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the fees which he receives. Dr. Dick is of opinion that an effectual stop to
the system might be put by holding the village officials responsible, as they
must always be aware of the inoculator's proceedings. As the new Penal
Code provides, I believe, against the continuance of the practice, I would
suggest whether it would not be desirable for Government to communicate
with the Magistrate of Surat on the subject.

27.     With regard to the practice in Sind, I am happy to state that not a
single case came to light during the year, and the Superintendent is of opinion
that recent steps taken by the Commissioner will completely put an end to it.

28.    The character of the vaccine lymph has been well reported on by
nearly every Medical Officer, the resulting vesicles having been generally well
developed and well-marked. Dr. Ritchie, for instance, the Deputy Inspector
General of Hospitals, who has long taken an active interest in the Depart-
ment,—and under whose supervision the Dispensaries in Sind are year by year
becoming of greater value in furthering the advance of vaccination,—reports
that the prophylactic virtue of the lymph throughout that province continues
unimpaired. Testimony to the same effect has reached me from nearly all
quarters.

29.     It is evident, however, from the recorded observations of two Superin-
tendents, that one of the most important duties of these officers is to examine,
as frequently as possible, the condition of the lymph used by their establish-
ments, so as to ensure its remaining undeteriorated. Dr. Plumptre, for in-
stance, found it necessary to change the lymph used by two of his vaccinators
in the Southern Circle, owing to the insufficiently developed vesicle which it
produced. He mentions that he obtained supplies on several occasions from
Dr. Mills, the Civil Surgeon at Kolapore, and that the vesicles, produced
therefrom, satisfied him that the lymph well deserved the favourable mention
which was made of it in my last report.

30.     In the Northern Circle, again, Dr. Dick considered it desirable to
introduce fresh lymph, and he anticipates good results from having done so,
as the vesicles proved more perfect, and the failures more rare.

31.    There is good reason to believe, however, that failures will hence-
forward become still more rare; for the increased allowance, recently sanctioned
by Government, for remunerating Native parents for allowing their children
to be conveyed from village to village, for the purpose of ensuring the virus
being transmitted from arm to arm, has in this respect materially increased
the efficiency of the Department.

32.     It has frequently been represented that no extensive operations could
be depended on, unless this method was more fully adopted, as the previous
system of trusting to the effects of lymph forwarded from place to place on
glasses and on ivory points, was too often attended by want of success, as well
as by great delay.