3
Bombay system of
vaccination.
4. There has been no change made in our system of working, and the
principles laid down by Government have been
strictly adhered to. The " Bombay System of
Vaccination" may be described in very few words :—
1st. This presidency is divided into nine circles, in each of which there
is a superintendent who controls and directs the working of his vaccinators
and assistants, and also tests the work of both as regards quality and quantity.
The superintendent is usually a commissioned medical officer, but not neces-
sarily so. At present three of the nine are graduates of the Grant Medical
College, and are not commissioned officers. Two of the nine are paid by the
native states of Baroda and Kutch; the other seven are paid by Govern-
ment. One of the seven could, I think, be saved,—I mean the superinten-
dent of the Presidency circle. During fully six months of the year I have
held charge of the Central circle in addition to my own duties. I think this
arrangement should be made a permanent one, as it will save fully Rs. 11,000
a year, without in the very least injuring the efficiency of the department.
This subject is before Government in a separate paper.
2nd. In each collectorate there is an assistant superintendent, and in
two of the largest there are two; there are also three employed in the
native states of Kolhapur, Baroda and Kutch, and they are paid by these
states ; the other 28 are paid by Government. They are constantly looking
after the working of the vaccinators to see that the lymph is good, that the
vaccinators work steadily from village to village, and behave themselves
properly ; and whenever there is any difficulty, the assistant superintendent
goes to the place where it is, and, if possible, removes it.
3rd. In each taluka, with one or two exceptions, there is at least one
peregrinating vaccinator, and in a few of the largest ones there are 2. We
still require a second to be appointed in several of the larger talukas, and
this we are gradually getting done. Now, that we have correct figures re-
regarding population, our wants can, in this respect, be more definitely
ascertained. These vaccinators are paid in British territory by local funds,
and in native states territory by the states in which they are employed.
They usually vaccinate 3 days a week, and the other days are occupied in
ascertaining the results of previous vaccinations, and in going to the villages
where vaccination is to be practised next week, to inform the people of
their coming, so that all the children may be ready and present. When
going regularly from village to village the work is mostly done from arm
to arm. A vaccinifer is taken from one village to the next one. When lymph
has to be carried to a distant village, it is so in tubes. The first series
of vaccinations from tube-lymph always show a number of unsuccessful, and if
it were not for this, our vaccinators would obtain nearly 99 per cent. of success.
4th. Besides the above peregrinating vaccinators, there are 51 stationary
in our large towns, and they are all paid by the towns which employ them.
5th. Again, six vaccinators are paid by Government: of these, 2 are
civil, and 4 military.
6th. Each peregrinating vaccinator has a peon in British territory, and
nearly all municipal and native states' vaccinators have also peons. The
peon is a guarantee to the people that the vaccinator is a state servant.
Without the aid of the peon, the vaccinator and the village patel or headman
would be unable to collect the children to be vaccinated, and to be inspected