3
considered the best qualified to fill the appointments. From the tact, activity, and carefulness
they have exhibited in the performance of their duties, I consider Dr. Turnbull's selection
to have been most judicious, and that the seniors, who have grumbled, were less fitted for
these appointments than the junior members of the establishment. They have been most
careful to bring all matters in connection with vaccination within their districts to my
notice, and their reports on the conduct, character, and work of the vaccinators have been,
to the best of my knowledge, perfectly unbiased and trustworthy. They have all of them
worked well, and the number of villages visited and children inspected by each is very
creditable.
Lymph.
9. The lymph generally has been active and of good quality. Occasionally I have
found a vaccinator with very good lymph in one village
and very indifferent in another, the result of having
vaccinated from a non-typical vesicle the previous week. This in almost all instances occurs,
not from carelessness, but from the unavoidable cause of being unable to obtain all the
children previously vaccinated to select from. Frequently the only alternative for the
vaccinator is to let the lymph die out in that village, or to vaccinate from an indifferent
vesicle : the latter is too often adopted. During my tour, I have been careful to impress
upon all vaccinators the extreme importance of thorough vaccination. Three supplies of
English lymph were received during the year, and from this 14 children were vaccinated,
the result in each case being successful. From these, tubes were charged and distributed to
all the Assistant Superintendents, and to many of the vaccinators. Lymph has been
supplied on requisition to all the stations within the Circle, and to Aurangábád, Hingoli,
Jáiná, Hoshangábád, Akolá, and Máu. Reports of its success were received from all, except
Akolá, where it failed.
Small-pox.
10. So few returns have been sent in that it would be useless to show the number of
cases in a tabulated form ; but, I am of opinion, that
small-pox did not prevail to any great extent till
January 1872. Since then numerous reports and applications for vaccinators have been
made, and from these it appears that the disease has been more or less epidemic in half the
tálukás in the Circle. These reports and applications from the Natives themselves show
how much the prophylactic is appreciated. Vaccination is extensively resorted to, and with
the measures now adopted, for preventing the spread of the disease, I trust the worst is past,
although the present season is favorable to the progress of the malady.
Animal Vaccination.
11. During the past year I have had no opportunity of carrying on animal vaccination as
I only took charge of the appointment on the 23rd Septem-
ber, and left for the districts on the 10th October. The
work has been, and is still, carried on with variable success at Púna by Sub-Assistant Sur--
geon Bálkrishna Chintobá, whose report is appended. He has, however, many difficulties to
contend against both in procuring heifers and children to vaccinate. As the Natives become
familiar with this method of vaccination, I doubt not but they will appreciate its many
advantages, more especially those who labor under the impression that the prophylactic
influence of the vesicle is diminished by extracting lymph from it.
Conduct of Vaccinators.
12. The Assistant Superintendents have been reported on separately. Speaking generally,
I have seldom had occasion to complain of the vaccinators.
Small fines have been impossd for disobedience of orders,
or laziness, but most of them have devoted themselves to their work with assiduity and
perseverance. The Deputy Superintendents have occasionally recommended the transfer of
a vaccinator who did not appear to get on with the people, otherwise no unfavorable reports
have been submitted. Three of the oldest vaccinators were pensioned during the year.