17
No case of inoculation has been reported to me during the year, and I have no reason to
believe that the practice prevails in the Division. There is much ignorance, or much indif-
ference, on the part of Patels in regard to filling up the Police Report, Form IV. My
inspections have satisfied me that it is a frequent practice with them to sign the form with
such numbers as the Vaccinators give them, without having made any personal inspection of
the cases operated on, and as the signature is often given at the very time of the operations
being performed, it is impossible that the result can be known either to the Vaccinator or
Patel. The value of Form IV. is, in such cases, entirely nullified. Both in overlooking
the working of the Patels—in pointing out to them the right mode of performing their duties—
and in persuading the people to receive vaccination, there is generally great need of increased
activity on the part of the local native authorities. One very frequent source of complaint, on
the parts of the Vaccinators themselves, is the difficulty of obtaining the occasional assistance
of a peon, as directed in paragraphs 19 and 24 of Section VIII. of the Medical Regulations.
That such assistance is frequently required there can be no doubt, as it often happens that
the people will not pay any attention to the Vaccinator himself, whilst little help, and even actual
opposition, is at times met with from Patels and Koolkurnies. Although it is not necessary
that the Vaccinator should have a peon regularly attached to him, it would, I think, be well
if, in those villages where there are Police peons, one were told off, whose duty it should be
to give assistance to the Vaccinator on the days that he visited such village. This need
interfere but little with his other duties, as it would only be once a week, during a few
consecutive weeks, that his services would be required for a few hours. But as long as no one
is specially named for this duty, no one is responsible, and every one will strive to avoid it.
In the Sattara Collectorate, where there is a separate Police Establishment, no difficulty is
met with in obtaining help when required.
Resume of Tours.—Between
the date of my last annual Report and the setting in of the
rainy season, I examined the work of the Vaccinators in the Bettehgerree Mahal of Dharwar
Talooka, in Hooblee Talooka, and in the Bunkapore Talooka, all in the Dharwar Zillah, also
in two Talookas of the Belgaum Zillah. The early setting in of the rains at the end of April
put a stop to further inspections at that time. As soon as the season opened, I examined the
work of the Vaccinator in Hookeree, Chikoree Talooka, and thence proceeded to Gokak. I
there examined the work in the Moodhole Jagheer, where I found vaccination making steady
progress. The work was commenced only in December 1857. After this I proceeded to Budamee
Talooka and inspected the work. Having thus finished the Belgaum Collectorate, I crossed
into Modebahal Talooka, Sholapore Zillah, and examined the work there. Thence I went to
Beejapore, to try and ascertain whether the difficulties reported by my predecessor in 1855
still existed. I experienced no difficulty in getting subjects for vaccination in Beejapore
itself, and the Mamlutdar assures me that little opposition will now be met with. The greatest
difficulty appears to arise from the villages being scattered so far apart. I hope before long
to be able to place an Assistant there, and make another effort to establish vaccination among
the people. From Beejapore I proceeded to Tekotch—a portion of the Jagheer of the eldest
of the Koorundwar Chiefs—and examined the work of the Vaccinator. The Chief himself was
at Tekotch at the time of my visit, and from him and his Karbari I received every attention
and assistance; but this readiness to assist, when I was present, contrasts strongly with the
fact that his Vaccinator was allowed to remain a whole month in the town of Koorundwar,
without being able to obtain one subject for vaccination. I next examined the work in the
Jhatt Jagheer. The inspection was by no means satisfactory, and it appeared that those in
authority were not at all aware of what was required. I explained fully to the Karbari what
the working of the system should be, and he promised to give it his full attention for the
future. From Jhatt I came to Churchun—a Mahal of the Indee Talooka, Sholapore Zillah,—
and have examined the work of the Vaccinator, and have found it excellent in all particulars.
c