45
respectively. The decrease in the vaccinations by the Establishment of the Northern Deccan
Division is attributed, and no doubt justly, by the Superintendent, to the circumstance of the
number of Vaccinators having been for part of the year reduced from dismissal and resigna-
tions.* The falling off in the station of Sattara is considered by the Civil Surgeon to have
been chiefly due to the circumstance of one of the Vaccinators of the Southern Division pre-
sent with the Hoozoor, having vaccinated in villages adjoining Sattara usually visited by the
Station Vaccinator; but partly also to the disturbed state of the district. The decrease at
Nassick may also be attributed to the disturbed state of the country. The vaccinations at
Ahmednuggur show a satisfactory and progressive increase.
The number of males vaccinated exceed the females by six hundred and seventy-five (675).
The vaccinated above one year exceed those under one year by nine hundred and fifty-three
(953), that is, the total vaccinations above one year amount to three thousand six hundred
and fifty-three (3,653), whereas those under one year are two thousand seven hundred and
forty (2,740). But in the Superintendent's Returns, p. 13,t the vaccinated under one year are
only three thousand six hundred and fifty-one (3,651), whilst those above one year are sixteen
thousand nine hundred and twelve (16,912). This is a startling fact, and convincingly
proves that notwithstanding the efforts of half a century this prophylactic has not in truth
secured an appreciable hold on the affections of the people.
The percentages of successful vaccinations is 85.5, of unsuccessful and doubtful ones (which
for all practical purposes may be classed together) 14.5. I presume that a portion of the
doubtful and unsuccessful cases are vaccinated again, and again entered in the Returns. If
so, "the total number vaccinated" expresses an excess over the total individuals, i. e. mem-
bers of a community vaccinated. To my mind there seems no gain in this cumbrous system,
and that the simple and straightforward course would be to enter as vaccinated only those
on whom the operation has been undoubtedly successful. It can be of no interest or im-
portance to any one to know the number of arms that a Vaccinator has pricked. The question
of importance is, what number of members of a community have received the benefits of
this prophylactic.
The quality of the lymph has been favorably reported on throughout the Division. Few
Returns of Small-pox have been made to the Superintendent. A few cases occurred in the
city of Poona at the beginning of the year, and Small-pox was in that district (Dhoolia)
during the rains. The Reports generally show that there has not been much Small-pox in
the Division during the past year. No inoculation with Small-pox reported; and no particular
obstruction offered to vaccination."
" The necessity of improving the condition and prospects of the Native Vaccinators cannot,
I apprehend, admit of doubt. To understand thoroughly the conditions necessary to insure
true vaccinations requires considerable intelligence. Steadily to enforce the observance of
these conditions requires patience, energy, perseverance and integrity. To expect these
qualities from men on the scanty allowance allotted to Native Vaccinators, and without
prospect of pension when unfit for service, is to expect what is not consonant with human
nature. The inference which I have always drawn from these facts, and which I have already
published, is that of vaccinations recorded as successful, a considerable proportion have
probably no title to be so regarded. That, with an agency such as much of that which is at
present employed, to suppose that an effort is being made at all, commensurate with the vast
importance of the object, is nothing short of a great and most unfortunate delusion.
* Vide Superintendent's Report Northern Deccan Division p. 13 ante.
† And in Table No. 1 Appendix.