REPORT.
XV
instances followed this plan, but it is to be feared that in most instances the ser-
vices of a single vaccinator cannot procure more than nominal benefit. Sanitary-
precautions against the spread of the disease are most probably uniformly dis-
regarded. Medical aid is always useful, and has in many cases been afforded.
Vaccine census.
Large proportion
of inoculated.
High proportion of
those who have
had small-pox.
Proportion unpro¬
tected.
Small ratio of vac-
cinated.
Care necessary in
preparing such
statements.
47. Protection from small-pox.—In accordance with the instructions issued
on the subject, many " vaccine census" have been made by medical officers.
These statements are reproduced in the appendix, and are valuable as far as they
go. They are summarised in a special table. Though the observations are not
so systematic or complete as might be desirable, they establish certain general
conclusions with sufficient proof. First, the large proportion of the inoculated is
the most remarkable circumstance. This proportion varies greatly, but 75 per
cent. may be accepted as an approximate average. A mortality of 2 per 1,000
among three-fourths of a population of 60 millions is a serious item; it amounts
to 90,000 persons. Second, notwithstanding the high ratio of the inoculated, the
large proportion of persons who have had small-pox is a fact of the utmost moment.
This shows how carelessly and imperfectly inoculation must be practised, and
if the mortality of natural small-pox be taken at 10 per cent., the account of
deaths must be at least doubled. Third, the very considerable section of the
population which is absolutely unprotected is another fact of very great im-
portance. Inoculation is very far from an exhaustive practice even in the most
favorable sites. Fourth, the trifling proportion of the vaccinated is not
surprising when the insignificance of the agency in relation to the population
is allowed for. Statements of this kind demand, however, great care in prepar-
ing them. The habits of different castes and communities differ, and these
should be shown separately. Again, different sexes and periods of life should be
discriminated. If prisoners are taken promiscuously, their state on admission
should be noted, and the vaccination performed after they have become inmates
of a jail not accounted for. This I suspect has been done in some instances.
In examining schools different castes should be shown separately, and the sexes
always distinguished, and children under one year shown separately. Care
should of course be taken that an inquiry of this sort shall cause no annoyance
or excite no suspicions.
A new circle of
vaccination sanc-
tioned for East-
ern Bengal.
48. Extension of Vaccination.—It has been determined after a lengthy
correspondence to extend systematic vaccination to Eastern Bengal, with Dacca
as a centre, and the following establishment, proposed by Dr. Charles, has been
sanctioned for the purpose:—
1
6
36
36
1
2
Superintendent
...
...
...
...
Head vaccinators ... ... ... ... ...
Vaccinators
...
...
...
...
Extra ditto ... ... ... ... ... ...
Writer
...
...
...
...
...
Peons ... ... ... ... ... ...
Contingencies
...
...
...
...
Total ...
Rs.
350
90
360
180
30
12
30
1,052
The operations of this circle will commence with the coming season, and
preparations are being actively made for a good start.
Summary of the
season's results
49. The results of the past season's proceedings may be thus summed
up:—Systematic vaccination continues to be practised in Calcutta; the work
of the Metropolitan circles has, from sundry unavoidable causes, fallen short of
anticipation; the Darjeeling circle has accomplished a larger outturn of work,
but concentration and system are still desirable; the work of the Ranchi
circle and in the Sonthal Pergunnahs has been more systematic and concen-
trated, and more largely supplemented by self-supporting agency. The amount