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he may receive for vaccinating. But even this is insufficient, as I have shown, to
ensure his practising vaccination only. The temptation of greater profits to be gained
from inoculation proved too much for his fidelity. Hs must therefore be authoritatively
prohibited from practising inoculation. So many of those who profess the possession
of superior wisdom have given it as their opinion, that they cannot with justice put a
stop to inoculation until vaccination has been placed within the reach of the whole popu-
lation, that it would be presumptious of me to differ from them. It is sufficient to point
out the position and the only effectual mode, so far as I can see, of dealing with it.
If those are correct who state that Inoculators, on being taught the superiority of
vaccination, eagerly adopt its practice, there can be no difficulty. Instruction can be
extended to every Inoculator in the country, and as a consequence, inoculation ought
at once to be voluntarily discontinued. But I have already shown that instruction
in many cases merely furnish a cloak for the prosecution of inoculation in a more
undisturbed and authoritative manner.
17. Fortunately, the interests of the people are quite opposed to those of the
Inoculator. To the conviction which is beginning to grow upon them, that protection
from small-pox can be attained as effectually, and at the same time more safely, and at
less expense by vaccination, I look to the decline of inoculation, rather than to the
converson of the Inoculators. At the same time, the protection of the people fram
Small-pox being the hereditary birthright of the Inoculators, confirmed to them
by the usage of centuries, it would be impolitic, if not unfair, to transfer this to other
hands. So far as possible, their occupation should be secured to them, with the pro-
viso that vaccination should take the place of inoculation.
18. What is chiefly required to make Inoculators efficient Vaccinators is proper
instruction. The majority of them are excessively ignorant. Few of the Mali caste can
read or write. But until they are themselves able to keep an accurate account
of their work, they ought not, I think, to be employed as Vaccinators. This season,
I have several times detected false or incorrect returns in the books of these men,
but could not fairly punish them, as the books had been written up by some one
else. It is unfortunate that some should be excluded from practising vaccination on
this account, but it would be a greater misfortune to have the value of our returns
impaired by fraud or error. Upon the correctness of these rests our only knowledge
of progress being made. Instructions in the theory and practice of vaccination is
a still more important matter. Instead of supplying them with instruments or
appointing them as Government Vaccinators on the recommendation of the Native
Superintendent, with whom other considerations than those of fitness for the post may
have weight, I would insist upon their serving an apprenticeship under the personal
observation of the European Superintendent. With this view, they should accompany
his camp, receiving a monthly allowance from the Inoculators' fund, until considered
qualified to practise on their own account. The hardship of having to remain with
the Superintendent's camp would not be great; in the Punjab, the whole staff of Vacci-
nators travel with his camp in any part of the Province in which work is being
carried on. In the case of an " oomedwar" it would usually be sufficient for him to
accompany the Superintendent during the time the latter was inspecting the district in
which he resided. That this suggestion is practicable, I was able to some extent to
prove. Last year, having noticed that many of the new Vaccinators were sadly igno-
rant of their duties, I resolved, at the beginning of this working season to attempt the
better instruction of applicants for appointment With this view, I let it be understood
that no vacancy would be filled up by an applicant who had not travelled with me
until I considered him fit to fill it. Four promising men agreed to this, and after teach-
ing them the principles of vaccination, and daily seeing them operate, I appointed
three of their number to vacancies. The fourth proved lazy and was discharged as
unsuitable. My transfer about the middle of the working season prevented my carry-
ing out this plan thoroughly. In the Benares Division likewise, two old Inoculators
accompanied my camp for six weeks and finally returned to their villages for the pur-
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