Report on small-pox in Calcutta, 1833-34 -- 1837-38 -- 1843-44, and vaccination in Bengal, from 1827 to 1844 / by Duncan Stewart.
- Stewart, Duncan, 1804-1875
- Date:
- 1844
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Report on small-pox in Calcutta, 1833-34 -- 1837-38 -- 1843-44, and vaccination in Bengal, from 1827 to 1844 / by Duncan Stewart. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Library & Archives Service. The original may be consulted at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Library & Archives Service.
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![[ acvi ] the latter is preferred by many even amongst our Troops. A disbelief in the efficacy of both means was very prevalent in Nusseerabad and its visinity some years ago when Small Pox was raging, and many persons were attacked who had been inoculated and vaccinated* successfully as their marks showed. Mr. Surgeon Dalrymple, of the 9th Light Cavalry, wrote me in 1839, that he was sorry to say there had been too much cause for the natives distrusting the benefit held out by vaccination, for lie adds the number of cases of Small Pox amongst the European Officers at Nusseerabad during the last two years, had been probably as great in proportion of their numbers as amongst the natives. He ascertained by the examination of 40 patients in hospital, who may be considered as a fair sample of the whole, that not more than half the number were protected either by inoculation or having had Small Pox. 8. Equally with the above causes in defeating our best endeavours to do good is that apathy of character which engenders indifference about, if not open resistance against our proffered aid ; and even where we have succeeded in getting them to submit to the first process, our object is very frequently defeated by their neglect of the parts vacci- nated, losing the crusts when formed, and pleading their avocation for never bringing forward their children to be seen a second time. In short, the main cause of failure, generally, arises from the unwillingness or dislike the natives have to being troubled or put out their way. Having given the numbers vaccinated by persons paid for doing so, I have now to state that 263 subjects were operated on at different stations, out of which 95 were successful and 26 doubtful. At Joudpore, however, it would seem that the practice has been very successful this year, if the report of the Native Doctor, Shaikh Unnoo, can be relied on. There is no doubt he has had the advantage of being aided by the Police, and by having had regular supplies of Europe lymph. The natives too in and about so large a capital as Joudpore, are more civilized and intelligent. Still I cannot help receiving the Reports cum grano salts. As there is however such an opening for the extension of vaccination I would strongly recommend a Vaccinator and two Hurkaras of the highest caste being established at that Residency under the Superintendance of Assistant Surgeon Russel. At Joypore too a similar establishment mio-ht be instituted with considerable advantage. Doctor Russel could do much more than has been done if two Hurkaras were appointed to assistant him and the Vaccinator.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21355150_0306.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
