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appendix A
APPENDIX A.-STATEMENTS.
1. Statement of Sri Jut Gunahash Gassawmi, Tahsildar of Roha ; formerly suffered
from kala-azar ; now recovered ; case (66). Taken on the 23rd September 1898.
"I was living at Naukla when I was taken ill ; my family lives at Now gong. I was
the first in my family to suffer—in October 1892.
Disease began with a feeling of
uneasiness for three or four days; then a sudden attack of severe sniveling commenced,
gradually followed by severe fever on the same day. Could not perspire for two days. Had
a remission on the third day, when I perspired on the forehead only. Was better for two
or three days, but am certain that the fever was continuing the whole time. After that
the fever came every day, often preceded by shivering, not so severe as at first. After a
fortnight, left Naukla and came to Nowgong (a distance of 38 miles). Came under Dr.
McNaught's treatment. Was four months in Nowgong, during which the fever continued
off and on and much reduced me. The spleen and liver were both found to be enlarged by
Dr. McNaught on my arrival at Nowgong, and afterwards enlarged much more. After
three or four months my legs began to swell. On the fifth month went to Benares and
Delhi, After leaving Nowgong felt better gradually. Then the fever disappeared, liver and
spleen diminished, and I slowly became quite well after continual change of scene. My
health is now better; and I am fatter than I was before the illness. Since then I have
several times had ordinary fevers. Had no diarrhœa or dysentery when I was ill. During my
illness the fever used to be sometimes severe and sometimes light. I think I should have
died if I had not left Nowgong.
My family consisted of 19 people, of whom eight got the disease and 11 did not. My
sister, nephew, niece and one cousin all died ; one nephew, two cousins and my father's
sister all had it and recovered. They suffered from kala-azar. My sister was attacked
during my illness, when I was at Nowgong (in the same house with her—R. R.),
and died in seven months. My nephew was next attacked, a few days before I left
the place ; and died. The others were attacked after 1 left Nowgong for Benares. All the
members of my family referred to above lived in the same premises. Besides them, seven
servants died of kala-azar, three recovered, and 11 were not attacked. From what I saw and
have heard about all these cases, so far as I can remember, all had fever with shivering,
and enlargement of the spleen, etc. I do not remember that any of the cases consisted
merely of weakness without any fever. I am sure that my sister and nephew had fever.
Relations living close by were also taken ill (? first)."
Note.—The patient was attacked at Naukla and brought home to Nowgong by his parents, where his
sister and others were next attacked in succession.
2. Statement of Captain McNaught, Civil Surgeon of Nowgong. Taken on the
18th October 1898.
"I was appointed Civil Medical Officer to the Garo Hills, Assam, on the 5th February
1S80. I find there is no mention of kala-azar earlier than in the Provincial Report for
1881; in which year, in a note regarding Tura, Garo Hills, p. 38, kala-azar is first men-
tioned. I was directed to make a special tour of enquiry into the country affected in
1882, and my report was embodied in the District Sanitary Report of Assam for 1382. I
then described 120 cases of the disease and the conditions in which it appeared. I conti-
nued to see the disease in the Garo Hills up to February 1885, practically five years. Then
I came to Nowgong. The disease was not heard or known of in district villages or tea-
gardens here at that time. It did not appear in the district until 1889.
It slowly
increased, and then began to rapidly extend itself all over the district, showing itself first
at isolated points, which became more numerous and finally coalesced, until the whole district
was affected. At the beginning of the epidemic in 1889, the people themselves on two occa-
sions sent petitions to the Deputy Commissioner asking that measures be adopted to prevent
affected persons being allowed into the district. I have seen very numerous cases ever since,
both at the dispensaries as in and out-patients and at their homes in the villages.
"From my own observations and frequent enquiries both from the affected persons and
their relatives, I am perfectly convinced that the disease popularly known as kala-azar both in
the Garo Hills and here was the same disease ; that it begins with fever, often severe,
sometimes very severe, sometimes commencing with rigors, sometimes with mere chilliness ;
the fever being sometimes continued, more often remittent, not, as far as I know, intermittent.
The fever lasts for 10, 14 or even 20 days, during which period the spleen and liver become
slightly enlarged and often painful, sometimes probably even in a condition of inflammation.
There is then generally an apyrexial period which lasts for a week or two or more, indefinitely,
during which period the spleen and liver still remain enlarged and give trouble to the
patient. So far as I have been able to observe, no treatment by antiperiodies, quinine, salycine,
méthylène blue, arsenic, picrate of ammonia, has been able to prevent a second attack of fever.
The second attack comes on, in my experience, with certainty, but does not, so far as I know,
begin with rigors, though aching of the limbs, and so on, is usually present. During this
period the spleen and liver both continue to enlarge, and are often painful, not only on
M