( 7 )
ber of operations was the result: but the Chief Commissioner has since heard that this letter
was a fraud, and that the Goshain subsequently levied fines from those who relied on it.
No Deputy-Commissioner, no Government officer, wields half the authority or power which
these saintly personages possess. They make progresses through the districts with semi-
regal state, are attended by crowds of followers, are paid by the contributions of the villa-
gers,.levy dues through their subordinate officials who are spread over the country, and hold
courts of enquiry, at which reports are received of all lapses from the religious ordinances
which govern social life, and punishment is inflicted. Mr. Elliott in the last winter received
a graphic account from an old mauzadar, who was not apparently lying, of what he him-
self had witnessed when one of these Goshains came to a village where one of his disciples
had violated the anti-vaccination ordinance: how his followers seized hold of the man, and
in the Goshain's, presence, and by his orders, beat him till they were tired, and then levied
a fine of Rs. 40: No complaint has ever been made in the criminal courts of these acts
of violence and exaction. Large sections of the community are no doubt free from this
religious subjection, and it is among them that vaccination makes progress: but among the
classes higher in the social scale it can make little advance till some means are found of
diverting the opposition of the Goshains, or till the superstitious veneration in which they
are held melts away.
District reports.
19. The table given in paragraph 2 of this review affords a comparative view
of the work done in all the districts of the Province. Sylhet
shows by far the largest number of operations, and the
development of vaccination work from 1,948 operations in 1881-82 to 23,241 in 1883-84
reflects high credit upon Dr. Macnamara, as well as upon the Deputy-Commissioner and
the sub-divisional officers. Dr. Macnamara, however, takes too favourable a view of the
quality of the work done by the vaccinators, and had his inspections extended over 1,500 or
2.000 cases, instead of 281 only, he would probably have found a smaller proportion of
successful cases than 90 per cent. What is wanted in Sylhet is closer supervision of the
large staff of vaccinators now at work.
Cachar.—The number of operations in Cachar has not greatly increased in 1883-84;
but the Government vaccinators are only three, and they have worked at the rate (the
best in the Province) of 1,445 cases each in the year. The percentage of successful
operations for this district ( 77.4 ) is the lowest in the Province, and is explained
by the bad lymph used to begin with. Three vaccinators are to be entertained by
the two Local Boards in the season of 1884-85.
Goálpára.—In Goálpára, the number of persons vaccinated in 1883-84 was more than
double the number of the previous year. About 44 per cent. of the operations were
performed by ex-inoculators, against 75 per cent. in 1882-83. Dr. Eteson attributes these
excellent results to the systematic training which the vaccinators were put through in the
depôt at Dhubri, to the organisation of working-plans for the season, and to thorough
examination and inspection. The Chief Commissioner concurs in thinking that the
progress made is highly creditable to Dr. Dobson. With regard to the question whether
vaccination in the Dhubri depôt is expedient, in view of the fact that it must add to the
discomforts of the voyage, and of the subsequent journey to the garden of destination, the
Chief Commissioner is inclined to agree with Dr. Eteson, and wishes him to issue
such orders as seem to him suitable.
Kámrúp.—The increased number of operations in Kámrúp is due almost entirely to
greater activity on the part of the Government vaccinators. The 35 ex-inoculators of 1883-84
performed only 196 operations more than the 20 of 1882-83 (5,418 operations against
5,222). Vaccination ought to make more rapid progress in this populous district,
and Dr. Mullane should endeavour to show a better return of inspections next year. The
Sadr Local Board has done well in following the example of Sylhet, and has (in the
budget for 1884-85) supplemented the slender staff of four Government vaccinators
by an equal number paid from Local Funds. Barpeta also proposes to entertain two Local
Fund vaccinators.
Darrang.—The report from Darrang is in so far unsatisfactory that it affords no
explanation of the considerable decrease in the number of operations in 1883-84,
(5,194, against 8,716 in 1882-83), a decrease of which this district furnishes the
sole example in the Province. The personal exertions of Dr. Campbell are highly
commendable, but he should bring the Mangaldai vaccinators under better control,
and make them furnish a more adequate tale of work.
Nowgong.—The Nowgong district has a smaller number of vaccinators than any
other district in the plains. The results of the year, however, show that progress is
being made. The proposals for increased establishment have been discussed above.
Sibságar.—Dr. Eteson comments on the apathy shown in Sibságar, and not
without reason. The number of operations fell from 5,391 in 1881-82 to 3,155