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must remain in his post for years, in order that he may get sufficient ex-
perience of the people and their ways and then suggest and carry out
measures of improvement. With such serious disadvantages and adverse
circumstances to contend against, the progress of vaccination in Bengal must be
slow and gradual. Notwithstanding this, and the appearance of plagne in the
Province, which hampered the progress of work in many districts, I have had
the satisfaction of recording substantial progress as compared with the work of
the previous triennial period and its predecessor, as will appear from the figures
given in this report.
The remedy for the evils described above lies, I think, in the temporary
introduction of the Compulsory Vaccination Act in refractory areas, the
appointment of paid Government vaccinators and a superior class of men as
Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors of vaccination, and the more extended supply of
good calf lymph. I would suggest the temporary introduction of the com-
pulsory measure on the recommendation of the Civil Surgeon, the District
Magistrate and the Divisional Commissioner in refractory areas till the people
of such places take vaccination and re-vaccination, and are thoroughly protected.
This measure, if adopted, would, I think, have a beneficial effect on other oppos-
ing centres and the opposition to vaccination, will, it is hoped, die out under
its influence from the Province. A proposal is under consideration to replace
the licensed vaccinators of this Province by Government paid vaccinators and
to reduce the number of the subordinate inspecting staff, on the basis of the
arrangement in force in the Panjab and in the United Provinces of Agra and
Oudh. Captain Clemesha, I.M.S., Deputy Sanitary Commissioner, Northern
Bengal Circle, has asked for permission to visit the United Provinces and the
Punjab for the purpose, and then to submit a report of his experience of the
working of the system in those Provinces. I have already addressed Govern-
ment on this subject in a separate communication.
In my last triennial report, I suggested the establishment of a training
school for vaccinators at Cuttack and the appointment of superior supervising
officers for the Tributary States of Orissa and Chota Nagpur. I am glad to
report that the school has since been started and passed out some vaccinators,
and that an officer, of the Assistant Surgeon class, was appointed as super-
visor of vaccination for the Chota Nagpur States at their own cost. It is
hoped that the Chiefs of the Orissa States will follow the example of the
Chota Nagpur Chiefs, and appoint a superior supervising officer of vaccination
for their States. It is reported that inoculation is very prevalent in Orissa and
that the punishment given to the offenders is inadequate and has not had the
desired effect of deterring people from the practice. Many of the cases are
said to be tried by Honorary Magistrates, who inflict trivial fines. It is
suggested that these cases be tried by Subdivisional Magistrates, and that
exemplary punishment be meted out to the offenders.
20. The statements prescribed in India, Home Department, letter
No. 2741, dated the 26th March 1901, are appended to this report.
CALCUTTA,
The 23rd June 1902.
H. J. DYSON, MAJOR, I.M.S.,
Sanitary Commissioner, Bengal.