3
These encouraging results have since been confirmed by numerous observa-
tions made in plague-stricken localities, and a short account of the principal
operations will now be given. The instances chosen are those in which the
figures given may be regarded as reasonably accurate, and in certain cases per-
fectly so ; and where the groups of inoculated and uninooulated were living in
similar and therefore comparable conditions in each case. Many other com-
munities in various parts of India have been operated on (as many as 1,628,696
doses having been issued from the laboratory up to December 1900), but owing
to various causes, accurate observations were not obtained. In all cases without
exception there has resulted a striking reduction of plague mortality, and also
a markedly favourable effect on the case incidence has been produced.
1, Mora.—In the middle of March 1897, in the village of Mora to the
south of Bombay Harbour, in Uran Municipality, with a population of about
1,000 inhabitants, 419 were inoculated. Only 7 of these were attacked by
plague, and all recovered. In the nninoculated portion of the population, ac-
cording to information furnished by the local Pársis, 26 cases occurred, of whom
24 died.
2. Daman.—This town, situated in Portuguese territory to the north of
Bombay, and in constant communication with it by sea, was affected in February
1897. The infection is believed however to have been brought from Bulsár, or
by sea from Karachi, as cases were first reported among arrivals from the former
place, and in the fisher commuuity who were in close connection with sailors
from the latter port. By the end of the month a considerable exodus had taken
place, and by the 30th of March, when a cordon was placed round the territory
by the Bombay Government, it is estimated that 2,000 of the inhabitants had
fled. The disease reached its climax in the middle of April, when as many as 80
corpses were buried in one day, began to decline towards its close, and became
insignificant towards the end of May. After the closing of the cordon round the
town the population remained stationary as regards immigration and emigration.
The original population of the affected villages of Daman was 10,900, but as 2,000
fled before the closing of the frontiers, and 670 died of plague before the inocula-
tions began, the figures to be dealt with are thus reduced to 8,230. The inocu-
lations began on the 23rd of March, and were performed in 3 series on the following
dates, 23rd to 26th March, l7th April to 2nd May, and 21st and 23rd May.
Altogether 2,197 persons were operated on in Daman up to the date of the in-
vestigation, carried out in the end of May 1897 by Major Lyons, I. M. S., Pre-
sident of the Government Committee for Investigation of Bubonic Plague in
Bombay.
The results obtained by a careful house-to-house visitation and classified by
periods were as follows :—
Note.—In the following tables, the total numbers shown as inoculated are progressive, i.e.,
the numbers for the socond period include those for the first period ; and those for the third period
include the numbers for both first and second periods. Deaths are of course deduoted in each case,
The number of cases of plague among the nninoculated could not be ascertained.
1st Period,
23ard March to 16th April
Operators.
Dr. Kalapesi
...
...
Dr. Poiares
...
...
Total ...
INOCULATED.
Numbers.
846
171
1,017
Cases.
17
6
23
Deaths.
3
3
6
Percentage
of
Mortality.
0.4
1.8
0.58
NOT INOCULATED.
Numbers.
7,213
Deaths.
716
Percentage
of
Mortality.
9.9
Dr. Poiares used the same vaccine as Dr. kalapesi, but gave smaller doses,
so his results were not so good. If the 1,017 inoculated had suffered in the