(4)
of population protected by vaccination during the last seven years. It is
interesting, but inconclusive. The death-rate from small-pox during the last
seven years has been identical in the districts of Darjeeling, Rangpur, and
Bogra, but in Darjeeling 6,000 of the 10,000 of the population are protected;
in the other two districts the proportion is under 2,000. In Backergunge the
percentage of protection is the same as in Rangpur and Bogra, but the propor-
tion of small-pox mortality is 0.2 per mille against 2.0. Small-pox in Darjeel-
ing may be abnormally fatal: in Backergunge abnormally mild; and the
Lieutenant Governor would like to see such comparison as the trustworthiness
of the older returns may permit between the mortality prior to the spread of
vaccination in any district with that which prevailed before. In a district,
for instance, like Malda, where nearly the whole of the infant population is
habitually vaccinated, there ought to be evidence, which he who runs may
read, of the value of the process in saving life. There is some evidence
already. In Malda last year only one person died of small-pox. Let the
enquiry and the comparison be carried further. It is by tangible evidence
such as this that the suspicious mothers in the Patna Division will be won
over.
11. Method of vaccination.—Compared with the figures of the preceding
year, the number of operations performed direct from the calf shows an
increase of 25,000 in the case of primary vaccinations and of over 5,000 in that
of re-vaccination. This increase is noticeable in the districts of Rajshahi,
Dinajpur, Dacca, Mymensingh, and Backergunge, where the bulk of the inhabi-
tants are Muhammadan, and also in the backward districts of Lohardaga and
Palamau. The proposal to introduce the system of vaccination direct from the
calf into the mufassal was under consideration during the year, and reports
were obtained from all Civil Surgeons, through Magistrates and Commissioners.
From twenty districts it is reported that there is no objection to the extension
of the system; but in other districts where it is less acceptable to the people,
the Sanitary Commissioner rightly considers that, having regard to the present
state of public feeling in respect of plague measures, it is inexpedient to
press it.
12. Supply of lanoline lymph to Nepal.—Five hundred and sixty-four grains
of lanoline vaccine paste were supplied to the Nepal Durbar from the Animal
Vaccination Depôt at Darjeeling. Only one return showing the result of
operations performed with the lymph was received, and it was found that all
the 25 cases reported therein proved successful.
13. Inspections.—The Deputy Sanitary Commissioners could not do any
inspection work during the year, because, as stated above, they were employed
throughout the working season on plague duty. Assistant Surgeon Gopal
Chunder Mukherji, who was in charge of the Western Bengal Circle from the
4th August 1897 to 31st March 1898, visited only 111 villages and inspected
4,227 operations. On the other hand, Civil Surgeons are stated to have shown
greater activity in this branch of their duties. The statement showing the
number of villages visited by Civil Surgeons, and the number of vaccinations
inspected by them, appears, however, to require further explanation. The Civil
Surgeons of the Sonthal Parganas, Muzaffarpur, and Palamau are shown as
having each visited more than 500 villages, and five others as having visited
more than 300 villages. The Lieutenant-Governor is unable to understand
how an officer who has heavy work at head-quarters can have paid really
effective visits to so large a number of villages; or have adequately inspected
so many as 15,000 vaccinations within the year. In two districts the number
of villages visited was less than 10, and in 20 it was under 100. There seems
reason to think that the returns have not always been compiled on a uniform
basis; and the Lieutenant-Governor would be glad if the Sanitary Commis-
sioner would give this matter his attention before next year's report is
submitted.
By order of the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal,
E. N. BAKER,
Offg. Secy. to the Govt. of Bengal.