Influence of the local conditions on the epidemic
30
(n) The influence of season upon the spread of plague has been noticed in the review.
of the epidemic. Owing to causes already men-
tioned an accurate estimate of the extent of local
variation in the incidence and fatality of plague is not feasible.
Mr. Maynard notices the comparative mildness of the outbreaks in towns and villages
situated in the low hills bordering the district on the north. He writes :—
" It is noteworthy that no village in the belt of country just below the Siwáliks suffered
at all severely. The sub-soil water level in this tract is generally very low."
Mr. Maynard also notes that—
" I observed less liability to virulent disease in the clay lands than in the sandy and
loamy tracts. It may have been merely a coincidence that field rats were far less prevalent
in the former than in the latter."
• -
Rat mortality.
(0) Of mortality among rats Mr. Maynard
writes :—
" As already observed, mortality frequently commenced among rats. In Kálka
the first cases occurred among shopkeepers, of whom two were attacked. After an interval
of about ten days deaths were noticed among rats. A little later again the disease showed
itself in epidemic form among human eings. In the case of Jagádhri town, where few of
the people died, there was extremely heavy mortality among rats."
Mr. Maynard also mentions an extraordinary increase in the number of field rats
before and during the epidemic, and a great mortality among these animals in the south of the
district during May. It is also noticed that squirrels were often infected with plague, and that
the people believe that dogs, jackals and cats also sufferecl from the disease. Deaths of
buffaloes, bullocks and donkeys have also been attributed by people to plague, and at the
end of June heavy mortality among kine was reported to have been carried in the Naróingarh
Tahsíl by a disease caused by swellings.
Type and severity of disease.
No mention is made of any measures taken with regard to rats.
(p) Of the type of the disease, Captain
James notes that the disease was almost entirely
bubonic in character: a few pneumonic cases were recorded.
The severity of the disease has already been noticed.
Liability and immunity of classes.
(q) With regard to the prevalence of plague among different classes of the com-
munity, Mr. Maynard notes :—
"Hindus, as a whole, suffered less than Muhammadans, who are more permeater
with the spirit of resignation to destiny. This difference in the susceptibility of the two
communities was specially marked among agriculturists. But Rajputs of both religions,
even when most impracticable in their attitude, were generally less severely visited than
their neighbours —a circumstance which I attribute to greater personal and domestic cleanli-
ness. Sikhs were fortunate, because almost always reasonable.
" Brahmans generally died like flies when plague got among them ; but in two villages
where they were persuaded to leave their houses, they got off lightly. It has been suggested
that both Brahmans and Banias suffer severely because they spend so much time," nearly
naked and shoeless, exposing a large surface of unprotected skin.
" Handicraftsmen of all kinds, weavers, potters, leather-workers and the like suffered
very much, because the nature of their work made it hard to persuade them to move.
Women, particularly at the age when they are most rigidly kept within doors, were very
susceptible, but here again the Rajputs often seemed to be an exception to the rule "
Official and semi-Europeanised classes were almost immune.
Recommendations.
(r) Captain James makes no suggestion except as regards popular methods of disin-
fection which have already been quoted. Mr.
Maynard, however, devotes considerable atten-
tion to the subject of tuture plague policy and makes some valuable suggestions which are
embodied in the extracts from his report given below :—
General considerations.
" The measures authorised by Government are now in some respects behind, rather
than in advance of, what general opinion
would approve. It must be realized that-
people cannot altogether protect themselves. A community that is not completely organized
for self-government hardly knows what it wants, and certainly cannot enforce its will
without external help. It is not fair that it should be at the mercy of selfish or reckless
individuals.
Exclusion of persons from infected areas.
" The existing rules recognize the right of villagers to exclude persons from infected
areas. They do not specifically authorise the
enforcement of this rieht by Government- offirers ;
but I have taken it for granted that the one thing implies the other, and, when asked to do
so by headmen, I have forcibly excluded persons whom they found themselves unable to
expel. If this procedure is right, it ought to be definitely sanctioned. It certainly has the
stroug support of public opinion.