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had not been so carefully kept as in others ; so the return which I have received is a
partial one, being for certain years between 1861 and 1872, and referring only to cer-
tain jails; yet as far as it goes it is valuable.
"We have a record of 268,445 individuals. Of this number, 228,964 had had
small-pox ; 20,480 cases were uncertain; 12,215 were unprotected; 4,233 had been
inoculated; and 2,553 had been vaccinated. That is to say, in a total of 268,445 of
the jail population, 85.29 per cent. had gone through an attack of small-pox; 156
had been inoculated; and only 0.95 per cent. vaccinated. Of the rest, 4.55 per cent.
were unprotected, and 7.62 were doubtful cases."
At first sight these figures seem curious, knowing that for years past we have
been in the habit of vaccinating tens of thousands annually. But the solution is
simple:—Vaccination was not undertaken on at all a large or general scale in the
plains until 1864; the vaccinated generation has therefore hardly had time yet to
attain to a jail position.
The return is interesting, as showing the fearful prevalence of small-pox; war-
ranting the Native saying, that "until a child has gone through its small-pox, it is not
considered viable."
18. Vaccine Census in Schools.—It was proposed to take a "vaccine census"
in all the schools of the North-Western Provinces. But the Educational Department,
after much deliberation, came to the conclusion that it would be dangerous; that the
enquiry might empty the schools. The matter was therefore vetoed. One would not
have anticipated that the simple query of "Have you been vaccinated?" would cause
a general stampede of the scholars. Yet if there are many school-masters of the type
described by Dr. Richardson in his Instructive Report, it perhaps is not to be wondered
at. It is not a cheering thing to be told as a fact "that vaccination will certainly
kill you." I think it would be a good plan if the Director of Public Instruction
would permit Lalla Luchmee Narain's Treatise on Vaccination to become a class-book
in the Master's Training School, for it is certainly desirable to correct the erroneous
notions concerning vaccination now prevalent amongst some in that department. Dr.
Macgregor has made the same suggestion. Lalla Luchmee Narain's Treatise is popu-
lar amongst the Natives.
19. Vaccination in the State of Rampore.—In obedience to orders, I entered into
communication with the Lieutenant-Governor's Agent, and, through him, offered my
assistance to the Nawab of Rampore in organising and supervising the work of his
Vaccine Department; but the offer was declined with thanks. Having no knowledge
of the innermost workings of His Highness's mind, I refrain from any surmises as
to his reasons, as they would be but guesses at the best.
20. Vaccinators from the Inoculator Class.—Dr. Macgregor, the Officiating
Superintendent of the Benares Circle, writes that he does not like his recruits from
the inoculator class. He speaks of them as dirtily clothed, of bad manners, and
profoundly ignorant. I agree with him; and think that he did well to replace several
of them with men who could do more credit to the department. The fact is that we
get merely the scum of the class. Any really intelligent and respectable inoculator can
earn far more by private practice than we can ever hope to give him. Dr. Macgregor
gives a most interesting account of the method of conducting inoculation ; the descrip-
tion is well worth reading. The inoculator, as therein pictured, has a pleasant time
of it. He lives in an atmosphere of perpetual ghee, fees, and song. Why should
this man wish to join our department ? What have we to offer him in exchange for
these realities but small pay, hard work, oftimes suspicion and mistrust, and ill-usage
as an occasional possibility. It is a marvel to me that a vaccinator accomplishes so
much good work as he does, considering the difficulties by which he is surrounded.
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