Report On The Administration Of The Punjab And Its Dependencies For 1878-79

· 1879 · Public domain (published pre-1930) · archive.org ↗

1Summary. ] VACCINATION. 45

2from gathering the abundant harvests which the unusual rain

3had given them.

454. The most unsatisfactory point in the statistics

5is that which shows the great mortality from small-

6pox. Year by year, the Government of the Punjab has

7been able to point with gratification to the constant

8diminution in the mortality from this frightful complaint.

9In 1876, the number of deaths had fallen to a little over

1010,000, in 1877 a little over 12,000; but, during the past

11year, they have risen to over 40,000, a larger number, if

12the year 1869 be excepted, than has been recorded during the

13past 10 years. Vaccination, properly per-

14formed, being a complete safeguard against

15this disease, the Lieutenant-Governor cannot but view

16these figures with extreme regret; nor will his efforts be

17relaxed to improve the work of the Vaccination Depart-

18ment, until a better state of things is achieved and each

19district has a more competent staff than at present to

20perform vaccination operations during all those months

21of the year in which alone it is practicable in India.

22A measure is now under consideration by which the Vaccina-

23tion Department will be entircly re-organized; a special

24Department being maintained to operate in such districts

25as may be selected as most needing aid, while an efficient

26and trustworthy vaccinating staff will be placed under the

27orders of the Civil Surgeons of each district, who will be

28required to pay attention to this most important work. At

29‘ the present time, from vaccination being considered a

30special subject, Civil Surgeons of most districts neglect or

31are indifferent to it. Municipal and District Committces

32also take but little interest in it, and the results are not

33so satisfactory as they might certainly he. An Act

34is now before the Legislature, introduced By a distinguished

35native gentleman, whose opinions are at all times worthy

36VaccINATION,