5
time of probation, candidates cannot be made to see that they are framing in another way.
All of them hope and pray that they will be " confirmed by your honour in the vacant situ-
ation by return of post."
In addition to absolute vacancies, sickness and leaves sometimes account for blank re-
turns. With regard to leaves, vaccinators are reminded that such are not granted if small-
pox is reported to prevail in their tálukás.
Assistant Superintendents.
10. The results of the year under report I think amply justify the employment of this
class of men in the Department. As they become more
and more acquainted with the precise nature of their
duties, and how most successfully to deal with matters that come before them, there
will be a marked change in the character and quantity of vaccinators' work. A reference to
Table VII, annexed, will show that their labours during the year have been creditable to all
of them. Especially worthy of mention are Mr. Trimbak A'nant, of Púná Zilhá, and Mr.
Bálkrishna Rájárám, of Sátárá Zilhá, who have shown considerable tact and energy in dealing
with several vexed points that have come under their notice. Mr. Dharmá Bápu, who was
only temporarily employed in Nagar Zilhá, worked well. He is an old and trustworthy
servant of Government, and has had large experience as a vaccinator. But, on account of
years, he is not possessed of that activity and endurance which are indispensable to an Assist-
ant Superintendent, and he will, therefore, revert to his original appointment as head vaccina-
tor in Násik. The Assistantship thus vacant will be filled up by Mr. Kisansing Dowlatsing,
the head clerk in this office. He has proved himself a shrewd and intelligent worker in the
office, he has on all suitable occasions taken the pains to become thoroughly acquainted with
the practical duties of a vaccinator, and he is young and of active habits. His future exer-
tions, I trust, will combine to justify the recommendation that has been made in his behalf.
It may be necessary here briefly to enumerate the particulars of service in which the
Assistant Superintendents have been of special value, in the experience of the past year—
(1) Vaccinators have been closely looked after, have been kept well up to their work,
their weak points and shortcomings have been detected, and promptly reported to the
Superintendent.
(2) Outbreaks of small-pox owe, in a great measure, their speedy suppression to the
ready and willing exertions of the Assistants. Instances of this have been many during the
year, but it may suflice to single out two or three for record.
In the early part of 1872 small-pox prevailed in the Káthí State beyond the north-western
limit of the province of Khándesh. Previous to this, the disease had made its appearance
at Máhijí, where a great annual fair is held. At this place Mr. Bálkrishna Gopál, the Assist-
ant Superintendent of Vaccination in Khándesh, was hard at work in company with the Pa-
chorá vaccinator, and had so far carried matters to a satisfactory termination when the report
came from the Káthí State that the disease was spreading rapidly. Mr. Bálkrishna Gopál found
that he could leave Máhijí, and at once proceeded to the extreme opposite corner of his zilhá,
where, with the assistance o the Talodá vaccinator he set about protecting all unprotected
persons to be found in the State. In a comparatively short space of time matters had pro-
gressed so favourably that both the Assistant (to whom credit is due for his zeal on this
occasion) and his vaccinator could proceed to their general duties.
In May of last year the disease threatened to spread in Satáná of Násik Zilhá, but the
immediate assistance of Mr. Rámji Khanderáo and the vaccinator confined the outbreak
within manageable bounds, by giving protection to a large number of children in the affected
locality.
Again, in Shelgáum, a village in Sholápur Zilhá, consisting of more than two hundred
houses, no fewer than 100 children were attacked by small-pox. This was discovered by the