ii
REPORT.
The reasons assigned last year for the falling off in the number of operations performed
at these dispensaries, namely, the spread of systematic operations through* the town, and the
carrying of vaccination to the houses of the people, still hold good. The ratio of success
continues to be remarkably high, and Dr. Charles is evidently satisfied of its reality.
Dr. Charles has treated fully of the prevalence of small-pox last year as compared with
previous years. His observations are most gratifying and important. I coincide with him
in his assertion that year by year the problem of efficient protection becomes more difficult
and arduous, the further removed from a general epidemic of small-pox.
5. The observations and conclusions regarding animal vaccination are interesting, and
might become practically important. It is satisfactory to find that the value of the vaccin-
ation already performed in the usual way has been so completely affirmed.
6. Dr. Charles does not discuss the degree of protection he is able to confer on
Calcutta and its suburbs by means of his establishment by estimating the yearly accession to
the town of unprotected individuals in comparison with the number of persons actually
protected. He will be asked to attempt this in future reports.
7. The three Superintendents, Sub-Assistant Surgeons Bhoobun Mohun Mitter, Kally
Dass Bose, and Kassy Chunder Dutt, are brought to notice as earnest and successful workers,
and I quite agree with Dr. Charles in assigning to zeal and industry in a somewhat
irksome and monotonous duty a high value.
8. Metropolitan Circles.—Surgeon F. Powell continues to superintend these circles; the
establishment was precisely on the same footing as in the previous season. The percentage of
superintending to vaccinating agency is as 1 to 16.5. The cost of each successful case is a little
higher—annas 4-0¼ against annas 3-0. Each vaccinator vaccinated 2,123 persons on the
average. Operations were, as formerly, systematically conducted, so many thannahs being
assigned to each of the three circles; 19 thannahs including 2,185 villages were occupied and
protected, while several parties were sent out to " stamp out" outbreaks of small-pox or pave
the way for future work. There was a falling off in the work of the first circle. The causes
are set down and satisfactorily explain the result. Each vaccinator vaccinated 1,228 persons,
and the Superintendent inspected 86.94 per cent. of the cases.
In the second circle inoculation interfered with the work. The number vaccinated by
each was 1,414, and percentage of cases inspected 80.67.
The work of the third circle is highly satisfactory, and indicates decided progress. Each
man vaccinated 3,726 cases. 79.98 were inspected.
The Superintendent's inspection was on the same thorough plan as last year, and it is
satisfactory to find that he verified the ratio of success to within one-tenth of that reported.
His careful plan of inspecting and recording results of inspection* is worthy of imitation,
and I accordingly propose that other Superintendents should adopt it if possible. They will
be instructed accordingly before the commencement of the working season.
9. I am of opinion that the time has come to extend Act IV of 1865 to the zillahs of
Nuddea, 24-Pergunnahs, Hooghly, Howrah and Burdwan, as proposed by Surgeon Powell;
but as this matter is under special consideration I need not discuss it at length here. It is
promising to find that the inoculators are changing their time of operation. This is one departure
from the usual, and augurs well for the possibility of eventually inducing them to alter their
* Vide paragraph 8 of report for 1870-71, and paragraphs 19 and 20 of report for 1869-70.