REPORT.
iii
practice more materially by adopting vaccination as their profession. It is a fact which should
not be lost sight of, that the inoculators leave a section of the population unprotected.
10. On the whole the work of the Metropolitan circles is highly satisfactory, and very
creditable to Dr. Powell and all concerned. It fully justifies the wisdom of establishing
them on their present footing, even although their expense to the State is, and must
continue to be for some time to come, considerable.
11. Darjeeling Circle.—There has been no change in the constitution of the establish-
ment with the exception of an addition of 2 head vaccinators and 12 vaccinators for tem-
porary employment in the Rungpore district. The operations of this circle are extended over
6 zillahs. The number of vaccinators is a little more than half of that employed in the
Metropolitan circles in parts of three zillahs. The work cannot therefore be so systematic or
thorough, and there are greater physical difficulties to combat, more stubborn opposition and
a more general practice of inoculation. The superintending agency is to the vaccinating
as 1 to 7.2, and the number of operations to each vaccinator 2,188. As compared with last
year there has been a falling off of 2,672 cases, and the cost of each successful operation has
been annas 3.8¾, against annas 3.5.
12. The Superintendent's observations regarding vaccination among the hill tribes are
interesting. Operations were suspended during the months of July and August, but Septem-
ber and October show a good outturn.
13. In Julpigoree, the Terai and Dooars work was erratic, and through inevitable causes,
superintendence was weak, and the results correspondingly bad. Good appears to have been
done in limiting the spread of small-pox.
14. The results in the Cooch Behar state are unfortunate; but the Commissioner had,
doubtless, good reason for the action he has taken.
15. The Rungpore operations were feeble and scattered through the causes assigned by
the Superintendent. Vaccination can make little progress, or prove of much value in such
circumstances. The difficulties, both physical and moral, in this zillah cannot be adequately
met by such a small band of vaccinators, and while small-pox is perennially present, and
demands special attention, systematic or exhaustive vaccination cannot be practised. Owing
to the severity of small-pox in the district during the hot weather and rains of 1870, an
extra staff of two head and twelve ordinary vaccinators was sanctioned for work in this district
during the cold weather. Small-pox appears to have been effectually stamped out through
this agency, but was again spread by inoculation during the early months of 1871. The civil
surgeon reported in March that the district was " pretty well protected by the operations of
the- vaccine- staff." Reports of small-pox, however, continued to be received until recently
(July) when the disease seems to have died out.
16. In Bograh also small-pox interfered with regular work, but the work done
was comparatively satisfactory in amount, and the decline of inoculation is a gratifying
circumstance.
17. In Rajshahye, on the other hand, inoculators are numerous and active, and better
results are hoped for when superintendence is improved.
18. The work in Dinagepore has been more satisfactory than in any other district, and
Maldah and Purneah were not taken up this season for the reasons assigned.