SONTHAL PERGUNNAHS.
17
12. IV.—Singbhoom.—Two men were sent from the Lohardugga party in the beginning
of December to work in the north of Singbhoom district, near the village of Bundgaon, where
two vaccinators had been engaged during last season (1869-70). Two other men were sent
in the beginning of January. They found employment in 49 villages, and I have placed their
work in the returns, although it was not seen by myself or a native Superintendent. It was
found impossible to inspect these cases. Indeed the other parties were so far separated
that even their efficient superintendence was not practicable. I hope that it will not be
needful to have the several parties so scattered next season.
13. Each of the parties was visited twice during the season, except the men in
Singbhoom, and on comparing individual villagers with the records, only excusable errors were
usually found. Operations were chiefly limited to certain thannahs, but outbreaks of
small-pox and other causes prevented such a precise limitation as could have been wished.
14. Inoculation.—Only two men, as mentioned above under Lohardugga, have
been convicted for inoculating during the year past. The inoculators in Maunbhoom
district have come forward in a body desirous of being made vaccinators. In some places
the natives seem to be aware of this, and tell the Government vaccinators that vaccination
will be accepted at the hands of these " tekaits" alone. In Maunbhoom generally it would
appear from inquiries made by the police that this is the feeling of the people. About
four fifths of the old inoculators in this circle live in the Maunbhoom district. Instruction,
guidance, and superintendence I hold to be absolutely needful to enable the "tekaits" to
vaccinate successfully. Without these I think they will fail to inspire the people with trust
in the efficacy of vaccination, and they themselves will have less faith in it than is its due.
In spite of defects, however, there will doubtless be a large number of good vaccinations
performed by these men hereafter.
15. Before concluding this report I should not omit to remark that work done by
vaccinators in the interior of districts during the hot weather and rains is much harder than
similar work done during the cold weather, while the pay received by them is much less.
All the native Superintendents and vaccinators were employed during the hot weather or
rains of 1870, with the exception of two men who were on leave. The consequence was that
most of them suffered in health, and some were so seriously ill that I scarcely hoped to see
them at work again. The men feel this to be a very great hardship, and complain to me
loudly about it. I would suggest that each man actually engaged in work during the hot
weather and rains receive his full pay as during the so-called " working season."
16. The Commissioner of Chota Nagpore informs me that in one part of the division
the inhabitants came to him and prayed him to put a stop to this new thing (vaccination),
for the children who were vaccinated infected their cattle, which died in consequence.
From ASSISTANT SURGEON R. C. CHUNDRA, Civil Surgeon, Sonthal Pergunnahs, to the Deputy
Inspector-General of Hospitals, Dinapore Circle,—(No. 388A, dated Deoghur, the 9th
June 1871.)
SIR,
I HAVE the honor to forward the accompanying annual vaccination report and
returns of the Sonthal Pergunnahs for the year ending 30th April 1871, from Sub-Assistant
Surgeon Kalikrishna Ghose, the Deputy Superintendent of Vaccination.
The difficulties referred to in his report by the sub-assistant surgeon have not been at
all exaggerated. The want of a band of trained vaccinators has been felt from the very
commencement of operation in this circle of vaccination; besides we scarcely had at any
time the full complement of vaccinators. It is difficult to get intelligent men from Lower
Bengal to come for such low-paid appointments, when they come to understand that their
work lies in the jungles of the Sonthal Pergunnahs. This difficulty can to a certain
extent be met, and the work carried on more rapidly if the appointment of a couple of
native inspectors be sanctioned. These men will be able to train all newly-initiated vaccin-
ators, besides those who will in time prove themselves to be skillful in their work may be
induced to stay on in the department when they can look forward to promotion to a higher
and better paid grade.
The present Deputy Superintendent, Sub-Assistant Surgeon Kali Krishna Ghose, is a
good officer. He is steady and persevering. He has done his work of inspection systemati-
cally and with some degree of completeness, and I have confidence in his returns; and I might
almost say that he is the first Deputy Superintendent appointed to the Sonthal Pergunnahs
circle who appears to take interest in his work. By way of encouragement, therefore, and
to make the post of Deputy Superintendent of Vaccination in the jungles of the Sonthal
Pergunnahs somewhat attractive. I would beg to recommend the grant of an extra allowance
of Rs. 50 a month to the grade pay of the sub-assistant surgeon.