NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
7
urging the adoption of Dr. Peet's plan of establishing stations in various parts of the Island
under the charge of a distinct Superintendent, as there is too much reason to doubt the
accuracy of the returns of persons successfully vaccinated at their own houses. This scheme,
if carried out, seems to afford the best prospect of securing trustworthy Returns."
Regarding 1857 the Superintendent states his opinion that —
" The falling off has~arisen chiefly from the frequent changes which have taken place in the
Establishment rendering necessary the employment of new and inexperienced hands, whose
numbers were consequently few. The total of unsuccessful and doubtful cases, nine hundred
and thirty-eight (938), is large, being nearly one-sixth of the whole; there is reason however
to fear that the proportion of failures is even greater than this, as I am convinced that domi-
ciliary vaccinations with dry lymph rarely succeeds. The supply of fresh lymph has been tole-
rably well kept up; the vesicles which I have seen being for the most part of good character
and going through their course regularly."
It will be seen that the average of five years amounts to a little less than
seven thousand and four hundred (7,400) a year, which is a small number
of persons to be gratuitously vaccinated in Bombay, out of its large and
increasing population. The subject however of vaccination in Bombay
is now under reference, and no further remarks are here needed.
CONCAN DIVISION.
Superintendents.—Assistant
Surgeon Harris, and afterwards Beatty.
Establishment.—Eighteen
(18) Vaccinators, at a monthly cost of
Rupees two hundred and thirty-two (232).
The total number of persons vaccinated during the year 1856 amount-
ed to thirty-three thousand seven hundred and ninety-eight, (33,798),
being a decrease of two thousand one hundred and fifty-seven (2,157)
from the previous year. The total number in 1857 was thirty-three
thousand seven hundred and fifty-six (33,756), or forty-two (42) less
than the previous year.
The following table shows the operations of five years and average :—
CONCAN.
Total Number Vaccinated.
SEX
....
CASTE..
AGE....
RESULT.
Males ........
Females .....
Hindoos ....
Mussalmans ..
Christians ....
Parsees ......
Other Castes..
Under one year.
Above one year.
Successful....
Unsuccessful..
Doubtful ....
Per centage of Success....
1853.
32,380
16,783
15,597
28,054
1,020
416
84
2,806
..
..
29,357
2,155
868
90.6
1854.
33,452
17,134
16,318
31,785
610
90
..
967
..
..
30,973
1,646
833
92.5
1855.
35,955
18,547
17,408
34,583
1,125
170
43
34
..
..
33,852
1,040
1,063
94.1
1856.
33,798
17,389
16,409
32,111
817
820
31
19
..
..
32,255
686
857
95.4
1857.
33,756
17,346
16,410
32,297
1,078
356
..
25
5,689
28,067
32,287
711
758
95.6
Average.
33,868
17,449
16,428
31,766
930
370
32
770
..
,.
31,745
1,247
876
93.6
12
" My tour of inspection commenced at the latter end of October. From that time until the
end of December, the Bassein, Bhewndy, Cullian and Kolween Talookas have been visited, and
the work of Vaccinators examined. The nominal returns were in every case found to be
correct, and the lymph was healthy and in abundance.
" The conduct of the Assistant Vaccinators has on the whole been satisfactory during the
year. One Assistant Vaccinator received his discharge on account of refusing to proceed to
the Mahim Talooka; another Vaccinator was dismissed the Service for falsifying his Return.
I beg to acknowledge the assistance which has always most readily been afforded by the
Civil and Police Authorities in both the Tanna and Rutnagherry Collectorates."
NORTHERN DECCAN DIVISION.
Superintendent.—Assistant
Surgeon W. Davey.
Establishment.—Eighteen
(18) Vaccinators, at a monthly cost of Ru-
pees two hundred and thirty-two (232).
The total number of persons vaccinated in 1856 was twenty-two
thousand six hundred and fourteen (22,614), being a decrease from the
previous year of three thousand eight hundred and seventy-six (3,876).
There were vaccinated in 1857 twenty thousand five hundred and
sixty-three (20,563), or a diminution of two thousand and fifty-one
(2,051) from 1856.
Owing to the Superintendent being hurriedly called to proceed with
the Persian Expeditionary Force, the Annual Report for 1856 was not
forwarded, but merely the Returns.
The following table shows the work of the last five years and
average :—
NORTHEN DECCAN.
Total Number Vaccinated.
SEX....
CASTE..
AGE....
RESULT.
Male ........
Female ......
Hindoos ....
Mussalmans ..
Christians ....
Parsees ......
Other Castes..
Under one year.
Above one year.
Successful ....
Unsuccessful..
Doubtful ....
Percentage of Success....
1853.
21,108
11,090
10,018
18,935
957
7
..
1,209
..
..
18,600
2,063
445
88.1
1854.
24,024
12,768
11,256
21,888
1,137
25
..
974
..
..
22,607
348
1,069
94.1
1855.
26,490
14,100
12,390
25,236
1,247
7
..
..
..
..
25,206
163
1,121
95.1
1856.
22,614
12,040
10,574
21,920
689
5
..
..
..
..
21,674
177
763
95.8
1857.
20,563
10,549
10,014
18,717
690
9
..
1,147
3,651
16,912
19,512
187
864
94.7
Average.
22,959
12,109
10,850
21,339
944
10
..
666
..
..
21,519
588
852
93.6
Regarding the year 1857 the Superintendent states:—
" My absence from the Division for three-fourths of the year will not admit of my speaking
personally to the working of vaccination in these districts during the period under review.
14
Small-pox becomes less prevalent by the gradual introduction of vaccination,—and an effectual
check to inoculation, which ought every where to be applied,—the Natives will learn in time
fully to appreciate the blessings of the prophylactic.
" My predecessor appears to have visited and inspected the work of the Vaccinators employed
in the Ahmednuggur and Poona Zillas. One Vaccinator has been convicted of sending in false
Returns, and dismissed the Service. Before leaving the Department I had visited Khandeish,
and inspected the work of two Vaccinators in that Province. Since my return I have been
engaged in the Mawul, Huvelee, and Doonga Districts, inspecting the work and testing the
Returns of two Vaccinators."
SOUTHERN DECCAN DIVISION.
Superintendents.—Assistant
Surgeon Maitland, (temporarily Brongh-
ton and Johnstone,) and afterwards Mills.
Establishment.—Eighteen
(18) Vaccinators, at a monthly cost of Ru-
pees two hundred and thirty-two (232).
The following table shows the work of the five last years and
average :—
SOUTHREN DECCAN.
Total Number Vaccinated.
SEX
....
CASTE..
AGE....
RESULT.
Males ........
Females ......
Hindoos .....
Mussulmans ..
Christians ....
Parsees ......
Other Castes..
Under one year.
Above one year.
Successful....
Unsuccessful..
Doubtful
....
Percentage of Success ....
1853.
2,741
1,618
1,123
2,351
337
53
..
..
..
..
2,540
143
58
92.6
1854.
23,205
13,762
9,443
20,984
1,929
114
..
178
..
..
21,348
473
1,384
92.0
1855.
16,208
9,123
7,085
14,354
1,831
19
4
..
..
..
14,724
439
1,045
90.8
1856.
16,262
8,656
7,606
14,613
1,610
39
..
..
..
..
15,005
640
617
92.2
1857.
15,532
8,090
7,442
13,845
1,333
56
..
298
3,991
11,541
14,809
446
277
95.3
Average.
14,789
8,249
6,540
13,229
1,408
56
1
95
..
..
13,685
428
676
92.6
Dr. Johnstone reports as follows :—
" During the year 1856, the office of Superintendent of Vaccination in this Division has
been held by Assistant Surgeons Maitland, Broughton, and Johnstone. The result for the
year shows a slight increase in comparison with that of the previous year. The reduction of
numbers in 1855 is I think accounted for by the circumstance of Dr. Maitland, in April 1855,
feeling it necessary to require the Native Vaccinators to include in their Monthly Returns the
' Adnam' or family name of the parents of the children vaccinated, as the Police Establish-
ment and others engaged in confirmation were constantly unable to find out the parties stated
to have been operated on. The consequence of this careful act was the immediate and con-
siderable reduction in amount of vaccinated in the Monthly Returns, and consequently the
cause of the present decrease, when compared with the Return of 1854, and the equality of
numbers in the years 1855 and 1856. This decrease, however, speaks in favour of the general
truthfulness of present vaccination.
" In the work of a large establishment like that of the Southern Deccan Division, distributed
over so considerable a tract of country, it may be supposed that the amount of superintendence
18
Western Division, Guzerat.
The Western Division of Guzerat* comprises the Government terri-
tory under the Collector of Ahmedabad, and
the Native States under the Political Agents
in Kattywar, the Mahee Kanta, and the Political Superintendent
Palhunpore.
Situation and Extent.
It lies between the 20° and 25° of N. latitude, and 69° and 74°
of E. longitude ; the general direction from
the northmost point of the Poseena Talooka in
the Mahee Kanta to the southern promontory of the Kattywar penin-
sula (near Dieu) would be SS. Westerly, and the length of the Divi-
sion measured thus would be about three hundred (300) miles. Its
breadth varies much, taken from the east of the Mahee Kanta districts,
due west to the extremity of those of Santulpore, under the Palhunpore
Agency, the distance would be about one hundred and sixty (160)
miles. Again from the mouth of the Saburmuttee river, or a point a
little to the south of it on the coast, a line stretching to the extreme
west of Kattywar, near Dwarka, would measure two hundred and ten
(210) miles, but other parts are much more narrow, as for instance the
isthmus between the mouth of the Saburmuttee river and Bajjana on
the Runn, and the southern parts of Kattywar. In round numbers
then, the Division may be said to be three hundred (300) miles in
length, and one hundred and fifty (150) in breadth.
Boundaries.
Its boundaries may be stated to be, on the north the Rajpootana
States of Marwar (or Jodhpore), Serohee, and.
Meywar; on the east the Dongurpore districts
(under the Political Agent in Meywar), the Kaira Collectorate, Cambay
territory, and Gulf of Cambay ; on the south, the Indian ocean, where it
washes the coast of Kattywar; and on the west, the Gulf and Runn of
Cutch.
Districts excepted.
Within this area are considerable districts belonging to Baroda, the
superintendence of vaccination in which has
within the past year been made over to the
Residency Surgeon there, who is to carry it on by Vaccinators paid
by the Durbar. These districts contain the large towns of Puttun,
Kurree, and Beesulnuggur, and considerable ones of Burnuggur, Keyra-
lees, Sidhpoor, Meysanuer, Beejapoor and Kullole, with the surround-
ing villages and country lying to the west of the Saburmuttee, and
Dehegaum, town and purgunna, to the eastward of that river; their
population is very dense, and from the way in which their villages are
* For this interesting sketch of the districts in charge of the Superintendent of Vaccination
"Western Division of Guzerat, the Director General is indebted to Dr. Lord, who transmitted
it under date 5th March 1857 to the late Medical Board.
19
in many places intermingled with those of the neighbouring districts,
the withdrawal of the superintendence of vaccination in them from
the officer in charge of that duty in this Division, can scarcely be
considered advantageous, in a measure which, to be effectual, should be
carried out as a whole. This admixture of districts obliges the Superin-
tendent often to travel through and across this portion of country, so it is
included in the area of the Division, estimating its extent roughly.
Area.
Exclusive of this, the districts under the Superintendent of Vaccination
in this Division comprise an area of—the whole
roughly computed—thirty-eight thousand(38,000)
square miles, thus calculated—
1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
Ahmedabad Collectorate.............
Kattywar States.......................
Mahee Kanta .........................
Palhunpore Districts...............
H. H. The Guicowar's territory (say)...........
Total square miles ....
Square Miles.
4,437
20,000
4,000
4,041
3,500
37,978
Of the area or population of the latter districts, as not now belonging
to the charge, no Return has been requested from the Resident at
Baroda.
Population.
The population of the others from Returns received from the Civil
and Political Officers in charge amounts to two
million seven hundred and thirteen thousand six
hundred and fifty (2,713,650) souls according to the last census, thus
computed—
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Ahmedabad Collectorate
Kattywar
Mahee Kanta .............................
Palhunpore ...............................
Total Population..
No. of Souls.
561,557
1,475,685
311,046
365,362
2,713,650
But as some years have elapsed since the census was taken, and all
who have been able to afford information on the subject agree in consi-
dering the population to have increased much since then, or to be
perhaps underrated as in Kattywar, the truth is not exceeded in saying
that three millions of inhabitants at present people the extensive
districts in this Division.
Government Districts,
Ahmedabad Collectorate.
(a) The Government districts in charge are all comprised in the Ahme-
dabad Collectorate, and are seven in number, viz.
Dholka, Duskrohee, Ahmedabad, Veerumgaum,
20
Area and Population.
Jeytulpore, Dhundooka, Purantej and Gogo,—their aggregate area is
stated to be four thousand four hundred and thirty-seven (4,437) square
miles, with a population, according to the last
census taken in 1851, of five hundred and
sixty-one thousand five hundred and fifty-seven (561,557) souls; but
as about six years have elapsed since this census was taken, and during
that time no very fatal disease or other cause of extraordinary mortality
has prevailed to any great extent, it is not improbable that the above
number falls considerably short of that of the actual population of these
districts now.
Proportion of Houses
and Inhabitants to Area.
The proportion of the population to the area as stated, would be
126.5 inhabitants to the square mile, and the
proportion of houses to people is nearly one to
three. A calculation made from a Return of the inhabitants of one
hundred and ninety-five thousand six hundred and sixty-four (195,664)
houses in every part of the Collectorate gives an average of 2.8 indivi-
duals to each house, but this is probably a little below the actual rate at
present. Assuming then three to be about the average to a house, the
following estimate of population per square mile, computed from
District Returns, will afford some idea of the size, or number of villages
in the different Purgunnas :—
1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6,
7,
Duskrohie, Ahmedabad (exclusive
of Ahmedabad City) ..................
Duskrohie, Jeytulpore ..................
Purantej ...............................
Dholka
Gogo ........................
Veerumgaum ..........................
Dhundooka ...........................
Inhabitants.
285
267
152
130
127
97
75
Houses.
95
89
50
43
42
32
25
To a square mile.
Proportion of Vaccina-
tion.
Throughout these districts vaccination is unceasingly carried on by
men. in the employ of Government. In the
natural year just closed (1856) eighteen thou-
sand four hundred and one (18,401) persons were operated on,
which would give a. proportion of 3.2 per cent. to the whole popu-
lation. Means have been lately taken for the more defined and equable
distribution of the Vaccinators' labours, by which it is hoped their effi-
ciency will be increased ; but as this will form one of the subjects of the
Divisional Annual Report, particulars are not now needed. The
circumstance is mentioned here, as it is not improbable that the time
lost in transferring Vaccinators to new stations, may have caused the
21
amount of their work to appear in a less favourable proportion to the
extent of their charges, than might have been the case had there been
no interference with their operations.
Kattywar.
(b) The districts under the Political Agent in Kattywar form the
largest portion of the charge of the Superinten-
dent of Vaccination in Western Guzerat.
Area and Population.
Proportion of Popula-
tion to Area.
Their area is estimated at not less than twenty thousand (20,000)
square miles, and the population computed (for
no correct census has ever been taken) at from
nearly a million and a half to close in two million souls,—between these
the truth probably lies. The latest attempt at a census was that of
Lieut. Colonel LeGrand Jacob in 1842: the means at his disposal were
confessedly imperfect, but making the best of them he states the
population then to have amounted to one million four hundred and
seventy-five thousand six hundred and eighty-five (1,475,685) souls,
inhabiting three thousand seven hundred and ninety-four (3,794) towns
and villages. Both Colonel Walker's and Mr. Blane's census exceeded
this, and Colonel Lang considers it "somewhat low." For the
want of more accurate information, however, we must content
ourselves by estimating the population of the peninsula (exclusive
of the Government districts on the eastern
coast) in round numbers at a million and a
half (1,500,000) of souls, which would give a proportion of seventy-
five (75) to the square mile.
Vaccination.
The Establishment of Vaccinators in this extensive district at pre-
sent is totally inadequate to meet the require-
ments of the inhabitants.
The people seem
willing enough to bring their children, and no difficulty in introducing
vaccination among them is experienced. Only very few of the Chiefs
keep Vaccinators, and no arrangement appears even to have been
entered into by them to keep up an extended or properly organized
system of vaccination throughout the country.
Proportion of Persons
Vaccinated.
The proportion therefore of persons vaccinated is deplorably small.
In the past year (1856) twenty-one thousand
two hundred and forty-five (21,245) indivi-
duals were vaccinated in this province, but of
these eleven thousand six hundred and eighty-eight (11,688) (or more
than half) were operated on by men of the Government Establishment
detached here for the purpose of diffusing vaccination. The propor-
tion of all vaccinations to the population per cent. would be 1.4, or of
those traceable to the efforts of the Chiefs of the country only 0.6 to
every hundred inhabitants.
22
Mahee Kanta.
(c) The districts under the control of the Political Agent in the
Mahee Kanta constitute the NE. portion of this
Division. The sub-divisions or Zillahs are six in
number, covering an estimated area of four thousand (4,000) square miles.
Area and Population.
The population in Major Whitelock's Report for 1853 was stated
then to be three hundred and eleven thousand
and forty-six (311,046) souls, which would
give about seventy-seven (77) to the square mile.
Vaccination.
To meet the requirements of these districts, the Chiefs have entered
to an arrangement for paying five Vaccinators,
and a sixth will, it is hoped, soon be provided,
as the Political Agent says some of the Chiefs have already agreed for
their portion of the expense, and the remainder will probably ere long
do likewise.
Proportion of Persons
Vaccinated.
The Returns for the past year show eight thousand seven hundred
and ninety (8,790) persons to have been vacci-
nated in the Mahee Kanta, which would give a
proportion of 2.8 per cent. to the whole population.
Palhunpore Districts.
(d) Lying to the westward of the Daunta portion of the Mahee
Kanta, and extending to the eastern border of the
Runn of Cutch, are the districts in charge of the
Political Superintendent at Palhunpore, which form the North-western
portion of this Division.
These are eleven (11) in number, under Mussalman, Rajpoot, and
Koolee Chieftains.
Area and Population.
Proportion of Popula-
tion to Area.
Their greatest length is about one hundred miles, breadth the same,
with an area of six thousand and forty-one (6,041)
square miles, containing nine hundred and thirty-
four (934) towns and villages. The population is about one-tenth
(1/10th) Mussalman, the rest Hindoo; and according to the last census
numbers three hundred and sixty-five thousand
three hundred and sixty-two (365,362) souls,
which would give only about sixty (60) inhabit-
ants to the square mile. A considerable portion of the country to the
northward is hilly, covered with jungle, and almost destitute of
inhabitants.
In these districts vaccination is carried on by five (5) men, paid
from local resources, and succeeds well. To these the services of a
Government Vaccinator in and about Deesa have lately been added,
as from the large European population of that station, it appeared
desirable that a fresh supply of good lymph should be always within
easy reach of the hospitals there.
28
local calls of duty, my presence has been constantly required in Kattywar, allowing no time
to be devoted to a tour in the Guzerat districts, or personal inspection of vaccination in them;
the remaining duty was however conducted, as far as was in my power, by correspondence
till near the close of the year, when a successor was appointed to be Superintendent of the
Division, for whom, in obedience to orders to that effect, I despatched the office on the 15th
December to the care of the Superintending Surgeon at Ahmedabad.
EASTERN GUZERAT.
Superintendent.—Assistant
Surgeon W. Peach, M.D., afterwards C.
G.H. Ross.
Establishment.—Seventeen
(17) Vaccinators, at a monthly cost of
Rupees two hundred and twenty (220).
The following is a comparative table of the last five years and average :—
EASTERN GUZERAT.
Total Number Vaccinated.
SEX
....
CASTE..
AGE ....
RESULT.
Male........
Female ......
Hindoos ......
Mussalmans ..
Christians ....
Parsees ......
Other Castes..
Under one year.
Above one year.
Successful....
Unsuccessful..
Doubtful .....
Percentage of Success ....
1853.
16,052
9,293
6,759
14,130
1,902
..
20
..
..
..
13,073
2,195
784
81.4
1854.
19,889
11,713
8,176
16,610
2,644
8
3
624
..
..
16,941
1,768
1,180
85.1
1855.
23,277
13,252
10,025
20,865
2,308
5
99
..
..
..
20,427
1,311
1,539
87.7
1856.
26,260
14,772
11,488
23,663
2,552
..
45
..
..
..
22,854
1,902
1,504
87.0
1857.
25,563
14,586
10,977
20,978
3,272
..
28
1,285
4,759
20,804
22,322
1,444
1,797
87.3
Average.
22,208
12,723
9,485
19,249
2,535
3
39
382
..
..
19,123
1,724
1,361
85.7
The Medical officer in temporary charge of the duties states:—
" The Returns of Vaccination in the Eastern Division of Guzerat for the year 1856 exhibit
a numerical improvement on former years, and the goodness of the work may be assured from
the pains taken generally, no less than active personal supervision exercised over the Establish-
ment by the Superintendent Dr. Peach who has lately left. The ' Good and Bad Conduct
Record' for the year is favourable on the whole; the dismissals have been few, and the fines,
for minor derelictions, not numerous.
" The zeal of the Superintendent has no doubt been a principal means of improving vaccina-
tion in this Division, but other causes have probably contributed to the end, such as diminished
prejudice of the people, improved help derived from the Civil functionaries, &c. &c. The ex-
tent of such helping influences however (presuming them to have existed), together with other
matters, generally made subjects of Annual Report, can only be related by one under whose
eye they have taken place. Holding charge for a short time only I am not in this position,
and simply submit therefore the statistical amount of work."
The Superintendent, Mr. Ross, reports as follows for 1857 :—
"The Eastern Division Guzerat has not been unaffected by the troubles which have
taken place in India during the past year.
" The districts, with one or two exceptions, have not been visited by the Superintendents
of Vaccination,—and this may be looked upon as the chief cause in the decrease of the year,
inasmuch as it induces idleness and carelessness on the part of the Vaccinators.