Part II.]
VACCINATION IN THE BENGAL PRESIDENCY.
53
Lymph supply for
Bengal.
and sufficient supply of lymph. The supply for the Province of Bengal was,
as hitherto, derived chiefly from Calcutta; but in isolated intances, other
sources were drawn upon,—for example, the Sonthal Pergunnahs applied suc-
cessfully to Darjeeling. Dr. Charles notes that the stock of humanized ani-
mal virus mentioned in his former reports had reached its 202nd transmission
through man on March 31st, 1874, and that it remains perfect in every way,
though it has been kept alive through three hot weathers and rains.
Concerning Darjeeling as a source of lymph supply for Lower Bengal, the
Surgeon-General writes as follows :—
Last year Dr. Charles proposed that an effort should be made to make the Darjeeling hills
a source of lymph supply, like Kumaon and Ghurhwal in the North-West. The proposal was
referred to Dr. Lidderdale for report. He now points out that the differences between the two
places are so great, that there can be no comparison between thom. Kumaon and Ghurhwal
have a much larger population, the people live in higher altitudes, the climate is much colder
than in the Darjeeling hills. Again, inoculation is prohibited in the former, while in the latter
it is forbidden only within the limits of Darjeeling. The number of vaccinators on duty in
Darjeeling is only three, while the number must be greatly larger in Kumaon and Ghurhwal.
The last two difficulties, viz., inoculation and smaller number of vaccinators on duty, can be
easily got over, but the others, viz., a meagre population and lower elevation, are beyond our
control, and seem to be insuperable.
North-West.
In the North-Western Provinces, the Kumaon and Ghurhwal depôt con-
tinued to work admirably. A supplementary dep6t has been established in the
Terhee tract of country. The Superintendent-General gives the following ac-
count of these valuable sources of supply :—
During the past season, 9,018 crusts and 7,547 tubes have been received from the vacci-
nators and tube fillers employed in the hills. The character of the virus continues unexcep-
tionable in quality. I never allow a single crust or tube to leave my office without having
been first subjected to my own inspection and selection. The tubes are filled in the northern
districts only, where the children are exceptionally strong and healthy. The reports of the
numerous medical officers in the plains testify to the excellence of the supplies sent to them,
and to the care taken to ensure success. This depôt is the fountain-head of all our operations :
any failure or neglect here would induce a collapse all round. The officiating superintendent
of the Agra and Meerut circle, Dr. Richardson, similarly uses his Tehree tract of country for
the supply of virus for his own circle, and to medical officers in the North-Western Provinces
and elsewhere. The demands upon my own depôt have of late years increased so largely, that
I have been glad to have the relief afforded by this supplementary depôt. Dr. Richardson has
worked this portion of his circle with great care and judgment, having secured the favourable
co-operation of the Rajah and his subjects in seconding his efforts.
The lymph procured from the supplementary depôt turned out all that
could be desired. The vesicle was established with English lymph, and it is
noted that "the first vesicles were very feeble looking, but those resulting from
lymph taken from them were more vigorous. This is stated to be constantly
the case with English lymph first used in the cold parts of the hills. The only
drawback connected with this minor nursery is the extreme prevalence of
syphilis.
Punjab.
In the Simla and Hazara hills of the Punjab, an ample supply of vaccine
material was collected during the hot months. English lymph was tried by
Dr. Bennet with a total absence of success.
Animal
lymph.
Dr. Garden on his way back to India in September 1872 procured some
animal lymph from Dr. Warlomont in Brussels, the head of the Vaccination
Department in Belgium. Of this he writes :—
It consisted of tubes closed at the ends with ordinary sealing wax, and ivory points
simply wrapped in paper. Wishing to see if this would preserve its power if kept for a con-
siderable time, I did not use it till June 1873, that is, nine months after I had received it.
That contained in " tubes" completely failed in every case, whereas the " points" were used
successfully.
Three children were vaccinated by six punctures on each.
One child presented six good vesicles, one four good vesicles, and one was unsuccessful.
Lymph was taken from the successful cases, and other children successfully vaccinated with it.
The results show that animal lymph will retain its activity, though kept for a long time. The
fluid lymph in the tubes would most likely have kept its power had the tubes been properly
fastened by melting the ends in a flame.
On comparing these vesicles with those produced from the use of " hill lymph," no differ-
ence could be distinguished.
Lymph
supply for
Central
Province.
In the Central Provinces, vaccination was kept up throughout the year
at Nagpore, Seoni, Chindwara, and Khandwa, and there was no lack of fresh
n