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The Mukhtiárs, it is true, give help but of what sort? A peon or a policeman is sent, who
drives or drags the people to the vaccinator. On occasions I have seen them brought up
crying, weeping, and protesting emphatically against this, yet the children of their Chiefs
and Native Officials are exempted. If vaccination is made compulsory with one rupee or
even eight annas fine for those who had not their children vaccinated before the completion
of their first year of age, the rich and the Government Officials would take the lead, and the
poor people would follow merrily and there would not be a murmur in Sindh.
Truthfulness of Returns.
11. With few exceptions the vaccinators' returns are, I believe, truthful. When
inspecting Jámat Mall's work I found that he had entered
fourteen false names.
Murád.
12. I regret to have to bring to notice a practice of extorting money from the people.
This practice has been carried on for many years, and is
far too common among the vaccinators. I have myself
seen instances of it, and have succeeded in some cases in putting a stop to a system so
unjust. I have informed all the District Officers in Sindh of the prevalence of this obnoxious
practice, and asked their advice as to its criminality or otherwise. They have unanimously
condemned it as illegal and declared their determination to punish any one proved to be
guilty of such extortion. I may state that a circular was issued, informing the vaccinators of
the danger of continuing the levy of Murád and my determination to prosecute every one
who does so after this date.
Inoculation.
13. No case of inoculation has been reported
during the year, and the practice seems to have been
discontinued in Sindh.
Small-pox.
14. Sixty-three cases of supposed small-pox were reported, but on enquiry they turned
out to be measles. When at Shikárpur on tour small-pox
was reported in the village of Márí. I went to see for
myself and found the little boy and girl, whose names were given, playing amongst the sand
with nothing the matter with them. Their parents said they had nándí mái, or measles.
Inoculation of Syphilis
through Vaccination.
15. I have never seen any person inoculated with
syphilis through vaccination ; it has not taken place in
Sindh.
Conduct of Vaccinators.
16. As far as their work is concerned, the conduct of the vaccinators has, with few
exceptions, been very good, but towards the people it has
not been so praiseworthy.
Assistant Superintendents.
17. I have reported Mr. Hásá Mall, 2nd class Assistant Superintendent, for falsifying
his returns, but as his case is still subjudicê, I need say
no more of it at present. One of the probationary
Assistant Superintendents, named Mehar Chand, not being fit for promotion, will not be
confirmed, and will, consequently, return to his former appointment in Haidarábád.* I am
of opinion that these men will do very well if they are very sharply looked after.
Thanks due to Authorities
18. I must tender my best thanks to Honorary Assistant Surgeon Leahy for carrying on
Animal Vaccination through the cold weather, and for
giving me invaluable assistance in distributing Animal
lymph throughout the province. Also to Dr. MacRury, Civil Surgeon, for taking charge of
the Privy Council lymph at Shikárpur, and for filling tubes, and thus distributing it to the
* This man has since been remanded to duty as a vaccinator.— P. S. T.