3
12. Each Tehseel was sub-divided, and a Vaccinator appointed to each
sub-division furnished with a list of the towns and villages, to all of which he
was directed to proceed, presenting his credentials to the Patail or Kamdar, on
arrival, and seeking his assistance in collecting the people, and explaining the
object of his visit.
The recruits were attached to first-class Vaccinators, and ordered to work
under their direction, and with their assistance.
13. Every aid was afforded by Captain Ricketts, the Deputy Commissioner,
who took great interest in the progress of the work, and I found him most willing
to adopt any suggestion likely to further it. On at least one occasion he changed
his route on finding that there was opposition to the Vaccinators, and by per-
sonal influence induced the people to accept the operation; and on all occasions
when I was not myself present, by explanation and advice endeavoured to
overcome the apathy of the chief men whom he met on his tour.
14. At Wurdah I had theopportunity of pointing out to the three Tehseel¬
dars in what way they could assist, and they seeing the interest taken in the
operation by their chief, used their influence also in favour of vaccination.
15. The operation was almost unknown in the district, and the passive re-
sistance at first almost general. The people had an undefined dread of a new
thing, or from apathy were unwilling to take the trouble to bring their children.
Small-pox was present in the district, especially in the Hingunghat Tehseel;
and in the villages near the Chanda district, where the disease was most severe,
the opposition was active, the Vaccinators being threatened and driven away
from the villages. In one case a Vaccinator was assaulted and placed in durance by
a Malgoozar. Representations had to be made to the Extra-Assistant Commis-
sioner, and to the Tehseeldar, who enquired into the complaints, and it was in this
Tehseel that Captain Ricketts used his influence to overcome the objections of the
people. At Hingunghat itself some persons suffering from small-pox were
placed in chuppahs outside the town. Large numbers were subsequently vacci-
nated in the place and its neighbourhood, and the disease stopped.
16. On returning from Berar on December 12th I directed my march
through the Hinghunghat Tehseel, taking in the towns of Nandowree and Koyra,
and their neighbourhoods, where small-pox was present, and where the opposition
had been greatest.
17. I found the people impressed with the idea that small-pox was to be
the result of the operation of vaccination, but I was everywhere able to remove
their fears, and at my first halt vaccinated 102, at my second 149, third 162,
fourth 212, and so on. And at Koyra itself, 272 were brought to me from 19
villages, and amongst them the grandchild of the Malgoozar of Koyra, who
was induced to consent only after much explanation and persuasion. In all, 1435
from 63 villages in this Tehseel were vaccinated by me, and my subordinates
had much less trouble after my visit.
18. In the Huzzoor and Arvee Tehseels, through which I marched in
January and February, my Vaccinators had met with partial success. My time
was chiefly occupied in examining the work done and comparing with registers
and village lists; but at every halt, numbers who had hitherto held aloof brought
their children to be vaccinated by myself, and I was able by personal com-
munication to remove any doubt or fears that might be remaining.
19. At Arvee, the head-quarters of the Tehseel of the same name, very
little had been done.