ABSTRACTS OF REPORTS OF CIVIL SURGEONS.
PRESIDENCY CIRCLE.
WESTERN DISTRICTS—BURDWAN DIVISION.
Burdwan.
Burdwan.—Sub-Assistant Surgeon Denobundoo Dutt states that a muni-
cipal vaccinator receiving Rs. 10 a month was employed during a short time,
but discharged by Dr. Elliot on account of his unsatisfactory work and the
difficulty experienced in getting the people, prostrated with fever, to submit
to vaccination: only ten operations were performed. The district is within the
limits of the Metropolitan circle, and operations conducted throughout it are
described in Dr. Powell's report.
Bancoorah.
Instruction of in-
oculators.
Bancoorah.—Mr. Connolly reports that one vaccinator, paid Rs. 10 by
Government, is employed to vaccinate the station. An active high caste man
was appointed in January, and he worked hard, performing during the remainder
of the season 1,100 of total of 1,505 vaccinations—the season's work. Arm to
arm vaccination was practised, and the civil medical officer inspected and checked
the work weekly and found it satisfactory. The system of proceeding is not
mentioned. Inoculation has hitherto been the rule in Bancoorah, but the people
are becoming more favorably disposed to vaccination. Eighteen inoculators came
forward for instruction and were taught vaccination, certified competent, provided
with authority to practise by the Magistrate, and permitted to vaccinate where
and how they pleased; nine of these men sent in returns showing an aggregate
of 1,423 operations. It does not appear that their work was inspected. No
serious outbreak of small-pox was reported. At Raneegunge Mr. Roberts
vaccinated 31 European and East Indian children.
Beerbhoom
Two inoculators
instructed.
Beerbhoom.—Dr. Barker reports that one vaccinator, paid Rs. 10 a month by
Government, was employed in vaccinating within municipal limits, from the
beginning of November to the close of the year. The plan of work, if any, is
not described, but the man's proceedings were carefully watched and found to
be very satisfactory. The number vaccinated greatly exceeds that of 1870-71,
and the percentage of success is fair. There is a great prejudice against
vaccination in the district, and inoculation is very generally practised. Two
inoculators were taught vaccination, but they reverted to inoculation. Small-pox
broke out at Bhamchatea in April 1871 (22 cases and 3 deaths), and again
appeared in the same place in January 1872. Up to the close of the year
(31st March) there were 67 cases and 13 deaths. A gang of vaccinators belong-
ing to the Metropolitan circle was detached to try and stamp out the disease.
They were at work when the report closed.
Midnapore.
Midnapore.—The following interesting report on the work of converted
inoculators in the Midnapore district, by Assistant Surgeon R. G. Mathew, is
given in full. Mr. Mathew's proposals for more extended and systematic work
during the coming season will be submitted separately for orders.
Public vaccinators.
The number of public vaccinators employed in this district during the past year
numbered sis; of which three were employed in connection with the Midnapore dispensary, and
three with the branch dispensaries of Tumlook, Mysadul, and Gurbetta, respectively. The
latter are paid from the dispensary funds, and of the remaining three, two are paid for by the
municipality, and the third, who was engaged only during the cold season, was paid from
the dispensary funds.
The vaccinators employed in and about Midnapore are paid Rs. 10 per mensem, and
work throughout the year.
The dispensary vaccinators work only from October to March, under the supervision of
the officer in charge of the dispensary, and receive salaries as follows:—Mysadul, Rs. 10 ;
Gurbetta, Rs. 5 and Tumlook, Rs. 10.
Vaccinators attach-
ed to branch
dispensaries a
failure.
I may here remark that the work of vaccination carried on in connection with the
dispensaries of Tumlook and Gurbetta was most unsatisfactory.
Paid vaccinators in connection with the branch dispensaries I find do not answer. The
necessary supervision is seldom exercised, and they have hitherto worked pretty much as they
liked.