REPORT.                                      xiii

proportion of the young than these. Perfect vaccination aims at protecting all
infants within a few months of their birth. These figures show how imperfect
vaccination is in every part of Bengal.

Number of persons
vaccinated by
each man.

                       STATEMENT No. VII.

43. Number of persons vaccinated by each operator.—This varies very con-
siderably. Higher num-
bers are obtained by
special establishments
which work at high pres-
sure and in concert, per-
haps in rivalry. Sta-
tionary and solitary
vaccinators do not per-
form so much work, and
the number of operations
performed by those inoculators who have rendered returns, appears to be very
small. The number of operations performed by each vaccinator of the Darjeeling
cirlce is very high.

Instruction of ino-
culators

44. Instruction of Inoculators.—Considerable progress has been made in
this direction. In the Metropolitan circles three men were instructed and
worked with the establishment. At Diamond Harbour some inoculators prac-
tised vaccination of their own accord. In the Darjeeling circle decided progress
has been made. Several inoculators have taken to vaccination. Dr. Lidderdale
points out the absolute necessity of carefully instructing and supervising these
men.

Chota Nagpore

Sonthal Pergun-
nahs

The circumstances related by Dr. Wood in his report and by Messrs.
Manook and Wilson, the civil medical officers of Singbhoom and Maunbhoom,
are very promising, and show that no difficulty need now be apprehended in induc-
ing the inoculators in Chota Nagpore to practise vaccination. All that is wanted is
careful training, systematic distribution of the agency, and strict supervision.
In the Sonthal Pergunnahs also Dr. Chandra's laudable efforts have been
attended with most satisfactory results, and if only the advantage already
gained is followed up and developed, it ought to become possible to establish
a complete system of local vaccination in this district, almost self-supporting.
System and supervising agency are necessary, and the future of the interesting and
promising commencement which has been made will depend upon the judicious
direction and persevering efforts of the local officers.

Other districts

A subsistence al-
lowance during
instruction re-
commended.

Special rewards for
meritorious work.

The efforts made in this direction during the past season in other districts
not embraced in these circles are detailed in the summaries and extracts of civil
surgeons' reports. The greatest success has been attained in the districts of
Midnapore, Bancoorah, Patna, Shahabad, Sarun, Monghyr, Bhaugulpore, and
Gowhatty. In many other districts one or two men have been taught success-
fully or otherwise. The want of a stipend or subsistence allowance during the
period of instruction has been found to be a bar to utilizing the services of these
men, and I would accordingly recommend that they should receive a sum not
exceeding Rs. 5 a month during the time they may be undergoing instruction.
There is a great want of system and supervision with regard to the disposal of
these men's services. In most cases they have been left to arrange their own
practice, and in some cases, as at Gowhatty, lost sight of altogether. If a money
reward were given in special cases for good work certified as such by the civil
surgeon, it would stimulate these men to work carefully and diligently and to
court supervision. Wherever any number of them has been taught, there should
be a vaccine inspector appointed, to supervise and assist them.

Inoculation in
Calcutta and sur-
rounding dis-
tricts.

45. Inoculation.—This practice may fairly be said to have been super-
seded by vaccination in Calcutta, but though prohibited in October 1871 in the
districts around Calcutta, it is evident from Dr. Powell's report that the practice
is still carried on and is causing mischief and loss of life. A large population
cannot be weaned in a season of a time-honored custom, hallowed by religion.

                                                                                                           d