GENERAL REPORT.
xxv
staff of the metropolitan circles. The service of a special vaccinator was
offered last year by the superintendent, but declined. The Sub-Assistant Sur-
geon reports that a former vaccinator practises vaccination privately in this
locality. The number of vaccinators is sufficient in Moorshedabad, but the
amount of work insufficient. A more active Sub-Assistant Surgeon has been
appointed to this station, and results will probably improve.
The Dinapore vaccinator has done shamefully little work. If he per-
formed a proper amount it would suffice. The amount of vaccination
performed in Durbungah in 1871-72 was sufficient, but there has been a
serious falling off. The Sub-Assistant Surgeon does not explain the cause in
his report. Strong efforts are being made to bring the Chota Nagpore
establishment, and work up to the mark, and progress is manifest yearly.
Vaccination is very backward in Bhaugulpore, and this is more to be
regretted as small-pox has recently broken out in the town. The people are
prejudiced, it is said; still the municipality should, I consider, endeavour
to secure better results than the figures of the last 10 years indicate. Kandhi
and Comillah are not quite up to the mark. Their establishment is sufficient.
It is satisfactory to be able to observe that in none of the localities where
inoculation has been prohibited, has small-pox prevailed to any extent except
Bhaugulpore. The continued immunity from small-pox is after all the best
evidence of protection from small-pox, though, if vaccination is neglected,
it is quite possible that a place may be slumbering in false security, and may,
when small-pox chances to be introduced, suffer terribly. The thoroughness
with which a community is protected by vaccination, can only properly be
ascertained by a searching local inspection.
Vaccine census.
General conclusion.
70. Protection from Small-pox.—The " vaccine census," taken by Civil
Surgeons, and included in their reports, have been embodied in Table No. VI.
These observations when taken with care constitute valuable records which
show, better than any other species of return, the progress of vaccination from
year to year. Some of the observations shown in this table have been carefully
made. Those which appeared to be carelessly or erroneously noted, have been
excluded. The figures go to establish the general conclusions stated in last
year's report. Their main use is, however, to test the completeness and progress
of vaccination in particular localities and among particular classes. For
this purpose they are best discussed by those who know the localities and
classes represented by them. I shall not attempt to analyse them, more
especially as this report has already extended to an unwonted length. To
discuss the circumstances of each place and class of persons, represented by
these figures, would be to undertake a tedious and profitless task. The numbers
will, however, constitute a record which may prove of much use in after years.
71. On the whole, the vaccine season of whose transactions I have now
completed a review, presents features of activity, success, and promise which
have not characterised any previous year in the whole history of vaccination
in Bengal, and I am sanguine that year by year vaccination will progress
until it has eventually entirely displaced the pernicious practice of inoculation.
Such a desirable consummation can only be accomplished gradually and after
the lapse of many years. Meanwhile, it is of the utmost importance that
every step in advance should be very firmly founded; for, while I should
hail the universal extension of sound vaccination, conducted on proper princi-
ples, to every corner of Bengal as a grand achievement, I should consider the
spread of a loose and imperfect mode of work—a bad system of vaccinating,
a spurious disease, and partial or incomplete protection—a most serious
calamity.
K. McLEOD, A.M., M.D.,
Secretary,
I have the honor to be,
SIR,
Your most obedient servant,
J. CAMPBELL BROWN,
Surgeon- General,
Indian Medical Department.