9
part performed after the decline of the outbreaks in the villages of the inocu-
lated persons, they afforded no statistical evidence of the efficiency of inocu-
lation. But they tended to familiarise the minds of the people with the opera-
tion and to dispel the mistrust and fear with which it is usually looked
upon by those who have had no previous experience òf it. As a matter of
fact what was done in 1901 produced a considerable demand for inoculation
in the next plague season, 1901-02. No attempt, however,' was made in that
season to press it upon the people, and all that was done was to inocu-
late as far as possible those who desired it. A desire for it was usually ex-
pressed only by the people of infected . places at the time when plague
there was at its height, but during the climax of the outbreaks the demand
was so keen that the limited Medical staff which was on plague duty found it
impossible in certain districts to inoculate all who wished to be done. It is
reported that many persons performed considerable journeys and underwent
considerable personal inconvenience in order to present themselves for the
operation. The total number of inoculations done between the 1st of October
1901 and the 31st August 1902 was 211,503, chiefly in February (26,015),
March (41,590), April (47,612), and May (35,721). The numbers inoculated
in the districts in wnich most operations were done are given in the following
statement :—
District.
1901-02.
Ambala
Ludhiána
Hoshiárpur
Jullundur
Gurdáspur
Ferozepore
Lahore
Siálkot
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Months in which inocu-
lations were chiefly
done.
February to May
March to June
January to May
November to June
November and January to
April.
April to June and
August.
February to July
December, February,
Match and May.
MONTHS IN WHICH MOST INOCU-
LATIONS WERE DONE.
Month, 1901.
April
Do.
March
April
March
May
June
Do.
December
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Number.
21,967
8,533
8.076
5,697
6,748
6,255
6,283
5,369
5,026
Total inoculations
done from 1st
October 1901
to 31st August
1902.
45,692
30,448
29,812
26,253
22,151
20,369
16,017
15,684
The people also came forward in small numbers in Amritsar, Gujránwála,
Gujrát and Shahpur. Unfortunately it was found impossible accurately to
follow up the results of the operations of 1901-02. The press of work was very
great and the staff that had to cope with it was insufficient, while in some cases
the severity of the outbreaks disorganised the reporting agency. In Ferozepore
the inoculations were mainly done after plague had begun to decline, and hence
statistics of its protective value cannot be obtained. In many districts no
statistical statement of the results is forthcoming. In Ambala, Hoshiárpur and
Siálkot the local officers were able to collect statistics which can be accepted
as fairly correct, and these evidence the value of the operations. The results are
apparently unfavourable in Ludhiána only. The figures collected for this
district give a higher case mortality among the inoculated than among the
uninoculated
The district, however, was one in which the reporting agency was
thoroughly disorganised, and there is reason to believe that the statistics are
altogether incorrect. The results were undoubtedly protective in many indivi-
dual cases and inoculations came well out of the test to which they were sub-
jected, which was a severe one, since the operations were performed only on