( 3 )
†The mean of the preceding
5 years 1892—96 being 62,355.
It will be seen that there was an increase of 25,881 vaccinations, as
compared, with the preceding year, 27 out of the 49 districts, including the
Tributary States of Orissa and Chota Nagpur, contributing to this result. This
is satisfactory, considering that the Province was just recovering from the effects
of a severe famine in some places and of prolonged scarcity in others. It is
noticeable that of the 15 districts which suffered severely from the late famine,
viz., Shahabad, Saran,* Champaran,* Muzaffarpur,* Darbhanga,* Bhagalpur,*
Sonthal Parganas, Hazaribagh, Palamau,* Manbhum,* Nadia,* Khulna,*
Murshidabad, Bankura and Puri,* 10, viz., those marked with an asterisk, show
an increase of vaccination work. The largest falling off in operations (viz.,
26,237 ) took place in Chittagong. This was almost solely due to the distres-
caused by the cyclone and the storm-wave which swept over the district on the
24th October. In Shahabad, which comes next with a decrease of 21,579 opera-
tions, this, was said to be. due to (1) the large number of vaccinations performed
during the previous year, and (2) the prevalence of small-pox throughout the
year. This explanation is hardly satisfactory, for with the recorded birth of
67,775† children during 1897, a much larger number
of operations than only 23,753 should have been
performed, while the existence of small-pox should
have acted as an additional stimulus to work. The decrease of operations
in other districts is thus explained by the Civil Surgeons:—
Burdwan.—Decrease of 3,912, due, the Civil Surgeon reports, "partly to
the fact that vaccination operations during 1896-97 were much more numerous,
owing to the prevalence of small-pox throughout the district, and partly to the
negligence of some of the licensed vaccinators who have been punished."
Another explanation is that several apprentice, were appointed to act in the
place of old experienced vaccinators who absented themselves.
Birbhum.—Decrease of 6,114. Due partly to large number of vaccinations
having been performed during the previous year, owing to a severe outbreak of
small-pox. in. the district, and partly to a greater portion of the vaccination
fees for season 1896-97 remaining unrealized, owing to the prevailing
scarcity; the vaccinators as a matter of consequence probably avoided cases
where they feared that they would not get their fees.
Bankura.—Decrease of 11,511. Due almost solely to a very large number
of vaccinations having been performed during the two previous seasons in
villages which had hitherto remained unprotected, and to some extent to the
fact that a large number of the labouring classes left the district with their
families on account of the late famine, and have not yet returned.
24-Parganas.—Decrease 2,738. Due almost solely to the fact that the
vaccinators having failed to realize their fees during the previous season,
owing to the prevailing scarcity, neglected their work.
Murshidabad.—Decrease of 2,160 was probably due to small-pox having
been not so rife during the year under report as during the previous year.
Dinajpur.—Decrease of 8,857. Due almost solely to non-acceptance of
vaccination by the people, as they were unable to pay the vaccinators' fees on
account of the prevailing scarcity.
Jalpaiguri.—Decrease of 669. Due to usual fluctuations in the number
of operations performed from year to year.
Rangpur.—The decrease here was only 19.
Bogra.—Decrease of 1,093. Due to ordinary fluctuation.
Dacca.—Decrease of 12,898 was due to—
(1) dearness of food-grains and the consequent reluctance of the people
to pay the vaccination fees;
(2) a more extensive field of work among the Ferazi Muhammadans
during the previous year when whole villages were vaccinated,
which left less work to be done during the year under report;
(3) transfer of some villages to the Faridpur district; and
(4) less energy on the part of the Inspecting staff, owing to stricter
control over their travelling allowance bills.
The first three causes were said to have been in operation also during
1896-97, resulting in a smaller outturn of work. I cannot, however, accept the
explanation that more extensive vaccination among the Ferazi Muhammadans in
B 2