What were Maharaj's early practices in Shirdi regarding healing and medicine?

In his early days in Shirdi, Maharaj was known for his compassionate healing practices. Chapter 0 explains that he would provide medicines to people completely free of charge. His care extended beyond just prescribing remedies; if a patient was not being properly cared for, he would personally go and attend to them. However, he later altered this practice. As he told the writer, whom he called "Kaka," he eventually stopped giving medicine and instead started giving only Udi, or sacred ash, which people found beneficial. This transition marked a shift in his methods of blessing.