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* Vide G. O.No.9A./1249A. dated 12th March
1870.
6. The Lieutenant-Governor regrets to find that the financial position of many
Municipalities should have forced them to retrench their Vaccine Establishments. But
His Honor hopes that now that their funds are beginning to recover from the depress-
ing effects of the Resolution of the Government of India on the subject of Octroi, the
Municipalities will find it practicable to second the efforts of the Vaccination Depart-
ment with even greater effect than before. The
recent orders* suggesting the employment of
Municipal Vaccinators during the recess in other
useful work, as Hospital Attendants, &c., may aid in this respect; and I am to request
that you will, in conjunction with the Superintendents, bring your personal influence
to bear upon the several Municipalities, and induce them to add to the number of Vac-
cinators. This is all the more necessary now that the Government of India has
expressed its inability to strengthen the regular Establishments.
7. In future an abstract should be embodied in the circle reports similar to that
adopted by Mr. Milne, shewing the number of Vaccinators in each district whether paid
by Government or Municipalities or Native Gentlemen, &c., and giving the names of
the Municipalities in which Vaccinators are entertained.
8. Referring to the comparative efficiency of Hindoo and Mahomedan Vacci-
nators, Dr. Pringle writes as if the door had been entirely closed to the latter. This
is not the case, although, the great bulk of the population being Hindoo, it is necessary
to appoint the majority of Vaccinators of that caste which will find most acceptance
with the Hindoos. But the character of the population should be studied, and where
it is found that Mahomedans make way, there is no reason why they should not be
entertained.
9. Adverting to the arguments adduced in favour of animal vaccination, I am to
remark that the Lieutenant-Governor is in favour of the experiment being continued; yet
it evidently demands the utmost circumspection, for it is abundantly proved by Mr.
Milne's report (paragraph 9 et seq.) that a strong feeling may be aroused by subjecting
the cow to the process of vaccination, and the Hindoo sentiment is so strong and
excitable on the treatment of this animal that the success of the Department might be
seriously hindered by any hasty or ill-advised action. It would be interesting to be
informed whether the experiment of vaccination has ever been tried, and with what
results, on any of the buffalo species.
10. The observations on inoculation by Mr. Milne, Officiating Superintendent of
the Benares Division, are full of interest, and evidently the result of much research;
as such they will be printed in the Selections from the Records of Government. The
attraction of Inoculators to the Department in the capacity of Vaccinators is an object
of prime importance, especially throughout the Benares Division and in the Jounpore
District, and the Lieutenant-Governor very readily empowers you to divert, from the
grant of Rs. 500 for the instruction of Hukeems, such portion as you may think fit,
to be expended in drawing Inoculators to the work of vaccination. No doubt the
attraction of Hukeems to the same duty is also an object of importance ; but in the
case of the Inoculators a double advantage is attained; for, while vaccination is
advanced, a check is put upon the centres of infection so profusely established by inocula-
tion. It is also an additional benefit that vaccination will thus be advanced in the
division which, notwithstanding the successful efforts of Mr. Milne, is still the most
backward in these Provinces.
11. There is no reason, however, why in next year's Budget the sum of Rs. 500
should not be entered for each of the above objects, and this the more so as the state
of the finances has obliged the Supreme Government to negative the scheme for
strengthening the regular Vaccine Establishments.