2
With the exception of the indifference of the people, and want of assistance on the part of
many Patels and Koolkurnees, few obstacles exist to the progress of vaccination. But this
very indifference which in Pabul, Bhimthurree, and eastern portions of the Jooneer
and Khair talookas of the Collectorate of Poona, almost amounts to opposition, leads very
much to the gradual deterioration of lymph. I have often wondered at and admired the way
in which many vaccinators keep up their vaccine lymph. It is done only by much travelling
and hard work, which, were vaccination compulsory, would be very much diminished. It is
compulsory in Britain, and as Mamlutdars and other native officials have informed me, and as
is proved by all castes submitting their children to be vaccinated, that no religious or other
objection exists to vaccination, I cannot see any reasons against, but every thing in favor of,
making it compulsory in India also. Of this I am certain, that until it is made so, natives
will never have the faith in it they ought to.
That prejudices against vaccination do exist amongst the native population is well known.
A most intelligent man, Mr. Ruttonjee Nowrojee, Catechist of the Church Missionary Society
stationed at Yeola, in the Ahmednuggur districts, has, in a communication to me, given a very
remarkable instance of one ; I give it in Mr. Ruttonjee's own words, he says : "A ridiculous
report has been spread by some fanatical Mahomedans that some remarkable personage is to
make his appearance in the world during the latter days, and who will be known by milk
oozing out of his arm, instead of blood, when vaccinated, Hence Europeans, say they, being
anxious to discover that extraordinary being, lavish so much money and labour in persuading
the people to vaccinate their children.
Vaccine tubes have been extensively used in transmitting lymph by post to persons both in
and out of the district, but they have generally been filled by myself. During the current
year it is my intention to distribute a few tubes to each vaccinator, and call for one, filled and
and sealed, monthly. At the end of the year a prize is to be given to the person who, in my
opinion, has best succeeded in filling, sealing, and packing them, for transmission by post.
The quality of the lymph will also be taken into consideration in awarding the prize.
The tour during the past year has been a very extended one. It includes all the Ahmed-
nuggur, nearly the whole of the Poona Collectorate, and a considerable portion of the
Collectorates of Kulladghee and Khandeish. From Churchun in the Kulladghee Collectorate
I proceeded castwards inspecting the work of General No. 168, which though small in
amount, was exceedingly well executed, and his books, &c., were correct and well kept, I then
crossed the river Bheema into the State of Akulkote. On the work of the Raja's vaccinator here
employed I reported very unfavorably in my last, and it is unnecessary to say more here than
that he was removed, on my recommendation, by the Rajah, and another appointed in his stead.
From Mr. Burjorjee the Magistrate of Akulkote, I then, and have since, received much and
very intelligent assistance, and but for this I am sure the small number vaccinated would
have been much smaller. From Akulkote I travelled by stages direct to Marheh viâ Shola-
poor and Mohol, there being no vaccinator employed between those two places. Learning the
fact that no vaccinator had been employed in the Sholapoor Hawele talooka for several years,
I immediately made arrangements for one being sent, and this man has been successfully
working there during the past year. In the month of February I made the circuit of the
talookas of Marheh and Kurmulla, of the Sholapoor Sub-collectorate, and examined the work
of General Nos. 23 and 223. The work of these vaccinators was very satisfactory, but
especially that of the latter, who, though quite a young man, I consider one of the most
careful and expert vaccinators in this Circle. In the month of March I left Kurmulla