( 3 )
already made in regard to the appointment of a separate Superintendent-
General on an enhanced salary.
13. The suggestion made by Dr. Charles in his second report, that
municipal vaccinators should be sent down to Calcutta in the recess, for training,
appears to the Lieutenant-Governor worthy of adoption. Dr. Charles' is at
liberty to communicate on this matter with the Chairmen of those municipa-
lities which entertain vaccinators, all expense being of course borne by the
municipalities. The question of the ultimate disposal of municipal vaccinators
does not at present arise.
14. The third of the special reports submitted, deals with the question of
regulating inoculation where it cannot be entirely suppressed. Briefly stated
Dr. Charles's argument is this. It is impossible for Government, save at a cost
which cannot now be contemplated, to provide vaccination for the whole of the
people of Bengal. Properly effected vaccination, even in India, is a protection
against small-pox, while it is not attended with those dangers to the individual
and the community which accompany inoculation. On the other hand, inocu-
lation, when practised under proper conditions, is not so destructive to life, as it
is usually supposed to be by English practitioners, while its prophylactic effects
are recognised popularly throughout India by natives of all classes. In
default of a complete vaccine system it is suggested that it would be wise not
to prohibit, but to regulate inoculation. To this end it is proposed that heads
of villages should use their influence to secure the inoculation of all the
unprotected inhabitants at one and the same time; and to prevent the associ-
ation of the inoculated with the unprotected during the period of affection.
Inoculators should, it is further suggested, be registered and compelled to
report their cases and results ; Zemindars and such like being responsible for
this being done. For the purpose of ascertaining what amount of protection
from small-pox is afforded by inoculation, and what its effects are, it is then
proposed that statistics from Jails, the Police, and Dispensaries should be
obtained; and that Civil Surgeons of several selected districts be directed to
enquire systematically into, and to observe the results of inoculation in their
immediate neighbourhood.
15. The general remark made upon Dr. Charles's propositions by the
Inspector-General of Hospitals, in paragraph 28 of his covering report, does not
lead the Lieutenant-Governor to the conclusion that the Inspector-General has
given as much consideration to these suggestions as they seem to deserve. It
is desirable that no doubt should exist on a point of such vital importance to the
country as that raised by Dr. Charles. It is questionable indeed, if his conclu-
sions be correct, whether the tendency of Government legislation and of the
executive action taken upon that legislation has been altogether correct.
Commissioners will now be requested to report on the subject after consulting
Magistrates and Civil Surgeons, and, on receipt of their replies, the Inspector-
General of Hospitals will be requested to reconsider the matter and submit,
for the information of Government, the views which he may form in the light
of the opinions so collated.
16. Darjeeling Circle.—In the Darjeeling Hills the total number of vac-
cinations up to the end of October was 3,372, of which 2,806 or 83 per cent.
were successful. The season for vaccination in the hills should be fixed by the
Superintendent with reference to his experience of the exigencies of the cli-
mate. From the end of October to the close of the year operations extended
over the districts of Rungpore, the Western Dooars, Dinagepore, Bogra, and
Rajshahye, the total of cases being 44,533, of which 88 per cent. succeeded.
The Lieutenant-Governor approves of Dr. Mathews' proposal that on an
outbreak of small-pox taking place, Civil Surgeons should inform the Super-
intendent at Darjeeling direct, as well as the Deputy Inspector-General of
Hospitals of their circle. The plan of giving gratuities to subordinates of the
Vaccine Establishments for energetic work does not commend itself to the
Lieutenant-Governor. It has been found to fail as pointed out by Dr. Charles
in paragraph 15 of his report. A system of graduated salaries and proper
supervision ought to secure the results desired. The Inspector-General should
call attention to this, and, if necessary, submit a complete scheme.