60
ABSTRACTS OF REPORTS OF CIVIL SURGEONS.
Cachar
Cachar.—Assistant Surgeon J. J. Monteath, M.D., reports that there is but
one Government vaccinator of the district, receiving Rs. 10 a month. He
works in the sudder station, and is sent into the district when his services are
applied for by the planters or others. The work is not systematic or localized.
With one man for a wide district this is found to be impossible. The number
of vaccinations performed is greatly increasing; the percentage of success is low.
Dr. Monteath inspected the work done close to the sudder station, and received
reports from planters regarding the operations is the interior. Vaccination is
not popular, and inoculation is common. There are 15 inoculators in the district,
and it is hoped that these men will be induced to practise vaccination. An
outbreak of small-pox took place at Kalinuggur, in Hylakandy sub-division.
The vaccinator was sent there to vaccinate the unprotected and induce the
people, if possible, to segregate the sick. There were 39 cases, and no death.
No statistics of protection are given.
CHITTAGONG DIVISION.
Chittagong
Inoculators.
Small-pox
Chittagong.—Surgeon W. E. Allen reports that a vaccinator on Rs. 10,
paid by Government, was employed throughout the year at Chittagong, and
another on Rs. 20, also paid by Government, at the head-quarters, Hill Tracts,
from 1st November to 31st March. The operations of the former were confined to
the town and municipality, and of the latter spread over the scattered villages of
the Hill Tracts. They were neither systematic nor exhaustive, owing to the apathy
or opposition of the people. The civil authorities lent willing aid. The vaccin-
ator at Chittagong was found to be indolent and inaccurate in his returns; he has
since been discharged. The man employed in the Hill Tracts was more assiduous,
his operations averaging 90 a month. The work of the latter was not supervised.
There are some 366 inoculators in the district; the practice is universal Deaths
from inoculation are sometimes heard of. The Civil Surgeon would make it
penal. No result followed from attempts made to instruct inoculators in vaccin-
ation. Only 27 deaths from small-pox were reported against 544 in-1870 and
660 in 1869. Outbreaks are occasionally caused by inoculation.
The operations of 1871-72 were slightly more numerous than of 1870-71,
and the percentage of success better. The following information is given
regarding protection from small-pox.
Vaccine census.
Class of persons examined.
Prisoners in Chittagong jail
Number
examined.
738
Inocu-
lated.
650
Per cent.
of total
examined
88.07
Vaccin-
ated.
2
Per cent
of total
examined.
.27
Had
small pox
53
Per cent.
of total
examined
7.1
Unpro-
tected.
33
Per cent
of total
examined.
4.4
It was found that of those inoculated, 32 only, or 4.9 per cent., were marked
by the eruption so as to be readily noticeable, whilst of those who had had
small-pox, 31, or 58.5 per cent., were so disfigured. The two men said to have
been vaccinated were doubtful cases, and were both marked, one very badly with
small-pox.
Noakhally.
An
inoculator
taught vaccin-
ation.
Noakhally.—Baboo Udoy Chund Dutt, Civil Medical Officer, reports that one
Government vaccinator, paid Rs. 10 per mensem, vaccinates in the station and
surrounding villages. The operations of 1871-72 were more than double those
of the previous year, and the percentage of success is remarkably high and
better than that of 1870-71. It does not appear that the work is conducted
on any systematic plan; entire families were, however, protected. The Civil
Medical Officer personally directed operations and inspected results, for whose
accuracy he vouches. The better classes are still somewhat opposed to the
practice. The vaccinator is a respectable Mussulman, and has had great influence
with his co-religionists. Inoculation is, as a rule, practised in the district:
Hindoo barbers are the operators. One inoculator was instructed in vaccination;
he vaccinated 32 children in a village adjoining the station with success.
Baboo Udoy Chund Dutt saw some of the cases. No epidemic of small-pox
occurred in the station or district.