How did Sai Baba help people in his early days in Shirdi? Was it always through Udi?

In his earlier days, Sai Baba's methods of helping people were more direct and varied. Chapter 0 explains that he used to give medicines to people and never took any money for his services. He was so compassionate that if a patient was not being cared for properly, he would go and tend to them himself. Many people were treated and cared for by Maharaj personally. It was only later that he stopped giving medicine and began to give only Udi, or sacred ash. As Chapter 0 mentions, Maharaj even confirmed this to the author, stating, 'I used to give medicine to people before.'