective
influence of vaccination, from getting their children vaccinated, for fear of their being
required to supply lymph from them. 2ndly, To escape being used as a vaccinifer,
55
6. Though small-pox prevailed all over the Island, the number of deaths varied
very much in the different localities. The following table shows the different districts
and sub-districts, with their populations as ascertained by the census of 1864, and the
number of deaths that took place in them from small-pox during 1870 :—
Names of Localities.
Population.
No. of Deaths.
Colaba.
19,161
20
Fort, Northern.
2,455
Fort, Southern.
39,258
27
Esplanade.
7,869
1
Market.
75,402
51
Mandavee.
41,152
52
Chukla.
41,442
82
Oomberkady.
63,020
77
Dongree.
60,259
31
Dhobitalao.
71,795
18
Faneswadee.
22,529
6
Buleshwar.
50,282
21
Kharatalao.
23,454
19
Kumbarwada.
23,085
11
Ketwadee.
29,177
6
Girgaum.
21,505
6
Chowpatee.
6,184
2
Walkeshwar.
10,094
4
Mazagon.
21,784
17
Tarwadi.
9,462
4
Kamatipoora.
81,675
36
Parel.
7,002
14
Sewree.
5,042
14
Sion.
12,078
5
Mahim.
19,450
5
Worlee.
10,211
10
Residence unknown.
17
Total.
556
It will be seen from the above that there are certain parts of the Island wherein the
mortality from this disease is greater than in the others, and this irrespective almost
of the number of the population in each. Thus, Chukla, Oomberkady, Mandavee,
Market, Colaba, Worlee, and Sewree are the places where the mortality from small-pox
is either absolutely or comparatively the greatest. Chukla, with its population of only
41,442, had 82 deaths, the largest number in the locality ; Oomberkady with a popu-
lation of 63,020, had a mortality of 77, and Mandavee of 52 in a population numbering
only 41,152, whilst Kamatipoora, Dhobitalao, Dongree, Bhuleshwar, and Khetwadee,
with 81,675, 71,795, 60,259, 50,282 and 29,177 of population had only 36, 18, 31, 21,
and 6 deaths respectively. And this is very easily accounted for. An experience of
nearly thirteen years has now convinced me that the influence of the Vaccine Depart-
ment on the first mentioned places is most insignificant, and this is owing to the charac-
ter and status of the persons residing there. You have here, the rich Khojas and
Memons, the Bhatyas and Lohanas, the Boras and Mahomedans generally of all shades and
degrees of rank and position—ranging from the richest merchant and millionaire, down
to the poorest mendicants and fakeers. The Bhatyas and Lohanas, though an intel-
ligent and very enterprizing race, are still bigotedly superstitious and orthodox ; and
do not avail themselves of the blessing of vaccination to the extent that their Bunya
neighbours of Guzerat do ; though even these latter are, in this respect, far behind their
co-religionists of the Concan and Deccan. Our vaccinators and peons can persuade
13 vac
56
and coax the poor Hindoos, Concanees and others into bringing their children to the
station to be vaccinated. Not so, however, with the Deccan Ghatees, who will not be
persuaded readily. The Mussulmans also neglect vaccination, and in consequence suffer
much from small-pox and die in numbers. A mortality of 174 out of 556, or a percent-
age of 31.3 in a population only one-sixth of the whole of Bombay, is not a trifling
matter. There were 1,822 Mahomedans vaccinated during the year, mostly at the
station.
7. Sewree, Worlee, and Colaba also stand prominently in regard to their number
of deaths from small-pox. Worlee, a small out-of-the-way place, having a population
a trifle more than Mahim, near which it is situated, has a mortality double that of
Mahim ; whilst Sewree having only one-fourth the population has a mortality almost
three times as much as that of Mahim ; and Colaba with an equal population, has four
times as many deaths. But this will not be wondered at when it is known that the
greater part of this mortality was amongst the fishermen, who inhabit these places in
great numbers.
8. Patient perseverance no doubt will be able to achieve much. With abun-
dance of animal vaccine virus we will be in a position to cope with small-pox and ob-
stacles to vaccination with better hopes of success than heretofore. The introduction
of the Compulsory Vaccination Act, would however have given the death blow to all
unreasonable opposition, and would pave the way for the speedier extension of
vaccination.
Increase.
9. During the year under report, 11,500 vaccine operations were performed,
besides 246 re-vaccinations, being an increase in the primary
vaccinations alone of 2,2/8. The increase was chiefly owing
to our having abundance of vaccine lymph always ready at hand, and to our being
enabled to carry on door to door vaccination.
Sex, caste and age.
10. Of the primarily vaccinated, 6,729 were males, 4,771 females; 853 Chris-
tians, 7,962 Hindoos, 1,822 Mahomedans, 703 Parsees,
and 160 of other castes ; 3,833 under, and, 7,667 above one
year old.
Result.
11. Of the total primary operations, 8,358, or a percentage of 86.68, were
successful; 1,284 unsuccessful; and in 1858 the result was
unknown, as the persons operated upon could not be found
afterwards. The percentage of success is a little more than in the previous year, and
would have been still greater, if the repeated failure of the animal virus during the first
half of the year had not contributed to swell the number of failures.
Re-vaccination.
12. Almost all the re-vaccinations performed during the year and which amounted
to 246, were performed with the lymph from the cow
direct. Of these 152, or a percentage of 66.3 proved
successful; 77 failed ; and in 17 the result could not be ascertained.
61
that animal lymph should be used at the earliest practicable age, say from 2 to 4, or 6
months at the latest, to save all unpleasant consequences. And it is a fortunate cir-
cumstance that this is so, for any scheme of compulsory vaccination must make it
imperative on parents to get their children vaccinated before they are 6 months old.
15. Before concluding my report, I would beg to express my sense of the many
obligations I am under to Dr. Hewlett for his ready help, and to Dr. Blanc for his
having kindly given me supplies of animal lymph which he took the trouble to obtain
from Belgium.
16. The principal event of importance in connection with the Presidency Vac-
cination Department is the bodily transfer of the whole of my establishment to the
Municipality, and the addition to it of 5 vaccinators and 8 peons, bringing the whole
number up to 11 vaccinators and 11 peons. The local Superintendent alone draws
his pay from the Imperial treasury.
KUTCH.
One Native Assistant Superintendent, and three Native State Vaccinators under
Mr. DORABJEE HURMUSJEE, G.G.M.C.
Population 400,000. Total cost Rs. 580. Average cost of each successful vac-
cination, 1 rupee and 2 pies.
Years.
1869-70
1870-71
Total
Vaccinated.
610
648
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
......
38
Decrease.
......
......
Successfully
Vaccinated.
550
571
Percentage of
success.
90.1
92.1
During the year under report, commencing from 1st April 1870 and ending on
31st March 1871, there were 648 vaccinations performed by the vaccinators and at
the Bhooj and Mandvee dispensaries. For the first two months of the year there were
only two vaccinators, of which one was stationed at Moondra and the other was moving
about different towns and villages. During the third month their number was in-
creased by two more, one of them was however found unfit for duty, and was dismissed
in the course of a month. The station vaccinator left his service at the end of the
year 1870, for higher emoluments, so there remained only two vaccinators at the
beginning of 1871, one of whom unfortunately fell sick and was on leave for about a
month. Two more vaccinators were then entertained, but one of them submitted a
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false monthly return, for which he was fined and dismissed, the other was discharged,
as he was found quite incapable of working amongst the people of the villages. Since
then I have engaged two more, and hope to see the four vaccinators working well from
the beginning of the next official year. With these changes amongst them it was
naturally to be expected that the progress of the work should be very slow, but on
comparing the total number of persons vaccinated this year with that of the previous
one, it gives a balance of 38 operations in favour of the present year. Of the 648
persons vaccinated there were 571 successful, 49 unsuccessful and doubtful, and 28
were those who escaped observation after the operation.
Sex.
2. There were 363 males and 285 females.
Caste.
3. There were 393 Hindoos, and the rest, 255, were
Mussulmans.
Cost.
4. The cost of each successful case was Rs. 1-0-2.
Lymph.
5. The lymph used throughout the year was very good. I sent for a supply
from Bombay from Mr. Anunta Chandroba, and it has
acted exceedingly well. I have not been obliged to send
for a fresh supply since, as it still answers the purpose very well.
Small-pox.
6. A few cases of small-pox were reported as having occurred here and there
during the latter part of the year. Cases of measles, how-
ever, are found almost in every house.
63
EXTRACTS
FROM THE
REPORTS OF CIVIL SURGEONS AND OTHERS.
POONA.
One Government Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon, Surgeon Major R. G. LORD,
M.D.
Population (portion of Poona) 30,000. Total cost Rs. 240. Average cost of each
successful vaccination 4 annas and 2 pies.
Years.
1869-70
1870-71
Total
Vaccinated.
1,565
1,055
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
......
......
Decrease.
......
510
Successfully
Vaccinated.
1,323
900
Percentage of
success.
85.0
85.3
The annual return of vaccination to close of official year (31st March) is forwarded
in compliance with directions from the Superintendent General of Vaccination, though
the vaccinator was transferred for duty under the Superintendent of Vaccination,
Central Circle, from the 1st March 1871, and his monthly returns of work have been
forwarded to that office since the 1st July 1870.
A reference to last annual report will supply information as to amount and source
of salary, extent of charge &c.
There has been a falling off in the number of operations both this year and last,
and a proportionate increase in the average cost of each case, which this year gives 4
annas and 2 pies as the expenditure for every successful case.
The difficulty in procuring children for vaccination, without the assistance of a
peon, is stated to be the cause of paucity of operations.
The lymph has been of good quality, and a supply always available when asked for.
14 vac
64
There has been no prevalence of small-pox in the civil portion of the station
throughout the year, and only one case, received from the cantonment bazaar, was
admitted into the Sassoon hospital during that period.
NASSICK.
One Municipal Vaccinator, under Honorary Assistant Surgeon B. BURN, in Medical
charge.
Population 23,000. Total cost Rs. 252. Average cost of each successful vacci-
nation 13 annas and 4 pies.
Years.
1869-70
1870-71
Total
Vaccinated.
476
486
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
......
10
Decrease.
......
......
Successfully
Vaccinated.
424
301
Percentage
of success
89.l
82.0
Vaccination has been confined during the past year to the town of Nassick alone,
and has been performed by the Municipal vaccinator only ; consequently the number
of vaccinations in the present return is much less than in former returns, containing
the total work of the Government vaccinator and that of the Municipality. The total
number vaccinated during the past year is 480, of which 62 were unsuccessful, 117 not
seen after the operation, and 301 ascertained to have succeeded. Taking the numbers
given of successful and unsuccessful cases, and allowing those not subsequently seen to
bear the same proportion, the failures will be 17.1 per cent., a very high ratio. The
operations of the year just closed are less favourable than those of the preceding year,
the cause of which, from my knowledge of the former and present vaccinator, and an
inspection of the monthly results of work, I should be inclined to attribute to the
more strict and correct formation of the returns for the past than for the preceding
year, than to any actual difference in the results as relates to the percentage of unsuc-
cessful cases.
2. The decrease in the numbers vaccinated has been on two occasions officially
brought to the notice of the President of the Municipal Commission by the Superinten-
dent of Vaccination of the Central Circle, and inquiries have been made respecting
it. It seems to be owing to the caprice of the people themselves, upon whom vac-
cination is in no way compulsory, and the vaccinator having no assistance from the
Native authorities in obtaining the children whom he knows have not been vaccinated,
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owing to the refusal of the parents to have the operation performed, and frequently
being left without fresh lymph, by the children being sent away to a village on the
very morning of the day he wanted them, to obtain lymph for others, the difficulties in
the way of his operations have been very great; so much so, that he has sent in the
resignation of his office, which I would recommend the acceptance of, as, although I
believe him to be a good and honest man, with a sufficient knowledge of his duties,
he may possibly want the energy and perseverance necessary to ensure success, and
would suggest that another be appointed in his place.
3. The lymph has appeared to be good during the past year, and the vesicles
have shown a healthy appearance.
4. The registration of births has been commenced within Nassick during the
present year, and this will tend to give an idea of the actual disproportion of the
number of children vaccinated to those born. From the 1st January to the 31st
March, 138 births have been registered, and during the same period 125 children were
vaccinated. Of course these 125 vaccinations may have consisted of but a small pro-
portion of the children born during this period, but in time, allowing for early deaths
in infancy, an approximate result may I think be arrived at.
5. Small-pox commenced to prevail in the town towards the latter end of
February last, and has continued up to the present time, but not in a virulent form,
nor does it spread very quickly, 28 cases in all having occurred since its commence-
ment, with 5 deaths, in children, who had not been vaccinated.
DHURRUMGAUM.
Operations performed by Mr. Apothecary W. WAITE, Khandeish Bheel Corps.
Population
No Cost.
Years.
1869-70
1870-71
Total
Vaccinated.
167
215
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
......
48
Decrease.
......
......
Successfully
Vaccinated.
165
200
Percentage
of success.
98.8
94.0
Vaccination and re-vaccination have progressed very favourably in the Khandeish
Bheel Corps during the past year, and with, I am happy to say, very good success, as
will be seen from the very small number of failures. 117 children of all ages, varying
from 3 months to 5 years, were vaccinated. Of these 100 were of the Bheel Corps, and
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17 of followers. 111 cases proved successful, and only 2 unsuccessful and 4 doubtful.
These latter were again vaccinated, and the result was favourable. The number of un-
successful (including the doubtful) cases to successful, it will be observed, is very small,
5.4 per cent., being 3.8 over that of the preceding year, which showed 1.6 per cent.
A greater number of children by 50 were vaccinated during the previous year ; but this
is easily accounted for by a larger number of children being absent from head quarters
who invariably accompany their parents when proceeding on outpost duty in the dis-
tricts, and thereby lose the chance for some time to come of being vaccinated. It
must not be presumed that because fewer children have been operated upon this year,
that vaccination in the Bheel Corps is on the decline ; on the contrary, it has been
most strenuously persevered in, and carried on with great care and regularity during the
year; and if the re-vaccinations are taken with the vaccinations, it will be seen that a
greater number by 48 have been operated upon this year than is recorded during
the period embraced in the former report.
It was, I may remark, with some difficulty and a good deal of persuasion that the
men of the Bheel Corps could be brought to submit to the operation of re-vaccination,
which was commenced on the 29th of August last, from which date up to the end of
March 1871, 98 cases were operated upon. Of these 89 proved successful, and only 9
unsuccessful; the number of unsuccessful cases to successful is exceedingly small, being
9.2 per cent. The very great success attained in re-vaccination throughout the period
embraced, cannot be easily accounted for, and is I admit unusual, and consequently
may seem doubtful, yet the statement rendered is nevertheless true, and accurate, for
every person brought forward for re-vaccination was closely and carefully examined
by myself, and I can safely state that none but those from the age of 10 years and
upwards, and bearing distinct and indisputable marks of previous vaccination, were
ever subjected to the operation.
Four persons, who in infancy were attacked mildly with small-pox, were re-vac-
cinated, and are included in the number of successful cases. Vaccination and re-vaccina-
tion in the Bheel Corps at Dhurrumgaum is always performed by myself and assistant
from good and healthy lymph, a supply of which is kept in the hospital.
It is gratifying to have to report again, during another year, the total absence of
small-pox from amongst the children of the corps, and that only a few mild cases are
stated to have occurred in the town of Dhurrumgaum. No casualties were reported.
SHOLAPOOR.
One Government Vaccinator, under the Civil Surgeon, Surgeon G. Y. HUNTER
(on leave) ; Assistant Surgeon LEGGETT (Officiating).
Population 28,646. Total cost, Rs. 220. Average cost of each successful vacci-
nation 3 annas and 8 pies.
67
Years.
1869-70
1870-71
Total
Vaccinated.
9-19
1,018
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
......
69
Decrease.
......
......
Successfully
Vaccinated.
802
948
Percentage of
success,
excluding
those un-
known.
89.6
93.1
The total number of cases vaccinated during the year by the Government vacci-
nator in the town and suburbs of Sholapoor, as shown in the above table, exhibits an
increase of 69 as compared with the preceding year. During the period under review,
there have been two vaccinators at work in the town of Sholapoor and their joint
labours raise the total of vaccination to 2,075. The second vaccinator is employed by
the Municipality and furnishes his report thereto. Vaccination is practised continually
in the City, and once a week the children are brought to the Civil Hospital by the
Government vaccinator for my inspection. In nearly all the cases which came under
my observation the vesicles were well formed and the lymph of good quality. The
vesicles, though normal in character, were somewhat smaller during the rainy than in
the other seasons. The vaccinator is willing, diligent, and well-behaved.
I am happy to be able to state that no epidemic occurred during the last year.
The Government vaccinator was transferred to Barsee district on 1st March last,
and now there is only one vaccinator who is employed by the Municipal Committee.
SHOLAPOOR CHARITABLE DISPENSARY.
Operations performed by NURSOO GORAPA, 3rd Class Hospital Assistant, in
charge of Dispensary.
Population 28,646. No Cost.
Years.
1869-70
1870-71
Total
Vaccinated.
201
312
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
......
111
Decrease.
......
......
Succssfully
Vaccinated.
164
281
Percentage of
success.
86.3
92.4
68
The number of persons vaccinated during the year was 312, being an increase of
111 above that of the year 1869-70. Of these 152 were males, and 160 females. There
were 8 Christians, 243 Hindoos, 60 Mussulmans and 1 Parsee. 127 of these being
under and 185 above one year old. The operation in 281 proved successful, 23
unsuccessful and doubtful, and 8 unknown. It was performed every week on Wednes-
days. The lymph used was generally good, and the vesicles were normal in size and
appearance. No measles or any other epidemic prevailed during the year under
report. The average number vaccinated every week was six.
BELGAUM.
One Government Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon, Surgeon Major G. G.
MAITLAND, F.R.C.S.; Surgeon Major SYLVESTER, M.D. (Officiating).
Population 35,973. Total cost Rs. 240. Average cost of each successful vacci-
nation 6 annas and 1 pie.
Years.
1869-70
1870-71
Total
Vaccinated.
627
639
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
......
12
Decrease.
......
......
Successfully
Vaccinated.
611
626
Percentage of
success.
97.4
97.9
A review of the work performed by the Station vaccinator during the past official
year exhibits a very slight increase in the number vaccinated as compared with the
previous year's operations, the actual number being 627 in 1869-70 and 639 in 1870-71,
the percentage of success being nearly the same in each year, that for the last year
being 97.9, and for the previous year 97.4. It was hoped that from the fact of a peon
being permanently attached to the vaccinator to assist in procuring the subjects for
operation and in verifying the results of the same, a considerable increase in the number
of vaccinations would be observed, and I am unable to explain why this has not been
the case.
The supply of lymph has been abundant and of good quality throughout the
year, and the success which has resulted may, I believe, be attributed to the almost
universal practice of arm-to-arm vaccination, by which the propagation of cow-pox by
means of glasses, tubes, &c., has been rendered unnecessary.
The result of the vaccinator's work has been carefully inspected at stated intervals,
and with few exceptions the vesicles have been found of normal appearance, rarely
presenting any exceptions to the perfect characters of the pock, and running a regular
course.