10
Vaccination at all times succeeds less prosperously in Tanna than in Rutnagherry Collecto-
rate; and that, notwithstanding the population of the former exceeds by 1,50,000 inhabitants
that of the latter, the amount of vaccinations in each year is proportionately smaller. The
computed population of Rutnagherry Zillah is 6,65,238, and the number of individuals
vaccinated during the twelve months was 25,888, or at the rate of 3 per cent. The popula-
tion of Tanna Zillah is estimated at 8,15,849, whilst the total number vaccinated during the
year amounted to but 13,781, or in the proportion of a little more than 1 per cent.
During the last few years, there has been a marked change of improvement towards the
propagation of vaccination in the Tanna Collectorate, and within the past two years, vaccina-
tion has been introduced, and successfully carried out, in some parts where formerly nothing
save inoculation was resorted to or permitted. In my Report for last year, special reference
was made to one Talooka, viz. that of Tullojee, in Tanna Collectorate. Until the year 1857,
vaccination, though repeatedly attempted to be introduced, had never succeeded in that
district. The inhabitants invariably resisted with violence a Vaccinator amongst them. This
Talooka was infested with Inoculators, who gained a livelihood by their practice, getting two
annas a head for every child they inoculated. These men were the sole cause of prevention to
vaccination being introduced. When once the Inoculators were eradicated, and vaccination
fairly established, every obstacle was removed, and within the compass of six months upwards
of 2,500 children were vaccinated. At present a Vaccinator is employed successfully in that
district. But the most gratifying circumstance which I am enabled to record, with refer-
ence to the Tanna Collectorate during the past year, is the fact of the villagers, belonging to
the separate State of the Rajah of Jowaur, having petitioned my Vaccinator—who was working
in the district adjoining—to extend his operations into their territory. The Vaccinator
was directed to comply with their request, and vaccinate the children of those desiring it. I
really cannot imagine any better example of the growing appreciation of successful vaccina-
tion than this fact of a body of natives, entirely independent of our Government, demanding,
of their own free will and consent, the introduction of a practice which, from their birth, they
had been taught to discard ; and it is known that, in matters regarding their own interest, and
more especially that of their children, there are no keener or more discerning observers than
natives generally, but are equally slow in adopting the use of any innovation till practically
satisfied and convinced of its utility and advantages.
Throughout the year, the vaccine matter and vesicles have been excellent; indeed, so suc-
cessful have been the operations of the greater number of the Vaccinators, that I have not
considered it necessary nor expedient to renew the lymph. The natives of the Concan are fond
of having a large number of vesicles produced on the arms of their children. They are dissa-
tisfied with less than five on each arm, and I have often counted as many as six and nine.
The inutility of these numbers in excess has often been pointed out to them, but to no pur-
pose ; and as I have never observed any evil result following the production of these numbers,
and as the people prefer them, they are not prohibited. It is very satisfactory to be able
to state that, during the past year, Small-pox has not appeared as an epidemic in any part
of the Concan. In last year's Report, attention was drawn to a severe outbreak of the disease,
which appeared in Rutnagherry Zillah about the commencement of the year 1858. The steps
which were taken to check the spread of the disease, and the extent of loss which the
unvaccinated, compared with the vaccinated portion of the population, had sustained, was
likewise set forth. It was shown that, within the space of six months, more than three thou-
sand cases of Small-pox had occurred. The proportion of deaths among the unvaccinated
was nearly 6 per cent. to the whole number, whilst that of those who had been previously
vaccinated, and who were attacked with the disease, was about 2 per cent.
The practice of inoculation is almost entirely done away with in the Concan. In Rutna-
gherry Zillah, I believe it to be entirely eradicated, and though in Tanna Collectorate—in