64
ABSTRACTS OF REPORTS OF CIVIL SURGEONS.
outbreak of small-pox. Cases of small-pox were numerous throughout the dis-
trict during the year. The following statement, showing the protection enjoyed
by the people, accompanies the report:—
Vaccine census.
Class of persons examined.
Hindoos
...
...
...
...
Mussulmans
...
...
...
Cacharies, including Rabhas..
Other classes, chiefly hillmen
Total
...
Number
examined.
458
101
170
49
778
Inocu-
lated.
183
55
52
4
294
Per cent. of
total
examined.
39.96
54.46
80.59
8.16
37.79
Vaccin-
ated.
16
7
5
3
31
Per cent. of
total
examined.
3.49
6.93
2.94
6.12
3.98
Had
small-
pox.
227
34
96
37
394
Per cent. of
total
examined.
49.56
33.66
56.47
75.51
50.64
Unpro-
tected.
32
5
17
6
59
Percent of
total
examined.
6.99
4.95
10.00
10.20
7.53
The persons examined were all adult males; most of them, but by no means all, Assamese. Many of the persons who had
had small-pox appeared to have had it in consequence of inoculation.
Nowgong.
Nowgong.—Mr. Hughes reports that a Government vaccinator on Rs. 10
a month was employed for nine months of the year; he vaccinated through-
out the district. The Civil Medical Officer did not inspect the work, which was
desultory and unsystematic. There is much prejudice against vaccination,
and inoculation is largely practised. Two inoculators were taught vaccination
and provided with lymph, but the result of the measure is not known.
Small-pox prevailed in the station, but to no great extent in the district. About
90 to 95 of the inhabitants of this district are protected either by inoculation
or a previous outbreak of small-pox. The number of operations and the success
were nearly the same as in 1870-71.
Seebsaugor
Seebsaugor.—Baboo Mohanund Mookerjee, the Civil Medical Officer, reports
that 814 operations were performed by one vaccinator, paid Rs. 10 a month by
Government, who worked under his immediate supervision in and around the
station from the 15th November to 15th March. The percentage of success
was 93.22. The work was as exhaustive as possible, and arm to arm vaccin-
ation was adopted as far as practicable. The work was inspected by the Civil
Medical Officer once or twice a week, and his registers verified frequently.
An inoculator in-
structed success-
fully.
There is still much prejudice against vaccination, greatly encouraged by
the priests. Inoculation is performed by itinerant practitioners. A Brahmin
inoculator was instructed in vaccination in 1870-71, and this man is said to
work steadily and successfully, charging 2 annas a head for his operations.
Small-pox was very prevalent in the district, and " the outbreaks were in nine
out of ten cases due to inoculation." The vaccinator was sent out to vaccinate
the unprotected, but he met with uniform opposition, and was able to do little
or nothing.
The following statistics of protection are given:—
Vaccine census.
Class of persons
examined.
Boys, Seebsangor school
Prisoners,
Seebsaugor
Jail ... ... ...
Number
examined.
181
89
Inoculated.
53
36
Per cent.
of total
examined.
29.2
40.4
Vaccin-
ated.
79
16
Per cent.
of total
examined.
43.6
17.9
Had
small-pox.
37
37
Per cent
of total
examined.
20.4
41.5
Unpro-
tected.
12
...
Per cent.
of total
examined
6.6
...