18
REPORT FOR 1859.
THE total number vaccinated in 1858 was 15,285, in 1859 only 13,318, showing a decrease
of 1,967. The chief cause of this diminution has undoubtedly been the violence with which
cholera raged throughout the Division during the months of May, June, and part of July.
The greater number of Vaccinators reported that their work was very much interrupted by the
disease. The people of the Deccan have not the same lively dread of Small-pox that is
entertained by the inhabitants of the Concan, and the prevalence of any other sickness at once
checks the very slight inclination they might feel to receive vaccination; besides which, the
Vaccinators themselves are greatly influenced by the fear of cholera, and do not willingly
travel far from their own homes. During the first four months of the year, the returns
averaged 1,364 monthly; during the next four, they fell off to 886; and in the last four they
had become 1,079. Another cause of decrease has been the death of two Vaccinators. Of
these, one was the Head Vaccinator, whose Return for 1858 was much the largest of any made
by the Establishment. He went away on leave in April and died in September, and his sub-
stitute was unable to keep up anything like his numbers. By his death alone, I calculate that 600
cases were lost. Another Vaccinator had for some time been working steadily and increasing his
returns, but he was in hospital for nearly five months before his death. Several other Vaccinators
have suffered from sickness for various periods. The services of one Vaccinator have been almost
entirely lost, in consequence of the office being removed to Rutnagherry during the rains.
The proportion of females is rather smaller than in 1858, being 45.85 per cent. against
4,760. Almost the only improvement is in the matter of age, and my constant representations
to Vaccinators, village authorities, and people, at last appear to have produced some effect,
the numbers " under one year" being in the proportion of 32 per cent., while in 1858 it was
only 24, and in 1857,26.4. The actual number is in excess of both the two previous years, being
4,271 against 3,673 in 1858, and 3,991 in 1857. The percentage of successful cases is slightly-
less than in 1858, being 92.26 against 93.6; but this arises rather from the increase in the
number of "doubtful" than of actually " unsuccessful" cases, as the Vaccinators have the strictest
orders to enter as "doubtful" every case, the success of which they are unable to ascertain by
personal inspection. There has been a slight improvement in the number of "other castes"
who have been vaccinated. I have tried hard to combat the prejudices of the Dhers, &c.,
and to induce the Vaccinators to do their utmost among them, but though there has been a
yearly increase, it has been very small, the numbers in 1857, 1858, and 1859 being respect-
ively 298, 307, and 344. The number of Christians vaccinated is much less than in the two
previous years. This arises from the Vaccinator, who was stationed in the Pudshapore
Talooka, being forbidden from vaccinating in Belgaum and the neighbourhood without special
orders. The condition of the lymph and vesicle has been good throughout. An attempt to
introduce lymph from England failed,—not a single vesicle was produced. Small-pox was
prevalent throughout the Division during the mouths of February, March, April, and May,
and raged with even far greater violence than in the previous year. In 1858 it was most
severe in the Belgaum Zillah ; but though in 1859 there were many cases, it was in Sholapore
and Sattara that it was most violent, and unfortunately it was coincident, during a great part
of its prevalence, with cholera. The total number of cases reported during the year was
20,295 : of whom were males 10,718, and females 9,597; and the deaths were 3,578 : males
1,894, females 1,684. The disease was not so fatal in proportion to the numbers attacked as
in 1858, the percentage of deaths being in 1858 nearly 21 per cent., and in 1859, 17.6; and of
these, it is not improbable that many were really caused by cholera. No case of inoculation
has been reported. The experience I have now had in this Division has quite convinced me
that vaccination will never be successfully carried out with the present Establishment; the
work to be accomplished is out of all proportion to the means for performing it. It is quite