8
There appears to be no opposition to the operation in those parts of Sumbul-
pore visited by the Vaccinators during the past season ; and in future years the
villages of the Gurjat Chiefs and Zemindars will no doubt be protected, the exam-
ple at Rampore being very promising; and it may be possible, a year or two hence,
when the operation will be more generally known, to induce the large Zemin-
dars to entertain Vaccinators on their own estates.
37. The employment of old inoculators is much to be commended, so many
men being withdrawn from a mischievous employment, and their energies directed
to prevent, rather than to encourage, the spreading of small-pox. The Native
Superintendent, as well as the Civil Surgeon, will be able to see that they do
not revert to their old practices.
38. After so good a commencement it is desirable that vaccination be sys-
tematically carried on, and I should recommend the establishment being main-
tained, as at present, under the immediate supervision of the Civil Surgeon, who
has shown so much zeal and good management.
39. I object, however, as a rule, to the employment of district Vaccinators,
working away from direct European supervision; from my own experience
the work and returns are not to be depended upon.
40. If the return from Sumbulpore for the year 1867-68 be omitted from
the general district return of that year, as it is from the present, it will be seen
that the number of district operations of the present season is more than 50 per
cent in excess of that of the preceding year, being 64,827 and 38,938 respectively,
the chief increase being at Jubbulpore, Belaspore, Raepore, Saugor, Chanda, and
Hoshungabad.
41. The most marked decrease is at Nursingpore, the difference being
2,069. No report has been received, but the Medical Officer notes on the return
that the Vaccinator only operated upon 18, at a cost of Rs. 66-11-8. In Dumoh,
Nimar, and Bhundara the numbers are lower this year. The Civil Surgeon at
Dumoh reports that the people had suffered much from defìciency of food, and
that many children were brought to him in so emaciated a condition that he
refused to vaccinate them. Small-pox, however, appears to have been very pre-
valent and fatal, as many as 927 deaths having been reported between the
beginning of February, and the first week in April. A number of children in
Dumoh itself who were vaccinated last year, escaped the small-pox, though the
disease must have been severe in the town, 159 having died. This immunity
ought to have made the operation more popular. The objection that vaccina-
tion is an offence to Bhowanee I have rarely found to have much weight after
careful explanation, for the same objectors, as a rule, are willing to use internal
as well as external remedies for the cure of small-pox when contracted. In
Nimar the decrease is attributed by the Medical Officer to the change of Native
Doctor at one Dispensary, and to the want of funds to employ another Vaccinator.
From Bhundara no report has been received. The cost of the operations
this year, as it was the last, is the highest on the list.
From Chindwara no report has been received, but the returns are far from
satisfactory. Two Vaccinators have been retained throughout the year, at a cost
of Rs. 204, the total number vaccinated being 135, and of these only 67 success-
fully. The operation is thoroughly well known throughout the district, and it is
difficult to understand why so small a number have been operated upon, and
the rates of success so low,—less than 50 per cent.
42. Jubbulpore during the year 1867-68 suffered much from small-pox, and
this season Dr. Rice, the Civil Surgeon, entertained seven Vaccinators ; and his