In 1869 when the malarial fever first made its appearance in Burdwan and decimated it, he opened a charitable dispensary in his house and those who could not come were supplied with medicines at their own doors. He was sorely hurt when he saw that though the disease was causing great havoc among the people, the civil surgeon turned his back to the appeals for help and ignored the prevailing distress. A violent hater of apathy and laissez-faire, he at once came down to Calcutta and interviewed the Lieutenant-Governor who was pleased to remove the callous surgeon and post a sympathetic medical officer in his place, directing him to take action for coping with the epidemic. Returning to his work, Vidyasagar did all he could to prevent further ravages of the fever. He took medicines with him from door to door, and supplied the patients with diet. Clothes to the value of Rs. 2,000 were freely distributed by him. Vigorous exertion, both on the part of the rulers as well as the
