( 10 )
I fear, to the inducements of trade among the former leaving them little time to think
of aught else.
Remarks on the Annual Returns.
5. These this season have been drawn up according to those supplied by the
Sanitary Commissioner with the Government of
India. I am aware that the returns this season
show a considerable falling of in number, due entirely, in my opinion, to the complete
absence of any epidemic of small-pox. When the disease is present as an epidemic, the
benefits of vaccination are apparent and can be realized, and, if the season will admit
of it, put to the test at once. When no such alarm or inducement exists as was sup-
plied by the fatal and severe epidemic witnessed in 1868-69, the necessity for vacci-
nation seems less apparent, and the prophylactic consequently is despised. A very
good instance of this was witnessed in the Saharunpore District this season. On the
appearance of small-pox the services of a Vaccinator were applied for; and upwards
of 200 cases were operated on in two or three days in one single large village.
6. The rate of success has fallen 1 per cent., and would have been much lower
but for the improvement in some places. This is mainly due to the inferior class of
applicants for appointments, or " Omedwars." By a late order these now are confined
to Hindoos ; and to any one who knows the habits and mode of living of the Hindoo
and Mussulmans, it is needless to say which forms the best " Omedwar." A Hindoo,
owing to the expenses attendant on cooking, &c., will only do " Omedwaree " for a
short time, while a Mussulman, from sharing his food with his friends and thus
reducing his expenses, can afford to hold on without employment for a longer period,
and thus learn his work better.
General Remarks.
7. I have found it impossible to carry out the instructions of the late Superin-
tendent-General of Vaccine, North-Western Pro-
vinces, regarding filling tubes with plains' lymph,
as it would very seriously have injured my season's work, from the absurd story raised
about the child with milk instead of blood who was to rule the world and turn the
British out of India, and to detect whose advent the present scheme of vaccination
was designed by the Government, and the excuse of filling the tubes was the method
adopted to find out this child. During my late tour I was astonished to find that
many Native Superintendents whom I had recommended to my predecessor, Mr.
Waghorn, as good Vaccinators, and as such fit for promotion, failed so entirely in
their new posts ; but their conduct has now convinced me of what I long suspected,
that a good Vaccinator does not always make a good Native Superintendent; and now
that the system of rewards and punishments has been stopped, I am at a loss to know
how to reward a good Vaccinator who is clearly unfit for the post of a Superinten-
dent, but nevertheless deserving of some encouragement. This subject having been
so fully discussed in the Report of last season, it is unnecessary to allude to it further.
Agreeably to the orders contained in Government Circular No. 9A. of 1870, dated
12th March, 1870, the Municipal Vaccinators in the Division under my superinten-
dence have been directed to place themselves under the orders of the Magistrates
during the non-vaccinating season. During the past season I have met with no cases
of Hukeems who have in my opinion come up to the standard which should be
reached before a native can be safely entrusted with the practice of vaccination, unless
under the control of the Department, as with very few exceptions I should be inclined
to fear that the diploma to practice vaccination would, in most native hands, be
made use of as a means of extortion, and thus do more harm to the cause of gratuitous
and voluntary vaccination than could be compensated for by the good which might
be expected from a system of vaccination carried on independent of the control of the
Department.
DEYRAH:
The 7th April, 1870.
R. PRINGLE, M. D., SURGEON,
Supdt. of Vaccine, Agra and Meerut Divisions.