Part II.]
VACCINATION IN THE PROVINCE OF BENGAL.
59
The arm-to-arm system of vaccination seems to be specially objected to
by the inhabitants of Dinagepore.
Explanation of the
falling off in results.
Regarding the falling off in the number of operations, Dr. Lidderdale ex-
plains that this " arises from vaccination to suppress small-pox having been
practised only in 4,976 cases in the hot weather of 1873, against 13,935 in that
of 1872. This steady decline of hot-weather vaccination indicates that the
operations of the department are being followed by a great diminution of
small-pox in this circle."
Darjeeling as a depôt
for lymph supply.
The report discusses the possibility of constituting the Darjeeling Hills
a source of lymph supply, and it is rendered tolerably plain that, owing to the
scantiness of the population at a sufficient height, these hills can never be
made to occupy the place, with regard to Bengal, that Kumaon and Ghurwal
fulfil for the North-Western Provinces.
Ranchee circle.
Establishment.
Ranchee Circle.—Dr. J. Wood was the superintendent; the establishment
remained unchanged. In addition to this agency, 120 ex-inoculators worked in
Chota Nagpore. Eight native christian vaccinators and many unpaid ap-
prentices were also engaged in carrying on operations.
Results.
The regular establishment performed 37,411 operations, being an increase
of 993 upon the total of the previous year. The number of successful cases
did not increase correspondingly, but shows a slight decrease (35,177 against
35,206). Each vaccinator performed 1,870 cases. The percentage of success
remained almost unchanged at 97.4, and the cost of each successful case was
5 annas, or nearly half an anna less than in 1872-73. The work done by the
above-mentioned unpaid agency amounted to 66,291 cases, with a rate of about
80 per cent. of success. The total results amount to about four-fifths of
the number which would appear to be theoretically necessary.
Attitude of the
people.
The high caste men still declined to accept vaccination, but nowhere
was active opposition encountered, and it is apparent that the prejudices of the
people are disappearing gradually.
Vaccination
performed in the old
way.
It seems unfortunate that the use of the old fashioned needle is adhered
to, and consequently vaccination at more than one point is the exception.
Small-pox.
Small-pox prevailed much more extensively than during the previous year—
667 deaths were reported.
Lymph supply.
Lympb supplies were received from Calcutta, but for the most part they
turned out badly. Owing to outbreaks of small-pox, operations were carried on
more extensively than hitherto during the non-working season (when 1,578
cases were got with 76.6 per cent. of success), and thus a small stock was pre-
served. August was the only month in which no vaccination was done. Some
delay resulted from the scantiness of the supply at starting.
Vaccine census.
A vaccine census was taken; it included 1,505 individuals drawn from
school, jail, and town populations ; 26.3 per cent. had had small-pox, 6.9 per
cent. had been vaccinated, 59.8 had been inoculated, and 6.9 were unprotected.
Eastern Bengal
Circle.
Establishment.
Commencement of
the season
Results
accomplished.
Eastern Bengal Circle.—Assistant Surgeon Bhoobun Mohun Mitter re-
tained the post of superintendent. The establishment consisted of 5 head
vaccinators and 51 vaccinators, being two head vaccinators and 15 vaccinators
in excess of the numbers employed in 1872-73, but even this was considerably
below the establishment sanctioned by Government, viz., 6 head vaccinators
and 72 vaccinators. The vaccinators were employed during the recess in tak-
ing a vaccine census and in writing up the registers. The virus was established
in September by conveying a child from Calcutta to Goalundo and thence
to Dacca, and from this source arm-to-arm vaccination was kept up throughout
the year. Besides the regular establishment, 6 municipal vaccinators also
worked. Including the work done by these latter, a total of 80,599 successful
vaccinations were performed. The population of the Dacca district is 1,852,993,
which would give a birth-rate of 34,805, or less than half the number of suc-
cessful vaccinations. It is therefore proposed to extend the Act prohibiting
inoculation, to this area. The regular establishment performed 78,550 opera-
tions with a percentage of 99.44 of success. Each vaccinator performed 1,539
operations against 1,320 in 1872-73, and the cost was 1 anna 11 pie against
1 anna and 8 pie.