NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
REPORT
ON
VACCINATION THROUGHOUT THE BOMBAY
PRESIDENCY AND SIND
FOR THE YEAR 1871-72.
This is the Fourth Annual Report by the Superintendent General of
Vaccination.
Division.
2. The Report is divided as follows :—(a) General Statement of the
Operations of the Department; (b) Extracts from
the Reports of Circle Superintendents ; (c) Tabu-
lated Statements showing in detail the results of the operations performed in
each Circle of Superintendence, and in the Bombay Army; and (d) Summaries
of the Superintendents' and Assistant Superintendents' Diaries.
3. It gives me much pleasure in being able to report a very large increase
in the number of persons vaccinated during the year 1871-72.
The following figures will show the number of persons vaccinated during
the year under report, and compared with the preceding year:—
1870-71.
Primary
Vaccinations.
4,62,463
26,561
4,89,024
Re-vacci-
nations.
29,142
977
30,119
5,19,143
7,558
5,26,701
In Civil Life.
Itinerant Establishment.
Dispensary Establishment.
Civil Life Total.
Army Total.
Total Vaccinations in
Bombay Presidency.
1871-72.
Primary
Vaccinations.
5,07,729
13,792
5,21,521
Re-vacci-
nations.
18,673
523
19,196
5,40,717
8,401
5,49,118
This table shows an increase both in Civil Life and in the Army: 21,574
in the former, and 843 in the latter, and a total increase of 22,417. Numeri-
cally considered, this is very satisfactory, and, as will be shown below, in point
of quality the work of the past has been quite up to that of the previous year.
1 V R
EXTRACTS
FROM THE
REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENTS OF CIRCLES.
CENTRAL CIRCLE.
Superintendent.—Assistant Surgeon P. S. TURNBULL, M.D.
Acting Superintendent.—Assistant Surgeon W. R. GORDON, M.B.
Establishment.—6 Assistant Superintendents, one Clerk, 63 Vaccinators under Local
Funds, 16 under Municipalities, and 6 under Native States. Total 85 Vaccinators and 16
Dispensaries.
Population, 47,65,931. Total cost Rs. 31,018-2-3. Average cost of each successful
vaccination, 5 annas and 1 pie.
Establishment.
Government ......
Municipalities ...
Local Funds ......
Native States......
Dispensary..........
Years.
1870-71
1871-72.
1870-71.
1871-72.
1870-71.
1871-72.
1870-71.
1871-72.
1870-71.
1871-72.
Total
Vaccinated.
54,367
19,531
15,817
19,217
11,228
61,460
5,711
6,184
7,125
4,585
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
......
......
......
3,400
......
50,232
......
473
......
......
Decrease.
......
34,836
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
2,540
Successfully
Vaccinated.
50 333
18,225
13,880
16,831
10,399
56,278
5,240
5,585
6,147
3,845
Percentage of
success exclud-
ing those
Unknown.
96.
95.2
94.4
94.9
96.8
95.4
92.7
91.2
90.9
89.5
Progress.
1. The progress of vaccination during the year has been very satisfactory. There is
a marked increase in the number of vaccinations in all
Establishments, except the Dispensaries. The increase
is chiefly due to the increased number of vaccinators. Year by year less obstruction is
thrown in the way, and I trust, in the course of a few years, to find that vaccination will be
as much appreciated in Western India as it is in England. Much good has arisen from the
vaccinators giving timely notice of their visits to villages, because the inhabitants do not
now, as formerly, betake themselves to the fields, or jungle, but in many villages eagerly
wait the arrival of the vaccinator, and bring their children to him of their own free will.
Besides, village officers have now no excuse for absence on operating days.
4 V R
5
Native States.
18. There has been a decided improvement in vaccination in Native States: there
being an increase during the year of 473. More atten-
tion has been paid to the subject by the Chiefs them-
selves, but until such time as they consider it a necessity to have their subjects protected, the
vaccinators will have up hill work. Native States' vaccinators have not individually per-
formed so many operations as those under Local Funds : but then they do not get the same
assistance from the village officials. No vaccinator has as yet been entertained for the small
Sates to the north of Khandesh, but the matter is now under consideration. Small-pox of
a virulent type was reported by the Political Agent to be very prevalent in the Kathi State,
and a Local Fund vaccinator was sent there, as a temporary measure.
Municipalities.
19. There are now 16 Municipal vaccinators in this Circle, being fewer by 3 than
during 1870-71: four appointments having been abolished,
and one made during the year. Notwithstanding this,
there is an increase in the number of operations of 3,400. On the appointment of a vaccina-
tor to each táluká by the Local Funds, two Municipal vaccinators were reduced in the
Sátárá and one in the Sholápur Collectorates, and I understand that the General Municipal
Committee of the former intend reducing the number by other two. Sátárá has been for a
long time a well-vaccinated district, and it is probable that one vaccinator in a táluká will
be sufficient. I have still the same complaint to make against many of the Municipalities,
namely, the want of interest in vaccination shown by individual Native members of the
Committee. Having voted the vaccinator's pay, they seem to think that there is nothing
more to be done.
Dispensaries.
20. The decrease shown under the head of Dispensaries has arisen on account of the
transfer of all vaccinators attached to Civil Hospitals to
the Itinerant branch. Subordinates in charge of Dispen-
saries have shown a marked improvement, still Dispensary vaccination is not in so satisfactory
a state as could be wished. At this I am not very much surprised, because the inhabitants
of the larger towns (unless when small-pox is raging) are so indifferent as to whether
their children are protected, or not, that they will only accept vaccination at their own
doors. At some' few Dispensaries the Medical pupils occasionally travel through the streets
and vaccinate persons at their houses. I am sorry to say that not a few of the Hospital
Assistants are rather indifferent vaccinators, and, not being able to charge tubes, have great
difficulty in keeping up their lymph. Half the vaccinations performed by the late Hospital
Assistant at Irandol were found to be unsuccessful, and he had returned the greater number
of them as successful.
Tour.
21. I have not considered it necessary to give a
detailed resumé of my tour, as all the requisite informa-
tion will be found in the new No. VII. Form.
Aid from Civilians.
22. I take this opportunity of acknowledging the
aid which I have invariably received from the Revenue
and Police officers.
6
SOUTHERN CIRCLE.
Superintendent.—Assistant
Surgeon J. RABY.
Acting Superintendent.—Assistant
Surgeon W. R. GORDON, M.B.
Acting Superintendent.—Assistant
Surgeon J. ROCHE, M.D.
Acting Superintendent.—Assistant
Surgeon J. ROBB, M.B.
Establishment.—4
Assistant Superintendents, 1 Clerk, 35 Vaccinators under Local
Funds, 20 under Native Chiefs, and 12 Dispensaries.
Population, 4,039,079. Total cost, Rupees 24,761-2-5. Average cost of each success-
ful vaccination, 6 annas and 5 pies.
Establishment.
Government ........
Municipalities ...
Native States
Years.
1870-71.
1871-72.
1870-71.
1871-72.
1870-71.
1871-72.
1870-71.
1871-72.
1870-71.
1871-72.
Total
Vaccinated.
26,306
9,384
3,535
5,108
0,717
30,089
19,938
22,440
2,864
1,364
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
......
......
......
1,573
23,972
2,508
Decrease.
......
16,922
......
......
1,500
Successfully
Vaccinated.
24,673
8,483
3,243
4,546
6,336
27,538
18,752
20,400
2,316
1,197
Percentage of
success, ex-
cluding those
Unknown.
95.8
93.6
93.0
91.7
96.5
91.9
95.0
94.8
87.0
893
Changes.
1. In the Annual Report for 1871-72, which I have now the honor to submit, it will be
observed that various changes in the superintendence of
the Circle have taken place during the year.
There have been changes, too, in the financial management of the Circle, on account of
the transfer of all Imperial Vaccinators to the Local Funds establishment from the 1st of
August 1871, and from the same date the entertainment of Deputy Superintendents of Vac-
cination for the Zilhás, on probation, has been quite a new feature in the Department.
In addition, are the too frequent changes among vaccinators, caused by transfers, "leaves,"
dismissals, or deaths.
Progress of Vaccination.
2. It is satisfactory to find a large increase in the number of persons vaccinated, compared
with the preceding year. The total number of vaccinated,
including Dispensaries, is 68,991, giving an increase of
9,631 over last year, and the numbers of successfully vaccinated are (including Dispensaries)
62,164, which gives a percentage of 92.6 for the year : thus, although the quantity is greater,
the quality of the work has been inferior to that of last year in comparison.
In the " Age" column it is remarkable to find that so few children under one year can
be had for operation—about 1/5th only of the whole being returned " under one year." This
is to be explained by the fact that a large proportion of persons over one year remains
unvaccinated, on account of the paucity hitherto of vaccinators spread over the Division.
With complete and careful surveillance by Deputy Superintendents, and renewed exertions
on the part of vaccinators the large disproportion on account of age of children primarily
15
Acknowledgements of aid from
Civil and Political Officers.
38. My thanks are due to all Civil and Political Officers who have so cordially given
their assistance when difficulties had to be overcome.
It is to the interest taken by them in the spread of
vaccination that much of what success has been obtained
is due; and I feel sure, as I had occasion to state to Mr. Robertson, the Collector of Dhár¬
wár, that almost everything short of compulsion, can be done by Collectors and others to
overcome the natural prejudice that still exists regarding vaccination.
The Office.
39. During the past four months there has been no Vaccinator employed in the office,
as formerly, as Assistant Clerk. The vernacular correspond-
ence and the copying work which are considerable, must
have borne heavily on the Kárkún's hands, had it not been for the assistance rendered by one
Náráyan Bálkrishna, who has been with the office as a volunteer during that time. He
writes and speaks English, and so has been of much help. There is work enough to keep an
assistant writer busy, and I respectfully beg to suggest that one be sanctioned on some
suitable salary.*
I have much pleasure in recording the assistance and painstaking care given by Krish-
naráo Vyankatesh, the Kárkún, in carrying out the details of the work. During the short
time he has been in the Department, his shrewdness and intelligence have made him inti-
mately familiar with all the working details.
* This was sanctioned by Government in their Resolution No. 1426, dated 25th May 1872.—P. S. T.
24
further allude to this subject here. I may, however, state that I contracted a very severe
attack of fever in the Panwel Táluká about the close of November, and that its effects
hampered my movements considerably for the 5 or 6 weeks subsequent to its first appearance.
Office.
21. Before I conclude this report, I may state that I have found the acquisition of an
English writer in the office of the greatest assistance, in
as much as he enables me to devote more time to what,
after all, should be the chief object of the Superintendent's care, the quality of the work
being performed in his Circle. The clerk employed in this office, Sadáshiva Sábájí, has been
most attentive and industrious during the year, and, considering his newness to the work and
the amount of moving about we had, the regularity with which he has kept his returns
and records is highly creditable. If, however, this great advantage has been conferred by
the recent re-organisition, a counterbalancing disadvantage has been effected by the doing away
with one of the peons. Formerly there were four peons employed as being attached to
the Superintendent, and then it was found that even with that number they held no sinecure.
Now there are only three peons, and any one who knows what amount of work they have to
perform in carrying notices to Patels of villages; in aiding in the collection of children for
inspection; in having to carry the "Tapál" to and from the nearest Post Office, often 10 or 12
miles, or even more, distant; and in various other offices, there is scarcely need to mention,
will readily agree that this number is too small. I think four men are about the lowest
complement that could carry on the work with any regularity and despatch, and I would
therefore beg to recommend that an additional peon be sanctioned on the Superintendent's
Office Establishment, in order to bring it up to that number or its former strength.
28
Dhanduká and Dholká Tálukás, examining the Dholerá, Dhanduká, and Dholká Dispensaries
as well as the work of the táluká and municipal vaccinators. From Dholká I travelled to
Ahmadábád and Veramgáon to examine the work of the municipal vaccinator. After
Christmas, I left Ahmadábád and travelled through Dascroí Táluká, of Ahmadábád Zilhá,
and Mátar Táluká, of Kaira Zilhá, and by the middle of January brought my camp to
Máhmudábád, where the Superintendent General of Vaccination joined me. Travelling
together from Máhmudábád to Wadthal, Aliná, and Thásrá the work of four vaccinators was
examined. About the close of January the Superintendent General left my districts for
Godhrá. The whole of February was spent in travelling through Kairá Zilhá. The work
of all its vaccinators and some of the dispensaries was examined. In the early part of March,
I crossed the Mahí and entered Broach Districts, and by the close of the year was able to
inspect the work of three tálukás and one dispensary. During this tour in all the work of
24 Government vaccinators, 1 Native State, and 5 Municipal vaccinators, and of 8 Dispensaries
was examined. My travelling extended over 2,507 miles, 303 villages have been visited,
and 14,586 children inspected.
Changes among Vaccinators.
17. Consequent upon the appointment of four vaccinators as Deputy Superintendents four
vacancies occurred; these were filled up by the tranfers
of four men from the Káthiáwád Circle. Hargowan
Bechar, the municipal vaccinator of Dholká, was dismissed the service for extensively
falsifying the returns of September, October, and November. Sukdeo Laxmirám, Local
Fund vaccinator of Umreth, in Kaira Zilhá, was dismissed for general inefficiency, bad work,
and dishonesty. Premsing Gangásing, municipal vaccinator of Veramgáon, is a very idle and
indifferent vaccinator, and to conceal his indolence has been very cunningly entering false
names in his returns. His dismissal is sanctioned, and his place as well as those of Dholká,
Umreth, and Bánsdá will be shortly filled up.
Conduct of Vaccinators.
18. Four vaccinators of the Local Fund Establishments, viz., Harjíwan Wishwanáth, of
Prántej; Harichand Bháskarji, of Dhanduká; Mayárám
Dullabhrám, of Mándvi; and Anuprám Sewakrám, of
Balsár; and four men of the Native States' Establishment, viz., Jáfar Fájal, of Pálanpur
Superintendency, and Govindráo Bá'ájí, Mangal Pitámbar, and Jiwarám Chaturbhuj, of
Mahí Kántá Agency, have been markedly very idle and negligent. The decrease this year
would not have been so much had they shown more attention to their work. With these
exceptions the vaccinators as a class have worked well, and.' have conducted themselves
properly.
29
SINDH CIRCLE.
Superintendent.—Assistant Surgeon J. WILLIAMS, M.D. (On leave.)
Acting Superintendent.—Assistant Surgeon J. F. KEITH, M.B.
Establishment.—4 Assistant Superintendents, 1 Clerk, 1 Vaccinator under Government,
40 under Local Funds, 6 under Municipalities, 1 under Native Chiefs, and 19 Dispensaries.
Population, 20,95,910. Total cost, Rupees 26,132-7-4. Average cost of each success-
ful vaccination, 5 annas and 9 pies.
Establishment.
Government ...
Municipalities ...
Local Funds .......
Native Chiefs ...
Dispensary .........
Years.
1870-71.
1871-72.
1870-71.
1871-72.
1870-71.
1871-72.
1870-71.
1871-72.
1870-71.
1871-72.
Total
Vaccinated.
48,599
13,905
1,065
7,976
30,466
53,110
1,757
2,180
9,376
2,099
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
......
......
......
6,911
......
22,644
......
423
......
......
Decrease.
......
34,694
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
7,277
Successfully
Vaccinated.
43,374
13,005
955
7,001
28,298
50,434
1,454
1,770
8,378
1,811
Percentage of
success, ex-
cluding those
Unknown.
95.0
98.6
95.0
93.2
95.0
97.2
86.0
81.1
93.0
90.5
Increase.
The above shows an increase of 22,644 in the number of persons vaccinated by the
Local Funds' Establishment, 6,911 by the Municipal
Establishment, and 423 by the vaccinator of the Khaírpur
Chief : the former two being due to increase of establishment.
Decrease.
2. The Returns of the Government Establishment show a decrease of 34,694 operations.
This is owing to the transfer of all the vaccinators except
one to the Local Funds' Establishment on the 1st August
1871. In the grand total of operations the decrease is partly accounted for by a considerable
time having been taken up by the numerous transfers necessitated by the re-organization
in the month of August, and is also partly due, no doubt, to the almost total absence of
small-pox, &c.
Sex.
3. Of the total number 41,579 or 56.3 per cent.
were males, and 32,153 or 43.7 per cent. were females—
nearly the same as last year.
Caste.
4. The following table shows the numbers per cent. of each caste vaccinated during the
past and previous year, and it will be seen that they do
not vary much:—
Years.
1870-71
1871-72
Christians.
0.02
0.18
Hindús.
12.9
15.3
Musalmans.
78.1
76.5
Pársís.
0.005
0.05
Other Castes.
8.8
7.8
32
vaccinators, as well as sending me supplies when on tour. But I am sorry that I cannot
extend thanks further on towards the Frontier of Jacobábád, where, of all places, vaccination
should be carried forward with greatest vigour. From the political state of the Frontier,
migrations are constantly taking place from the Khán's territory, where small-pox is
endemic, inoculation is always carried on, and whence small-pox might be introduced any
day even into the cantonment. By order of Deputy Inspector General Dr. Miller, I sent
lymph in capillary tubes to the Medical Officer in charge of the Jacobábád Hospital, but I
regret to report that he failed to propagate it.
33
KATHIA'WAD CIRCLE.
Superintendent.—Surgeon
E. R. BUTLER, M.D. (On duty in Bombay.)
Acting Superintendent.—Surgeon
H. J. BLANC, M.D.
Establishment.—2
Assistant Superintendents, 1 Clerk, and 1 Station Vaccinator under
Government, 32 Vaccinators paid by Native Chiefs, and 3 Dispensaries.
Population, 17,82,062. Total cost, Rupees 16,460-8-1. Average cost of each successful
vaccination, 4 annas.
Establishment.
Goverment .........
Native Chiefs ...
Dispensaries
Years.
1870-71.
1871-72.
1870-71.
1871-72.
1870-71.
1871-72.
Total
Vaccinated.
9,771
4,690
47,995
64,756
159
246
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
......
......
......
16,761
......
87
Decrease.
......
5,081
......
......
......
......
Successfully
vaccinated.
9,084
4,315
43,970
61,378
149
234
Percentage of
success, ex-
cluding those
Unknown.
95.0
92.9
94.0
96.4
93.7
95.9
Decrease.
The decrease in the number of vaccinations under the Government Establishment is due
to the number of Government vaccinators having been
reduced from nine to one.
Increase
Although the number of Native States' vaccinators has been reduced from 39 to 32 there
is nevertheless a considerable increase in the number of
vaccinations performed. This result is due : (a) to a
better distribution of the men ; (b) to their salaries having been increased and regularly paid ;
(c) to a more efficient supersivion; all consequences of the step accepted by the Native States,
of placing the entire control and management of their vaccine establishment under the
Superintendent of Vaccination in Káthiáwád.
I received charge of the office of Superintendent of Vaccination in Káthiáwád on the
16th of June 1871. From the records of the office I learnt that my predecessors, notably Dr.
Butler, had repeatedly urged the necessity of uniting the Vaccination Department and of
placing the whole of the Native States' vaccinaters under the control of the Superintendent
of Vaccination in Káthiáwád, to whom should be given full powers to distribute, to pay, and
to employ the men according to his judgment and discretion.
I thought that advantage might be taken of the changes then occurring in the
Government Vaccination Establishment, to propose a scheme which would deal satisfactorily
with the question. I spoke to Colonel Anderson, the Political Agent, on the subject, and
that officer heartily agreed with me and offered me every assistance; indeed, it is to his
valuable support that the successful result is most certainly due. With Colonel Anderson's
approval the following paper was read at a Darbár, held at Rájkot, on the 5th of July 1871.
All the Representatives of the Káthiáwád Native States had been invited to attend, and most
of them were present on the occasion.
" The Superintendent General of Vaccination, Bombay Presidency, in his letter No. 777
of 1870-71, dated 30th January, to the Secretary to the Inspector General, Indian Medical
Department, at para. 3 states :—' In Káthiáwád there are nine Government vaccinators, I
8 V R
37
Western Division.
1
1
3
4
9
Vaccinator on Rs. 25 per month ... ... ...
„
„ 18
„ ... ... ...
„
„ 15 each per month ... ... ...
„ „ 14 „ „ ... ... ...
Peons
„
7
„
„ ... ... ...
Total per month...
Rs.
„
„
„
„
25
18
45
56
63
—Rs. 207
Eastern Division.
1
2
3
2
8
Vaccinator on Rs. 30 per month
„
„ 18 each per month
„
„ 15
„
„
„ „ 14 „
„
Peons
„
7
„
„
... ... ...
... ... ...
... ... ...
... ... ...
... ... ...
Total per month...
Rs.
„
„
„
„
30
36
45
28
56
—Rs.
195
Southern Division.
2
2
1
3
8
Vaccinators on Rs. 25 each per month ... ... ...
„
„ 18
„
„ ... ... ...
„
„ 15 per month ... ... ...
„
„ 14 each per month ... ... ...
„ „ 7 „ „ ... ... ...
Total per month...
Cheifs' allowance to Superintendent...
Contingencies ... ... ...
Grand Total per month ...
Rs.
„
„
„
„
50
36
15
42
56
—Rs.
„
„
Rs.
199
50
15
832
" (e.)—The vaccinators will work in the districts to which they are posted, that is to
say, in all the villages around the central station indicated to them ; each vaccinator should
visit during the year no less than 150 villages, and should his district not contain that
amount, he will report the matter to the Deputy Superintendent of his Division, who will
make arrangements accordingly.
" (f.)—Pay to the vaccinators will be issued by the Rájkot Treasury on a pay abstract
from this office. First pay will be issued on the 1st of October next (being the pay for
September) and arrangements will be made to enable the vaccinators to draw, or cause to
draw, their pay at the Station Treasury of the Division to which they are posted.
" (g.)—All vaccinators of whatever grade and rank are directed to vaccinate at least
three times a week, and at each sitting no less than from 15 to 20 individuals. The Weekly
Return should show an average of at least 50, and the Monthly Return should show a number
not less than 200 primary vaccinations—the attention of the Deputy Superintendents is
called to this para.
" (h.)—In most Circles good vaccinators show a Monthly Return of from 3 to 400
vaccinations, and it is to be hoped that the vaccinators in Káthiáwád will do the same. The
vaccinators who work zealously and well, will be selected for promotion to the higher
grades as vacancies occur, whilst the lazy and negligent will be heavily fined and eventually
dismissed.