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confined to one officer, cannot come up to its requirements, and it has consequently happened
that advantage has been taken of this by some of the Vaccinators, and several cases have
occurred of fabricated Returns.
"Though stating the small amount of superintendence able to be given, to be a cause of the
evils of imperfect vaccination and false Returns, still there cannot be any doubt, that the lax
manner in which the Regulations (paras. 26 and 27 of Section VIII.), have been hitherto
administered, has likewise been a cause, as from the Vaccinators not obtaining assistance on
occasions, and the indifference of the authorities (required to give this assistance), in performing
the very moderate overlooking also required of them, the Vaccinator either temporarily thrown
out of work, or careless from the carelessness of others, resorts to fraud to fill up the
Returns which are expected from him.
" Were the Regulations of 1853,—which apparently combine all necessary points for the
truthful performance of vaccination,—carefully attended to, and vaccination, as a Government
work, placed more directly under the care and attention of the Civil Authorities in the districts
wherein it is being performed,—that is—as a Government work, were an authoritative
assistance rendered, it would tend to the more certain and more successful performance of
vaccination.
" Small-pox has not visited the districts to any great extent, as far as the Reports of the
Vaccinators are to be relied on, though at one time or another during the year it has made its
appearance in all.
"Inoculation has not been reported to have interfered with vaccination, but during the
rains it was carried on in the Jagheer of Bhore, in the Sattara Districts.
" In this Division fabricated Returns to a certain extent,—failure of systematic aid and inter-
mediate overlooking (by Patells and Koolkurnies),—and the mode of keeping up the lymph, are
the main causes of want of greater success. It is evident therefore that however zealous a
Superintendent and his Vaccinators may be, they cannot carry out the work entrusted to them
with success, amongst a people unwilling to come forward, even for their own good. The
history of vaccination from its commencement shows the necessity of the people being urged,
by the exercise of authority, to adopt its employment."
The Superintendent, Dr. Mills, reports of 1857 :—
" The total number vaccinated by the Government Establishment in 1857 exhibits a small
decrease from that of 1856, being fifteen thousand five hundred and thirty-two (15,532,)
against sixteen thousand two hundred and sixty-two (16,262), decrease seven hundred and
thirty (730), but correcting the number of successful vaccinations in 1856 by deducting three
hundred and twenty-nine (329) falsely reported, the number of successful operations in 1857
shows a slight increase, being fourteen thousand eight hundred and nine (14,809,) against
fourteen thousand six hundred and seventy-six (14,676), increase one hundred and thirty-
three (133).
" I think that the following causes might not unreasonably have been expected to occasion
some decrease in the past year:—
" 1st.—The generally excited and unsettled state of the country, which has been felt more
or less throughout the Division, though happily not to any very great extent.
" 2nd.—The frequent changes in the Superintending officers and the small amount of per-
sonal inspection, which has been practicable during the past year. In the beginning of Febru-
ary, Assistant Surgeon Johnstone gave over charge to Assistant Surgeon Maitland, who,
holding the office of Acting Civil Surgeon of Sattara, was unable to continue the tour of
inspection, and thus nearly four months of the fine season were lost. Assistant Surgeon
Wiehe held the Acting Charge from 29th September to 21st October, when he was relieved by me.
" 3rd.—The Establishment was much weakened by deaths and dismissals during 1857.
Two of the best Vaccinators died in June and July. Three Assistant Vaccinators were dis¬