ABSTRACTS OF REPORTS OF CIVIL SURGEONS.
77
Out turn of work
small.
small-pox afforded. Considering the number of persons employed, the out-turn of work is
certainly small. This is accounted for, in a great measure, by the fact that they have to
find clients before they can do anything. Judging from the fact that much work was done
within the old areas, they appear naturally to prefer keeping up their connections with
these to going in search of new ones. As suggested by Dr. Chandra in last year's report,
and recommended by the Inspector-General of Hospitals in his general report for the same
period, I would beg to urge the necessity of appointing a native superintendent or inspector
to look after the work of the vaccinators. It is impossible for the civil surgeon to actively
superintend the work; and unless it is so superintended, it is feared that discredit may be
brought upon vaccination as an efficient protection against small-pox. With the aid of
an efficient superintendent, it is possible that, in future years, matters might so arrange them-
selves as to permit of the vaccinators practising within defined areas for which they might be
made responsible.
"The vaccinators are supported by fees paid by their clients."
Purneah district
Purneah District.—Dr. Picachy reports that, in addition to the vaccinator hitherto
employed by the municipality at Rs. 10 per mensem, two men, instructed inoculators,
were employed temporarily; 676 persons, of whom 498 were dhangers, 5 were vaccinated, and
598 successfully. One locality, Dhangurtolee, has been thoroughly protected. Six inocu-
lators were at the dispensary and furnished with crusts and a purwannah.
Only one
man was heard of afterwards. He furnished statements of 36 cases, of which the civil
surgeon can vouch for 12. There was no remarkable prevalence of small-pox during
the year.
COOCH BEHAR DIVISION.
Darjeeling district
Darjeeling District.—Dr. Duka reports that he himself and the Bhooteah vaccinator
vaccinated 1,471 cases, of which 1,171 were successful.
The work of the latter was
frequently inspected by the civil surgeon. There is no prejudice against vaccination, and
inoculation is not practised. No small-pox prevailed during the year.
Julpigoree District.—Dr. Stewart and the sub-assistant surgeon vaccinated 79 persons.
No vaccinations were performed at Titalyah or Boda. This district is within the area of
the Darjeeling Circle.
CHOTA NAGPORE.
Hazareebaugh dis-
trict
Hazareebaugh District.—Dr. Wood's returns show that five ex-inoculators vaccinated
3,008 persons, 2,226 successfully, and 11 men 3,794—all reported as successful—in the
Puchumba sub-division. A few vaccinations were performed in the latter by members of
the vaccine establishment. Dr. Deacon reports that the hospital assistant of Hazareebaugh
performed 28 vaccinations, and the hospital assistant of Burhee 97. The operations of the
Sindooriahs (ex-inoculators) do not appear to have been supervised, either by the civil
surgeon or any member of the vaccine establishment. The men after some instruction in
vaccination are sent back to practise the operation in the localities where they formerly
inoculated. The people are said to be adverse to vaccination, but no case of inoculation
came to light during the year. Small-pox was prevalent throughout the year at Echack,
a large village close to Hazareebaugh, and at Hazareebaugh and Chuttra until the rains set
in. Sindooriahs were sent to vaccinate at Echack, but the people would not accept of the
operation.
Lohardugga
dis-
trict.
Small-pox.
Lohardugga District.—The operations of the vaccine establishment were almost
exclusively confined to this district, and. as shown by Dr. Wood in his report, the work was
pursued systematically in continuation of that of previous years. More success was attained
in this than in any previous season. Dr. Wood also shows that 32 ex-inoculators vaccinated
5,733 cases, 3,429 successfully. Dr. Hoskins reports that 212 vaccinations, 162 success-
ful,—were performed in Ranchee by the dispensary staff, the civil surgeon frequently
inspected the cases. He also afforded some aid to the superintendent by inspecting, as
far as possible, the work of the regular establishment. The proceedings of the ex-inocula-
tors do not appear to have been supervised. All the work done by the dispensary estab-
lishment was performed in Ranchee and in villages within two miles of the station. The
prejudices of the people are yielding, and inoculation has not been practised within the last
few years Small-pox appeared in Ranchee in December, and 152 cases, with 20 deaths, were
reported by the police. Great efforts were made to vaccinate in the infected localities, 78
deaths were reported from the whole district against 272 in the previous year. The civil
surgeon states that the disease is dying out.
Palamow.
Palamow.—Sub-assistant
surgeon Upendra Nath Sen reports that he vaccinated 13
cases ; 105 cases were vaccinated by an ex-inoculator. Four men were instructed, but three
20