9

With the exception of the Bulsar and Bugwara districts, and some parts of the Mahee
Kanta, the inhabitants of this Circle generally avail themselves of the benefit of vaccination;
The castes most prejudiced against vaccination, are, as I am informed, the Bhatelas, Machees
and Dooblas of the southern districts, a few Parsees of the villages in the neighbourhood of
Surat and Bulsar, Mahomedans of Radunpoor, and Bheels, and Thakoors of Mahee Kanta.
One of the most unhealthy districts of this Circle, namely Mandvee, is peopled by an ignorant
and timid race, whose prinicpal pleasure is drinking, who live in grass huts, and eat the
commonest food. The vaccinator of this district is an inhabitant of Mandvee, well acquaint.
ed with, and, therefore, better able to overcome the prejudices of the people. It is usually
found that a vaccinator placed over his native district, for the above mentioned reason, is
more successful, and wins the confidence of the people, more readily than a stranger. It is
also desirable that as few transfers as possible be made, as time is lost before the confidence
of a new district can be gained.

I have much satisfaction in reporting an increase in the numbers of children vaccinated
under the age of one year, also the per.cemage of successful cases. That of children under
one year old, is 51.9 or 3.6, that of successful cases is 94.2 or 2.7 over the year terminating
31st December 1865.

Vaccine lymph throughout the year has been good, and the vesicles normal. Loss of lymph
being reported by three vaccinators during the monsoon, steps were immediately taken to
supply fresh lymph, in capillary tubes, from the Civil Hospital.

Small-pox was slightly prevalent in a few villages of Cambay, Wagra, and Duskroe districts,
but in no other districts.

                                                SIND DIVISION.
                  Superintendent.—Assistant Surgeon J. PINKERTON, M.D.
                        Establishment.—Seventeen Vaccinators (Government).

                                                Eleven Vaccinators (Local).

                                             One Vaccinator (Native Chief).

v 2