NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
11
KATTYWAR CIRCLE.
Superintendent.—Assistant Surgeon R. G. LORD, M.D. (S. C. to England.)
Establishment.—Eight Vaccinators (Government).
Nineteen Vaccinators (Native Chiefs).
Establishment.
Government . . . .
Native Chiefs . . . .
Years.
1859 . . . .
1860 . . . .
1859 . . . .
1860 . . . .
Total.
Vaccinated.
4,744
4,257
13,359
13,234
Compared with the
preceding Year.
Increase.
455
....
3,787
....
Decrease.
....
487
....
125
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
4,287
3,976
11,992
11,897
Percentage
of
Success.
90.3
93.4
89.7
89.8
THE Civil Surgeon, Rajcote, was in England on sick certificate during the year 1860, and
only resumed charge of his duties as Superintendent of Vaccination, Kattywar, at the end
of the year. During his absence several medical officers held charge of the office for longer or
shorter periods. In March, Assistant Surgeon Hewlett commenced a tour of inspection, and
visited Gondul, Jaitpoor, Joogagurh, Mallia, Verawah, when he joined the camp of the
Political Agent, and continued the tour until the beginning of June, when he returned to
Rajkote. After the rains he made another tour during the months of October, November,
and part of December. The Acting Superintendent reports : " Of the total number 4,257
vaccinated by the Government establishment, 2,248 have been males, 2,009 females; 2,445
children were under one year, and the remaining 1,812 above. Of the whole number, 3,976
cases have proved successful, giving a percentage of success of 92.4, which is slightly above
that of the preceding year. The Native Chiefs' establishment have vaccinated 72,054, males,
6,029 females; 5,505 were under one year, 7,729 above; of the total 13,234 vaccinated, there
had been 14,897 successful, giving a percentage of success of 89.8. The lymph has been
generally very good, and the vesicles normal in their size and well filled. There have been no
cases of Small-pox reported to have taken place in this province, nor has inoculation, as far
as known, been practised. The only obstruction to the spread of Vaccination depends upon
the natural apathy and religious prejudices of the natives. The latter are to be observed
more strongly in some districts than in others." The falling off in the numbers vaccinated,
the Superintendent considers, is due to the unsettled state in which the Division was in,
owing to the many changes amongst Superintendents and subordinates.
12
VACCINATION IN NATIVE STATES.
SAWUNT WARREE.
Under the Superintendent of the Concan, from whom no special report has been received.
Years.
1859 . . . .
1860 . . . .
Total
Vaccinated.
4,135
4,585
Compared with the
preceding Year.
Increase.
....
450
Decrease.
1,291
....
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
3,194
3,837
Percentage
of Success.
77.2
83.6
SOUTHERN DECCAN DIVISION.
Under the Acting Superintendent Southern Deccan Division.
Establishment.—Seventeen Vaccinators, employed as follows :—4 in the
Sattara Districts, 5 in the Kolapore State, 7 in the Belgaum District, and
1 in the Sholapore District.
Years.
1859 . . . .
1860 . . . .
Total
Vaccinated.
9,900
9,351
Compared with the
preceding Year.
Increase.
....
....
Decrease.
375
594
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
9,121
8,654
Percentage
of Success.
92.1
92.5
THE above table exhibits a falling off in the Returns for 1860, compared with those of 1859,
of 549 Vaccinations. This considerable decrease I can only attribute to the ignorance and
unwillingness of the people, and the very small amount of interest taken in the work of the
Vaccinators by the Native Chiefs who employ them. With one or two exceptions, the
Vaccinators generally have been very healthy during the year, so that sickness has not interfered
much with their work.
Excluding the Returns of the Savanoor and Ramdroog Vaccinators, as these men have
only been working for a few months, the average number of Vaccinations by the sixteen.
Vaccinators, employed thoughout the year, appears to be 572 and a fraction.
The first of the following Tables exhibits the amount of work done in the different districts
by the Vaccinators collectively ; the second, the number of operations performed by each Vac-
13
cinator individually during 1860, contrasted with the returns for the previous year; this also
gives the increase or decrease and monthly average, omitting fractions.
TABLE I.
NATIVE STATES.
Belgaum Zillah . . . . .
Kolapore State . . . . .
Sattara Zillah . . . . .
Sholapore do. . . . . .
Dharwar do. . . . . .
Total..
Number of
Vaccinators.
7*
5
4
1
1†
18
Total of ope-
rations during
the year.
2,567
4,686
1,644
368
86
9,351
Yearly aver-
age of the
Vaccinators.
410
937
411
368
86
572
Percentage
of Success.
90.7
94.2
90.0
96.7
83.7
92.5
TABLE II.
Vaccinators Employed.
Suttara Districts.
Phulton . . . . . .
Attapadu . . . . .
Jhutt . . . . . .
Bhor . . . . . .
Kolapore State.
Bowrah . . . . . . . .
Vesshalghur . . . . . . .
Kagul . . . . . . .
Eechul Kurunji . . . . .
Gurhingluz . . . . .
Belgaum Districts.
Koorundwar . . . . . . . .
Sanglee . . . . . . . .
Meeruj . . . . . . . .
Jumkhundee . . . . . . .
Moodhol . . . . . . . . .
Kagwad . . . . . . . . . .
Ramdroog . . . . . . . .
1859.
341
281
324
596
1,382
1,403
1,214
718
919
163
526
377
72
402
608
....
1860.
372
323
324
625
1,010
1,448
659
684
885
296
305
524
248
376
714
104
Increase.
31
42
....
29
....
45
....
....
....
133
....
147
176
....
106
....
Decrease.
....
....
....
....
372
....
555
34
34
....
221
....
....
26
....
....
Monthly
Average.
31
27
27
52
84
120
55
57
73
24
25
43
20
31
59
34
Remarks.
3 months Returns.
* The Ramdroog Jagheerdar's Vaccinator commenced work in October.
† The Savanoor Vaccinator employed for two months only.
15
mit that their people do not understand the objects of Vaccination, and that it is their igno-
rance, which, at present, obstructs the efforts of the Vaccinators ; but it does not appear that
they take any steps to overcome impediments, by instructing those under their rule, or by
encouraging the Vaccinators in the performance of their duties. They are profuse in promises,
but do nothing. The wonder is, that paying as they do the expenses of Vaccination, they do
not look for their money worth in return; but the truth I fear is, that they maintain Vacci-
nators, not from any regard as to the benefits to be derived from their work, but because it is
the wish of Government that they should do so, and my belief is, that they understand and
care as little about the subject, and the advantages which would accrue, were Vaccination
properly and thoroughly practised in their territories, as the meanest of their dependants. The
prospect, at present, is very discouraging, and I see little chance of improvement, as long as
matters remain as they are.
During my tour I have been received with politeness and attention by the Chiefs whose dis-
tricts I have visited, with one exception. At Sanglee I was treated with incivility, almost
amounting to rudeness, and was obliged to leave the place, as I could obtain no assistance to
enable me to carry out my inspection. I reported the circumstances to the Assistant Politi-
cal Agent, Captain Anderson, (who, I may mention, has, on all occasions, shown every desire
to assist me,) and an apology was afterwards made. The year 1860 ended during my stay at
Jhutt, and I now close my report by stating that, during the period I have been able to travel
(about 3½ months), since assuming charge of the office, I have inspected the work of twelve
Vaccinators : seven employed by Government, and five by Native Chiefs, and up to the date
of this report, have, in addition, visited three others.
WESTERN GUZERAT.
MYHEE KANTA AND PALHUNPOOR.
Under the Superintendent North-Western Division.
Years.
1859 . . . .
1860 . . . .
Total
Vaccinated.
14,511
17,292
Compared with the
preceding Year.
Increase.
818
2,781
Decrease.
....
....
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
12,520
14,753
Percentage
of Success.
86.2
85.3
THE Civil Surgeon, Ahmedabad, in temporary charge of the duties, reports : " There
has been a material increase, as will be remarked, in the work done during the year,
compared with what was accomplished in 1859. This difference is ostensibly due to a greater
degree of activity on the part of the Vaccinators, called for by the enforcement of fine, when,
without valid reasons, the number vaccinated falls short of a certain minimum, fixed with
reference to the size of the districts, and with a view to each being fully gone over during the
year. However well this plan may appear to work, it is not altogether free from suspicion,
as possibly leading to fraud, there being no check by which to verify the Vaccinators' Returns,
16
as in the case of the Government establishment. As to sex, males predominated in accordance
with common experience, in proportion of 8,735 to 8,557 females ; but the difference in this
respect was much less noticeable than usual. As regards age, the majority were " above one
year," the number being 9,714 above 7,578 below that term, and these relative proportions
correspond closely with results noted in previous years, while they stand in suggestive contrast
with the preponderance of operations " under one year," invariably remarked in the Govern-
ment districts where Vaccination has long been established. The results were not so satis-
factory as might have been expected. The percentage of success was only 85.3, in other
words considerably below the average of the previous five years, while that of the unsuccessful
was as high as 8.8, and of the doubtful 5.9. How far this is due to the presence of measles,
and how far to carelessness on the part of the establishment, I have no means of knowing.
The lymph remained good, exhibiting no tendency at any time to deterioration, and the
vesicles, so far as reported, were well formed and normal throughout. Only one instance of
loss of lymph occurred, and that was purely accidental, owing to the sickness of the Assistant.
Small-pox was prevalent in April in the Myhee Kanta, and in the same month the epidemic was
also reported at Kakrej and Santulpoor, in the Palhunpoor States, but these are the only in-
stances. Not a single case of inoculation was brought to notice, and no obstructions appear to
have been met with by the Vaccinators, except in the presence of measles, which prevailed
throughout the various districts from March to August; cholera also being present from April
to July. The Superintendent was absent on his tour from January to June, passing the
greater part of the time, as it appears, in the Myhee Kanta and Palhunpoor."
EASTERN GUZERAT.
REWA KANTA AND RAJPEEPLA.
Under the Superintendent Eastern Division.
Years.
1859 . . . .
1860 . . . .
Total
Vaccinated.
4,774
5,596
Compared with the
preceding Year.
Increase.
....
822
Decrease.
1,072
....
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
3,672
4,535
Percentage
of Success.
76.9
81.0
Dr. Ross, the Superintendent, states that, owing "to ill-health, he was unable to visit the
Native States. The Vaccinators in these States are very idle, some of them incorrigibly so;
but as they are appointed to, retain, or lose their situations without reference to the Super-
intendent, they can completely ignore his authority. The record of operations is, therefore,
highly unsatisfactory."
17
KUTCH.
Years.
1859 . . . .
1860 . . . .
Total.
Vaccinated.
161
104
Compared with the
preceding Year.
Increase.
....
....
Decrease.
516
57
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
138
98
Percentage
of Success.
85.7
94.2
Report by Mr. SUDASEW HEMRAJ.
VACCINATION is decreasing in Kutch year after year. During the last year there have been
104 Vaccinations performed throughout the whole province of Kutch and city of Bhooj.
These numbers, compared with those of the preceding year, show a decrease of 57. This
cannot be ascribed to anything but prejudice and apathy on the part of the people. I think
Vaccination cannot be practised in Kutch unless it is made lawful and compulsory on the
people.
PEINT (NASSICK).
Years.
1859 . . . .
1860 . . . .
Total
Vaccinated.
428
590
Compared with the
preceding Year.
Increase.
98
162
Decrease.
....
....
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
313
453
Percentage
of Success.
731
767
No Report.
C
18
VACCINATION UNDER CIVIL SURGEONS.
TANNAH.
One Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon.—Assistant Surgeon J. MENNIE (Acting).
Years.
1859 . . . .
1860 . . . .
Total
Vaccinated.
235
221
Compared with the
preceding Year.
Increase.
....
....
Decrease.
101
14
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
204
207
Percentage
of Success.
86.8
93.6
THE vaccine lymph throughout the year has been healthy, and has never failed;. but only
221 children have been vaccinated, 207 of which number were successful, 13 unsuccessful,
and 1 doubtful; this ill-success is attributable to the great antipathy manifested by all classes
of the natives of this town to the operation of Vaccination.
POONA.
One Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon.— Surgeon G. G. W. MAITLAND.
Years.
1859....
1860....
Total
Vaccinated.
1,460
1,889
Compared with the
preceding Year.
Increase.
224
429
Decrease.
...
....
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
1,228
1,540
Percentage
of Success.
84.1
81.5
THE total number vaccinated during the past year has been 1,889, or about 29 per cent. more
than the number vaccinated during the year 1859. This large increase is, in my opinion,
attributed to the efficient and industrious manner in which the Assistant Vaccinator has carried
on his duties. The percentage of successful vaccination is by no means small, although it is
slightly less than that of the preceding year, 1859. Of the total number vaccinated, 1,212 were
males, and 677 females; the number of children vaccinated under one year of age, 547. The
19
condition of the lymph has been excellent throughout the year, and a good supply of it has
been supplied to out-stations whenever required. Small-pox was not prevalent in an
epidemic form in the city and its neighbourhood. The large increase in the number of
persons annually vaccinated shows that the good effects of Vaccination are being more
appreciated by the people. Inoculation appears never to have been practised in the city of
Poona.
AHMEDNUGGUR.
One Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon.—Assistant Surgeon J. G. FRASER, M.D.
Years.
1859....
1860....
Total
Vaccinated.
986
932
Compared with the
preceding Year.
Increase.
....
....
Decrease.
363
54
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
855
703
Percentage
of Success.
86.7
75.4
THE total number of Vaccinations for the past year, 1860, is considerably less than for the
three years 1857-58-59 immediately preceding, hut is greater than for all the other years on
record prior to 1857. The percentage of success for the year 1860 is only 75.4, which is
much less than for any previous year on record, except 1852-53, when the percentage of success
was only 59.7; but notwithstanding this apparent falling off in the total number of vaccina-
tions and in the ratio of success, I have reason to believe that the Returns of 1860 are fully
more correct than those of any previous years, from the greater care and accuracy which has
been taken in selecting and separating the successful Vaccinations from the others. From
the above table it appears that, out of a total of 932 Vaccinations, there were 605 males, and
327 females ; that 424 were children under one year of age, and 508 were adults and children
above one year of age; that 703 were successful, and 229 were either unsuccessful or doubtful;
that there were 850 Hindoos, 77 Mussulmans, 2 Parsees, and 3 Christians. The lymph has
always appeared to be good, and to produce a healthy well-developed vesicle when the opera-
tion is properly and effectually performed. The moist weather during the monsoon does not
appear so favorable for the success of the operation as the hot or dry season; perhaps the hot
season is upon the whole the best. No case of Small-pox has come under my notice during
the past year in any of the Hospitals or Dispensary Establishments under my charge, but one
or two isolated cases of it have occurred in the city. Inoculation does not appear to be prac-
tised at Ahmednuggur: no case of it has ever come under my observation. It has not come
within my observation to remark whether the inhabitants of the city manifest any greater
anxiety or confidence to avail themselves of the benefits of Vaccination than in former years.
The almost total absence of Small-pox for several years at Ahmednuggur is a sufficiently
convincing proof, if any other were wanting, of the great benefit conferred on the population
by the use of this most valuable prophylactic.
20
SATTARA.
One Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon.—Assistant Surgeon M. M. MACKENZIE.
Years.
1859....
1860....
Total
Vaccinated.
2,016
1,803
Compared with the
preceding Year.
Increase.
....
....
Decrease.
100
213
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
1,725
1,622
Percentage
of Success.
85.5
89.9
DURING the past year 1,803 Vaccinations have been performed, which, compared with that
of the previous year, shows a decrease of 213. The percentage of successful Vaccinations has
been 89.9. Of the 1,803 cases, 994 have been males, 809 females, 914 under one year,
889 above the age of one year. As to caste, 1,614 have been Hindoos, 141 Mussulmans, 22
Christians, 3 Parsees, and 23 other castes. From March up to the beginning of June the
greater number of cases came under review, and although the decrease of operations has been
considerable, yet, considering the fewer number of villages, than that of previous years, I
consider the result on the whole as satisfactory. This decrease is reported by the Vaccinator
to have arisen from one Assistant Vaccinator, under the Superintendent of Vaccination,
having been put in charge of about 20 villages in the Talooka Korujgaum and Pettar
Dewor, these being formerly under the care of the Vaccinator of the town of Sattara.
The lymph has usually been of a very good quality, and a sufficient stock is always in hand,
and has been sent at various times to Mahableshwar, Kolapore, the 8th Regiment N. I., and
Detachment H. M.'s 56th Regiment, quartered in Sattara.
SHOLAPORE.
One Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon.—Assistant Surgeon C. J. SYLVESTER, M.D.
Years.
1859....
1860...
Total
Vaccinated.
1,405
1,457
Compared with the
preceding Year.
Increase.
50
52
Decrease.
....
....
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
1,190
1,043
Percentage
of Success.
84.6
71.6
THE number vaccinated during the year has amounted to 1,457, of which 1,043 were success-
ful, 281 unsuccessful, and 133 doubtful; the percentage of success being 71.6. A comparison
21
on the number of cases operated upon during the period under review, with that of the pre-
vious year, shows an increase of 52, but a deficiency of 47 in the total of successful cases, the
ratio of success being also considerably less than observed during 1859, when it amounted to
84.6. The lymph employed during the year has been uniformly of good quality, and there has
been no falling off in the supply : the results have been verified by myself, and the vesicles
carefully inspected every week, with a view to the detection of any deterioration occurring in
their appearance. The number of males vaccinated still preponderates over that of the
females, though not in so large a proportion as has been observed in former years. Little
difficulty is experienced in propagating the vaccine virus amongst the native population, the
chief obstacle being the excessive apathy and indifference of the native character; though in
some instances a dislike to the removal of the lymph from the children after Vaccination
has been manifested by the parents, but on what ground I have not ascertained. The Assist-
ant Vaccinator carries out Vaccination amongst the inhabitants of the town twice a week,
when he is assisted by two peons detailed for that duty by the Police authority. The Assistant
Vaccinator also vaccinates in camp under the superintendence of the medical officer in charge
of Staff and details whenever his services are required for that purpose. Vaccination is prac-
tised in the jail, whenever any cases require the operation; the number of prisoners unprotected
either by Small-pox or previous Vaccination is, however, very small, and the success in the
operation much less than in those vaccinated outside the jail; many of the prisoners operated
on, having probably suffered from variola, though exhibiting no marks of the disease. Every
assistance has been afforded me by the Civil Authorities in the propagation of Vaccination, and
the Assistant Vaccinator has been attentive to his duty.
DHOOLIA.
One Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon.—Assistant Surgeon R. W. JAMES, M.D.
Years.
1859....
1860....
Total
Vaccinated.
633
899
Compared with the
preceding Year.
Increase.
....
266
Decrease.
279
....
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
601
847
Percentage
of Success.
94.9
94.2
THE returns of the number of children vaccinated during the past year have been more
favourable, as the number has exceeded the general average of the preceding five years.
This is to be attributed to increased exertion on the part of the Assistant Vaccinator, as during
the past twelve months Small-pox was by no means prevalent in the town, so that there was
no compulsion from the fear of this disease, to induce parents to have their children guarded
by the prophylactic. Out of 899 vaccinated, only 52 proved unsuccessful, giving a per-centage
of 90.2, thus proving that, notwithstanding the length of time the virus has been in use, it
is still effective. Supplies have been sent to Mundlaisir, Asseerghur and Malligaum, and the
Civil Surgeon of Mundlaisir has written to me in the highest terms of the character of the
22
vaccine pustules, resulting from the application of the virus sent from this Station. I have
still to complain of the want of that efficient support from the Civil Authority to the spread
of Vaccination contemplated in the Government Notification No. 4., dated 12th January
1854, General Department.
NASSICK.
One Vaccinator under the Sub-Assistant Surgeon.
Years.
1859....
1860....
Total
Vaccinated.
1,110
1,797
Compared with the
preceding Year.
Increase.
10
687
Decrease.
....
....
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
870
1,435
Percentage
of Success.
78.3
79.8
No Report.
AHMEDABAD.
One Vaccinator under the Civil Surgeon.—Assistant Surgeon D. WYLLIE, M.D.
Years.
1859....
1860....
Total
Vaccinated.
2,620
2,647
Compared with the
preceding Year.
Increase.
....
27
Decrease.
437
....
Success-
fully
Vaccinated.
2,454
2,478
Percentage
of Success.
93.7
93.6
THE above table, it will be remarked, shows a small increase in the operations for the past
year, trifling it is true and of little signficancy of itself, but still indicative of growing
appreciations if viewed with the fact that the work of the Vaccinator was unusually impeded
of the presence of measles in the city last summer ; and regarded in this light, an increase,
however small, is satisfactory. But after all, the number falls considerably short of the
average for the previous five years. Indifference, and perhaps fancied security, begotten
in the long absence of Small-pox from the neighbourhood will explain the decline ; for, as
formerly mentioned, the presence of epidemic never fails to swell largely the list of operations
through the stimulus of fear. The entire number was vaccinated by the Vaccinator, the
only subordinate detailed for this duty, and the patients in every case were residents of the
city or its suburbs.