11
In Bársi, for instance, in a population of 18,560 about 8,000 belong to the above
caste. The same way with Sholápur. Of a population of 53,403 nearly 15,000
are lingayat wanis, a people whose principal objection to vaccination, as far as
I can ascertain, is caused by the dread of having to allow lymph to be taken
from the arms of their children. The introduction of animal vaccination would
completely overcome this objection.
Irregularities in the progress
of the vaccine disease.
11. In the town of Mahálungi in the Khed táluká, Pooná collectorate, a
patil reported that his child had not only been
vaccinated by force, but that it was very ill in
consequence. Enquiry was at once made. Mr.
Trimbak Anant, the assistant superintendent, proceeded to the spot and with the
assistance of a panchayat investigated the case and found that the report was a
tissue of misstatements. The child no doubt had been vaccinated, but with the
consent of the mother. The disease had run its course normally and when seen
(only a short time after the report was made) the child was in sound health
and did not appear to have suffered in any unusual way. The whole matter was
brought to the notice of the magistrate, Mr. Bell, who I believe fined the man.
Such cases are not of frequent occurrence, but in every case strict investigation
should be made and the results recorded. Mr. Trimbakráo in this case performed
the duty in a very intelligent and satisfactory manner. Except badly or
prematurely formed vesicles I have not seen anything unusual in their character
during the past year. I have not seen nor heard of a single case in which disease
other than cow-pox was introduced into the system through vaccination.
Small-pox vaccination.
12. Though during the past four months I have tested the work of at least
30 vaccinators and called over the names of nearly
5,000 children, as they stood on the register, I have
failed to discover a single death of a child from small-pox after successful vaccina-
tion. In a case here and there I have seen a child who had suffered from small-pox
after vaccination even when the cicatrices were distinct and regular. But such
cases are " few and far between" and in all the small-pox disease had been mild.
Small-pox.
13. The circle, as far as my information goes, has been almost entirely free
from small-pox during the past year. In Ratnágiri
one or two of the vaccinators reported a few cases
but of very little importance. The other collectorates appear to have been com-
paratively free from the disease.
Inoculation.
14. Except from the Wái táluká, Sátárá zilha, no reports of the presence of
the inoculator have been received. In the western
part of the Wái district the inoculator had been at
work. In nearly every village the vaccinator visited, he found numbers of children
who had been inoculated, and in one case the pátil of the village had his own
children inoculated and acknowledged the fact in writing. The reports of the
vaccinator show that two men had been at work. Their names with the facts
collected were referred to the magistrate of the district for inquiry and what pro-
hibitory or other steps he might think fit. The subject is yet under investigation
I believe.
Conduct of the vaccinators and
assistant superintendents.
15. Though I cannot report the conduct of the vaccinators as every thing
that can be desired—that would be too much to
expect—yet I must say that they have generally
behaved extremely well. There have been a few
exceptions to the general rule and in one case I was obliged to ask the removal of
one from the service. There are six assistant superintendents in this circle; one
of them joined his appointment on the 23rd February and was under instruction
in the office of the Superintendent up till the 2nd March. Under Government
Resolution No. 2783, of 7th August 1873, he was appointed to the Sátárá collec-