42
SONTHAL PERGUNNAHS.
regularly supplied with crusts, by obtaining them from the Superintendent-
General of Vaccination, but more especially from my Deputy Superintendent at
Rajmehal.
System now neces-
sary.
A vaccine inspector
proposed.
12. From what has been reported above, it will be allowed that the
introduction of vaccination by means of Brahmin inoculators all over the
Sonthal Pergnnnahs has now become an accomplished fact. Time has
therefore arrived, I think, to introduce a little more system. The oper-
ation has spread over a vast area, and several of the fresh hands would
require a little instruction and watching. To ensure perfectly reliable
results, a closer and more systematic plan of inspection of the work of
the inoculators than was before thought advisable should be enforced.
Neither the people themselves nor the inoculators object now to such in-
spections. On the contrary, from what I have seen myself, the people
have come to regard it as a sign, since they have to pay no tax for it, that
the Sirkar Bahadoor does take an interest in their welfare. I would therefore
venture to suggest that a native inspector be appointed for the purpose.
If a sub-assistant surgeon be not allowed, a trustworthy, old, experienced
vaccinator may be nominated on a pay of, for instance, Rs. 30 a month.
This man should always be on the move, only coming in now and then to
report progress to the Civil Surgeon, and to furnish materials for monthly
returns. As the area of operation will be a very extensive one, some of the
inoculators working not far from the beat of the Deputy Superintendent of vaccin-
ation may be placed under his supervision; and, as before, the Civil Surgeon,
as opportunity occurs, by periodically visiting some centres of operation, will
be able to ascertain for himself whether everything is progressing satisfactorily
or not.
Progress of rational
medicine and self-
supporting vac-
cination in the
Sonthal Pergun-
nahs
13. In conclusion I beg to be allowed to state that it is a matter of
satisfaction to me to be able to report such satisfactory progress of the work
of vaccination in the Sonthal Pergunnahs on the eve of my departure from
here for a while. When I first took charge of this district the people scarcely
had an idea of English medicine and surgery, and there was not a single place
where the poor could resort to for a grain of medicine or for medical aid.
Vaccination was not known, and those few who had heard of it had a great
horror of losing their caste by the introduction of cow's blood into their system.
Since then, by my continued humble exertions, no less than four charitable
dispensaries have now been established in different parts of the Sonthal Per-
gunnahs ; the blessing of vaccination has been extended over the whole land ;
the prejudices of the high caste Brahmins and the narrow-minded bunniahs have
alike been overcome; and they, as well as the ignorant Sonthals, have come to
appreciate the value of this great prophylactic ; the Sonthal Pergunnahs have
been made into a separate vaccination circle ; and finally, what is more
cheering, the old Brahmin inoculators, originally the most inveterate opponents
to the introduction of vaccination, have been won over, and by whom ? There is
every reason to hope that, not before long, the whole work of vaccination, as an
institution of the people themselves, will be carried on without the State
having to keep up an expensive establishment for the purpose.