( 2 )
3. Calcutta and Suburbs.—The establishment consists of the superinten-
dent-general, 6 native superintendents, and 25 vaccinators. The average cost
of each successful case was as high as 14 annas 6¾ pie, and in the number of
operations there was a decrease of 2,996, which is attributed to the diminished
vaccination of non-residents and of persons at the emigration depôts. The
success attained in the protection afforded in the city and suburbs is, the
Lieutenant-Governor perceives from Dr. Charles' report, considered satisfactory.
The very large cost of each successful case in this circle, compared with that of
other circles, is not sufficiently explained.
4. The mortality from small-pox during the year of report is not given,
but 151 persons are stated to have died during the calendar year 1870. This
number must include many of the deaths mentioned in the report for 1869-70,
when the disease is said to have been much more prevalent than it was during
the last year. The mortality should, as far as possible, be reckoned for
corresponding periods in each report to admit of comparison. No difficulty
appears to have been experienced in receiving early intimation of outbreaks
through the police, and therefore the restrictive measures alluded to by
Dr. Charles in the 7th paragraph of his letter, for which legislation was
considered unnecessary, seem to be the less called for.
5. The experiments made to induce vaccinia in the cow, and to re-
vaccinate from the animal, are scientifically of great interest, and tend to show
satisfactorily that as long as humanized virus, as it is called, is available, it
would be unwise to resort to " animal vaccination."
6. Metropolitan Circles.—In these circles, comprising the districts of
24-Pergunnahs, Hooghly, and Nuddea, the establishment consisted of the
superintendent, 3 native superintendents, and 66 vaccinators. 140,119 persons
were vaccinated, being less by 15,706 than in the previous year; and the
cost of each case amounted to 4 annas ¼ pie. which is more by 1 anna ¼ pie
than the former average, owing, as explained, to the inclusion in the charges of
the superintendent's salary for the whole year, as well as to the decrease in
numbers vaccinated.
7. Some opposition was experienced, and the operations are reported to
have been somewhat interfered with by the earlier visits of inoculators. It is
to be hoped that the prohibition of the practice of inoculation throughout the
districts in these circles, which has very recently been notified, will have a
salutary effect.
Rungpore.
Dinagepore.
Bograh.
Rajshahye.
Julpigoree.
Darjeeling.
Cooch Behar.
8. Darjeeling Circle.—This circle comprises the districts noted in the
margin, and with an establishment of 4 native
superintendents and 36 vaccinators under the
superintendent, operated upon 81,444 persons, at
a cost of 3 annas 8¾ pie in each successful case.
The operations were spread over a large extent of country, and were rather of
a desultory character, owing, it is said, to the outbreak of small-pox induced by
inoculation in various places; but the results show not so much that it is neces-
sary to prohibit inoculation throughout the circle by law, as that the area is
too large for the system of thoroughly vaccinating a given tract in the first
instance to get a fair trial. The recommendation contained in the 19th para-
graph of Dr. Brown's letter, for centralizing, as it were, the system within a
more manageable radius, will be forwarded to the Commissioners for report
as to how it can best be carried out. Desultory vaccination over 7 districts
by 36 vaccinators is little better than the old unsystematized plan, which the
Darjeeling circle was intended to supersede.
9. The very strong opposition exhibited in Cooch Behar induced the
withdrawal of the vaccinators from the district; but the Lieutenant-Governor
hopes the prejudices of the people will be overcome, and that the Commissioner
will be able to authorize renewed operations at the beginning of the season.