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BENGAL PROVINCE, 1872.
For the first time the mortuary registration returns for Bengal are
complete in this year. The monthly mortality registered from cholera among
the civil population in 1872 is shown in the annexed tabular statement. The
total of deaths is 37,536, or at the rate of 0'63 per mille of population
under registration.
In his report on the cholera of this year, the Sanitary Commissioner for
Bengal, Dr. 0. J. Jackson, writes.—" There are two periods in the year when,
cholera is especially apt to prevail in Bengal, viz., in the hot, summer
months, and the cold, damp months of October, November, and December.
Within the endemic area, cholera prevails nearly all the year round, but its
general period of increase and fatality is during the cold and moist months.
There are some districts within this area where it is apt to prevail
extensively both in summer and winter, and this is especially likely to be the
case where there has been any very excessive development of the disease
during the previous cold season. It lulls during transition months, increases
in the hot season, diminishes in the rains, and breaks out as unusual in the
cold-weather again, While in a third series of districts, viz. those which lie
towards the north-west, or which are just on the boundary of the endemic tract,
the summer season is that of augmentation."
The following particulars are gathered from the details recorded of the
prevalence of the disease in the different districts.
Burdwan.—Cholera was endemic in the district throughout the year
under review, most virulent in December, and most mild in July, but in no
place did it assume an epidemic form. * * * The greatest number of reported
cases occurred in the north-western thana of Niamatpur, where during the
year there were 224 deaths.
Bankura.—Sudden outbreaks of cholera, sporadic in character, but of a
virulent type, occurred from time to time in various parts of the district,
but chiefly in localities inhabited by the poorer classes, promoted by a total
disregard of the laws of sanitation, and the filthy, irregular, and intem-
perate habits of the people. In the towns and villages through which
pilgrims travelled, the disease appeared more frequently, and the deaths were
more numerous in those places in which they halted.
Birbhum.—Cholera, endemic in character, prevailed in the villages in loca-
lities which differ entirely as to physical conditions. Some of these villages
are filthy, low, and situated near the bed of the river, which, owing to the
silting at its mouth, is converted into a sluggish stream during the rains, and
is at other periods of the year a shallow lake, or rather a swamp, some are on
the low alluvium, others on the laterite or older alluvium, and others, again,
on the rock. The disregard of the commonest sanitary rules is observable in
them all.
Midnapur.—Cholera is endemic in Midnapur, and rarely occurs in a
serious epidemic form. The disease visited various parrs of the district
in 1872; it never made a long stay in any one place, and did not assume an
epidemic aspect.
Hugli.—Cholera visited this district during the year, and prevailed
virulently in remote villages.
Howrah.—Cases of cholera of a mild type occurred in the district
throughout the year. They were especially prevalent in October, November,
and December in the interior of the district, and sporadically in the town of
Howrah and in the villages contiguous to it.
24-Pergunnahs.—Cholera in a sporadic form lingered in this district
throughout the year, exhibiting a tendency to become epidemic in Diamond
Harbour, Barripur, Dam-Dam, and Satkhira. At the close of the preceding
year—-26th and 27th December 1871—6 cases of cholera occurred in a European
boarding-house in Russel-street, Chowringhi; 2 of the cases terminated
fatally, 1 in the house and the other at Ghazipur on the the third day after
the patient's departure from Calcutta. Under the orders of Government a
committee was appointed to enquire into and report on the causes of the
outbreak. The main facts elicited in connection with the outbreak were
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