9
measles or other eruptive disease, or else true small-pox attacking persons who
have been operated upon by vaccinators but unsuccessfully. The value of the
list of successful cases left in the several villages is particulary great in meeting
such statements, for the village officials themselves can at once see and inform
others as to whether a successful result has been recorded.
36. It is satisfactory to note that vaccination has been continued in the
Jaghir territory of Harrai, and has been extended to those of Sonpur and
Partabgarh. As many as 2,387 have been protected in these generally wild
tracts.
I can endorse Mr. Price's remarks as to the improved and more cleanly
appearance of many of the children brought up for examination.
37. Mr. Price has prepared a Circular letter for distribution throughout
the district. It is simple, and the strong evidence of numbers contained in it
should be convincing, particularly on the spot where it can be canvassed and
appreciated.
I think the Medical Officer is to be commended for his efforts and the
Deputy Commissioner for the assistance given.
38. Seoni—The vaccinations have increased by 8,080, successful cases by
7,064, and the percentage of successful cases was as 91.46 to 92.93. About 422
per mille of children under 1 year were operated upon. In this district the opera-
tions have been chiefly confined to the Laknadon Tahsil; little had been done
when I passed through in my upward journey, and on my visiting villages to the
west and south of the district at the end of February I found that Vaccinators
had not been there for two years. In no single village could I get a sight of the
village list, though I inquired in several.
39. With an establishment of 10 Vaccinators and 1 Native Superin-
tendent, who have been engaged in the district for three years, I consider that it
is undesirable to mass the whole in one Tahsil. They should be spread over the
district, certain circles being assigned to each vaccinator, and he should work in
those from year to year, becoming familiar with the people, and in a certain degree
answerable for the proper protection of all within his own sub-division. In the
neighbouring district of Chhindwara it has not been found difficult either for
the Native Superintendent to exercise an efficient supervision or for the Medical
Officer to inspect portions of the work of all the Vaccinators. The Civil Surgeon
of Seoni in his short tours from 7th to 10th January and from 14th to 30th
March has not been able to exercise the amount of personal supervision that
was contemplated. The Deputy Commissioner explains this by the note that
Dr. Evers was detained in the Sadar station by the illness of the (former)
Deputy Commissioner and other important duties.
40. The Native Superintendent is undoubtedly a sharp and active man ;
he has been in the Department since its organization and I know him well. He
understands his work and can do it admirably when carefully supervised himself,
but I think it desirable that the Medical Officer should make personal inspections
as often and as minutely as possible. The proper delivery of village lists should
be insisted upon, and I should like to learn that arm to arm vaccination has
been made the rule. I should always give the preference in the way of promo-
tion to Vaccinators who so operate, even though numbers shown may be less in
proportion to the extra trouble. If correctly reported the results may always
be expected to be more favourable.
41. The idea of vaccination being a sacrifice to the Railway god is not
new, and is one of the many fanciful objections raised to the operation by igno¬
D O Z—13—97-385