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nomenclature compiled by the Royal College of Physicians, London, this
expression is, I believe, retained, as handed down by the ancients, but since we now
recognise the disease as presenting many peculiar aspects accompanied by one
special (ante- or post- mortem) indication in the glandular system, it may not be
deemed unreasonable to fix a more appropriate name, although this will not
alter the nature of an epidemic known to the professional and public mind as
Plague. The primary symptoms of this disease are confined to a bubo accom-
panied by fever , these are its characteristics, irrespective of the few exceptions met
with. There is no other form of fever analogous to this and consequently, in my
opinion, it would be scientifically correct to express the disease as "Bubonic Fever"
and expunge the term "Plague" as vague, imperfect, and not conveying its true
meaning without a prefix. Plague might be used for any epidemic creating a
sudden and excessive mortality.
As to the origin of the epidemic in Bombay, bacteriologists have laid
down a canon that it is impossible for bacteria to be produced other-
wise than from their own species ; and, this being so, only two conclusions can
be arrived at, viz., that these specific microbes have been pre-existing in Bombay,
and for unknown reasons have been in a state of dormancy, till urged by some
unknown factor on a career of destruction ; or else, as seems more feasible, they
have arrived by importation just when the meteorological conditions were favour-
able to development, provided they found suitable media and material for propaga-
tion and rapid extension.
The normal condition of a plague wave is from a point south to north or north-
west, but the facilities for quick contact with human beings through commerce are
likely to cause a radiation, and thus we may have it spreading within a circum-
scribed distance outside its usual directions. This perhaps accounts for its deviation
towards Poona and the Eastern Harbour Ports, while its inclusion at Cutch Mandvi
and Kurrachee represents its natural course.
The probability therefore of its spontaneous origin, whether de novo or
through its development from pre-existing dormancy, is against reason and fact ; so
also is its introduction by grain or other means from within Indian territory.
We can only assume that as Plague is present in its epidemic form in some
of the China ports, it has travelled northwards through marine communication, and
having arrived, possibly in the month of July 1896, the meteorological conditions
and other insanitary surroundings were favourable to form a focus for its expansion.
The monsoon had virtually ceased at this period. There were the necessary heat and
moisture present to encourage its culture, helped by the requisite material
within the houses, which, in most instances, were overcrowded, ill-ventilated, defi-
cient in light, and inhabited by a class of persons who are generally opposed to the
benefits of sanitation.
I believe rats became first affected within buildings and carried on the infection
to drains and other localities inhabited by rodents, and in this way the disease
multiplied itself, subsequently attacking human beings. In addition to this
means of infection, I am disposed to favour the idea that drains were a contributory
cause from pollution by rats and as a receptacle of human execreta, urine, and
other contaminated matter allowed to escape from plague-stricken patients owing to
their ha bit of converting their bath-room space into latrine accommodation, or through
the washing of soiled clothes containing microbes from excreta or pneumonic sputa.
That soil is capable of acting as a resting place for germs is accepted, I presume,
beyoud doubt ; sewage soil in especial. This fact was noticeable to my mind in