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Population.

8. Kutch, though a small province, has 868 villages, mostly, thinly populated ;
of which 520 belong to the Darbár and 348 to the Bhá-
yáds. According to the census of 1871, the Darbár
population consisted of 302,254 and that of the Bháyáds of 184,646, giving a total
of 486,900. On finding an average population for each village, it comes to 561
souls.

Vaccine establishment.

9. During the early part of the year under report, the establishment con-
sisted of 9 vaccinators, but their number was sub-
sequently increased to 11 and one assistant
superintendent. His Highness employed 1 assistant superintendent and 6 vacci-
nators. Of the latter, three were located in the biggest towns of the circle, viz.,
Mándvi, Bhuj, and Mundrá ; the remaining three moved about. The acting
assistant superintendent acted as such in the latter part of the year only, but was
acting as a vaccinator for the previous time. 5 vaccinators were employed by
Bháyáds.

10. The work done under each of the above divisions was as follows : —

Difficulties.

11. The chief difficulties the vaccinators meet, with, consist in the religious
prejudices, ignorance, and apathy of the people
They have a belief in a deity called " Shitalá Máta "
who presides over small-pox. Their belief is, that for some crime or fault
of the parents, the children are made to suffer, and the wrath of the deity
is shown by attacking them with small-pox, with more or less virulence in pro-
portion to her anger. In order therefore to appease her wrath, they try all their
means to keep her satisfied with them. For this purpose they observe two days
in a year called " Siri Satam " and " Shitla Teras." On these days all the parents
with their children go to the goddess, present her with certain sweetmeats and
bow before her, with the object of obtaining her mercy in keeping their children

7 VAC