( 8 )
working season. Dr. Watson having taken leave to England from November 15th to
the middle of February, Dr. Ruttledge, a stranger to the locality, people, and work, offici-
ated for him. Making all due allowances, however, for this change of Superintendents, I
am of opinion that the establishments are not under such strict discipline as they ought
to be, and I have directed Dr. Watson's attention to this subject. I trust that he will
make his Deputy. Superintendent and Native Superintendents feel the responsibility of
their positions, and give them to understand that they are not in the service of any
particular Superintendent, but that they are the servants of the Government.
22. Dr. Watson complains of the very backward state of vaccination in the Allahabad
and Fatehpur zilas, and attributes this unsatisfactory state of affairs greatly to the
absence of interest in the subject of the Magistrate and Collector of those districts;
their want of sympathy having its effects upon all within their influence. Dr. Watson
speaks very highly of Colonel Davidson's active assistance in Jalaun, where a consi-
derable increase in the numbers vaccinated has taken place. He also mentions with
approval, as having rendered great aid, the undermentioned native gentlemen:—
Maulvi Kaim Ali Khan of Kheta Sarai, Jaunpur.
Nawab Kifayat-ulla Khan, Tahsildar, Kerakat, Jaunpur.
Mir Zahid Husain, Tahsildar, Phulpur, Allahabad.
Saiad Madad Ali Khan Bahadur, Tahsildar, Meja, Allahabad.
Zafaryab Ali, Tahsildar, Madhogarh, Orai.
Munshi Abdul Hamid, Naib Tahsildar, Jalaun, Orai.
BENARES CIRCLE.
23. There were 50,279 cases of successful primary vaccination in this circle
during the season. Assuming the birth addition to have been 327,172, the percentage
was but 13.36.
24. Dr. Richardson, the Superintendent of this Circle, visited every vaccinator of his
establishment during the season, and the results of his work are evident in the increased
numbers vaccinated, especially of those under one year of age, and in the increased
percentage of success. I have a very high opinion of Dr. Richardson's method of
work. He is unsparing of his own labour, and every vaccinator knows that so
thorough will be the inspection that any neglect or carelessness in the performance
of duty is certain of detection and punishment. I anticipate steady progress in this
circle under Dr. Richardson's management. Hitherto it has laboured under the great
disadvantage of a constant change of Superintendents. The increased numbers vacci-
nated were chiefly in the districts of Gorakhpur, Basti, and Benares, and are largely
owing to the interest taken by the district officers. Dr. Richardson in his report
writing of inoculation, states as follows :—" There can be no question that the practice
is on the wane. The inoculators are evidently becoming convinced of this. In one
district, a few of them waylaid and beat the vaccinator because, they told him he
was taking away their means of livelihood. Such an occurrence is satisfactory
as showing that they can no longer aflord to laugh at our efforts to supplant them.
In some parts of the circle they may continue to hold their ground for a few
years longer; but their craft is out of date, and its secrets will probably die
with its present posseessors. The new generation is little likely to pin their fortunes
to a calling which is daily becoming more precarious as a source of livelihood. Mean-
time, advantage is taken of every opportunity to win over such of their number as
from age and education, can be made of use as vaccinators. It would be ungrateful
on our part to treat with harshness the starving disciples of a craft which has been
useful in its day, and to which at all events we owe it that the people have been
taught the existence of, and for employing some means of protection against small-pox
This is the first and not least difficult step in persuading them to accept vaccination.
Discouraged by the authorities, and received with daily diminishing favour by the peo-
ple, inoculation will need no violent measures to bring about its extinction."