18
THE METROPOLITAN CIRCLES.
Ferazees.
argument. They would persistently oppose all attempts at vaccination. Among this last
class I might include the Ferazees, a peculiar sect of Mahomedans who believe that if it is
God's will that a person shall die of such and such a disease, no human efforts are of any
avail. They suppose it is against God's will to vaccinate or inoculate a child, because if
God has destined that child to die of small-pox, nothing will save it and it is no use
vaccinating.
This sect of Mahomedans is to be met with in the north of Nuddea chiefly in
thannahs Kurrimpore, Maharpore, &c. Curiously enough, and as if to convince them that
they were in the wrong, Providence declared itself against them and small-pox of a virulent
type broke out among them. The whole of the Ferazees, men, women and children, not
being protected by inoculation or vaccination were very liable to catch the infection. Many
were attacked and several perished.
At this critical juncture they could not hold out any longer and received vaccination.
All unprotected men, women and children, with a few exceptions were vaccinated, and small-
pox was nearly stamped out. Deputy Superintendent Buddynath Brummo deserves great
credit in having talked these men over. He was personally known to many of them from
his former connection with the Krishnaghur Dispensary, and when he went from house to
house they received him kindly and listened to his advice and accepted vaccination. The
Ferazees have since told him that they were great fools to follow their chief Moulvie in
refusing vaccination.
The chief priest has paid the full penalty by losing two of his children from small-
pox.
Deputy Superintendent, Baboo Ramsoonder Ghose, also came across several Ferazee
villages in thannahs Allumdangah, Nowparrah, &c., which at first opposed all attempts at
vaccination. But by a little patience and perseverance and by the tact and persuasive
eloquence of the Baboo, they were won over; only one or two Ferazee villages still remain
unprotected.
In the course of my tour I noticed there was less opposition in Nuddea ( barring the
Ferazees) than in the 24-Pergunnahs and Burdwan ; and even in the same zillah it varies
in the different thannahs. For instance, in thannah Neamutpore, Sub-Division Raneegunge,
and the adjoining thannahs in the district of Manbhoom, the people very readily accepted
vaccination; whereas from thannah Kaksa in the same sub-division and within one or two
days' journey, dogged opposition was met by our vaccinators in season 1871-72.
In thannah Royna there was considerable opposition at first, whereas the people of the
adjoining thannah, Selimabad, were most anxious for vaccination.
Some villages have made remarkable progress in appreciating the value of vaccination,
that is, they have asked for vaccinators and paid for their services ; as Anundpore in
thannah Gangoorea, zilla Burdwan, Khooroop in thannah Ampta, Howrah, Moida in
thannah Joynugger, 24-Pergunnahs, &c., &c.
Instruction of in
oculators.
15. Instruction of inoculators.—During
the last year 13 inoculators joined the
department for purposes of instruction. Of these 4 were allowed Rs. 5 per mensem, the
rest got no pay or remuneration. Of the former, one was dismissed for neglect of duty and
another absconded. Of the latter only three proved steady. Two men came from Jessore
and Rajshahye respectively and were attached to the 1st circle. Ten inoculators came from
Nuddea and were attached to the 2nd circle. One came from Jehanabad and was attached
to the 3rd circle.
Among the vaccinators of the 1st circle, three were inoculators; in the 2nd circle,
5 inoculators ; and in the 3rd, 11 inoculators.
From the above it will be seen that inoculators are gradually coming round and taking
to the practice of vaccination.
Apropos of this subject I should mention that some inoculators who had never received
any previous instruction or training, practised vaccination of thir own accord and on their
own account, in thannah Kotulpore in Burdwan and also in thannah Diamond Harbour in
24-Pergunnahs. This might at first appear to be a happy consummation of things, but on a
moment's reflection it will appear to be just the reverse. Because, if inoculators were allowed