( xxviii )

Need I add a word more in favour of the opinion of the Bombay Associa-
tion that Bombay should have a compulsory Vaccination Act? Without it,
no intelligence, no forethought on the part of the Vaccination Department
can prevent small-pox being endemic in Bombay, even if it were not
constantly imported, which it is, from maritime Asia. Mr. Anunta Chandroba
has given some information in his report about the difficulty of carrying on
vaccination in times of small-pox, because of the prejudices of some Hindoos
against doing anything to arouse the wrath of the goddess Shitala (Small-
pox) . The real remedy is to vaccinate before the advent of the disease in
any particular street, but I do not believe we will ever be able to vaccinate
much over half the children born in Bombay without compulsion, nor do
I believe it would be possible in any other city of an equal size without a
vaccination Act rendering vaccination compulsory.

31. When small-pox appears in a place, the local officers should im-
mediately communicate with the Superintendent of the Circle. When we
shall have a vaccinator in each talooka the local officers will be able to direct
the attention of the talooka vaccinator to the circumstance, and he will at
once commence to vaccinate in and around the place.

Conduct of Vaccinators.

32. The conduct of the vaccinators as a whole has been good. In the
Central Circle Dr. Turnbull had in no case to do more
than inflict a small fine on any of the Government
vaccinators. One Native State's vaccinator was dismissed for being absent
without leave. In the Southern Circle one Government vaccinator was dis-
missed for falsifying his returns. The falsification was discovered by the
Police checking a monthly return sent by the Superintendent, Mr. Raby ; the
man absconded, so could not be tried. In the Western Circle Dr. Blanc reduced
one for drunkenness, discharged one for falsifying his records, and one was
convicted by a Magistrate of having misappropriated an anna of his lymph
allowance. On conviction Dr. Blanc recommended his dismissal. I felt
bound to act on the recommendation as the man had been convicted of a
crime, though much against my will, for instead of misappropriation it is
possible that it was an error of accounts. It seemed hard to dismiss a man
after many years service for such a very trifling sum. In future Superinten-
dents of Vaccination will request and receive the permission of the Superin-
tendent General before prosecuting a vaccinator. Dr. Blanc has a few days ago
recommended this man to the merciful consideration of Government, and I
place that on record, but will not support it further than by merely thus bring-
ing it to the notice of Government. Dr. Blanc has recommended that he be
reinstated in a lower grade, but adds there is no vacancy in his Circle- In the