SONTHAL PERGUNNAHS.
21
I at once deputed to the spot the vaccinator who was working with me at the dispensary with
a supply of lymph received from Calcutta; but the people would not then accept his services,
inoculation having already been established. This was the only instance that has come to
my knowledge of the occurrence of small-pox in this district during the past year. No
other instances are on record previous to my taking charge of this department. 1 am
inclined to believe, however, that other instances had occurred, but which through apathy or
wilful neglect on the part of the people, and the want of a regular police, they were not
allowed to come to the light. I make this assertion simply from what has recently
been witnessed this year. At the beginning of April, small-pox had appeared in two or
three villages, chiefly as the result of inoculation; and had I depended solely upon the police,
and not been myself constantly on the alert, I think I would have missed the information.
The mundels and chowkeydars were extremely apathetic and indolent This fact was brought
to the notice of the Assistant Commissioner, who kindly took action in the matter, and
rendered it binding upon the mundels to give information immediately that any outbreak
of small-pox occurred. In these villages, as well as in two others which have all recently
formed the subjects of special reports, the people who are chiefly Hindoos or Mahomedans had
strongly resisted all former attempts at vaccination. Two of the villages mentioned above as
being the starting points of small-pox, had secretly called in inoculators from foreign districts,
and had undergone inoculation. I am happy to be able to say, however, that through my exer-
tions recently vaccination has been introduced in most of the villages, and the small-pox has
now well nigh disappeared. It it a fact also worthy of notice that small-pox has not yet
been known to make its aggression upon any of the villages which have been protected by
vaccination, and I can almost confidently assert that even if it were to do so my successful
cases would resist inroads most successfully.
12. The pergunnahs in greater or less portions of which vaccination has been per-
formed during the year are Cheetolia, Chota Kanjiala, Burra Kanjiala, Piar, Mujhwa,
Telliagooree, Jumni, and Kankjole; and the number of villages in which the work has been
carried on amounts to 76.
13. It is an auspicious circumstance for the next season, that in the sub-division of
Pakour, constituting in most part the zemindaree portion of the district, where the people are
generally very intractable to deal with, and where vaccination has never been practised, two
influential zemindars have been induced to enlist themselves on our side. I should have intro-
duced the work there this year had it not been too late in the season when any sudden
removal of the vaccinators from the sphere of their operations would have proved detri-
mental to the progress of the work. Moreover, the paucity of my establishment, and the
want of a native Superintendent, render it impracticable that two or more sub-districts
should be taken up in one season. It cannot be expected that an unassisted Deputy
Superintendent would be enabled to keep up the necessary amount of control and close
supervision if the work is spread out too much, especially over a rugged tract of country like
this, where the difficulties and inconveniences of travelling and so forth are so immensely great.
As it is however very desirable and necessary for the progress of the work that two or
more Sub-districts should be taken up at once, 1 humbly beg to solicit the sanction of a
native Superintendent for this circle. The amount of work that might then be overtaken
would more than counterbalance the small outlay that would be incurred.
14. In conclusion, I think it but justice to mention that one of my vaccinators among
the rest, the oldest one of the batch, whom I have taken occasion to mention above, has
shone very conspicuously during the season. He has vaccinated a total number of 2,976
cases, out of which 2,843 have turned out successful. His work was always subjected to a
rigid scrutiny and he has acquitted himself most creditably. This man is also very popular
among the Sonthals, and I think that if, what is earnestly prayed for, a native Superintendent,
or at least a head vaccinator, were sanctioned for this department, his services might be
turned to infinitely better account. In fact, to give him a little encouragement would be in
a manner to secure the permanent interests of this department.
Memorandum from C. R. FRANCIS, ESQ., M.B., Deputy Inspector-General of Hospitals,
Dinapore Circle, to the Secretary to the Inspector-General of Hospitals, Indian
Medical Department,—(No. 1362, dated Dinapore, the 19th June 1871.)
* In the Sonthal Pergunnahs.
IN forwarding the accompanying Report* and Return on Vaccination for the past year,
the undersigned ventures to think that great credit is due to Dr.
Chundra and to the Deputy Superintendent, Baboo Kali Krishna
Ghose, for the energy they have shown in endeavouring to propagate the blessing of vaccin-
ation amongst the Sonthals. The facts recorded by Dr. Chundra are peculiarly satisfactory.
It seems premature, however, to increase the pay of the Deputy Superintendent as recom-
mended by him.