NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
16
the occurrence of cases to be given to the authorities. When two divisions were
working in the cantonment it was found possible to search daily all the bazaars
and a large proportion of the bungalow compounds.
5. The troops employed in the cantonment are reported by Colonel
Newnham-Smith, to have performed their duties with tact, efficiency and zeal.
They were accompanied on their rounds by women searchers and Native gentle-
men, most of whom were retired Native Officers. Of the women searchers,
Misses F. and G. Smith of the Salvation Army are reported to have been "most
useful and indefatigable." The following are the Native gentlemen who did
good work :—
Hisáldár Pirkhan.
,,
Budrudin Khan.
Subhedár Devising.
„
Cornelius Ramsey.
„
Syed Boodhan.
„
Syed Ebrahim.
,,
Hoobdar Khan.
,,
Shaikh Hoosrnan.
,,
Shaikh Mahomed Husain.
,,
Shaikh Ahmed.
„
Ramdoo.
Subhedár-Major Bhador Shaik Muccadum,
Subhedár Shaikh Hyatkhan.
Mr. Gangarani Bhau Mhaske.
Mr. Cursetji Byramji Kotwal.
Out of these, Hisaldár Pirkhan and Subhedár Cornelius Bamsey, who con-
tinued to work with the search parties after cases of plague had occurred in their
own families, and Mr. Gangaram Bhau Mhaske have been specially commended
by Colonel Newnham-Smith.
6. The disinfection and whitewashing of infected houses was carried on by
labourers who worked under the supervision of British non-commissioned offi-
cers. It was carried out on the same lines as in the city, except that the re-
moval of a portion of the roof to admit air and sunlight formed part of the process
of disinfection. The removal to the segregation camp of the apparently healthy
inmates of infected houses was effected by civil agency.
7. At the suggestion of the Cantonment Magistrate the General Officer
Commanding appointed a Committee consisting of the Executive Engineer,
Military Works Department, Surgeon-Captain Thacker and Mr. John Graham,
to visit plague-infected houses, report on their structural defects such as want
of ventilation, &c., and make recommendations regarding them. It is hoped that
the work of this Committee will result in an improvement in the health of the
cantonment.
8. Two old Mahomeclan burial grounds in Sáchápir Street known as
Sachápir Wallee's and Kassuinali's were closed under the orders of the Plague
Committee.
9. Particular attention was paid to the whitewashing of houses throughout
the cantonment. Mrs. Duncan was kind enough to raise a subscription for the
relief of sufferers from, the plague. The money raised was distributed through
the cantonment authorities to poor persons who had suffered through the
destruction of their property or otherwise.
10. Plague operations were carried on in the cantonment with a success
and with an absence of friction that reflect the highest credit on Colonel Newn-
ham-Smith.
He was ably seconded by Surgeon-Captain Thacker who, in
addition to diagnosing suspected cases of plague that occurred in the canton-
ment and performing the duties already referred to, was employed on the medical
examination of corpses and the supervision of the cantonment segregation camp
18
7. The following gentlemen, who are members of the Suburban Munici-
pality, rendered useful assistance in the search :—
Ráo Sáheb Balkrishna Shayana.
Mr. Abdulla Abdool Wahed.
„ S. Webbe.
„ Dadabhoy Sorabji.
„ Pestonji Bomanji.
,, Balwantrao Hari Chiplunkar.
„ Bezonji Nasarvanji.
,, Dorabji Dadabhoy Butti.
Mr. Plunkett has also called attention to the good work done by the
Municipal Secretary, Mr. Nowroji Mancherji Patil.
8. I consider that the operations against the plague within suburban
limits have been conducted smoothly and satisfactorily and reflect the highest
credit on Mr. Plunkett.
VΙΠ.—WORK IN VILLAGES BOUND POONA.
Owing to the fact that many sick persons were known to have been removed
from Poona to places outside during the prevalence of the epidemic in Poona
City it was thought advisable that before the work of house-to-house inspection
in the city was stopped the surrounding villages should be searched in order to
ascertain how far they were affected. To enable this to be done Government
were pleased to empower the Plague Committee, by Government Resolution
No. 2190/1629P of 24th April 1897, to exercise the powers conferred on them by Nos. 5,
6 and 9 of the rules prescribed in Government Resolution No. 1272/765P of 9th March
1897, throughout the Haveli Táluka of the Poona District.
2. Two search divisions, each consisting of 10 parties composed of one
British and two Native soldiers, were formed for this search. The divisions were
commanded by British Officers and were accompanied by Surgeon-Lieutenant
Dove. The search commenced on April 28th and continued till May 4th, during
which period 31 villages and hamlets were visited. No cases of plague were
discovered, and the search was accordingly discontinued after the latter date.
The villages searched were found to be remarkably clean and the attitude of the
villagers was invariably friendly.
IX.—HOSPITALS.
The number of hospitals at which plague "patients were treated was five.
The names of the hospitals with the date of admission of the first plague case to
each are given below :—
Name of Hospital.
Sassoon General Hospital
General Plague Hospital
Mahomedan Plague Hospital
Hindu
„
„
Pársi
„
„
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Date of first admission.
8th October 1896.
5th February 1897.
8th March 1897.
15th March 1897.
13th May 1897.
None of these hospitals had been finally closed up to the end of May 1897. Of the
five, the first two are under official management, while the remainder are pri-
vately managed, subject however to the supervision of the Plague Committee.
Sassoon General Hospital.
2. This is the General Hospital for the whole of Poona and -is under the
management of the Civil Surgeon. It was the only hospital to which persons
suffering from plague could be sent when the disease first appeared in Poona.
The first case was admitted on 8th October 1896 and was treated in the Con-
tagious Ward.
24
Period.
March 13th— 31st
...
April 1st— 15th
...
April 16th— 30th
...
May 1st— 20th
...
Total ...
Number of
persons
detained or
admitted.
960
658
968
491
3,077
Have died.
8
3
...
1
12
Have been
found free
from plague
and dis-
charged.
252
863
824
676
2,615
Have been
found
suffering
from plague.
12
16
6
2
36
Have been
otherwise
disposed of.
9
59
79
111
258
Five persons were in the camp on the morning of March 13th, and there
were 161 inmates on the evening of May 20th.
10.
Of the 12 deaths that took place 9 were due to plague» The number
of persons shown as found suffering from the plague is exclusive of the plague
deaths that occurred in camp before the sufferers could be removed to hospital.
The persons shown as otherwise disposed of are chiefly persons who for some
reason have been allowed to leave the camp before the expiry of the 10 days'
period of detention.
11. The following table shows the number of days after admission to
camp that the cases of plague declared themselves. In this statement cases
that ended fatally in camp are included :—
Number of Cases.
1 ... ... ...
1 ... ... ...
1 ... ... ...
1 ... ... ...
1 ... ... ...
1 ... ... ...
1 ... ... ...
1 ... ... ...
1 ... ... ...
Day of Segregation on
which they occurred.
1st day.
2nd ,,
3rd „
4th „
5th „
6th „
7th „
10th „
11th „
As regards the case that occurred after the 10th day, it may be explained
that the patient's ill-health prevented his discharge when his 10 days of deten-
tion had elapsed.
12. The General Segregation Camp was in charge of Surgeon-Captain
Beveridge who visited it and inspected all the inmates daily besides closely
supervising the sanitary arrangements. His principal subordinates were the
Superintendent, the Native Officer in command of the infantry guard, and
the Hospital Assistant. Besides a Native Infantry guard a sufficient staff of
clerks, water-carriers, cooks, bhangis, sweepers, lamp-lighters and coolies was
maintained.
13. A copy of the rules in force is attached (Appendix 34). Though the
rules contemplated the grant of allowances for rations to members of the labour-
ing classes only, as a general rule, it was found to be a matter of much practical
difficulty to determine who should and who should not receive them, and in
practice they were allowed to nearly all the inmates of the camp. There were
three Banias' shops within the encampment, which was visited daily by milk
and vegetable sellers. Some members of the Hindu community with the permission
of the Plague Committee opened an eating-house in the encampment, where such
persons as desired it could obtain food ready cooked on payment.
14. Surgeon-Captain Beveridge is of opinion that apart from plague the
general health of the inmates of the camp was good, and that segregated persons
as a rule improved in condition during the period of their detention.
25
The Mahomedan Segregation Camp.
15. This camp was built and equipped at the expense of the Mahomedan
community and was under the same management as the Mahomedan Plague
Hospital, from which it was only a short distance away. It consisted of rows
of chappar huts, which could comfortably accommodate 100 persons. Sufficient
latrines and cook-rooms were provided. The camp was under the supervision
at first of Surgeon-Captain Beveridge and subsequently of Surgeon-Lieutenant
Kiddle.
16. Appendix 35 is a daily statement showing how the persons admitted
to the Mahomedan Segregation Camp were disposed of. Admissions took place
from March 15th to April 16th and the camp was finally closed on April 22nd.
The total number of inmates admitted was 302, of whom 255 were found free
from plague and discharged, 2 were found to be suffering from plague, and 45
were otherwise disposed of. No deaths took place at this camp.
17. Two inhabitants of the camp, both women, were attacked with plague.
One was admitted to the camp on March 20th and was attacked on March 22nd ;
the other was admitted on April 6th and was attacked on April 9th.
18. As at the General Segregation Camp the period of detention was 10
days. Inmates were inspected daily by the supervising Medical Officer. Some
of the inmates were provided with food by the Mahomedan Committee of man-
agement, while others were kept supplied with food by their relations and
friends.
The Cantonment Segregation Camp.
19. The Cantonment Segregation Camp consisted of three rows of 80 lbs.
tents, eight tents in each row, and could comfortably accommodate from 100 to
120 persons. Behind these were situated bath-rooms, store-houses, &c., built
of corrugated iron. Latrines of corrugated iron were also provided. As at the
other camps the Native Infantry guard was accommodated in tents.
20. Appendix 36 is a daily statement showing how the persons admitted
to the Cantonment Segregation Camp were disposed of. Inmates were first
admitted on February 24th. Between that date and May 20th the admissions
numbered 659. Of these 601 were found free from plague and were discharged,
6 were found to be suffering from plague, 26 were otherwise disposed of and 26
remained in camp on May 20th. No deaths occurred at this camp.
21. The following statement shows the dates of admission and attack in
the case of the six persons who were found to be suffering from plague :—
Case
number.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Date of admission
to camp.
9th March
2nd April
5th April
4th April
6th April
13th May
...
...
...
...
...
Date of attack.
9th March.
3rd April.
5th April.
6th April.
7th April,
17th May.
It will be seen that no one was attacked later than four days after admission
to camp. Persons found suffering from plague were despatched to the General
Plague Hospital.
22. The usual period of detention at the Cantonment Segregation Camp
was from 7 to 10 days, but in some instances inmates were discharged after a
shorter term.
23. Water was brought to within 200 yards of the camp by means of pipes
and was conveyed into the camp by bhistis. The supply was of a sound, potable
character, and was ample in quantity.
B 1121—7
36
which, we have received throughout the operations from Major Paget. His un-
failing tact and courtesy bave contributed in no small degree to the success of
our measures. In the opinion that he has recorded regarding the officers and
men engaged on the operations we fully concur. In addition to the good work
that he has acknowledged we desire to place on record our appreciation of the
work done by Lieutenant Mackenzie and subsequently by Lieutenant Owen
Lewis in connection with death registration and the supervision of burial and
burning grounds. We consider that the work that has been carried out by
Major Paget and the officers and troops under him has been most successfully
performed, and that it is chiefly due to their exertions that the plague in Poona
has been practically stamped out.
XV.—FINANCIAL.
The time has not arrived for making up complete accounts of the expend-
iture on the plague operations at Poona. I will therefore confine myself to
showing the allotments which were made by Government up to the 31st of May
to meet the cost of the operations, and the disbursements which were made
therefrom up to that date.
2. The following statement shows the allotments that have been made to
myself and the Poona Plague Committee :—
Number and date of Government Resolution sanctioning allotment.
1216
716 P.
1782
1242 P
1903
1319 P
2536
1956 P.
of 6th March 1897
of 1st April 1897
of 7th April 1897
of 10th May 1897
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Total ...
Amount.
Rs.
10,000
20,000
60,000
40,000
1,30,000
3. The disbursements made from the abovementioned allotments up to
31st May 1897 are shown below :—
Item.
Advances —
To Camp Commandant for pay of troops, &c. ...
To Chairman, Suburban Municipality, for main- ...
tenance of General Plague Hospital, &c. ...
To City Police Inspector ... ...
To Medical Officers ... ...
To Secretary, City Municipality ... ...
Total ...
Establishments (including day labourers) —
Conservaucy
...
... ...
Sanitary ... ... ...
Nurses ... ... ...
Medical Officer on inoculation duty. . ...
Inoculation (subordinate establishment)
Plague office ... ... ...
Female searchers ... ... ...
Warehouse... ... ... ...
Burial grounds ... ... ...
Corporal sent to Bombay
...
Plague Police ... ... ...
Store-house and work-shop
...
....
Bombay Inspector lent for duty at Poona
Total ...
Amount,
Rs.
56,999
22,000
100
185
50
79,335
14,321
993
564
425
46
49
952
32
265
21
153
659
218
18,704
a.
11
0
0
0
11
6
2
8
10
12
7
13
10
8
5
4
7
13
4
13
P·
4
0
0
0
0
4
8
4
10
11
8
2
11
3
4
0
8
8
0
5
37
Item.
General Segregation Camp (construction)
Do.
(maintenance)
Kail way charges ... ...
Cooly hire ... ... ...
Cart hire ... ... ...
Conveyance hire ... ...
General Plague Hospital (construct on)
Mahomedan do.
(grant-in-aid)
Water-supply charges ... ...
Burial charges ... ...
Compensation ... ...
Disinfectants ... ...
Telegraph charges ... ...
Printing charges ... ...
Service stamps ... ...
Maps and stationery ... ...
Deadstock and furniture ... ...
Oil ... ... ...
Warehouse rent ... ...
Conservancy expenses ...
...
Inoculation expenses ... ...
Total
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Amount.
Rs.
6,814
3,465
292
8
1,090
1,321
7,000
1,000
458
308
1,333
2,518
676
142
60
53
986
99
7
1,402
53
1,27,133
a.
0
11
8
10
10
0
0
0
11
8
9
10
1
2
0
7
7
5
10
14
3
5
Ρ·
0
5
3
3
0
0
0
0
11
9
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
l
3
4
0
8
XVI.—CONCLUSION
Paragraphs 1 to 3 missing.
4. In conclusion I would record my opinion that if a reasonably high
standard of sanitation is to be maintained in the city of Poona, and the work
that has been done there under Surgeon-Major Barry's supervision is to have
lasting results, European control will for some time to come be absolutely neces-
sary. The exact shape that control should take is a matter of detail, but I am
convinced of the futility of expecting that the sanitation of the city will be
better in the near future than it has been in the past, unless it is under the
direction of a 'supervising authority that possesses practical knowledge and
appreciation of European standards of cleanliness.
B 1121—10
BOMBAY : PRINTED AT THE GOVERNMENT CENTRAL PRESS.
3
APPENDIX 5.
Statement of the Daily Work of the Military Search Parties.
Date.
13th March
14th
,,
15th
,,
16th
„
17th
„
18th
„
19th
„
20th
„
21st
22nd „
23rd
„
24th
„
25th
„
26th
„
27th
„
28th
„
29th
„
30th
„
31st
1st April
2nd „
3rd „
4th „
5th ,,
6th „
7th „
8th „
9th „
10th
„
11th „
12th
„
13th „
14th „
15th
„
16th April
17th
„
18th
„
19th
„
20th „
21st
„
22nd „
23rd
24th ,,
25th
26th
27th
28th
29th
30th
„
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Total ...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Total ...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Total ..
Number of
houses searched.
700
750
820
888
866
913
1,147
Sunday.
3,550
3,121
3,928
4,297
4,253
4,500
Sunday.
3,976
4,045
4,085
41,839
4,143
4,192
4,993
...
4,103
4,283
4,272
3,810
4,308
4,373
4,002
4,085
4,115
4,047
54,726
4,312
4,318
4,319
4,393
4,231
4,269
3,974
4,299
... ...
4,103
4,492
4,283
4,470
4,286
55,749
Plague cases
found.
5
...
9
2
15
6
1
4
15
4
11
15
6
15
...
17
16
13
154
4
5
27
11
17
8
8
15
7
...
6
3
6
3
120
6
5
...
2
4
2
2
3
4
...
4
6
1
...
4
43
Corpses
found.
...
3
...
1
4
3
4
1
2
3
3
1
2
3
3
5
38
1
1
3
...
1
1
1
2
1
1
...
1
1
1
15
3
2
...
1
...
...
1
...
...
...
...
1
1
...
1
10
Remarks.
4
APPENDIX 5 - continued.
Date,
1st May
2nd „
3rd „
4th „
5th „
6th „
7th „
8th „
9th ,,
10th ,,
11th ,,
12th ,,
13th ,,
14th ,
15th ,
16th ,,
17th ,
18th ,,
19th ,,
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Total ...
Grand Total from March 13th
to May 19th ...
Number of
houses searched.
4,187
4,056
3,802
3,887
4,028
4,217
3,867
4,374
4,155
4,238
4,389
3,962
3,962
3,791
4,592
4,303
65,810
218,124
Plague cases
found.
5
...
1
2
4
1
2
...
...
1
...
...
1
2
1
...
...
...
1
21
338
Corpses
found.
...
...
1
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
1
64
Remarles.
R. A. LAMB,
12th August 1897,
Chairman, Poona Plague Committee.
5
APPENDIX 6.
DIRECTIONS FOR FUMIGATOES.
1. A fumigation party consists of one European and two Native soldiers. It is provided
with a cart containing the necessary disinfectants and apparatus.
2. A fumigation division consists of 10 fumigation parties, and is under the command of
an officer.
3. The officer in charge of a fumigation division will be supplied daily with a list of the
houses to be fumigated. Houses intended to be fumigated are marked with a vertical red line.
All houses either appearing on the list or marked with a vertical red line should be disinfected,
unless the officer in charge of the division is satisfied they have already been disinfected.
4. When a party comes to a house that is on the list or is marked for fumigation it
should be ascertained if possible in what part of the house the case occurred. If this informa-
tion cannot be obtained the whole house should be treated as infected.
5. If there are any infected rooms from which air can be excluded by closing doors and
windows and pasting over crevices with paper the fumigation process should be carried ont.
6. The fumigation process is as follows :—
One man enters the infected room and carefully pastes over all crevices with paper.
The walls, ceilings and floor are then thoroughly flushed with the disinfectant fluid by
means of a hand pump. For this one powder of perchloride of mercury or half a pint of
carbolic acid is added to a pad of water. The clothes and other articles in the room are
then spread about as far as possible and hung up where this is feasible. The fumigating
chattie is nest placed in the centre of the room four ounces of water and one ounoe of
sulphuric acid are measured out and poured into it. A fumigating powder is then thrown
into the chattie, the room is vacated and the door is closed and pasted up on the outside.
The neighbours should then be directed not to open the door before the arrival of a lime-
washing party.
7. Rooms which cannot be made almost or entirely airtight should with all their contents
be thoroughly flushed with perchloride of mercury or carbolic solution.
8. After disinfection of a house a horizontal red line should be painted across the vertical
red line on the outside of the house and the date will be painted beside it.
9. Fumigation parties are not to destroy any property whatever, but they should burn all
dead rats and mice that they may find.
10. The officer in charge of fumigation division will keep a list of the houses disinfected.
APPENDIX 7,
Statement of Houses disinfected daily by the Military fumigation parties.
Date.
March 13th
„ 14th
„ 15th
„ 16th
„ 17th
„ 18th
19th
„
20th
„ 21st
„ 22nd
„ 23rd
„ 24th
„ 25th
„ 26th
„ 27th
„ 28th
„ 29th
„ 30th
„ 31st
Total
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Number
of houses
disinfected.
14
...
46
49
65
77
81
50
...
168
66
88
103
72
101
74
81
54
1,189
Remarks.
Date.
April 1st
„ 2nd
„ 3rd
„ 4th
,, 5th
„ 6th
„ 7th
„ 8th
„ 9th
„ 10th
„ 11th
„ 12th
„ 13th
„ 14th
„ 15th
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Total from April 1st to
15th ...
Number
of houses
disinfected.
37
42
54
...
44
43
9
27
36
26
...
29
16
18
24
406
Remarks.
B 1218—2
6
APPENDIX 7—continued.
I
Date.
April 16th
„ 17th ...
„ 18th ...
„ 19th ...
„ 20th ...
„ 21st ...
„ 22nd ...
„ 23rd ...
„ 24th ...
„ 25th ...
„ 26th ...
„ 27th ...
„ 28th ...
„ 29th ...
„ 30th ...
Total from April 16th
to 30th ...
Number
of houses
disinfected.
21
28
...
48
18
12
12
14
10
...
16
20
12
9
9
229
Remarkes.
Date.
May 1st
„ 2nd ...
,, 3rd ...
„ 4th ...
„ 5th ...
„ 6th ...
„ 7th ...
„ 8th ...
„ 9th ...
„ 10th ...
„ 11th ...
„ 12th ...
„ 13th ...
„ 14th ...
„ 15th ...
„ 16th ...
„ 17th ...
„ 18th ...
„ 19th ...
Total ...
Grand Total from 13th
March to 19th May .
Number
of houses
disinfected.
12
...
11
7
12
6
7
4
...
7
7
7
5
1
4
...
4
...
...
...
94
1,918
Remarks.
R. A. LAMB,
Chairman, Poona Plague Committee.
12th August 1897.
APPENDIX 8.
DIRECTIONS for LIMEWASHERS.
1. A limewashing party consists of one European and three Native soldiers. It is pro-
vided with a cart containing lime wash, brushes, buckets, &c.
2. A limewashing division consists of 10 parties and is under the command of an officer.
One cart for conveying property to the warehouse is attached to a division.
3. The officer in charge of a division will be furnished daily with a list of houses to be
limewashed.
4. When a party comes to a house to limewash it all articles in the house other than
bulky articles which are not likely to be stolen should be removed, and either put in the cart for
removal to the warehouse or left in the charge of neighbours. If a fumigating chattie has
been left in the house by the fumigators it should be taken charge of.
5. All rubbish found in the house should then be burnt, but no property of any value to
the inmates should be destroyed except under the orders of a Medical Officer.
6. The whole interior of the house should then be limewashed. If the floor is of earth
it should be dug up to a depth of 4 inches and disinfected with liquid chloride of lime.
7. If the limewashing of the houses on the list will not occupy the division for the whole
morning the officer in charge should employ his parties on any houses that appear to him to
require limewashing.
8. Houses to be limewashed have a red cross painted on them. On completion of the
limewashing a second horizontal red line should be painted on the cross and the date should be
added.
9. The officer in charge of a division should keep a list of the houses limewashed.