NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
THE METROPOLITAN CIRCLES.
21
from unreasonable persons—to overcome prejudice and opposition—and all this they often
do while suffering from disease and sickness—in one word, to work very hard under the
greatest difficulties and the most discouraging circumstances. The fortunate result of the
past season shews how well and how successfully they have worked. The head vaccinators,
ordinary vaccinators, and apprentices have one and all worked well. I cannot do better
than bring the fact to the notice of Government.
The office establishment consists of one head writer with two clerks under him.
Owing to the considerable increase in the number of operations, the regular office work has
increased very much. Notwithstanding this, they have worked well and to my entire
satisfaction.
Memorandum by H. B. BUCKLE, ESQ., Deputy Inspector-General of Hospitals, Presidency
Circle.—(No. 935, dated Fort William, the 16th May 1873 )
FORWARDS the annual returns and report of the three Metropolitan Circles of
vaccination submitted by Assistant Surgeon K. P. Gupta, Officiating superintendent of
vaccination, Metropolitan Circles.
The work has evidently been performed in a thorough manner and the superintendent
has exercised a judicious supervision and control.
6
28
DARJEELING CIRCLE.
That they be held responsible after appointment for the suppression of small-pox and
the efficient protection of the people.
That they must engage before appointment to submit to such inspection as the Govern-
ment thinks necessary, and that any trained man will be deprived of his license who fails to
do so.
That an area, containing 30,000, but not more than 50,000 inhabitants, be set aside for
each licensed vaccinator. He should be expected to perform 1,500 operations per annum.
That licensed vaccinators be permitted to charge their own fees unless they are found
to take advantage of their position and impose upon the people in which case the district
magistrate should have power to interfere and fix a reasonable sum, and that they be dis-
couraged from performing any unnecessary ceremonies to prevent vaccination becoming a
caste business instead of a measure of sanitation.
nspect on.
15. Inspection.—That in the Darjeeling circle three men be appointed to be called ins-
pectors of licensed inoculators on a salary of Rs. 50 per mensem for five months, and Rs. 30
per mensem for seven months.
That their whole time in the cold season and as much as is necessary in the hot, be devoted
to itinerating among the licensed vaccinators examining their operations and receiving their
reports and returns. That it will be their special duty to see to the suppression of small-
pox in the areas appointed to licensed vaccinators at all seasons of the year.
Given a birth-rate of 272,670 for the Darjeeling circle 181 licensed vaccinators would
be necessary for the protection of the annual increment of population.
There are many more resident inoculators reported by the police, but many whom I
have seen from age and infirmity are unfit for any work.
The increase in expenditure would be Rs. 2,451 in addition to the present vaccine
budget estimate of the circle, but all the inspectors would not be required till the second
year, when a sufficient number of men had been educated and appointed. In Bograh an
inspector should be appointed from the beginning of next cold season to prevent the men
trained there ever getting the idea of being free from Government supervision.
A detailed statement of the proposed increase of expenditure is annexed.
Proposed expenditure for the instruction of inoculators and inspection of their operations in the
Darjeeling vaccination circle.
Budget estimate of vaccine
establishment for 1873-74.
Total of Budget estimate ...
Proposed expenditure ...
Total expenditure ...
Amount.
19,912
2,451
22,363
0
0
0
0
0
0
Proposed additional
expenditure.
39 apprentices x 5 months
@ 5 Rs. per mensem ... ...
Instruments
...
...
...
Contingencies, paper, etc.
INSPECTORS OF LICENSED
VACCINATORS.
3x5 months x 50 Rs
...
...
3x7 ditto x30 „
...
...
Total ...
Amount.
975
57
39
750
630
2451
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
REMARKS.
DARJEELING,
The 20th May, 1873.
It. LIDDERDALE, M. .D,
Supdt. of Vaccination,
Darjeeling Circle.
RANCHEE CIRCLE.
33
Inspection.
The cases inspected according to Dr. Powell's plan are given below, where the percent-
age of successful points is 96.71:—
Seen after the 16th day
Do. from 13th to 16th
day
Seen from 9th to 12th
day
Seen from 5th to 8th
day ...
Seen from 1st to 4th
day ... ...
TOTAL
Vaccinated in
4 points, of
which there
were success-
ful.
4
4
...
...
...
...
4
3
...
...
...
...
...
...
2
...
...
...
...
...
...
1
...
...
...
...
...
...
Failed.
...
...
...
...
...
...
Vaccinated
in 3 points, of
which there
were success-
ful.
3
1
...
...
...
...
1
2
1
...
...
...
...
1
1
...
...
...
...
...
...
Failed.
...
...
...
...
...
...
Vaccinated in 2
points, of which
there were
successful.
2
810
129
54
49
3
1,045
1
130
32
2
4
...
168
Failed.
3
1
...
...
...
4
Vaccinated in
1 point, of
which there
were success-
ful.
1
2,420
316
120
220
50
3,126
Failed.
20
21
44
88
...
173
Doubtful.
.
...
...
9
...
9
Compared with register.
3,326
499
220
370
53
4,468
Total.
3,389
499
220
370
53
4,531
Absent.
638
55
12
50
1
756
Grand Total.
4,027
554
232
420
54
5,287
Vaccine census.
25. An attempt was made at enumeration of a small village, and the result is given
below, but the effort was found to be so laborious and to take up the time of the establish-
ment to such an extent that I abandoned it in despair :—
Had small-pox.
Male.
.
Female.
Vaccinated.
Male.
5
Female.
2
Inoculated.
Male.
15
Female.
21
Unprotected.
Male Female
1
Total.
Male.
23
Female.
21
Grand
Total.
44
Percentage unpro-
tected.
2.27
26. Two or three points need further remark. The small number of cases done on
an average by each vaccinator in two of the parties may be chiefly accounted for by the
people they were working among and much difficulty.
The very high number done, over three thousand on an average, by the men under
native superintendent Elahi Bux is sufficiently accounted for by the people among
whom they worked, the energy and the good management of the native superintendent. It
may not unnaturally be supposed that the men under tuition were led to contribute to some
extent to the figures of the vaccinators who taught them.
Cost.
The great expense of the year's working is due to my own increased pay, to the expen-
diture for contingencies, and for travelling allowance.
Results of season's
work.
The entire number of successful vaccinations performed within the circle during the
year, irrespective of those done at dispensaries, viz., 53,096, as compared with 47,506 success-
ful cases done during the season 1871-72, shews an increase of 5,590, a result which I could
not hope for at the beginning of the season, and which is due chiefly to the industry of
native superintendent Elahi Bux, and the increased numbers of ex-inoculators who have
been employed.
The map, which I compiled from various sources, and with some trouble last year before
the 8 inch to the mile map was issued by the Survey Office, is again attached, coloured ac-
cording to Dr. Powell's method. The thannahs in Lohardugga are not definitely laid down,
so that the boundaries, except in the case of Boloomath, are only approximately correct.
J. J. WOOD, M. B.,
Superintendent.
Ranchee, 29th April 1873.
EASTERN BENGAL CIRCLE.
37
Recommends the ex-
tension of Act VI
of 1865.
In this state of affairs, it is expedient to prohibit inoculation, by the extension of
Act IV (B.C.) of 1865 to this district, and I beg to lay the subject before you for your
favorable consideration.
Ex-inoculators.
16. Instruction of Inoculators.—Four inoculators were taken into service as extra
vaccinators, and all of them turned out expert operators and worked to my satisfaction with
the exception of one who resigned his post in February 1873, and is now practising
inoculation.
Vaccine census.
17. Table showing particulars regarding the protection from small-pox enjoyed by the
people.
Class of persons examined.
Inhabitants of 52 villages ...
Percentage
Number
examined.
18,3000
..
Number
had
small-pox.
697
3 81
Number
in-
oculated.
11,848
64.74
Number
vacci-
nated.
4,642
25.37
Number
un-
protected.
1,113
6.08
Character of vacci-
nation.
18. Character of vaccination.—Arm-to-arm
vaccination was practised throughout the
vaccinating season. The virus was excellent, and it gave birth to genuine vaccine vesicles.
The percentage of successful cases is 99.73.
Difficulties experi-
enced by vaccina-
tors.
19. Difficulties experienced by the vaccinators in getting suitable lodgings.—Hired rooms
could not be procured anywhere in this destrict. The generality of the people being poor,
cannot afford to keep spare rooms, but those who have, would not allow the vaccinators to
make any use of them.
The nature of their work obliged them to make constant changes in their lodgings,
and this they could not often do, for want of suitable places of abode, thereby putting them-
selves to the inconvenience of walking ten or twelve miles every day.
Working from morning to candle-light and walking so long a distance, they found
themselves so much exhausted on returning from their work as to incapacitate them to
write down the register or to cook their food. Night was the only time when they could
find opportunity for cooking their food, and whenever they failed to do so they were obliged
to pass the night without any substantial food.
Tents required for
vaccinators.
The only way to remove this difficulty is to furnish each division with a tent and an
allowance of Rs. (2-0-0) two per mensem as cooly-hire, and I solicit your favor of taking
this subject into your favorable consideration.
Proposed classifica-
tion of vaccinators.
20. Proposal for classification of vaccinators.—Instead of paying all the vaccinators
the sum of Rs. (10-0-0) ten each per mensem as sanctioned by Government, I would
propose to divide them into grades, the rate of pay being commensurate with merit. This
system stimulates every one to increased exertion; every man works with all his might
with a hope to get promotion to the next higher grade, and I hope it will meet with your
approbation.
The table below shows the scale of pay as sanctioned by Government and the one
proposed.
38
EASTERN BENGAL CIRCLE.
Scale sanctioned by Government for one year.
6 Head Vaccinators, each 15-0-0 per mensem ... ...
36 Vaccinators, each 10-0-0 per mensem ... ...
36 Extra Vaccinators, each 10-0-0 per mensem ... ...
Total ...
Proposed Scale of Pay for one year.
6 Head Vaccinators, each 15-0-0 per mensem ... ...
12 First grade Vaccinators, each 12-0-0 per mensem...
12 Second
ditto
each 10-0-0
ditto ... ...
12 Third
ditto
each 8-0-0
ditto ... ...
12 First grade extra Vaccinators, each 12-0-0 per mensem ...
12 Second
ditto
each 10-0-0
ditto ...
12 Third
ditto
each 8-0-0
ditto ...
Total
Number of
months to be
employed.
12
12
6
...
Number of
months to be
employed.
12
12
12
12
6
6
6
...
Salary.
1,080
4,320
2,160
7,560
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Salary
1,080
1,728
1,440
1,152
864
720
576
7,560
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Behaviour of estab
lishment.
21. Behaviour of the establishment.—The head vaccinators and the vaccinators in
general, and also the office establishment have performed their duties to my entire satis-
faction.
SONTHAL PERGUNNAHS.
47
The number unprotected in the villages of Rajmehal sub-division is so very small in
comparison, because in half the number of them exhaustive vaccination was performed.
The number unprotected among the boys of the Rajmehal school is comparatively very high,
shewing that the district is much better protected than the town, where, owing to the obsti-
nate prejudices of different classes of the people vaccination cannot at all progress favor-
ably.
RAJMEHAL,
12th May, 1873.
ABSTRACTS OF REPORTS OF CIVIL SURGEONS.
53
" When timely information reached, a staff of vaccinators were sent out with ,a special
perwannah by the magistrate, and the unprotected were at once operated on with satisfactory
results.
Amount of protec-
tion from small-
pox.
" 9. The subjoined Table shows the amount of protection from small-pox enjoyed by the
people as far as admissions into jail are concerned :—
Class of persons ex-
amined.
Prisoners in jail ...
Numbers
ex-
amined.
1,406
Inocu-
lated.
1,198
Per cent.
of total
ex-
amined.
85.21
Vacci-
nated.
......
Per cent.
of total
ex-
amined.
......
Bad
small-
pox.
105
Per cent.
of total
ex-
amined.
7.47
Unpro-
tected.
103
Per cent.
of total
ex-
amined.
7.32
" Being directly engaged in the establishment of vaccination amongst the people, enquiries
on this head would be received with grave suspicion, if they were extended to the schools
and villages; further, the recent introduction of vaccination has disturbed the minds of the
people to such an extent that insurmountable difficulties would be thrown in the way and
no reliable data could be obtained.
General remarks
Want of a tent.
"10. General Remarks.—Whilst on tours of inspection I experienced considerable
difficulties, and was put to great inconvenience for want of shelter. I trust arrangements
will be made to provide me with a tent during the working season, as it is impossible for
the work of inspection being efficiently carried out without the means.
" Seventy inoculators in all have been instructed in vaccination, 18 in 1871-72, and 52 in
1872-73.
" Sixteen were under instruction at the close of the season ; they were directed to pre-
sent themselves on the 1st October next.
" Of the 70 men instructed, nine of 1871-72 worked, and 35 of 1872-73, the re-
mainder have not been heard of; some being residents of thannahs Sonamookhy and
Kohilpore transferred from this district have, doubtless, furnished the results of their
work to the civil surgeon of Burdwan ; others who have not sent in any information as to
their whereabouts, have probably worked; but, on account of the expense and annoyance
attending the preparation and submission of returns, are silent.
Statement showing
the caste of the
vaccinated.
" In compliance with the wishes of the Inspector-General of Hospitals, a classified state-
ment, showing the castes of individuals operated on, is appended for information.
14
54
ABSTRACTS OF REPORTS OF CIVIL SURGEONS.
Statement of individuals vaccinated in 1872-73 classified according to caste.
Castes classified.
Brahmin ... ...
Kyastha
...
...
Chuttree ... ...
Bouri ... ...
Tamuli ... ...
Kamar
... ...
Kolu
...
...
Koomar
...
...
Poddar ... ...
Tailee ... ...
Sakaree
... ...
Sonthal
... ...
Boistub ... ...
Gowala
... ...
Dome
...
...
Moyra ... ...
Baniah
...
...
Koshie ... ...
Mullo
...
...
Chassa ... ...
Majee ... ...
Matia ... ...
Tanti ... ...
Agoori ... ...
Lohar ... ...
Napit ... ...
Kaot ... ...
Bagdi ... ...
Carried over... ...
Numbers
operated
on.
980
648
94
1,207
310
271
295
73
132
1,558
92
194
188
1,146
96
191
213
23
71
395
368
162
842
53
370
170
3
707
10,872
REMARKS.
Castes classified.
Brought forward ...
Chootar ... ...
Laik ... ...
Dhoba ... ...
Moochi ... ...
Bheriwala ... ...
Mall
...
...
Hari
...
...
Soori ... ...
Bhoomij ... ...
Samonta ... ...
Acharjee ... ...
Khoyra ... ...
Mali
...
...
Korga ... ...
Jalia ... ...
Bhat
...
...
Sakra ... ...
Sarak ... ...
Sarawali ... ...
Koormi ... ...
Chandal
... ...
Mahomedans ... ...
Boidya ... ...
Joogi ... ...
Christians ... ...
Detailed Castes not on
record ... ...
Total ...
Numbers
operated
on.
10,872
157
375
68
140
57
70
102
208
26
92
12
354
32
6
135
2
7
9
27
24
3
54
3
16
6
676
13,533
REMARKS.
No vaccination was performed at Raneegunge.
Beerbhoom
dis¬
trict.
Inoculation exten-
sively practised.
Small-pox.
Beerbhoom District.—Dr. Barker reports that there is one vaccinator attached to the
dispensary, who is paid Rs. 10 a month by Government. He was mostly employed in
vaccinating within municipal limits; the number vaccinated was 491 against 261 in 1871,
the percentage of success being 75.11 against 88.28. The civil surgeon saw the majority
of those vaccinated, and can vouch for the accuracy of the return. The number vaccinated
within municipal limits amounted only to about 1.84 of the population, and only 20 were
children. Much prejudice against vaccination exists, and it is only domestic servants and
low caste people who will submit to the operation. Inoculation is extensively practised,
and Dr. Barker traced two outbreaks of small-pox to the practice. Two inoculators were
instructed, but would not practise vaccination without a salary, otherwise, they alleged, they
ABSTRACTS OF REPORTS OF CIVIL SURGEONS.
59
Cause of delay in
submitting report.
" 22. In conclusion, I must apologise for the delay which has taken place in the sub-
mission of this report. The returns from the various quarters of the district in which
operations were conducted took some time to collect, and even now the returns from two
trained vaccinators who were working within the jurisdiction of the Gurhetta police station
have not as yet been received. The work of these men was inspected by me in January
last, and I then found that they were working with a fair measure of success, and I much
regret that I cannot submit the result of the season's operations for that quarter of the
district."
A.
Number vaccinated by the 16 trained vaccinators receiving an allowance from Government
of Rs. 2 per mensem during the working season 1872-73.
MIDNAPORE.
Numbers.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
7
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Names of the trained vacci-
nators.
Goluck Chuckerbutty ...
Chunder Mohun Chuckerbutty
Reedoy Nath Chuckerbutty .
Banee Madhub Chuckerbutty
Grish Chunder Chuckerbutty
Ram Sodoy Chuckerbutty ..
Troylucko Chuckerbutty ..
Bhoyrub Chuckerbutty ..
Gopaul Chuckerbutty ..
Modhoosoodun Chuckerbutty.
Anund Chuckerbutty ..
Sittanath Ghose ..
Sumbhoo Chuckerbutty ..
Dhononjoy Chuckerbutty ..
Hurrakisto Chuckerbutty ..
Dinobundo Soor ..
Villages where
they live.
Dhulhurrah..
Shamchand¬
pore.
Antrah.
Dhulhurrah ..
Keshpore ..
Angorah ..
Ditto ..
Barooah ..
Amdohee ..
Mangloe ..
Ditto ..
Rampoorah .
Bandpallah ..
Station.
Keshpore..
Ditto ..
Midnapore
Keshpore..
Ditto ..
Ditto ...
Ditto ..
Midnapore
Ditto ..
Ditto ..
Ditto ..
Debrah .
Midnapore
October 1872.
98
142
210
30
276
32
87
59
204
88
24
25
250
November 1872
196
194
345
135
206
84
75
58
238
107
113
58
110
December 1872
232
155
191
160
185
141
113
66
184
282
64
117
300
January 1873
294
328
365
132
225
247
207
239
237
315
105
207
125
February 1873.
155
412
377
76
78
208
372
149
185
358
36
265
570
March 1873.
228
549
170
52
130
94
128
112
168
62
36
252
325
No of Boys
571
1,010
805
283
604
367
337
322
710
587
207
392
907
No of Girls.
532
770
853
319
496
439
645
361
506
625
171
532
773
Total.
1,103
1,780
1,658
602
1,100
806
982
683
1,216
1,212
378
924
1,680
Grand Total
14,124
B.
Number vaccinated by Digambur Chuckerbutty, instructing vaccinator, and the men trained
by him during the past season 1872-73.
1
1
2
3
4
5
Digambur Chuckerbutty ..
Goyaram Chuckerbutty ..
Woodoychunder Chuckerbutty
Bhojohoree Chuckerbutty ..
Teetaram Chuckerbutty ..
Ramcoomar Chuckerbutty ..
Dasandah ..
Khasbazar..
Barragur ..
Dhantore ..
Pinglah ..
Midnapore
Debrah ..
..
Ditto ..
Subung..
336
..
..
..
..
462
..
..
..
..
850
..
..
..
..
1,335
..
..
..
..
748
400
247
581
347
561
254
57
920
13
2,034
345
127
871
202
2,258
309
177
630
158
4,292
654
304
1,501
360
7,111
C.
Number vaccinated by Narain Chunder Banerjee and Baneedeen Misser, vaccinators on special duty at
Moyna, during the past season 1872-73.
No.
1
2
Names.
Narain Chunder Banerjee
Baneedeen Misser ...
Residence.
Midnapore ...
Ditto ...
Names of places
where vaccin-
ated.
Moyna ...
Ditto ...
No. of villages.
52 villages ...
Ditto ... ...
Total.
2,807
6,832
Grand
Total.
9,639
ABSTRACTS OF REPORTS OF CIVIL SURGEONS.
81
" The second point to which I wish to draw your attention is, that very few high-caste
people have had their children vaccinated, as ½ 9/6 ths of the vaccinated children seen by me
were of low caste. I think everything should be done in order to induce men of high
caste, especially those of position and influence, to accept vaccination, and encourage
others to do the same. I have spoken to a few native gentlemen on the subject occasion-
ally, and they have politely assured me that they would have had their household
vaccinated, but for a marriage, or a birth, or a death, or, in fact, excuses are never wanting,
and this sort of thing goes on season after season. Why these domestic matters should
be going on at the vaccinating time of the year has not been explained to me, nor am I
likely to get a true explanation, I imagine.
Fees
" The third point is the question of fees. In many places this is still a disputed
point, as the tekaits claim more for vaccinating a boy than for a girl, viz., four annas for
the former, and two annas for the latter. I advised the parents to pay an uniform rate of six
pice for each successfully vaccinated child of either sex ; or, if they preferred it, to pay the
inoculating fees whatever they were. From all I have heard on the subject, it seems to me
that whilst, on one hand, the tekaits ask too much, considering that the operation is
extremely simple, and that it costs the operator nothing, the people, on the other hand,
though comparatively poor, wish to give too little, considering the benefit of having their
children protected from small-pox. In a few instances, the ex-inoculators receive from
well-to-do people good presents of rice, cloth, &c, but this does not seem to compensate them
for any shortcomings from other people who are too poor to afford more than a regulation
fee. To give force to his argument of charging a high fee, a tekait has sometimes told
people that the process of vaccinating has cost him " much money." This is a palpable
falsehood, so far as the lancet and vaccine crusts are concerned. If he expended anything
in making poojah, in the belief that such a ceremony would enhance the efficacy of the
little operation, he has spent his money for nought, and ought to be the loser. Then, as
regards his wish to charge more for vaccinating a boy than a girl, I have explained to several
people that this is a fancy charge, because there is no more trouble (and certainly no ex-
pense) in vaccinating a male than a female child.
" As stated in my several reports, the operations were, generally speaking, well-per-
formed, and I had seldom any fault to find, except with the man who made three punctures
on each arm, and another man who made gashes.
" Between 17th November last, and 1st instant, I have, as my various inspection reports
have shown, made 22 visits in the interior of the district, the time occupied in travelling
having been 56 days, and the distance travelled 1,560 miles.
21