52
ABSTRACTS OF REPORTS OF CIVIL. SURGEONS.
" The majority of these men, thirty-five, being only instructed since December 1872,
much could not be expected from them . The greater portion of the work was performed
by the nine vaccinators of 1871-72.
"During the year under review, 121 towns and villages were operated on; of these, 105
were thoroughly vaccinated,and 16 partially; the season having advanced, and much con-
stitutional disturbance being, noticed to attend the operations, the vaccinators were directed
to, suspend work on the 31st of March; this was in accordance with the views of the
people, who are averse to vaccination after this period. Men from the Bancoorah and
Bissenpore divisions were also employed in arresting outbreaks of small-pox.
" The work of vaccination has been confined strictly within the limits of the area noted,
and carried out systematically, each village operated on being thoroughly protected before
passing on to another.
Opposition
met
with.
" 5. The district being one in which vaccination is but little known, an unusual amount
of opposition was met with,—first on the score of " Gow bijun" (animal virus) being used,
they would be polluted and loose caste, then the apprehension that some fresh taxation- was
about being introduced; some believed that their children would sicken and die, and could
not understand why the time-honored practice of inoculation should be superseded by a pro-
phylactic they knew nothing of and had no faith in; while others again objected to it
on the score of the children's and guardian's names being registered in form for office re-
cord, believing that, at some future period, the Government might claim all, so marked,
for importation to the tea plantations or elsewhere.
" In some places a most dogged resistance was offered to vaccination. At Bissenpore,
Lapore, Joypore, Jamkoori and Talisahir, the vaccinators totally failed in making any im-
pression on the people. The zemindars and influential men of these places would not
accept of it for their children, and said they had no power in making the people do so.
It was only after my repeated visits to these places, and holding meetings of the leading
inhabitants, that they were at last induced to submit, but then only on condition that I
should be present at the time of operation, and visit them again on the 8th or 9 th day.
My men being present the work was commenced at once. In some places I started it myself
by vaccinating 20 or 30 on the spot. These being the principal towns in the Bissenpore
division of vaccination, much of the difficulties attending the extension of work has been
removed for the ensuing season.
Inoculation.
" 6. Inoculation is not practised to any extent, except in the north of the district,
where the very orthodox Kanouj Brahmins reside. Sudden outbreaks of small-pox occur-
ring amongst them led to enquiries, which revealed the fact that the disease was due to
inoculation.
"As a rule, the people will not accept of inoculation, believing that it is prohibited by
law; they will not run the risk of going to jail and working on the oil mill.
" Twenty-two deaths occurred in localities where inoculation was practised. The numbers
operated on could not be accurately ascertained, as on the occurrence of small-pox the
operators decamp, and the children progressing favorably are dispersed to obviate any local
enquiry.
Instruction of ex-
inoculators.
"7. Fifty-two ex-inoculators were instructed at the dispensary during 1872-73, and
provided with the usual certificates of competency.
" With the exception of a single individual, all could read and write; they were furnished
with Bengally translations and instructions on vaccination, and attended the dispensary daily
to witness the operations going on, when every opportunity was taken of making them
thoroughly understand the nature of the work. Having obtained a good theoretical know-
ledge of what they had to do, I appointed them to work as apprentices at the dispensary,
and in the station under the supervision of the hospital assistant and myself.
The
municipal vaccinator was generally provided with a gang, and batches were apprenticed to the
Government vaccinator. Having worked for one, two or three weeks, and being found
efficient, certificates were granted, and a form given to them, showing the nature of the in-
formation they were required to furnish; thus provided, they were despatched and estab-
lished in the areas assigned to them.
Small-pox.
" 8. No epidemic of small-pox occurred in the district; Sudden outbreaks of the dis-
ease were due to inoculation; of the 22 deaths reported, 20 were amongst the villages to
the north.