44
such might be inferred from the above result. The percentage of success is slightly greater
than in previous years, being 89.0. The lymph has been uniformly of good quality throughout
the year. I have frequently tested it during the above-mentioned period, and, although in
some instances the vesicles have appeared ill-formed in native children, the lymph taken from
them has produced a perfect result when applied to the arms of Europeans. I am of opinion
that the prejudices of the natives against vaccination are gradually giving way, and that they
are more fully aware of the advantages attending the operation ; and in cases where such a pre-
judice does still exist, I have usually observed that the individuals are those of the
better class.
Small-pox has occurred in the town of Sholapore to a very slight degree, and medical aid
was in no instance appplied for. Inoculation is not practised in this locality. Vaccination
has lately been extended to the prisoners confined in the jail. Most of this class of persons,
however, are found, on their admission to jail, to be protected either by a previous attack of
Small-pox, or by vaccination—chiefly the former. Much success can scarcely be looked for
amongst this class.
I have received every assistance from the Civil authorities in the propagation of vaccination;
and I am satisfied with the zeal and attention to his duties which has been displayed by the
Native Vaccinator attached to my Department, who has been exclusively employed in the
duties of vaccination, and in no other way whatever.
REPORT FOR 1859.—By Assistant Surgeon J. C. SYLVESTER, M.D.
DURING the above period, the number vaccinated has amounted to 1,405, in 1,190 of
which the result was successful, in 81 unsuccessful, and in 134 doubtful. A comparison of the
total number vaccinated with the average of the previous five years exhibits an excess of 264.
During the past year, the average of success has been 84.6, being somewhat less than that
of the year 1858, which was 89.0. The lymph employed has been uniformly of good
quality, and the supply has been kept up throughout the year. I have made a practice
of constantly inspecting the resulting vesicles, to ascertain that the lymph has not
deteriorated.
The Assistant Vaccinator visits the town of Sholapore twice a week, for the purpose of
carrying out vaccination amongst the inhabitants, and is assisted by two Police Peons, who
are told off for that duty. They collect the subjects for vaccination, and are useful in bring-
ing for inspection those children who have been operated upon during the previous week.
The Assistant Vaccinator also attends every Friday at the Kotwal's chowree, in the Sudder
Bazar, under the superintendence of the Staff Surgeon, for the purpose of extending the
benefits of vaccination to the residents in camp. The majority of the inhabitants of Shola-
pore do not evince any feeling of dislike to the performance of vaccination, although some
object to the lymph being taken from the arms of their children for the purpose of vaccinat-
ing others. I am not aware on what grounds this objection is based. The principal obstacle
to the propagation of the Cow-pox is the natural apathy and indifference of the native
character, rather than an aversion to vaccination itself. The great discrepancy between the
number of males and females vaccinated in Sholapore, which has been pointed out in
former years, still exists, the number of the former vaccinated during the past year exceed-
ing the latter by more than threefold. The cause of this inequality I am unable to
account for.
Small-pox has not prevailed in the town of Sholapore during the past year. One or two
isolated cases have occurred in people who have brought the disease with them from other