( 2 )
Operations when commenced, and
where extended to.
6. Operations were commenced at Akola in
July with lymph procured from the Central Pro-
vinces. At first the vesicles produced were of
full size and good appearance, but from the 15th of August till towards the
end of September they were puny, and although from "arm to arm" vaccina-
tion was alone resorted to, much difficulty was experienced in keeping up a
small supply of lymph. Fortunately at this juncture, lymph from England
reached me, and between the two supplies, I was able to start vaccination in
the remaining five districts (as well as at several places along the line of rail)
which enter into the formation of the province, so that on the 1st of October,
when the season commenced, there was a supply of lymph in each centre of
operation.
Importance of verification of cases.
7. As I have before insisted on the impor-
tance of " verification" of cases as the best means
of getting honest returns and good work, by which alone we may hope even-
tually to convince the people of the benefits of vaccination, it may be well to
record here what has been done in this respect during the year.
Verification by Civil Surgeons.
8. The Vaccinators at the head-quarters of
each district are under the respective Civil Sur-
geons, who are expected to promote vaccination in and about their stations,
and to examine the work done by the Vaccinators.
At Elichpur, however, the Civil Surgeon, owing to the military duties he
has to perform, cannot get into his circle to examine the work of the head-
quarter's Vaccinator: therefore the District Superintendent examined 384 of
the children operated on.
The Civil Surgeon, Akola, examined some work in 28, of the 40, villages in
which operations were performed.
The Civil Surgeons, Wun and Buldana, each verified 60 per cent. of their
cases, and the Civil Surgeon, Oomraottee and Basim, also rendered good ser-
vices in this respect.
Assistant Superintendent's exa-
mination of work in villages.
9. Mr. Apothecary Pitts, whose services
were placed at my disposal for three months
during the working season, with a view to his
assisting me in the verification of work done, joined my camp early in January
to receive instructions. He then proceeded on tour of inspection, chiefly in
the Basim, Buldana and Wun districts, but unfortunately he suffered a good
deal from fever, and eventually was obliged to return to Akola 20 days before
his three months' tour expired. However, he was able to verify work done in
298 villages, and by so doing rendered me good service. If I am fortunate
enough to get his services next year, the experience he has gained this year
will render him much more efficient. As simple as the examination of vacci-
nation work may appear to be, a system of doing it is necessary, and this, like
everything else, is best learned by experience.
Increase of verifications by Dis-
trict Superintendents.
10. When compared with the previous year,
there is a marked improvement in the work done
by the District Superintendents.
In the Akola district, the Superintendent visited 400, out of 488, villages
in which work was done, and verified 5,997, of the 8,769, successful cases.
The Superintendent, Elichpur district, visited 330 villages, leaving only
one uninspected—Parutwarra—as the Civil Surgeon saw the cases in it, and
examined 5,134, out of the 5,982, successfully reported cases.