58
cally speaking with better success than attended our efforts in the year 1857. The returns
for the year 1858 show that 1,136 individuals have been vaccinated : of which number, 1,042
are entered as successful, and only 94 as unsuccessful operations, giving an increase of 141
successful cases on the returns of last year. Of the total number, 864 were males, and 272
females ; but the amount of children operated on under one year of age is very small when
compared with the total number, viz. only 32 of both sexes. The percentage of success,
according to this number, would be 91.7.
In the returns.all cases where a vesicle was produced after the operation are indiscriminately
entered as successful. Native Vaccinators are naturally sanguine of success; and it is impos-
sible for the Superintendent personally to inspect the result of every case. But I do not
think that it could be confidently asserted that, out of the 1,136 cases vaccinated during the
year, more than 470 are such as can be relied on as affording protection against or modifying
Small-pox. If therefore 666 cases be considered as doubtful and unsuccessful, the percentage
of success would be reduced to 41.3.
Small-pox prevailed to some extent in the town of Aden, and in the Somali village, near
the Mala Bunder, from the month of January until September; in fact, since 1856 the
epidemic had not left the station entirely. No case of the disease has, however, been known
to exist in the peninsula since September 1858. The significant fact that 678 of the total
number of individuals who submitted to vaccination were Somalies, taken into consideration
with" the very small number operated on under the age of one year, clearly points out the
light in which this prophylactic measure is regarded by the inhabitants of Aden. The
Somalies, who form about one-third of the population, undergo the operation because it is
painless, does no harm, and produces, in a more pleasant mode than the actual cautery,
indelible scars on the arms.
Every assistance is afforded by the Political authorities to further the spread of vaccination;
but the Native Assistant has to seek out practice. Were he not to pursue this course, few
indeed would be the cases brought to him for operation. Inoculation, as far as I can ascer-
tain, is not practised at Aden, nor does any obstruction to the diffusion of this hygienic
measure exist, beyond prejudice on the part of the minority of the people—the Hindoos;
perversity on that of the Jews; and indifference on the part of the majority—the Mussulmans.
For the furtherance of so desirable an end as the more effectual spread of vaccination, no
better plan could be devised for Aden than to make this measure, as in all civilised countries,
compulsory. The population among whom variola prevails more or less every year is chiefly
Mahomedan; and if not prejudiced against vaccination, must certainly be accused of ignorance
of its benefits, or apathy and indifference to the advantages thus gratuitously offered.
MAHABLESHWUR.
Years.
1858....
1859....
Total
Vaccinated.
57
148
Compared with the
preceding Year.
Increase.
....
91
Decrease.
157
....
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
47
109
Percentage
of Success.
82.4
73.6