30
Owing to the change in the office of Superintendent, there was no
Report forwarded for the year 1856.
Mr. Martin, in his Report for 1857, states as follows:—
"In 1856 fifteen thousand five hundred and fifty-one (15,551) children were vaccinated, and
during the past year the number of operations was forty thousand seven hundred and seventy-
seven, (40,777), showing an increase in the past over the previous year of twenty-five thousand
two hundred and twenty-six (25,226). This increase is to be attributed in a great degree to the
fact that Vaccinators are now, by the liberality of Government in giving them batta, enabled
to provide means for moving about the country. Prior to this measure being brought into
operation, it would appear, so far as my examination has extended, that Vaccinators confined
their operations to very limited circles. In the district of Mahomed Khan's Tanda for exam-
ple vaccination had been carried out with tolerable completeness in one Kardarate (Mathlee)
and in a small portion of the Moockteyarkarate, but five-sixths of a district, the area of
which is four thousand (4,000) square miles, has been not at all, or very partially, worked
over. I could not learn that a Vaccinator had ever been seen in large sections of this district,
and I have examined nearly every Tuppah of five out of the six Kardarates into which it is
subdivided. All the other districts in Sind are in nearly the same condition as regards vac-
cination. The circumstance of so much new ground being opened up for the first time, will
also help to explain the large numbers operated upon during the past year as compared
with 1856.
" It would appear that there is a marked difference in the work of individuals,
which must ever be the case whilst they are so widely separated. Under the eye of
the Superintendent nothing can exceed the diligence and zeal manifested, but when
immediate superintendence is removed, this zealous spirit is not kept up. The natural
aptitude of individuals also varies considerably, and sensibly affects their Returns, and the
character of a district as to the population being thinly scattered, or the contrary—the
villages being near to one another or separated by considerable distances—influences the
number vaccinated.
" Of the numbers vaccinated twenty-five thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven
(25,777) were males, fifteen thousand and two-hundred (15,200) females; twelve thousand
eight hundred and sixty-three (12,863) were under one year, and twenty-seven thousand nine
hundred and fourteen (27,5914) above one year. Of the total number vaccinated forty thou-
sand seven hundred and seventy-seven (40,777). there were thirty-nine thousand six hundred
and forty-two (39,642) successful cases, or 97.2 per cent. This Return shows an improvement
also in the percentage of success, as compared with the previous year, when of the total number
vaccinated fifteen thousand five hundred and fifty-one (15,551) there were thirteen thousand
six hundred and seventy (13,670) successful cases, or 87.9 per cent. The favourable percen-
tage of the past year is to be attributed to the constant use of fresh lymph from the vesicle.
" The lymph has been kept in good condition during the whole year, and continues excellent.
" Small-pox has been prevalent in the Mahomed Khan's Tanda and Shabunder districts during
the past year. No reports have been received as to the number of cases and deaths. Comparing
the result among those previously vaccinated and the cases unprotected by vaccination, such
Returns would be interesting and useful; but the difficulty of getting them seems just as great
now as when referred to by Dr. Bayne in his Report for 1855. Inoculation is still practised
in some parts of Sind, but it is not general. It was found among the Belooches in the hill
districts and in the Kardarate of Meerpore Sakra, neither of which had been visited before,—
as far as I could judge the people did not appear to be wedded to the practice, for they gave up
their children to be vaccinated very readily.
" For the more effectual spread of vaccination in Sind, the experience of the year would lead
to the opinion, that great diligence on the part of Vaccinators, with the exercise of prudence