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would mention that I lately received an application for the services of a
vaccinator from the patel of a village in the Akola District, small-pox having
broken out in his village. His request, I need hardly mention, was
immediately complied with, though it was in the non-working season.
In order that vaccination may be brought home to the people, a good
deal of course depends on the efficiency of the vaccination staff itself, not
only that the vaccinators should know their work well, but also that they
should cultivate the popularity of the people amongst whom they are working.
When the department was first formed, many men were of necessity employed
as vaccinators, who, owing to their caste and want of education, made but
little way with the people, and were but too often regarded with sus-
picion and dislike, consequently the department was more unpopular than
might otherwise have been the case, and the vaccinators met with consider-
able difficulty in getting children for operation. Of late years, however,
a better class of men have come forward, and I have now found it possible
to fix a standard of education, and only accept those who can produce a
certificate of having passed the 6th standard examination, as fixed by the
Educational Department. I have reason to believe that the standing of the
department has, in consequence, improved in the eyes of the villagers, and
that the vaccinators are more looked up to and respected than formerly.
Even with the most efficient staff, however, but little work would be
performed without the support and influence of the civil authorities; and of
the value of such legitimate support, the Superintendent's reports bear
witness. Of course everything depends upon the nature of the influence
exerted, and where the, district officer shows an active interest in vaccination,
all classes will readily come forward to assist. I would, however, remark
that it is unnecessary for civil authorities to take pains to constantly assure
the people that vaccination is entirely voluntary. This is of course true,
but repeated assurances of the fact by those in authority are apt to prove
injurious, by leading the people to believe that they disapprove of vaccina-
tion. I would recommend that men of position, such as Honorary Magistrates
and Deshmuks, should be spoken to by the Deputy Commissioner on the
subject, and that just before the commencement of the year's operations, the
Deputy Commissioner should call in all the patels of his district, and point
out to them the aim and object of vaccination, and urge upon them the
necessity for their assisting the vaccinators instead of putting difficulties in
their way.
Much also might be done by the native members of municipal com-
mittees ; but, whatever be the cause, they have not shown any interest in the
work. In the town of Amraoti, the Superintendent, a man of tact and per-
suasion, failed utterly in carrying on vaccination, and he could get no assist-
ance from the municipality, although he applied to the committee for their
aid and influence.
System of Vaccination.
4. The system of vaccination adopted in this province is on the prin-
ciple of working at small areas with close
supervision. Each district is apportioned into
a certain number of circles, and a vaccinator assigned to one or more, who
works from the point where lymph is first started in gradually widening
circles. The work of each district is supervised by a native Superintendent,
and the work of the province by the Superintendent General.
The vaccinator in each circle works from village to village, leaving as
few unvaccinated children as possible behind him.
The rule is to vaccinate from arm-to-arm, never using preserved lymph
except where arm-to-arm vaccination cannot be carried out.
On entering a village the vaccinator explains his duties to the Patel,
and procures his assistance in collecting children. This collection of the
children is an absolute necessity, both for operation and for verifying the