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11. With small-pox measles also prevailed as an epidemic in almost all parts of
this Division, and in some places it was so very fatal, from secondary chest affections
and dysenteric purging, that the inhabitants devoutly wished the Sirkar (Government)
would find out some remedy for Ooree (measles) as it has done for Devi Matta
(small-pox).
12. In the Mahee Kanta States, whilst inspecting the Malpoor Talooka, I
noticed that in many villages the people dreaded mine and the Vaccinators' approach,
and oftentimes hours were lost before the children could be collected for inspection or
vaccination. In one village, making myself particularly familiar with the villagers, I
learnt that the Thakore of Malpoor had about a year ago levied a sort of vaccination cess
on all inhabitants equally, from the Patel to the Dhera, at the rate of a rupee and a quarter
for every child. The villagers believed that this was done by the desire of the Sadra
Sirkar. As much as I could, I explained to them that what was done was improper, and
without any one's sanction, and that such a thing would not be permitted again ; at
the same time the Political Agent was informed of the circumstances, and requested
to take such measures as might prevent a repetition of the same in future.
13. In paragraph 9 of last year's Report it was stated that Municipal Vaccinators
in this Circle were not under the control of the Superintendent. In the month of
October last the Collector of Ahmedabad, through the Deputy Inspector General of
Hospitals, Northern Division of the Army, expressed a wish to place the Municipal
Vaccinators in that zilla under the immediate control of this Office. As there are
only two Municipal Vaccinators in the Ahmedabad Districts (one at Veerumgaum and
one at Dholka), the inspection of whose work would not entail additional travelling, I
readily assented to taking them under my care.
14. Mention was made, in paragraph 11 of last Report, of (the castes of people
who still entertain a dislike to vaccination. The little knowledge I have since derived
enables me to state, that, with the single exception of one portion of this Circle, the
whole is alive to the advantages derived from vaccination. There is no actual opposi-
tion anywhere, and from the Pahlunpoor and Mahee Kanta territories in the north to
the Broach Districts in the south our Vaccinators have merely to contend against the
passive indifference of the people.
15. The exception alluded to in the preceding paragraph is the southernmost
part of this Division, viz., the Surat Districts. Our Vaccinators here have to contend
against several difficulties : the extreine apathy of the village Patels, who do not give
our men that assistance which it is in their power to give—in some instances they have
been found to put obstacles in their way ; 2ndly, against the poverty and drunkenness
of the villagers themselves ; when lymph is introduced and work commenced, there is
such an extreme want of care on the part of parents, that few children can be seen on
a week day after vaccination with entire vesicles fit for propagation of lymph ; and
3rdly, against inoculation, which still exists, though to a limited extent, in this zilla
only of the Northern Circle.
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