NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
80
Lymph.—A good supply has been kept up, and the vesicles have been large and
well-defined.
Cost of Vaccination.—The
Vaccinator's pay for the year, according to the
new scale, was Rs. 155-8-0, and that of the Peon Rs. 96-0-0, lancets Rs. 12, and
paper annas 12 ; total Rs. 264-4-0. The average cost of each vaccination appears
to be annas two and pies six, being an increase of annas one and pies six and a-half
compared with the previous year, which is accounted for by the increase of pay to the
Vaccinator and Peon, also for the lancets and paper (which two last items were not
included in the previous year.
Character of the Vaccinator.—The Vaccinator has been most attentive to his
duties, and has given every satisfaction.
BROACH.
One Government Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon, Surgeon J. GLEN.
Population, 30,000. Total cost, Rs. 249. Average cost of each successful vac-
cination, 3 annas and 6 pies.
Years.
1868
..................
1869-70.........
Total
Vaccinated.
1,266
1,131
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
.........
.........
Decrease.
.........
135
Succssfully
Vaccinated.
1,018
1,071
Percentage
of Success.
80.4
94.6
There has been a decrease in the number of children vaccinated of 135 as com-
pared with the preceding year. This decrease would appear to be attributable to fewer
individuals frequenting Broach during the cotton cleaning season than used to,
many people from the districts having then been employed at the native churkas,
which now have almost disappeared. The people, therefore, who used to find occupa-
tion in this manner, find it gone. They, therefore, have turned themselves to agriculture
and other employments in the native villages. Their children, on this account, who used
to be vaccinated by the Town Vaccinator, will now become subject to the vaccine
operations by the individuals appointed for that purpose in the different districts.
There appears to be no suggestion to offer at the present time with regard to the
speedier progress of vaccination. The present operator carries out his duties actively
and zealously, and there is nothing in his conduct to call for remark. No small-pox
epidemic has visited Broach or the districts during the past official year, and the lymph
has been at all times good.
81
KAIRA.
One Government Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon, Assistant Surgeon
H. COOK, M.D.
Population, 12,539. Total cost, Rs. 242. Average cost of each vaccination,
4 annas and 1 pie.
Years.
1868
...............
1869-70...............
Total
Vaccinated.
796
951
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
.........
155
Decrease.
.........
.........
Successfully
Vaccinated.
638
725
Percentage
of Success.
80.1
76.2
The total number of cases of vaccination performed by the Station Vaccinator in
the town of Kaira and its neighbourhood has been 951. This, compared with the
number of cases in the preceding year, shows an increase of 155—showing greater
diligence on the part of the Vaccinator, and the absence of some disturbing causes
which were present during the preceding year, and partly also to there being a Peon
engaged especially for the work during the greater portion of the year. Of the total
number, 829 operations were performed on children under one year ; the remainder,
122, were performed on children and others over one year—several of the latter being
prisoners, whose vaccination was deemed advisable on admission to Jail.
With regard to sex, 584 were males, 267 females; caste, 847 were Hindoos, 53
Mussulmans, 2 Christians, 49 other castes. As to the results, it will be observed
that a comparative large number, 226, are set down as doubtful or unsuccessful. With
regard to the former, it is to be observed that many children were vaccinated in Kaira
who were brought by their parents or other relatives from villages at a distance, and
the result of the operation on these could not be ascertained ; while in others belonging
to the town or neighbourhood, the vesicles were so much injured by scratching, &c.,
that a proper opinion could not be formed of their efficacy. The greater number of
the absolutely unsuccessful cases were among the prisoners,—few, if any, of whom were
successfully vaccinated, they either having been vaccinated previously, or, more pro-
bably, having had a slight attack of small-pox, which left slight or no traces on them.
The work of the Vaccinator is confined to the town of Kaira and the neighbouring
villages, in which he is obliged to go occasionally, so as to be able to keep up his
supply of lymph, as at times subjects for the operation are not to be obtained in the
town itself. As before mentioned, he vaccinates, when he has an opportunity, children
who are brought into the town by their parents from distant villages when they
come here on business. The population of the town itself is, according to the latest
information, as follows : males 4,342, females 4,760, children 3,437 ; total 12,539.
11 v s
82
The quality of the lymph and vesicles has, on the whole, been good, though fresh
supplies of lymph have had to be obtained three or four times in the course of the
year, owing to the deterioration of the vesicles.
When this was observed good lymph was at once obtained from the district
Vaccinator, and the work carried on without delay. At present a fresh supply is
required, and has been applied for.
The conduct of the Vaccinator has been good on the whole, though I have had
to find fault with him for want of care in the selection of vesicles with which to carry
on his vaccinations, also for vaccinating at a later hour of the day than was advisable,
and, consequently, working under unfavourable conditions. The children vaccinated are
inspected every month, and the character of lymph thereby ascertained. The in-
habitants seem to fully understand the value of the operation, and, as a rule, do not
object to have the operation performed. As the same time, it must be stated that they
do not evince any anxiety about the matter : they must be sought out; and when the
children are vaccinated, their parents do not trouble themselves much about ensuring
the successful result of the operations, by preserving the vesicles from injury.
There has been no epidemic of small-pox in the town, nor have I seen any cases
among patients brought for treatment at the Civil Hospital, though a few cases do
occur. So far as I am aware, inoculation is not practised. The operations were
performed by Assistant Vaccinator Ramchunder Barsay (General No. 209).
The total cost of vaccinations for 1869-70, all of which is borne by Government,
was Rs. 242-8-0, and the average cost of each vaccination was 4 annas and 1 pie.
The average cost of each vaccination for the year 1868 was a little over 2 annas and
7 pies ; the increased cost for 1869-70 is principally due to the increased rate of pay
to the Vaccinator and the pay of a Peon entertained for this work since February.
The present system of vaccination seems to work well; and unless vaccination is made
compulsory, I see no other means of making it more general but time, and consequent
increased intelligence and knowledge of the benefits of the operation among the people.
AHMEDABAD.
Two Municipal Vaccinators under the Civil Surgeon, Surgeon Major D. WYLLIE,
M.D.
Population 150,000. Total cost, Rs. 464. Average cost of each vaccination,
1 anna and 1 pie.
Years.
1868
...............
1869-70.........
Total
Vaccinated.
4,604
4,047
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
......
......
Decrease.
......
557
Successfully
Vaccinated.
4,489
3,881
Percentage
of Success,
excluding
Unknown.
......
96.8
84
semblance of authority, without any of its exercise, would do much to overcome the
vexatious obstructions that prejudice and ignorance put up as respects children already
vaccinated, while the presence of such Peons would be an assurance to the people of
Government being still directly interested in the success of the work, and thus confer
a prestige on the labours of the establishment, which, as servants of the Municipality,
it would be vain under existing circumstances to look for.
Small-pox was more or less present in the city from January to June, and gave
some little stimulus to the efforts of the Vaccinators, although less pronounced than in
former years. The deaths from this disease for the period, as registered by the
Municipality, were 117. Every case was taken to lessen the spread of the epidemic ;
and while the occasion was used to press vaccination on the people, the houses wherein
affected persons had been were subjected to lime-washing, and buildings outside the
city were set apart as a separate Hospital for the reception of cases.
An incident occurred that may be recounted in illustration of the difficulty of
obtaining lymph from children. One of the Peons had obtained the consent of the
mother of a vaccinated infant to permit the Vaccinator to take lymph from its arm,
and while this was being done the Peon was wantonly assaulted and beaten by a
neighbour of the woman's, a man in no way connected with her. The aggressor was
convicted and fined by the Magistrate. It is needless to say, that an occurrence of
this kind would not have happened had the Peon belonged to the Police.
GOGO.
Operations performed by Mr. Apothecary GEORGE, in Medical charge Dispensary.
Population, 8,227. No cost.
Years.
1868
..................
1869-70............
Total
Vaccinated.
......
542
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
......
542
Decrease.
......
......
Successfully
Vaccinated.
......
479
Percentage
of Success,
excluding
Unknown.
......
90.8
The total number vaccinated during the year was 542 ; among these, 48 were un-
successful, and 15 doubtful or unknown, the remainder were successful. No annual
return of vaccination was rendered for the twelve months of the past year, as vaccination
was in abeyance; a quarterly return, from January to March 1869, has been rendered.
The vaccinations were performed by the Medical Subordinates in charge; viz., Assistant
85
Apothecary W. Roane (General No. 97) from April to July 1869, Second Class Hospital
Assistant Babajee Bhoonkie (General No. 310) in August, and from September to the
end of the year by me. The population of Gogo is 8,227. The cost of the vaccination
for lancets, paper, &c., is unknown, as these have been procured by indents, nor can
the average cost of each vaccination, for the same reason, be ascertained. Vaccination
sedulously performed with the best of lymph.
One case of small-pox occurred in April in a child who was not vaccinated : the
child recovered. Vaccination is not received by the wealthier Hindoo community with
the readiness displayed by Mussulmans. The children having to be brought to the
Dispensary for vaccination, the Hindoo parents, probably for this reason, seem to be
restrained from taking any trouble to secure the prophylactic ; moreover, they say that
total immunity from small-pox after vaccination has not been realized. They cannot be
made to understand that vaccinating their children secures them from the virulence
of the contagion, which, if it do not prove a prophylactic, yet is indubitably a modifier
of the force of the virus, should their children be placed in contiguity with sufferers
from the disease.
RAJKOTE.
One Government Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon, Surgeon A. M. BLOMFIELD,
(Officiating).
Population, 17,500. Total cost, Rs. 276, of which Government paid Rs. 156,
and the Raja Rs. 120. Average cost of each vaccination, 3 annas and 7 pies.
Years.
1868
...............
1869-70...............
Total
Vaccinated.
308
1,215
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
.........
907
Decrease.
.........
.........
Successfully
Vaccinated.
259
1,000
Percentage
of Success.
86.3
82.3
This return includes those vaccinated in the station and town of Rajkote and
neighbourhood. There is a considerable increase over the number vaccinated last year.
Those cases which have come under my notice, i. e. those vaccinated in the Military
lines, have all presented good vesicles.
No cases of small-pox has been reported to me.
86
KURRACHEE.
One Government Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon, Assistant Surgeon
N. HOPKINS.
Population, 100,000. Total cost, Rs. 307-8-0, of which the sum of Rs. 180 was
paid by Government, and Rs. 127-8-0 by the Municipality. The average cost of each
successful vaccination, 1 anna and 5 pies.
Years.
1868............
1869-70............
Total
Vaccinated.
3,035
3,933
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
.........
898
Decrease.
.........
.........
Successfully
Vaccinated.
3,265
3,422
Percentage of
Success,
excluding
Unknown.
.........
91.9
The vaccination return for 1869-70 shows that there was a considerable increase
in the number vaccinated over the previous year, and this increase would have been
greater had it not been that in the month of July the lymph was bad, and I had to
order complete suspension of all operations till I got a fresh supply ; and again, during
the period cholera was raging in Kurrachee, vaccination was not so vigorously carried
on. The real increase in 1869-70 over 1868 is 898 ; the percentage of successful cases
is lower than in the year 1868, owing somewhat to 271 of vaccinated patients in
July being recorded unsuccessful through bad lymph. During the month of
January 1869 there were 14 cases of small-pox, and again from January to April
1870 there were 66 cases of small-pox ; and I regret to say that the disease is still in
the town and suburbs to a certain extent, but every effort is being made to vaccinate
all who have any communication with the affected persons. I have long been of
opinion that there is work enough for two Vaccinators in Kurrachee ; and I find
that the late Dr. Ritchie, when Deputy Inspector General of Hospitals in Sind,
strongly recommended that there should be two appointed. Amongst the inhabitants,
some are strongly against vaccination ; others are apathetic, and make no efforts to
have their children vaccinated. An instance occurred only the other day ; a man
brought his child into the Civil Hospital with small-pox. I asked him why he had
not had his child vaccinated. He replied that the man (Vaccinator) had not called ; if he
had he would have had his child vaccinated. It is impossible for one man to find out
where every child is who ought to be vaccinated, if the parents are indifferent about the
remedy ; and the more numerous the Vaccinators are, the more likely are children of
apathetic people to be found out and the remedy applied. I would strongly recom-
mend that two Vaccinators be appointed to Kurrachee for twelve months to sec the
result.
The conduct of the Vaccinator has been generally good.
87
The Jail annual return shows that a large number of prisoners were vaccinated
during the year. There was one case of small-pox in the Jail and one case of chicken¬
pox. To prevent the disease from spreading the prisoners were all vaccinated as soon
as possible.
HYDRABAD.
One Government Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon, Assistant Surgeon
T. HOLMESTED.
Population, 40,000. Total cost, Rs. 216, of which the sum of Rs. 96 was paid
by the Municipality, and Rs. 216 by Government. Average cost of each vaccination,
1 anna and 1 pie.
Years.
1868
...............
1869-70............
Total
Vaccinated.
1,847
2,162
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
......
315
Decrease.
......
......
Successfully
Vaccinated.
1,827
2,153
Percentage
of Success.
98.8
99.5
During the past year 2,162 vaccinations were performed ; this gives an increase of
315 over the preceding year.
2. Last year I had to report that the Amils were objecting to vaccination, and
recommended it should be made compulsory. The objections, I am glad to say, are on
the decrease, and the Vaccinator has seldom any complaints to make of obstruction : but
my opinion remains the same, that vaccination ought to be compulsory, and the follow-
ing measure would to a great extent make it so ; viz., that no child be admitted into
any school, or person into Government employ, who could not show the scars on the
arms, or small-pox marks ; "that every parent be fined, according to his means, who
may suffer his child to catch small-pox, unless the child has the modified type and
shows the scars on the arms."
3. The lymph has continued good throughout the year : no necessity has arisen
to change or supplement it. Lymph has been given away occasionally. The Superin-
tendent of Vaccination has sent for several supplies.
4. The Vaccinator is a good man, and does his work well. During the past year I
wrote, asking that his pay might be slightly increased, so that he might be entitled to
pension. The application was refused. I hope at some future period his case may again
be taken into consideration.
5. I cannot at the present time suggest any further improvement.
6. No case of small-pox was seen by me during the year, or by my Hospital
Assistant; but the Vaccinator reported, at the commencement of the hot weather, that
88
he had seen one or two suspicious cases amongst some Marwaree children. No case
was reported as occurring amongst the inhabitants of Hydrabad.
7. The Vaccinator's name is Raymon Khan (General No. 233).
8. The population amongst whom vaccination is performed numbers 40,000.
9. The total cost of the vaccinations amounted to Rs. 216, of which Govern-
ment paid Rs. 120, and the Municipality Rs. 96. The average cost of each
vaccination was one anna and one pie. The lower classes of Europeans object fre-
quently to have their children vaccinated from native ones. I find this prejudice much
less frequent amongst the better classes : they appear to be satisfied that what is being
done is the best, and that their opinion cannot be so good as that of a Medical Officer.
From my reading and experience, I come to the conclusion that if the lymph is taken
from a proper vesicle on to a clean lancet, and no blood contaminates it, there is then no
fear of injuring any child by the venereal poison. During this year all telegraph
employés received an order to be vaccinated. Amongst those who presented themselves
before me were two young men, who had on their arms peculiarly good marks of
previous vaccination ; notwithstanding that, they were vaccinated again, and to my
surprise, in both of these cases, most successfully. From this the inference might arise
that the protective properties are exhausted in some cases before the obliteration of
the scar ; so every one in the vicinity of danger should be re-vaccinated every few years.
SHIKARPOOR.
One Government Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon, Assistant Surgeon
J. F. KEITH, M.B. (Acting).
Population 45,000. Total cost Rs. 289-12-0, of which the sum of Rs. 121-12-0
was paid by Government, and Rs. 168 by the Municipality.
Average cost of each successful vaccination, 3 annas and 9 pies.
Years.
1868
...............
1869-70............
Total
Vaccinated.
1,240
1,224
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
.........
.........
Decrease.
.........
16
Successfully
Vaccinated.
1,188
1,183
Percentage
of Success,
excluding
Unknown.
.........
98.5
Compared with the preceding year there is a decrease of 16.
2. Great difficulty is met with in getting the people to bring their children to
the Dispensary for the purpose of vaccination, and the Vaccinator has to go to their
houses several times, and reason with them, before they can be induced to bring them
out.
89
3. If the state of the lymph can be estimated from the kind of vesicle on the
arm it must be very fair.
4. The conduct of the Vaccinator is good.
5. No improvement necessary.
6. There was no small-pox throughout the year.
KOTREE.
One Municipal Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon, Assistant Surgeon JOHN
ROCHE, M.D.
Population 20,626. Total cost, Rs. 268. Average cost of each vaccination, 5
annas and 10 pies.
Years.
1868
...............
1869-70............
Total
Vaccinated.
1,150
784
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
......
......
Decrease.
......
366
Successfully
Vaccinated.
1,089
707
Percentage of
Success,
excluding
Unknown.
94.7
93.2
The decrease in the number vaccinated during the official year 1869-70 is due
principally to the prevalence of sickness in the last six months, and in part to the
Vaccinator's death in September of cholera. The present Vaccinator, though a good
man, was not so successful as to numbers in October and November as his predecessor
might have been.
LARKHANA.
Operations performed by Third Class Hospital Assistant G. T. D'CRUZ (General
No. 453), under Sub-Assistant Surgeon BALCRISHNA SUDAMJEE.
Population 8,000. Total cost, Rs. 134. Average cost of each successful vaccina-
tion, 6 annas and 2 pies.
Years.
1868
...............
1869-70.........
Total
Vaccinated.
410
371
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
......
......
Decrease.
......
39
Successfully
Vaccinated.
385
350
Percentage
of Success.
93.9
94.3
12 v s
90
In submitting the accompanying annual return, I beg to state that, from 1st April
1869 to 31st March 1870, the total number of children vaccinated amounted to 371.
Of this number 350 cases were successful, and 21 doubtful and unsuccessful. At the
commencement of December last, vaccination was stopped for three weeks, as the
lymph had got bad, owing partly to the neglect of the parents in not taking care of
their vaccinated children and in not observing the directions given, and partly to some
of the vaccinated subjects being removed from Larkhana to adjoining villages. Since
the receipt of fresh lymph from the Superintendent of Vaccination the operations have
been carried on with great success. They have been performed by Third Class Hospital
Assistant G. T. D'Cruz (General No. 453). Now and then children were procured
with great difficulty.
No cases of small-pox came under my observation during the year under report,
nor did the disease prevail in an epidemic form.
ADEN.
One Government Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon, Surgeon R. W. JAMES, M.D.
Population 25,000. Total cost Rs. 215. Average cost of each successful vaccina-
tion, 5 annas.
Years.
1868
...............
1869-70............
Total
Vaccinated.
725
844
Compared with the
preceding year.
Increase.
......
119
Decrease.
......
......
Successfully
Vaccinated.
563
692
Percentage
of Success.
77.6
81.9
The increase this year is again attributable to the large number of manumitted
slaves brought to this station by Her Majesty's steamers, and as small-pox had broken
out amongst them, vaccination was rigidly enforced, to check the spread of the disease,
with the happiest result. Variola of a virulent type has been very prevalent during the
year, 273 cases having been admitted into the small-pox ward ; out of which 99 died.
As the disease originally spread from direct importation, a species of quarantine has
been instituted, and no one is now allowed to land from pilgrim steamers or ships
and native craft till officially visited by the Health Officer or his Assistant. The supply
of lymph has been constant throughout the year, and of very good quality : the non¬
success in 152 cases is due rather to the carelessness on the part of the patients and
their friends, than to the quality of lymph. The Medical Officers of Her Majesty's 82nd
and 12th Regiments have been supplied with lymph. From the former no report has been