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Treatment.
(o). No methods of treatment were
found to'give favourable results.
It has already been mentioned that the people preferred treatment by their own
hakims. Dr. Mahoney states that the hakims usually treat to suppress the buboes by the
application of leeches or hot sand fomentation, and when this was unsuccessful they tried to
produce suppuration by applying the iuice of the madar or ak plant.
Recommendations.
(p). Mr. Millar considers that prompt evacuation is really the best remedy for
plague, and with reference to it he writes :—
" Persuation was useless as there were factions in the village. An order would have
been acted upon by all. This was at
first
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*
*
" I am opposed to the policy of non-interference read literally. In a case where
all factions and jealousies could be stifled by the Deputy Commissioner's verbal order it is
rather a pity such an order could not be given. Of course I do not advocate any use of
force, nor would one give an order unless it was generally desired.
*
*
*
•
" If a few men are punished—Section 269, Indian Penal Code—when they have acted
in opposition to the wishes of the village, this would very much strengthen the hands of
the village community. If the Lambardárs of a village of themselves come and lay a com-
plaint under Section 269, Indian Penal Code, 1 think it might be enquired into."
Mr. Millar further considers that " a Zaildár, Sufedposh or even Lambardár who
prevented evacuation should have some sort of punishment,'' and he proposes to keep a
book in which to enter names of such men remarking that everybody of any importance
has some ambition, something he wants—chairs, sufedposhi, zaild, ri, Government employ-
ment for relatives, and so on.
If they knew there was a black book in which names were actually recorded,
there would be much less opposition in order to satisfy private grudges and enmities or
to diminish the influence of a rival.
While thinking that punishment should be inflicted upon influential men who oppose
such measures as evacuation, Mr. Millar advocates the granting of rewards to prominent
helpers. He considers that a liberal granting of rewards, particularly to Lambardárs, is
advisable.
Next to prompt evacuation Mr. Millar considers that inoculation is the only remedy.
He dwells however upon the necessity for care in carrying it out, remarking that —
" The people are of a most suspicious temperament. They will not be driven, and
any attempt to drive them will end most seriously, probably in actual violence."
Finally, Mr. Millar insists upon the necessity of employing only European officers,
Executive and Medical, for plague duty in the Ferozepore District.
Staff and establishment.
(q). 1 he following Medical Officers and subordinates were employed on plague duty
in the district :—
(I) Dr. H. C. Mahoney and 3 Hospital Assistants.
Plague in Ferozepore City.
(r). As has been mentioned two cases of plague with deaths occurred in Ferozepore
City during the year under report.
The first case occurred on April 3rd and was imported from Ludhiana.
Precautionary measures.
On the occurrence of plague the city was divided into five sanitary wards, members
being appointed for each ward ; two hakims —
one a Hindu, the other a Muhammadan—were,
also appointed by the Municipal Committee.
A list of persons coming from infected villages was kept by each Octroi Muharrir,
and the people were watched by the Sanitary staff.
Information.
For reporting cases and deaths a Muharrir was appointed to whom plague occurrences
were reported by coolies appointed for this
purpose. The Sanitary staff was also required
to report all deaths daily.
Eyacuation and segregation.
The people of infected quarters were unwilling to evacuate their houses, but a few
imported cases were removed by their friends
to plague huts for treatment.
Disinfection.
Nine houses—6 infected and 3 bordering on infected houses—were disinfected, a
mate and 8 disinfecting coolies being employ-
ed on the work.
Inoculation.
Notices in English and Vernacular were issued by the Deputy Commissioner and
Civil Surgeon advising the people to be
inoculated. 240 persons were inoculated.
No mortality among rats was noticed.
Rat mortality.