13
The following observations are offered simply in explanation of the Annual Return, and are
educed from the office records of the year.
"It will be observed that the total number vaccinated during the year is twenty thousand five
hundred and sixty-three (20,563), and that compared with the previous year there exists a deficit
in the number of vaccinated amounting two thousand and fifty-one (2,051). This deficit may
fairly be attributed to the dismissals that have taken place—no less than three of the former and
one of the latter being recorded. The dismissals took effect on the 9th February, 10th June,
and 8th August respectively, the resignation on the 1st August. The collective period of work
of the three dismissed Vaccinators amounts to thirteen months and twenty-seven days, and
the total number of vaccinations performed by these men, who were experienced in the depart-
ment, is but eight hundred and fifty-one (851), thus giving the low monthly average of about 65
cases,—very far short of the average work of good men. The Vaccinator who was allowed
to resign, had been ill from the beginning of the year, and no returns were received from him.
The misconduct of the three men, leading as it did to their dismissal, the protracted illness
of the fourth, subsequently followed by resignation, and inability at the time to supply their
vacant places with efficient substitutes, are causes sufficiently obvious of the decrease which will
be observed.
" The greatest number of vaccinations performed by any one Vaccinator during the year
is two thousand four hundred and five (2,405), and the lowest nine hundred and fifty-one (951).
The former number is returned by Vitto Bappoojee, of the Ahmednuggur Collectorate, a very
attentive and. energetic Vaccinator, and the latter by Anundrow Satiajee, of Khandeish, also a
man well reported of, but who appears to have been incapacitated for some time by ophthalmia,
which he is reported suffering from during the months of July and August. The district in
which he was employed had been previously gone over, and on that account cases for vaccina-
tions may not have been so readily obtainable; he is however one of those men who cannot
get on without the assistance of a Peon, and this aid I regret to say has altogether been
withdrawn in the Province of Khandeish, but continued, I am glad to report, in the Poona
and Ahmednuggur Zillas.
" It would appear that male children are somewhat more readily obtainable for vaccina-
tion than females, ten thousand five hundred and forty-nine (10,549) of the former having
been vaccinated, while the number of females returned is ten thousand and fourteen (10,014);
but it is impossible to deduce any satisfactory conclusion on this head without a knowledge
of the relative proportion of both sexes in the Division, a consideration which my office
records does not supply. But a very small proportion of the total vaccination appear to have
been effected during infancy, only three thousand six hundred and fifty-one (3,651) children
are returned as vaccinated under one year, whilst the number above one year is sixteen thousand
nine hundred and twelve (16,912). This strictly bears out what I observe in the districts, that
parents are exceedingly unwillingly to submit any young children to the operation,—harmless
and painless as it is shown to be; they can only be induced to do so after much persuasion,
and perhaps more readily when threatened by Small-pox. Of the total vaccinated nineteen
thousand five hundred and twelve (19,512,) or 94.7 per cent. are recorded as "successful,"
the number of "unsuccessful" and " doubtful cases" is one hundred and eighty-seven (187)
and eight hundred and sixty-four (864,) or 90.0 and 4.20 per cent. respectively.
" The lymph is reported to have been everywhere good and abundant throughout the year,
I can myself bear witness to its activity.
" The Returns of the occurrence of Small-pox are limited, showing that the disease has not
visited the Division in any thing like its usual epidemic form—a result in every way satisfac-
tory to vaccination, and one which I hope every succeeding year may more strongly confirm.
No reports have been received of the practice of inoculation, which happily appears to have
died out in this Division. Much apathy and indifference to vaccination undoubtedly still
exists, but I am not aware of any other positive obstructions, and it may be hoped that as