xxvii
At present the work is only limited by the amount of lanoline lymph supplied, and
early in the year I made arrangements, with the consent of the Sanitary Commissinor, Bengal,
by which these two subdivisions receive 800 grains every week, i.e., enough to vaccinate
12,800 persons a month.
Again, it should be remembered that although the Ferazi population is immense, small-
pox has been such a scourge among them that large numbers need no vaccination, having
already had the disease.
Inspection results.
I have altogether visited 274 Ferazi villages in this dis-
trict, and have inspected 6,039 cases, giving the following
results:—
In 4 points ... ...
In 3 points ... ...
In 2 points ... ...
In 1 point
...
...
3,083
1,394
563
453
Doubtful ...
Failures ...
Sore-arms ...
469
36
41
The doubtful cases were all recent ones, and although they would in all probability turn
out well, they were seen too early to classify among the successes.
The lymph supplied from the Central Vaccine Depôt was very good.
The effects of the work on this and
outside districts.
A. Local results.—In making statistical enquiries it is necessary to remember that
the smaller the number of facts on which conclusions are
based, the greater is the liability to make incomplete and
erroneous deductions. On this ground alone I am unable
to speak positively as to the effect of our work on the death-rate of this district. We must
have more data before we can come to any reliable conclusion, and this want only time can
supply. Nevertheless, I have been informed by several native gentlemen who reside here,
and who are in touch with village life, and by the vaccination staff, that already there has been
a great decrease of small-pox in these two subdivisions. Another immediate result has
been the creation of a feeling of safety among the Hindu population, several Hindu gentle-
men having told me that heretofore they had never felt safe, not knowing when small-pox
might break out in neighbouring Ferazi villages, and spread to them. It is well known
locally that if small-pox breaks out in a Ferazi village it almost invariably spreads right
through, going from house to house.
In the following villages—
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Char Kootapur,
Harpainea,
Chota Kolaipur,
Char Nassipur,
Babu Char,
Char Pryatolee,
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Neelokee,
Char Taspur,
Char Kowkail,
Char Neelokee,
Budrassow
the disease had just broken out when we arrived, there being one or two scattered cases ;
but I am glad to say that by taking immediate steps to vaccinate the whole unprotected
population the disease was arrested, and no fresh cases occurred. These are only a few of
the many examples of the protective power of vaccination, which have come to my notice.
Outside effects.—In commencing this report I stated that I was led to start work in Farid-
pur, as this was the Ferazi head-quarters, and I felt sure that if all went well here Ferazi
opposition in other districts would decline.
On January 14th the Head Moulvi from Chandpur in Comilla came to my boat with
Moulvi Syeddudin Ahmad. It seems the Ferazis of that place were being pressed to accept
vaccination, and so their Moulvi had come to Moulvi Syeddudin Ahmad for instructions.
The latter brought him to me, and as the result of my interview with him it was forthwith
arranged that he- (the Chandpur Moulvi) should return and advise the people to accept
vaccination with lanoline lymph. Early in February, while at the Central Vaccine Depôt,
Calcutta, an indent was received from the Civil Surgeon, Comilla, asking for lymph to
vaccinate 5,000 Ferazis in Chandpur, who had agreed to be vaccinated with lanoline lymph.
Again, I hear on good authority that the news from Faridpur has gone across the Pudma
river, and that Ferazis in Munshiganj subdivision, Dacca, are now submitting to vacci-
nation.
Moulvi Syeddudin Ahmad is shortly going on his annual tour into Backergunge district.
He has promised me that he will direct all his followers there to offer no further opposition to
vaccination.
I think the results of my effort have been satisfactory, seeing how short a time has
elapsed since the work commenced.
In conclusion, I would bring the following names to the Sanitary Commissioner's notice
in the order in which they merit recognition.
1. Moulvi Syeddudin Ahmad.—I would suggest that this gentleman receive from the
Government some token of approval such as he will be likely to value. He is a man of good
social standing, of immense influence in Eastern Bengal, and the autocratic and religious
ruler of about 4 millions of people. Nursed in the exclusiveness of a belief that regards with
aversion every usage that has not the distinct sanction of his creed, he has nevertheless been
quick to recognise the principle that " the safety of the people is the highest law," to withdrawall