( 4 )
from them a correct report of their work. Few of them can read or write, and
probably none of them are capable of filling up the complicated returns and forms
which have recently been introduced. If, however, a grant of money were made,
specially for paying inoculators, this difficulty would be obviated, as one or more of
them would be directed to accompany a Vaccinator, who would make out their returns
as well as his own. Inoculators are chiefly met with in the Benares Circle, and the
greater part of this money would, therefore, be expended there. This is desirable on
other grounds, as, in proportion to the population, the number of Vaccinators stationed
in Benares is much smaller than in any other circle.
11. In the Kumaon and Gurhwal Circle, which is directly under my own man-
agement, the number of successful cases has been 21,334, being an increase of 1,278
on the past year. As was mentioned in the last Annual Report, no great increase of
numbers can be expected in this circle. The population has been thoroughly vacci-
nated, and the annual number of vaccinations only represents the number of children
annually born. As may be seen from the Mortality Reports, small-pox is almost
unknown in Kumaon and Gurhwal. It is, however, necessary to mention that cases of
small-pox frequently occur in the Bhabur. This is a district lying at the foot of the
hills, which until recently was an uncultivated jungle, but within the last few years has
been brought under cultivation. It is politically attached to Kumaon, and the majority
of the inhabitants are Hill men ; but there are also numerous settlers from various
parts of the plains, many of whom have never been vaccinated, and are of course liable
to small-pox. There are also occasional cases in Kumaon itself, in which death from
measles is erroneously entered under the head of small-pox. Measles is a very com-
mon disease in the hills, as in most cold countries, and although the distinction be-
tween it and small-pox is, as a rule, well-known to the Hill men, yet now and then, in
secluded villages, cases occur where the one disease is mistaken for the other.
12. In the Rohilkhund Circle the total number of successful cases has diminished
from 68,276, the number for last year, to 67,290 ; but this decrease is owing entirely
to the reduction in the number of Municipal Vaccinators. Last year there were 15
Municipal Vaccinators ; but this year there have only been 10. The average number
of cases performed monthly by each Vaccinator in the Rohilkhund Circle has in-
creased. Last year it was 347; this year it has been 385. I am afraid that next year
the number of Municipal Vaccinators will be still further reduced, as many of the
Municipalities complain that in the present state of their funds they are unable to
pay for the services of a Vaccinator.
During the past year I was only able to see a small part of the Rohilkhund
Circle. I managed, however, to visit most of the Vaccinators stationed in the Shah-
jehanpore and Bareilly Districts, and was exceedingly pleased with all I saw. I was
accompanied during my tour through Rohilkhund by Baboo Bundadeen, Deputy
Superintendent of Vaccination, whom I found to be a most energetic and conscien-
tious officer. Since the re-organization of the Vaccine Department in 1863, the
management of the Rohilkhund Circle has practically been entrusted to Baboo Bunda-
deen, who is, I may mention, the only officer in the Nor th-Western Provinces holding
the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Vaccination. His management has always
been most successful, and he has repeatedly been favourably mentioned by Dr. Pearson
in his reports.
13. The Agra and Meerut Circle is considerably larger than any other in the
North-West Provinces, and it has attached to it a district in the hills, the Native
Kingdom of Tehree. In this respect it differs from the other circles of the plains, and
it receives its supplies of lymph partly from its own Hill district, and is in great
measure independent of the Kumaon and Gurhwal Depôt.
The Superintendent, Dr. Pringle, reports that he has carried out the instructions
given him by Dr. Pearson, and that vacancies have been filled up by entertaining