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methods of vaccination practised in Bengal, viz., (1) with vaccine lymph obtained
direct from the calf, (2) with vaccine lymph prepared with lanoline, and (3)
with human lymph taken by arm-to-arm transfer. But, as he remarks, the
value of the statement is reduced by the fact that in the case of the arm-to-arm
method repetitions are included and unsuccessful operations excluded from the
returns. On the advantages of using vaccine rather than human lymph,
Dr. Dyson observes:—
" Speaking, from personal experience extending over six years in other provinces, of all
these methods of vaccination, I have no hesitation in pronouncing very decidedly in favour
of vaccination direct from the calf. I see it stated in previous reports of this Department
that lymph ' when properly procured by the arm-to-arm process and from healthy children,
is of equal value to the lymph procured direct from calves. I am not prepared to admit
this; but even supposing it to be the case, the difficulty is always to procure healthy subjects.
Invariably, the children used as vaccinifers are low caste and unhealthy. No woman of the
well-to-do classes will allow her child to be used as a vaccinifer. On the other hand, the
advantages of vaccination direct from the calf are distinct, and obviously superior to any other
kind of lymph. In the first place, the lymph is pure, the only danger being from tuberculosis,
which, however, is not a common disease among cattle in this country; secondly, this source of
supply is practically inexhaustible; and, thirdly, the poorer people are not harassed to supply
their babies as vaccinifers, which is an important consideration. The advantages of direct
calf-vaccination are so great, that it is fast gaining a strong foothold in the public estimation.
Three years ago when I was -officiating as Sanitary Commissioner of these provinces, and
suggested this idea for mufassal towns and rural areas, there was immediately a storm of
opposition; religious prejudices were put forward, and the impossibility of inducing the people
to give up their calves temporarily was said to be insuperable. Judicious perseverance,
however, in some places, in accordance with my expressed conviction that it would succeed,
has gained the day, and I now find on returning to Bengal that there is scarcely any prejudice
in the northern, eastern and lower districts of the Province."
Lanoline lymph is said to be very useful in starting vaccination, and also
in times of emergency, such as sudden outbreaks of epidemic small-pox,
and it is for this reason chiefly that a supply of it ought to be maintained.
12. It was stated in the last Resolution that arrangements had been made
to provide the Nepal Darbar with a regular supply of vaccine lymph from the
Darjeeling depôt. Of the lymph sent last year three consignments out of five
proved inert owing to the change of temperature, but 694 persons in all were
vaccinated, 573 being successful. The Medical Officer in charge of the Bir
Hospital, Nepal, has taught the arm-to-arm method to a number of vaccinators,
who will commence work next season, and it is stated that there is no imme-
diate necessity for supplying fresh lymph. Should such necessity arise, the
Sanitary Commissioner will no doubt be able to meet the requirements of the
Darbar.
13. Attitude of the people.—The Sanitary Commissioner reports that in
Bengal the people seem to be gradually realising the benefits of vaccination, but
that there are still places where vaccination is opposed chiefly on sentimental
grounds.
A considerable step in advance has been made in Faridpur by
Dr. Deare, Deputy Sanitary Commissioner, who induced 36,240 Ferazi Muham-
madans, including the leaders of the community, to submit to vaccination with
lanoline lymph. A full account of Dr. Deare's operations forms an appendix
to the report. The Lieutenant-Grovernor's acknowledgments are due to him,
and also to Maulvi Fazl-ul-Karim, Subdivisional Officer of Madaripur, for the
tact and perseverance with which they managed to overcome the prejudice
which has long been a serious obstacle to the spread of vaccination in Eastern
Bengal.
14. Inspections.—The Sanitary Commissioner remarks that the inspections
made by Deputy Sanitary Commissioners were on the whole not as numerous as
they should have been, but he adds that they have to inspect the remote parts
of the districts, while Civil Surgeons visit places comparatively easy of access.
The increased activity on the part of Civil Surgeons noticed in the last
year's report, was maintained in 1895. The largest amount of inspections
was made by Dr. Peck, Civil Surgeon of Muzaffarpur, who inspected 13,997
operations. Dr. Russell, of Dacca, comes next with 13,487 inspections, and
is followed by the Civil Surgeons of Saran, Mymensingh and Monghyr, with
11,892, 11,865 and 11,479 inspections, respectively. Twelve Civil Surgeons
inspected more than 5,000 operations, and thirty-one from 1,000 to 5,000, while
the officers in charge of the 24-Parganas, Faridpur, the Chittagong Hill Tracts