8
them to the office to be stamped and paged. Where irregularities in keeping the registers
were noticed, the case was laid before the proper authorities.
Inoculation.
20. About the end of the official year it was reported that this system was being practised
in the Native State of Bhor. The Chief wished to know on
what grounds, and how he might deal with the case.
Through the Political Agent it was communicated to the Chief that the practice was dange-
rous to life, and punishable under Chapter XVI., Section 324, of the Indian Penal Code. No
further report has been made on this subject.
Vaccination-Syphilis.
21. No case of vaccination-syphilis has been reported or discovered during the year.
I am doubtful whether it would be possible to demonstrate
very clearly a case of this kind, did the necessary conditions
of its appearance exist; so common and obscure are skin diseases among a people revelling
in filth, and naturally predisposed to hydrophobia in its very literal sense.
Aids from Civil and Political
Authorities.
22. My acknowledgments are due to all civil and political authorities for the cordial
and able assistance they have given to the Department
during the year. The late Mr. Duff, Collector of Khán-
desh, expressed himself as always anxious to do what he
could to further the spread of vaccination. His death is much to be regretted.
23. I would here advert to the auxiliary service to vaccination, which, I believe, could
be done through the agency of district schools. If schoolmasters were willing and themselves
convinced of the value of vaccination and re-vaccination, they might do much by explaining
to their pupils why Government pays so much attention to this matter. A simple and in-
structive lesson on vaccination might be introduced into some of the vernacular standards
prepared for the use of schools ; and the regular visitations of the Educational Department
would be the means of bringing out what the pupils knew and understood on the subject.
I am not certain that the pupils would make much way at first with their parents and friends
at home, but there would be a quiet and steady sowing of good seed in the minds of the rising
generation that could not fail to bear good fruit in time to come. There is a large and grow-
ing element of shrewdness and intelligence in those district schools, and it seems a pity
not to take advantage of such to foster a work, the importance of which has not yet led the
Government to legislate in the matter.
Tour.
24. I received charge of the Circle from Dr. Lewis about the end of last travelling
season, at the southern limit, and my frequent and hurried
marches to Púná did not permit of much more than office
work being done on the way. The work of the present district season lay chiefly in Khán-
desh, and travelling towards that, several tálukás of Ahmadnagar and Násik were examined.
Up to the close of the official year the central and eastern portions of Khándesh were tra¬
versed, comprising ten tálukás. It was found necessary to leave Chopde aside, because consi-
derably beyond my plan of inspection, and the season drawing to an end, left little time to
complete the examination of the other tálukás, which lay more directly on my way towards
Púná.
Khándesh is a very extensive Collectorate, and a whole season's tour could be profitably
spent in traversing its sixteen tálukás.
It is unnecessary to extend these remarks. The particulars of tour are to be found
summarized in Table VII., which is appended.
The Office.
25. The entertainment of a second clerk, recommended by Dr. Gordon, was sanctioned
by Government during the year. The appointment was
filled up on the 1st July 1872, and the present probationary
incumbent is a conscientious and painstaking worker, but