21
buted to any flagging of such interest. Neither do I think it attributable to a lessening
of the popularity of vaccination amongst the people, or to any growing apathy or indifference
on their parts to avail themselves of its benefits. Taken altogether the amount of protection
afforded in this zilhá for the year 1871-72, though somewhat less than that given in the year
immediately preceding it, is very fair—being 9,570 operations amongst a population number-
ing 2,76,127 souls.
Ratnágirí.
14. In the Ratnágirí Collectorate vaccination has made very good progress during the
year, as indeed it has been for the last three years. The
number of operations performed is very nearly 7,000 in
excess of those shown in the returns for 1870-71, and the same amount of interest continues
to be exhibited in the progress of the work by the authorities as hitherto. It is entirely
owing to this interest that the work has advanced so well, and I can only regret, from seeing
the good it conduces to here, that the same amount of interest is not displayed in other
places. In the current year Mr. Elphinstone, the Acting Collector, has determined to intro-
duce a system of Village Registration, and if this be only properly carried out, it will give
good security for the correctness of the large amount of work being at present performed in
the collectorate, as well as reduce the chances of, or facilities for, falsification to a minimum.
The total number of operations performed in this Collectorate during the year amounted to
33,482, and if these figures be compared with last year's, they will be found to have exceeded
them by 6,747. This increase cannot be attributed to the increased number of hands, as this
was the same in both years, and I can, therefore, only account for it by an increase of popula-
rity entertained by the people themselves for vaccination. This popularity does not appear
to me, however, to be so universal as is desirable, and there is still a certain portion of the
population for whom the operation does not possess the interest it should. Even with this
drawback the progress made this year is very good, and the results attained approximate,
I consider, very closely to those obtained in countries where the reception of the prophylactic
is compulsory. Thus, there are a total number of 33,482 operations recorded amongst a popu-
lation estimated at 7,02,064.
Native States.
Jawár.
15. In examining the progress in Native States, I first take that of Jawár, and I must
say that here vaccination has not made such hopeful pro-
gress this year as is desirable. The number of operations
shown are certainly in advance of what they were last
year by 28 ; but the total number vaccinated only reaches 425. A figure that is far less than
it should be in an estimated population of 8,000. The reason for this small amount of work
may he attributed to the very bad health the vaccinator employed in the State enjoyed dur-
ing a portion of the year, and I think, too, that his want of energy has contributed not a little
towards the same end. I cannot speak from personal knowledge as to the amount of popu-
larity vaccination possesses for the people of this State, as I have never visited it; but, taking
the numbers shown on the returns in former years, I am led to the belief that it is not alto-
gether their fault that the above small figure represents the meagre amount of protection
they have received this year. In the year 1869-70, 2,148 operations were recorded as having
been performed in this State, and, I am of opinion, that the same figure may be reached again
with some more zeal than the vaccinator has hitherto displayed.
Janjírá.
16. The State of Janjírá has entertained a vaccinator for the first time this year, and
the only spot within the limits of this Circle in which
small-pox and inoculation have been allowed hitherto to
run riot is at length being brought steadily under the more sure and safe protection vaccine
lymph affords. The subject of entertaining a man for this purpose has been the cause of a
good many applications to the Darbár for the past four years; but it was not till the