iv
REPORT.
19. Dr. Lidderdale's remarks regarding inoculation are worthy of attention. It is
obvious that the spread of vaccination is seriously impeded by the number of inoculators
permitted to practise, and that their practice is dangerous to the health of the community.
If inoculation were prohibited in one zillah, and vaccination, systematized and prosecuted
on the thorough plan of the Metropolitan circles, it would form a nucleus for a gradual
extension over the circle of a sound system. Meanwhile flying parties under proper
arrangements for supervision might minister, as now, in the remaining zillahs of the circle, to
stamping out small-pox. I would suggest that the sense of the local authorities should be taken
upon Dr. Lidderdale's remarks, and the possibility of realizing a nucleus of exhaustive and
efficient vaccination.
20. I think that Dr. Lidderdale's request to have elephants placed at his disposal, if
required to visit the districts of his circle during the rains, is a reasonable one, and this might
be arranged for by the local authorities.
21. Ranchee Circle.—The establishment remains the same.
Superintending is to vaccinating agency (excluding the Superintendent) as 1 to 5. The
superintendents are, however, only head vaccinators. The work is scattered, and the more
scattered the work the greater the need of superintendence. The results as summarized by
Dr. Wood in the 1st paragraph of his report, are satisfactory. Each vaccinator performed
1,165-6 operations. It is obvious that the people are becoming familiarized with vaccination,
and particular incidents show that the conversion of inoculators to vaccination is becoming a
less difficult and remote prospect. The very reasonable proposal made in Dr. Wood's 15th
paragraph, to give the men full pay when employed during the hot weather and rains, has
been already conceded. (Bengal Government letter No. 2129 of the 8th July 1871.)
22. Sonthal Pergunnahs.—The principle on which the Superintendent worked, as
explained in the third paragraph of his report, was excellent, though he failed, through causes
which he assigns, to realize it to the full measure anticipated.
23. I do not support the proposal of the Superintendent to appoint a native deputy.
His staff of vaccinators is below the proportion superintended by one man in other circles, and
if he does not scatter them too much, he ought to be able to supervise their work systematically
and thoroughly.
24. The report of the civil surgeon is extremely interesting, and I commend his
successful efforts to promote self-supporting vaccination to the notice of Government. In
time more close supervision of these operations will become possible without endangering
their popularity or success.
25. Dispensary and Municipal vaccination.—It is satisfactory to find that local vaccination
has made some progress. The following table gives the general result of what was done
during the year :—
Presidency circle ... ... ...
Dacca
ditto ... ... ...
Dinapore ditto ... ... ...
Total ...
ESTABLISHMENT PAID.
By Government.
1870-71
No.
13
17
14
44
1869-70.
No.
13
17
14
44
By local fund.
1870-71.
No.
16
9
27
52
1869-70.
No.
11
15
17
43
TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS
VACCINATED.
By establishment.
1870-71.
29,322
13,768
30,944
74,034
1869-70.
21,796
15,453
13,163
5,04,121
By others.
1870-71.
1,263
643
4,424
6,330
1869-70.
1,339
2,010
2,426
5,784
Number of persons
vaccinated by each
vaccinator.
1870-71.
1,011.1
529.5
754.7
771.1
1869-70.
908.1
482.9
424.6
579.4