33
ed in para. 43 of the Superintendent General's report on vaccination for 1871-72, parti-
cularly " (b) countenance to vaccination, and assistance to vaccinators, by village offi-
cials, &c.;" "(c) permanency of the record for future use." Beside this register should be
kept the register of births and deaths in each village, so that any unprotected children
might readily be found.
I believe the whole subject is under consideration by the Commissioner in Sindh, and I
am almost certain that Sir William Merewether will devise some plan to introduce the
village register ; but it must be a work of some time to get it into operation over the whole
of Sindh.
Vaccinators.
27. Speaking generally, their conduct has been very good, and the returns in all in-
stances found correct, except those of three junior vaccina-
tors, who have been dismissed (one of the three was dis-
missed in April 1873). My predecessor, Dr. Keith, produced in the vaccinators a whole-
some dread against levying " Murád" ; and though some of the Deputy Collectors, from
whom Dr. Keith requested information on this subject, thought that " Murád" was occa-
sionally levied, they did not cite a single instance of its being practised. Every vaccinator
knows that he is liable to be dismissed if he levy " Murád," or take money, under any
pretence whatever, from the people.
Assistant Superintendents.
28. The case of Mr. Hásá Mal, mentioned by Dr. Keith in his report for 1871-72,
was ultimately referred to the Inspector-General, Indian
Medical Department, who directed that Hásá Mal should
return to duty ; and I must say he has worked splendidly. A'sú Mal has worked steadily,
Lachman has not had the experience of the two former ; he, therefore, requires to be direct-
ed more constantly. Lál Baksh was appointed to replace Mehar Chand on 1st of Septem-
ber 1872. From what I personally know and have seen of him since his appointment I
believe he will make an excellent Assistant.
Tour.
29. During the hot and rainy season Dr. Keith inspected the work of the vaccinators
in the tálukás of Karáchí, Táttá, Kotrí and Haidarábád,
sometimes along the hill range, at others near the sea. In
September he proceeded to Upper Sindh, and saw work in the tálukás of Sakkhar, Shikárpur
and Naushahrá. At the end of November I took charge, and went across the Collectorate
of Haidaráhád to the Thar and Párkar Districts, and inspected the work of the vaccinators
in the tálukás of Haidarábád, Hálá, Alihar-jo-Tándo, Mírpur Khás, Kiprá, Umarkot,
Díplá, Mittí, Nagar Párkar and Cháchrá. When in the latter táluká, finding myself close
to the border of the Jodpur Native State, I went over to see one of the villages, and found
there had never been any vaccination carried on ; the few children whose arms bore the marks
of vaccination had been vaccinated in Sindh. Fortunately there had been no small-pox
in the district for fourteen years, but should it be introduced amongst them there will be a
fearful number of deaths from small-pox. I presume that the other Native States on the
east border of Sindh are equally unprotected against small-pox. Cannot the rulers of
those States be induced to appoint vaccinators to protect their subjects against small-pox?
Returning from Cháchrá I was met by Dr, Turnbull, Acting Superintendent General,
at Umarkot. We travelled together as far as Haidarábád and Kotrí. I then made another
tour through the south of Haidarábád, the Tándá and the Sháhábandar District.
Office.
30. I think I ought to mention that there is considerably too much work to be ac-
complished by one clerk. I would suggest that a Munshí
be appointed to carry on the vernacular work. My time
is now much occupied in doing work, that should be done by the clerk whose time is large-
5 VAC