8
completely and 116 partially disinfected. In addition to this a number of bouses and rooms
were also disinfected. The expenditure on this measure, as shewn in the statement, amounted
to Rs. 62,058 ; including the districts of which particulars are not given it probably amounted
to about Rs. 63,000. It should be noted, however, that the expenditure in some districts
was incurred in the purchase of stocks of disinfectants of which but little was used. The cost
per house of chemical disinfection varied in different districts, and, on account of the
circumstance just mentioned, it cannot be computed with any accuracy from the figures
given in the statement.
The chemical disinfection of personal effects was even more unpopular than that of
houses, and was accordingly less resorted to.
The results of chemical disinfection varied in different districts, this variation
corresponding in most instances with the degree of thoroughness with which it was carried
out, and with the extent to which it was accompanied by other measures, such as evacua-
tion. Of some towns, it is said, that no further cases of plague occurred in houses after
chemical disinfection ; while of others it is reported that houses had to be disinfected two
or three times.
Disinfection by official agency was carried out in accordance with the provisions
of memorandum on disinfection. The coloured 1 in 1,000 solution of perchloride of
mercury was used in all districts, except Amritsar, for the disinfection of houses. Phenyle
of a strength of 1 in too was used for the disinfection of clothing and other personal
effects. This disinfectant was also used in the Amritsar district for houses.
Popular methods of disinfection.
15. When the people refused disinfection by official agency they sometimes adopted
measures of their own. These methods includ-
ed the making of holes in the roofs of houses,
lighting fires on the floor, fumigating with sulphur, camphor or neem leaves, white-
washing or " leeping" the walls of infected rooms and exposing infected clothing and
other articles to air and sunshine.
Although the opportunities of estimating the value of popular methods of disin-
fection were but few, it is believed by District Officers that these methods were not
without benefit.
Desiccation.
A stove invented and patented by Dr. Bhagat Ram, Sawhney of Jammu and used by
him during the epidemic of plague there for
desiccating infected houses was used in a few
towns: most of these stoves were the property of private individuals.
Steam disinfectors.
16. The only steam disinfectors used in connection with plague in the Punjab were
a " Thresh Disinfector " of the fixed type, and
a portable " Equifix Disinfector." The former
of these was used at the inspection posts at Kalka and Tara Devi. The latter was first
employed at Ambala City where it was much appreciated: it was afterwards transferred to
the Tawi Inspection Post Investigations were made during the year under report to deter-
mine which of the many patterns of steam disinfectors was most suitable for use in towns
and inspection posts in the Punjab. As the result of these enquiries ten ' Bowman " dis-
infectors were ordered from Messrs. Richardson and Cruddas of Bombay; but none were
delivered until after the end of September 1902.
Disinfection Depot,
17. In accordance with the orders contained in Punjab Government letter No. 333
dated 20th February 1902, a Central Disinfec-
tion Depot was established at Jullundur City
for the testing and supply of chemical disinfectants, the preparation of concentrated
solution of perchloride of mercury and the supply of these articles and of disinfecting
appliances to Plague Medical Officers and others.
The Central Disinfecting Dep6t was opened in September 1902, but as early as
April 1902 supplies were issued from it. Full reports concerning the Depot have been
submitted separately.
Inoculation.
18. The number of anti-plague inoculations performed in th]e Punjab during the
year under report was 318,565. Details of the
number of inoculations performed in each
tahsil are given in Statement No. 1 (Appendix A).
The number performed in each month and by each Medical Officer is shown
respectively in Statements Nos. 6 and 8 (Appendix B). The number of persons of different
races or castes inoculated during the year is shown in Statement No. 7 (Appendix B).
A reference to Statement No. 1 (Appendix A) will show that inoculation was most
reported to in districts which suffered most from plague, only about 6,100 persons having
been inoculated in districts in which outbreaks were comparatively slight,