How did Maharaj help the sick when he first came to Shirdi, and did his methods change over time?

In his early days in Shirdi, Maharaj actively helped sick people by providing them with medicines, for which he never accepted any money. According to Chapter 0, he was so dedicated that if a patient was not being properly cared for, he would go and personally tend to them himself. Over time, his approach to healing evolved. He eventually stopped administering medicine and instead began giving out only Udi, or sacred ash. He explained this transition to a writer he called 'Kaka,' stating, "I used to give medicine to people before. Later, I stopped giving medicine and started saying 'Hari Hari', and while saying Hari Hari, I met Hari."