1 ( 1m)
2 apply to our Dispensaries for relief. The Establishment of such Institutions
3 must tend to strengthen the hold of the Government on the minds of the
4 men popular charac. People. It is already found that patients will
5 travel long distances for advice. Among the towns-
6 ne in a city where a Dispensary exists, the applications are most
7 common and frequent. Women also have begun to attend. The fre-
8 quency of such attendance would be a great sign of popular confidence:
9 A Lunatic Asylum has been established. at Lahore and has now 92
10 patients. An Asylum for Lepers has also been contemplated,
11 209. In connection with the Dispensaries, Vaccination is carried on
12 ih every district. Small-pox is as virulent in the
13 Punjab as in other parts of India. It often rages
14 in the most populous localities, and also the Himalayan valleys. Thou-
15 sands of children are annually carried off by this pestilence that walketh
16 by noon-day. Wherever the great prophylactic of Vaccination has been
17 tried with care, the results have been marked. Prejudice and ignorance
18 have occasionally raised opposition, and Vaccinators have sometimes
19 returned in despair, from districts where the malady was at ita height.
20 Still all these obstacles are yielding to the influences of experience, and
21 with perseverance, antagonism will doubtless be overcome almost univer-
22 sally. The time for vaccinating is the early spring. At that season
23 several Vaccinators are despatched into the interior of every district.
24 The virus is supplied from the excellent Vaccine Establishment of Simla
25 The number vaceinat (in the Hills), which has existed since 1838.
26 ed. During 1854, there were in the Punjab Territories
27 72,846 cases sapottsd: -of which 38,693 proved successful, and during
28 1855, 70,580 cases, of which 53,195 proved successful. The relative
29 numbers in the several districts at present fluctuate greatly ; but it is
30 hoped that ere long an uniformity of success may be secured.
31 210. The Medical Officers, European and Native, have generally
32 Conduct of the Medi. exerted themselves in the most praiseworthy man-
33 eal Officers. ner in the cause of these Institutions. The Civil
34 Officers have also rendered excellent co-operation and assistance. Re-
35 cently the Inspector of Prisons (being a Medical Officer) has been also
36 appointed Inspector of Dispensaries and Vaccine. This appointment
37 * will strengthen the hands of the Authorities, and enable them effectually
38 to promote the interests of these valuable Institutions.
39 Vaccination.