THE METROPOLITAN CIRCLES.
9
mild attacks of small-pox. One child was, however, reported to have died. In another village
they had inoculated in one parah during the night, the other parah was vaccinated
some short time after. In the inoculated parah two had died from inoculated small-pox.
I saw three who were permanently much disfigured as in natural small-pox. Several others
were less severely affected; but in consequence of the introduction of small-pox by inoculation,
one man previously inoculated had confluent small-pox, and was, when I saw him, in great
danger, and a bad child, considered too young for inoculation, was suffering from small-pox.
" They had taken the poison with their own hands," they said, " and must abide the
result." On inquiry why they did not adopt our English system, they said they did not
know of it, did not understand it, they would do so in future; showing no hostility to the
practice, but they had acted partly from ignorance, and partly, no doubt, from following in
the steps of their forefathers.
29. The precautions which are described in Dr. Charles's report of last year as usually
adopted in villages where inoculation has been practised are well calculated to prevent the
spread of the small-pox; but these precautions are not always strictly observed. One infringe-
ment of the rules, by which intercourse between the infected and non-infected villages is
restricted, is permitted in the cases of near relatives, who are permitted to visit their friends
suffering from small-pox, induced either by inoculation or naturally, and then return to
their own residence. The infection is therefore not confined to the spot, but spreads far and
near; every inoculated village becomes a focus of small-pox infection, from which the disease
spreads, and then this department is called on to stamp it out. I think it well worthy of
consideration if the Act which prohibits inoculation in Calcutta and some few adjacent
places might not be much more widely extended, even if it were not made co-extensive
with the metropolitan circles.
30. Attitude of the people.—The attitude of the people generally towards vaccination is
not hostile; in some parts, especially in the more remote and less advanced rural districts, there
is opposition. Prejudice is not yet overcome, there is still a leaning towards the ancient usage,
" inoculation," and this is of course encouraged by the professional inoculators. Some have an
undefined dread of vaccination as a new thing, some fear that it may lead to some new form
of impost. Often have I been asked by a villager if there was " anything to be paid for this—
will Government enforce the payment of one rupee per head; if so, where are we to get it, for
we are very poor." I think I have usually succeeded in re-assuring them that nothing would
be exacted. In the larger towns and villages the feeling against vaccination is disappearing;
and where they have had an opportunity of seeing and testing its value, the advent of the
vaccinators is welcomed, and the inoculator is not allowed to exercise his art.
31. On this point Baboo Jadub Chunder Ghose writes:—" In conclusion, I beg to add
that opposition to vaccination is gradually diminishing. People have become convinced of the
efficacy of vaccination where the operation has once been introduced. It is only in tracts
where ignorance still prevails along with superstition that opposition is met with, but a little
perseverance is sufficient to surmount all resistance. In towns and villages where education
has dispersed the gloom of former days, the approach of the vaccinators is cordially hailed.
This progress of good opinion is to be attributed to experience which the people have had
time to accumulate from the facts of former years. A large number have been convinced of
the prophylactic power possessed by the operation. The people submitted a few children to
the test by inoculating them with small-pox virus, but to no effect. This procedure above
all means tended to confirm their opinion respecting the prophylactic power of the operation.
From such startling progress in their opinions I am led to conclude that our victory will be
complete within a few years' time."
32. In some places a certain sect or family refuses to be vaccinated; for instance, in the
village of Khurdah, where inoculation is forbidden, we had vaccinated early in the season, and
in January I visited the village. Shortly afterwards a letter was received from Baboo Juddoo
Nath Mookerjee, an inhabitant of Khurdah, complaining that vaccinators had not visited the
place. He was willing to pay some small sum to cover expenses Later still, in March, small-
pox having been reported in Sodepore, Sookchur, and Bailghurriah, villages close to Khurdah,
I sent vaccinators to these villages and directed that thay should wait on Baboo Juddoo Nath
Mookerjee. He then refused vaccination, and I learnt that he was one of the gossains who were
much opposed to the practice. Still later in the season Baboo Ram Soonder Ghose visited the
village and succeeded in gaining over the gossains. He was also successful at Bhatparrah in
getting the gooroos to accept of vaccination,—a noticeable event, as they are held in high
estimation for sanctity by their neighbours
33. Deputy Superintendent Baboo Ram Soonder Ghose writes on this point:—
" Upon the whole the people in my circle, having been accustomed from time to time to
visits from vaccinators, readily came forward and accepted vaccination when offered to them.
c