( 2 )
of which over 99 per cent. succeeded. High as this percentage is, it seems
to be borne out by the tests applied by the superintendent and the deputy
superintendents in person.
7. The rapid extension of vaccination round Calcutta may possibly
before long justify the prohibition of inoculation in the metropolitan circles.
The Commissioner and Magistrates will be consulted as to whether this
measure might not in certain tracts be even now carried out. The mischief
done by unregulated inoculation is represented to be great. In twenty out
of thirty-three villages attacked by small-pox during the year, inoculation is
stated to have originated the disease.
8. Darjeeling circle.—In this circle also the work advanced, the total
outturn being 81,444 cases as against 44,533 last year. The percentage
of success was 92.65, or 4.27 per cent. better than in 1868-69. Dr.
Lidderdale appears to have had to work in many cases with very untrust-
worthy agency. A proposal for increasing the establishment of this circle,
so as to provide for proper superintendence of the vaccinators, has been
recommended to the Government of India.
9. Ranchi circle.—The number of operations was 19,101 against 7,904
last year, the percentage of success being 84.15. Mr. Wood has included
in his report several propositions which ought to have been submitted
separately for orders, and of which no notice is taken by the Inspector-
General. Inoculation has been prohibited in this circle, the Lieutenant-
Governor fears, rather prematurely. The old inoculators are either without
employment, or are driven to practice surreptitiously; while the Government
vaccine establishment is too weak to overtake anything like a fair proportion
of the population. If the inoculators consent to learn vaccination, and to
have their work supervised by the deputy superintendents, the Lieutenant-
Governor does not see why they should not be allowed to practise vaccination
privately. The Government vaccinators might then be used for stamping
out small-pox outbreaks, and vaccinating the poorer classes who could not
pay a private practitioner. The Inspector-General of Hospitals should
consult the Commissioner as to whether a system of licensed vaccination
might not be introduced. The three deputy superintendents now employed
only supervise 20 vaccinators, while the same number in the metropolitan
circles look after 68. The Inspector-General should also say whether he
can arrange with the Commissioner to send native superintendents and
vaccinators to Jushpore and Sirgoojah at the expense of the rajahs, as
requested by them.
10. Sonthal Pergunnahs.—Operations in this quarter have been
hindered by want of proper agency. This Government has been from want
of funds unable to put matters on a more satisfactory footing. There were
6,339 operations, of which 79.61 per cent. are said to have succeeded.
11. The Inspector-General makes no remark upon the results of
dispensary vaccination. From the table at page 31 of the appendix, it
appears that in many places the work done by the vaccinators was very
inadequate. At Raneegunge, Jungipore, Azimgunge, Rutghurabazar,
Balasore, Pooree, Sherepore, Patna, Monghyr, and Gya, this is very marked
In fact, taking only dispensaries where paid vaccinators are entertained, the
return shews that the average annual number of operations per man was only
588, while the average number for each vaccinator in the metropolitan circles
was 2,291. Many dispensaries are far below the average, and the general