NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
( xxii )
INDEX TO THE FOLLOWING REPORTS.
VACCINATION UNDER SUPERINTENDENTS—
Presidency Division .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Central Circle .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Southern do.
..
..
.. .. .. .. .. ..
Northern do. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Sind Division
..
..
..
.. .. .. .. ..
Kattywar Circle .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Kutch
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Peint (Nassick) .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
PAGE
1
3
4
5
7
8
9
ib.
VACCINATION UNDER CIVIL SURGEONS—
Poona ..
...
..
Ahmednuggur .. ..
Sattara .. .. ..
Sholapore .. ..
Dhoolia .. .. ..
Nassick .. .. ..
Ahmedabad .. ..
Rajcote .. .. ..
Surat .. .. ..
PAGE
10
11
ib.
12
ib.
13
ib.
14
15
Broach .. .. .. ..
Belgaum.. .. .. ..
Dharwar.. .. .. ..
Kolapore.. .. .. ..
Rutnagherry .. .. ..
Kurrachee.. .. .. ..
Hyderabad .. .. ..
Shikarpoor..
.. .. ..
Aden .. .. .. ..
PAGE
15
16
ib.
17
18
ib.
19
ib.
20
APPENDIX—
Vaccination under Superintendents .. .. .. ..
Do.
do. Civil Surgeons
..
..
..
.. ..
Do.
do. Native Chiefs .. .. .. .. ..
General Abstracts of Vaccination .. .. .. .. ..
Table of Ages .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Employment Return of Superintendents of Vaccination .. ..
Table No. 1
No. 2
No. 3
No. 4
No. 5
No. 6
VACCINATION UNDER SUPERINTENDENTS.
PRESIDENCY DIVISION.
Local Superintendent.—Sub-Assistant
Surgeon ANUNTA CHUNDROBA.
Establishment.—Three
Vaccinators and Three Peons.
YEARS.
1861....
1862....
Total
Vaccinated.
8,861
6,081
Compared with the
preceding Year.
Increase.
....
....
Decrease.
....
2,780
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
7,185
4,748
Percentage
of Success.
81.0
78.1
The total number of Vaccinations during the past year has been less than for several years
past. Six thousand and eighty-one persons were vaccinated, being 2,780 less than in the year
1861, and 1,387 less than the average of the last ten years.
To account for this deficiency I beg to submit the following facts :—
In the year 1861 there was an epidemic of small-pox of unusual severity and prevalence,
and consequently, as has been observed by all officers in charge of the Department, from the
commencement, the demand for Vaccination was proportionately increased. The number of
persons vaccinated during that year was almost unprecedentedly large. Thus many persons
were protected by small-pox, as well as by Vaccination; and as a natural result, the subjects
for new operations for the past year, were materially diminished.
This, however, was not the sole cause of the falling off in the number of Vaccinations.
During the year under report, small-pox has scarcely prevailed in Bombay ; there having been
only 163 deaths registered against an average of 7,429 during the past ten years. Thus the
great, and to many perhaps the only, incentive to avail themselves of the benefits of Vaccina-
tion, the prevalence of small-pox, was wanting; and this circumstance could not fail to act
injuriously upon the exertions of the Establishment. Finding that the morning stations were
not frequented by a sufficient number of children, every day an evening station was opened;
not at any fixed place, but daily changed from place to place as found convenient. But even
here the people, naturally apathetic, and not having the dangers of small-pox before them, were
very reluctant to have their children vaccinated even, as it were, at their own doors. This
2
was, however, mostly in cases of infants and children under one year of age; as they are
generally thought by the Natives to be too tender for the operation. Besides these, there were
other causes, which, though, in themselves, of minor importance, were yet in the aggregate
such as to exercise an influence on the working of the Department.
The decrease in number is not confined to any particular class of the community, as will
be seen from the following comparative statement:—
CASTES.
Hindoos..............
Mussulmans..........
Christians..........
Parsees ............
Other Castes
..........
Average number
annually vaccinated
during past 9 years.
5,155
1,210
903
255
242
in 1861.
5,688
1,602
967
535
69
in 1862.
4,160
855
515
439
112
The falling off in the number of Parsees is not quite so great as in other classes; and there
can be no doubt that the Parsees show a greater desire to get their children vaccinated than
they did heretofore.
As to ages : of the total vaccinated 2,630 were under, and 3,451 above, one year of age.
Here the falling off is more marked in children under one year of age, as will be seen from
the following comparative statement:—
AGES.
Under one year ......
Above one year ........
Average of previous
9 years.
4,268
3,485
1861.
4,080
4,781
1862.
2,630
3,451
Nor is this difficult to be accounted for. As remarked before, natives generally are of
opinion that children under one year of age are too tender for the operation, and should small-
pox not prevail they scarcely ever think it necessary to get them vaccinated.
As to sex: the males were as usual greater in number than the females, there being 3,563
males to 2,510 females.
3
CENTRAL CIRCLE.
Superintendent.—Assistant
Surgeon T. B. BEATTY, M.D.
Establishment.—Thirty
one Vaccinators.
YEARS.
1861
1862
Total
Vaccinated.
42,518
39,701
Compared with the
preceding Year.
Increase.
....
....
Decrease.
2,264
2,817
Success¬
fully
Vaccinated,
39,799
36,872
Percentage
of Success.
93.6
92.8
In the beginning of April of last year, I assumed charge of the Central Circle from
Assistant Surgeon Plumptre, and at once commenced a tour of inspection through Angrias'
Colaba, a large portion of which Collectorate I was able to inspect before the setting in of the
rains, which began early in June, when I was obliged to return to Head Quarters at Tannah.
During the past year 39,701 persons of all denominations have been vaccinated in this
Division, which now includes the Collectorates of Tannah, Ahmednuggur, Poona, and Kandeish.
In the month of September last, Sholapore was transferred from the Southern to the Central
Circle. Compared with last year the number of Vaccinations falls short by 2,817, but I am
satisfied that the cause of this decrease is, in a measure, attributable to the circumstance of the
vaccinators not receiving the occasional assistance of peons as heretofore they have done. The
difficulty they experience became so great, that one vaccinator wrote to say, that the people
in some places, where he was engaged, were beginning to doubt whether Government any longer
sanctioned Vaccination, as peons were not observed to accompany the vaccinators to villages
as formerly.
Complaints have been constantly made during the year by the vaccinators on account of
the want of aid afforded them by Patels and Kulkurnees of villages, and also of the total indif-
ference manifested by many of them in the cause of Vaccination. These complaints have been
regularly forwarded to the Civil authorities, who have endeavoured, through the Mamlutdars,
to instigate the heads of villages to more activity, but it is a most difficult matter to prove
against them any direct neglect of duty.
I would wish it to be understood that the aid of peons is urged not with any idea of causing
intimidation to the people, their presence is needed simply for the purpose of warning the peo-
ple to have their children collected at a certain place on an appointed date. Without a peon,
the people will not do this of themselves, in fact the mere presence of a peon in the carrying
out of any Government work, imparts confidence to the natives rather than intimidation. Delay
in collecting subjects for Vaccination not unfrequently is the cause of loss of the lymph. In
some cases it is almost next to an impossibility for the vaccinator of himself to get children
collected in sufficient number as will ensure his lymph being preserved.
Of the total number vaccinated, 20,278 were males and 19,423 females, the former showing
an increase of 855 over the latter. As regards castes, the Hindoos are by far in excess, there
having been 36,127, or above 90 per cent. of the entire number vaccinated. In respect to
age, as usual, by far the larger portion were above one year old.
4c
4
SOUTHERN CIRCLE.
Superintendent.—Assistant
Surgeon J. G. ASHER, M.D.
Establishment.—Twenty-three
Vaccinators (Government).
Nineteen Vaccinators (Native Chiefs).
ESTABLISHMENT.
Government ....
Native Chiefs ..
Years.
1861....
1862....
1861....
1862....
Total
Vaccinated.
25,391
30,405
16,616
16,734
Compared with the
preceding Year.
Increase.
....
5,014
....
118
Decrease.
....
....
....
....
Success¬
fully
Vaccinated.
23,758
28,521
15,072
14,871
Percentage
of Success.
93.5
93.8
90.7
88.8
The numbers, as exhibited in the above table, show an increase upon those of the previous
year ; but inasmuch as any return of Vaccination in the districts concerned, that does not show
a large extension of its benefits may be considered unsatisfactory, the increase of 5,014 must
be looked upon merely as an index of a little progress.
That Vaccination is, however, far from general, is very apparent from a glance at the children
in the schools of the Belgaum, Dharwar, and Sattara Collectorates (Rutnagherry, I have not
yet visited), most children attending those schools were certainly " protected," but for one
found vaccinated, half a dozen bore on their faces the evidence of having suffered from small-
pox.
The general conduct of the vaccinators during the year has been on the whole satisfactory.
A few fines have been exacted for minor offences, but no recommendation of dismissal has
been thought necessary. They have a thankless duty to perform, are not well paid, and are
consequently recruited from a class entitled to consideration for failings. That any one of
the staff exerts himself to his utmost, I cannot affirm; to expect such, would, I fear, scarcely
accord with a due appreciation of human nature. Most individuals seem to have allotted
to themselves a certain monthly work, which they consider will exempt them from punishment,
beyond which they feel themselves by no means called on to go.
A great excess, 18,637, of those operated on were above one year of age, and a very large
minority were infants and children.
Children of either sex are submitted for Vaccination with equal willingness.
The lymph has suffered no deterioration. In the cold and hot weather, as also during the
monsoon, I have seen excellent and characteristic vesicles in the work of numerous vaccinators.
In one instance only have I had to interfere, owing to the doubtful efficacy of lymph; and in-
deed the very obvious marks on the great majority of the children operated on, are sufficient
proof of the efficiency of the work. In the monthly employment returns, full particulars of
the tour of the Superintendent have been furnished, so it is unnecessary to say more here on
this head, than that during the nine months I have held charge, I have visited the Sattara,
Belgaum, Dharwar, and North Canara Collectorates, that sixteen vaccinators' work has been
inspected, and upwards of 2,500 vaccinated persons seen, entailing travelling to the extent
of upwards of 950 miles.
5
NORTHERN CIRCLE.
Superintendent.—Assistant
Surgeon R. DICK.
Establishment.—Thirty-six
Vaccinators (Government).
Seventeen Vaccinators (Native Chiefs).
ESTABLISHMENT.
Government ....
Native Chiefs....
Years.
1861....
1862....
1861....
1862....
Total
Vaccinated.
41,349
40,083
24,216
18,417
Compared with the
preceding Year.
Increase.
....
....
....
....
Decrease.
....
1,266
....
5,799
Success¬
fully
Vaccinated.
36,948
35,558
20,829
15,982
Percentage
of Success.
89.3
88.7
86.0
86.7
The above table shows a decrease of 1,266 operations in the past year compared with 1861,
but I regret that in reality there has been a greater diminution than this, for the returns of the
four Punch Mahal vaccinators, from January to November, numbering altogether 1,923 opera-
tions, have been included in this year's total, while in former years they were included in
the returns of vaccinators under Native Chiefs. This number being deducted, the true decrease
is seen to be 3,189. A variety of circumstances have contributed to produce this very unsatis-
factory result; sickness of many members of the establishment,—vacancies of several months'
duration, occasioned by deaths,—a dismissal and resignation at the end of 1861, and during
1862,—the withdrawal of peons from the vaccinators employed in the Ahmedabad Zillah, where
previously each vaccinator had the advantage of a police peon to accompany him on his work-
ing days, and to assist in collecting children.
At the beginning of the year, the late Superintendent (Assistant Surgeon Rustomjee Byramjee)
was at Borsud. He travelled successively through the Napar and Neriad districts to Kaira ;
and examined the work of General Nos. 47,127, 96, and 128, and reported favourably on them.
I received charge of the duties on 7th February, and travelling successively into Moonda,
Tansra, and Kuppurwunj Purgunnas, in the Kaira Zillah, I examined the work of General Nos. 41,
111, and 173, all of which I considered tolerably satisfactory. I then travelled into the Duseroe
Purgunna, in Ahmedabad Zillah, and inspected the work of General No. 2, whose records I
found correct, and his work satisfactory. General No. 178, who was working the same
district, gave less satisfaction, as his lymph seemed deteriorated, the proporion of unsuccessful
cases being large. I next travelled into Dholka Purgunna, and examined some old work
of General No. 56, who was sick at that time, also the work of General Nos. 48 and 15, and
found the former unsatisfactory. I next visited Dhondooka, and as four cases of small-pox
had been reported there, I endeavoured to propagate lymph from crusts, but unsuccessfully;
fresh lymph, however, was brought to the town a few days afterwards. Having inspected
the work of General Nos. 91 and 170, in the Dholera and Ranpoor districts, I marched to
Cambay, where General No. 19 was busily employed, and the people willingly accepting his
assistance, their fears being aroused by the prevalence of small-pox, in and around the town.
I next visited Jumboosur Purgunna, into which General No. 48 had been transferred, as small-
pox was reported, and the vaccinator of the district was on sick leave. He had succeeded in
8
KATTYWAR CIRCLE.
Superintendent.—Assistant
Surgeon E. R. BUTLER.
Establishment.—Eight
Vaccinators (Government).
Twenty-one Vaccinators (Native Chiefs).
ESTABLISHMENT.
Government ....
Native Chiefs ..
Years.
1861....
1862....
1861....
1862....
Total
Vaccinated.
6,100
5,085
16,122
16,933
Compared with the
preceding Year.
Increase.
....
....
....
811
Decrease.
....
1,015
....
....
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
5,677
4,623
14,648
14,953
Percentage
of Success.
93.0
90.9
90.8
88.3
During the past year very few of the assistant vaccinator's work were inspected, on account
of there having been no Superintendent of Vaccination, till I joined in April ; and then,
on account of the heavy rains, which made it impossible to get out, till the 16th of October.
In the month of May, I superintended the work of the two vaccinators in the Dhurrole
and Nowanugger Talooka, and I inspected Vaccination in twelve different gaums. The
work done in the former Talooka was satisfactory, the Dhurrole vaccinator having been the
principal operator. In the Nowanugger Talooka, the result of my inspection was highly unsa-
tisfactory. The second largest town, not including Jamnugger, had not had a single inhabitant
vaccinated for five years.
Having to return to Rajcote early this month on account of the rains, I was enabled only to
examine a few gaums, viz. four, but this completed the inspection of all the north part of the
above mentioned Talookas. From the 15th of June, till the 15th of October, I remained in
Rajcote, performing my Civil duties.
In the month of October, I examined the work done in five different Talookas, examined
the inhabitants of six gaums who had been vaccinated. Result satisfactory as far as the
cases vaccinated, but very unsatisfactory in respect to the number. The Morebee vaccinator
gave as his excuse, that he had been ill several months, however I reported him, since which
he has been doing more work, and sending his reports more regularly.
In November, I visited most of the southern part of the Nowanugger Talooka, and some
part of the Poorbunder Talooka, altogether I examined the work done at fifteen gaums; found
lymph good; and returns correct.
In the Poorbundur Talooka, the reason of the returns showing so scanty a number vaccinated,
entirely rests with the Rana, who, though a most enlightened Chief in most matters, does not
countenance Vaccination. On my asking him his objection, his answer was, "It is such a
painful sight to see a baby pricked "and the blood flowing," from this I inferred the vacci-
nator had been rough in his operations, so I made him operate on the children of two gaums.
During my residence at Poorbundur he performed as carefully as possible. However, by way
of giving the Rana as little excuse as possible on this account, I ordered the vaccinator never
to puncture the arm in more than two places, instead of three, as had been the custom.
During the month of December, I travelled through and inspected a great part of four
Talookas, I examined the children of nineteen different gaums, and found for the most part
the seven had been satisfactorily vaccinated, and the returns correct.
9
KUTCH.
MR. SUDDASHEW HEMRAJ, G.G.M.C.
YEARS.
1861....
1862....
Total
Vaccinated.
26
79
Compared with the
preceding Year.
Increase.
....
53
Decrease.
....
....
Success¬
fully
Vaccinated.
21
44
Percentage
of Success.
80.7
65.6
No report received.
PEINT (NASSICK).
One Vaccinator under Sub-Assistant Surgeon SPENCER.
YEARS.
1861....
1862....
Total
Vaccinated.
122
148
Compared with the
preceding Year.
Increase.
....
26
Decrease.
....
....
Success¬
fully
Vaccinated.
68
100
Percentage
of Success.
55.7
67.5
The total number of persons vaccinated in Peint during the year is 148, which is 26 more
than the previous year. Of these 104 were males and 44 were females, 100 were successful,
being 67.5 per cent. excluding the doubtful cases, or those that were never seen after the
operation. The increase, I think, is chiefly attributable to the exertion of the present native
vaccinator. The inhabitants, so far as I am able to judge, do not offer any objection to the
spread of Vaccination; but, on the contrary, they seem anxious to avail themselves of the great
blessing afforded to them by Government.
10
VACCINATION UNDER CIVIL SURGEONS.
POONA.
One Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon, Surgeon G. G. W. MAITLAND.
YEARS.
1861....
1862....
Total
Vaccinated.
1,753
1,832
Compared with the
preceding Year.
Increase.
....
79
Decrease.
....
....
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
1,487
1,535
Percentage
of Success.
84.8
83.7
Vaccination has been steadily carried on by the assistant vaccinator during the past
year. The number vaccinated has been somewhat in excess of the previous year. The
total number of Vaccinations for the year 1861 was 1,753, during 1862—1,832, giving an
increase of 79 over the preceding year. The following table will show the number of chil-
dren vaccinated according to the sex, caste, age, and result:—
YEAR.
1862
Sex.
Males.
1,201
Females.
698
Caste.
Christians.
21
Hindoo.
1,512
Mussul-
mans.
298
Parsees.
1
Age.
Under 1
Year.
798
Above 1
Year.
1,034
Result.
Successful.
1,535
Unsuccess-
ful.
132
Doubtful.
165
From the above it will be seen that males bear a large preponderance to females vacci-
nated, and that more chihdren are vaccinated above one year than under one year. In
England, owing to the compulsory laws in operation, this latter rule does not obtain. Infants
there being required under penalty to be vaccinated from three to four months after birth.
Very few cases of small-pox have been reported during the year, and the disease in an epide-
mic form has not appeared in this city since 1858.
11
AHMEDNUGGUR.
One Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon, Assistant Surgeon M. M. MCKENZIE, M.D.
YEARS.
1861
1862
Total
Vaccinated.
1,119
1,240
Compared with the
preceding Year.
Increase.
....
121
Decrease.
....
....
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
870
1,010
Percentage
of Success.
77.7
81.4
From the above table it appears that the total number of Vaccinations for the past year
1862, is more than the year 1861. The total number of Vaccinations would have been greater
than it at present stands, but for the great prevalence of Cholera from the month of March
to the end of June 1862.
SATTARA.
One Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon, Assistant Surgeon H. COOK, M.D.
YEARS.
1861
1862
Total
Vaccinated.
1,811
1,435
Compared with the
preceding Year.
Increase.
....
....
Decrease.
....
376
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
1,630
1,265
Percentage
of Success.
90.0
88.1
The total number vaccinated during the year has amounted to 1,435, showing a decrease of 376
compared with the preceding year. This decrease is attributed by the vaccinator to the very
general prevalence of Cholera in the neighbourhood during the past 9 months of the year, and
I think the reason given may be considered a sufficient one. The greatest number of Vacci-
nations were performed in April and May, this being the period when fewer duties in the field
allow the parents more time to bring forward their children for the purpose. During the
monsoon, Vaccination is almost confined to the town and immediate neighbourhood, and the
numbers vaccinated are consequently fewer, whilst in the cold season the people are so greatly
occupied in agricultural operations, that they are unwilling to afford time for other matters.
Of the total number 765 were males and 670 were females; 654 were children below one year,
and 781 were children above that age and adults.
5c
12
SHOLAPORE.
One Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon, Asst. Surgeon C. F. OGILVIE, M.D. (Acting).
YEARS.
1861
1862
Total
Vaccinated.
1,434
1,392
Compared with the
preceding Year.
Increase.
....
....
Decrease.
....
42
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
995
854
Percentage
of Success.
69.3
61.3
During the past year, the number of persons vaccinated has amounted to 1,392, of which
712 were males and 680 females; 531 were children under one year, and 861 children above
that age; 854 were successful, 305 unsuccessful, and 233 doubtful: the percentage of success
being 61.3. As compared with the year 1861, there is a slight decrease, 42, in the total num-
ber of operations. The percentage of success, also, does not contrast favourably; that of last
year having been 69.3, but I attribute the want of success in a very great many cases to the
carelessness of the parents not taking the necessary measures to preserve the pustule. Of the
various castes, the Hindoos have been the most numerous, viz. 757, next Mussulmans 400,
and other castes 234. Only one Christian, and no Parsee has been vaccinated. The lymph has
been of good quality throughout the year, the virus being apparently equally effective during
the monsoon, as in other seasons, and the supply has been uninterrupted. I have personally
very carefully examined the result of the operation, twice weekly, with a view of detecting any
deterioration in the character of the vesicles; but it is very clear to my mind, that there is not
only a great objection to submit to the operation, but also to bring the children for inspection
after Vaccination.
DHOOLIA.
One Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon, Assistant Surgeon C. R. COLSTON (Acting).
YEARS.
1861....
1862....
Total
Vaccinated.
802
857
Compared with the
preceding Year.
Increase.
....
55
Decrease.
....
....
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
800
796
Percentage
of Success.
99.7
92.8
Vaccination has been performed with great care and proportionate success during the
period of the year that I have been in charge, and I may say that I have never before observed
such unqualified success as regards the vaccine vesicles and pustules that were produced,
which was no doubt attributable to care in the selection of cases for the propagation of the