9
part performed after the decline of the outbreaks in the villages of the inocu-
lated persons, they afforded no statistical evidence of the efficiency of inocu-
lation. But they tended to familiarise the minds of the people with the opera-
tion and to dispel the mistrust and fear with which it is usually looked
upon by those who have had no previous experience f it. As a matter of
fact what was done in 1901 produced a considerable demand for inoculation
in the next plague season, 1901-02. No attempt, however, was made in that
season to press it upon the people, and all that was done was to inocu-
late as far as possible those who desired it. A desire for it was usually ex-
pressed only by the people of infected places at the time when plague
there was at its height, but during the climax of the outbreaks the demand
was so keen that the limited Medical staff which was on plague duty found it
impossible in certain districts to inoculate all who wished to be done. It is
reported that many persons performed considerable journeys and underwent
considerable personal inconvenience in order to present themselves for the
operation. The total number of inoculations done between the 1st of October
1901 and the 31st August 1902 was 211,503, chiefly in February (26,015),
March (41,590), April (47,612), and May (35,721). The numbers inoculated
in the districts in wnich most operations were done are given in the following
statement :-
District. 1901-02.
MONTHS IN WHICH MOST INOCULATIONS WERE
DONE.
Total inoculations
done from 1st October
1901 to 31st
August 1902.
Months in which
inoculations
were chiefly
done.
Month, 1901.
Number.
Ambala
February to May
April
21,967
45,692
Ludhina
March to June
Do.
8,533
30,448
Hoshirpur
January to May
March
8.076
29,812
Jullundur
November to June
April
5,697
26,253
Gurdspur
November and January to April.
March
6,748
22,151
Ferozepore
April to June and August.
May.
6,255
20,369
June
6,283
Lahore
February to July
Do.
5,369
16,017
Silkot
December, February, March and May.
December
5,026
15,684
The people also came forward in small numbers in Amritsar, Gujrnwla,
Gujrt and Shahpur. Unfortunately it was found impossible accurately to
follow up the results of the operations of 1901-02. The press of work was very
great and the staff that had to cope with it was insufficient, while in some cases
the severity of the outbreaks disorganised the reporting agency. In Ferozepore
the inoculations were mainly done after plague had begun to decline, and hence
statistics of its protective value cannot be obtained. In many districts no
statistical statement of the results is forthcoming. In Ambala, Hoshirpur and
Silkot the local officers were able to collect statistics which can be accepted
as fairly correct, and these evidence the value of the operations. The results are
apparently unfavourable in Ludhina only. The figures collected for this
district give a higher case mortality among the inoculated than among the
uninoculated The district, however, was one in which the reporting agency was
thoroughly disorganised, and there is reason to believe that the statistics are
altogether incorrect. The results were undoubtedly protective in many indivi-
dual cases and inoculations came well out of the test to which they were sub-
jected, which was a severe one, since the operations were performed only on