NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
44
Khimji opened another station at his residence in the presence of
the Municipal Commissioner, M. Haffkine and other officers. On
this occasion Dr. B. S. Shroff, who undertook to perform the opera-
tions, explained the value of the treatment, and Dr. Bhalchandra met
certain objections raised by the Secretary of the Jain Community.
This gentleman was afterwards taken round the Laboratory at
Khoshroo Lodge and the whole system of preparation of the lymph
was carefully explained to him. Later on 13th January 1899 the
leading gentlemen of the Gujarathi speaking Hindus were invited to
a meeting in the Corporation Hall. This meeting was addressed by
the Hon'ble Dr. Bhalchandra, Dr. Katrak, M. Haffkine and others, but
there was little enthusiasm and only 20 out of about 70 gentlemen
invited put in an appearance, while some of those who came showed a
disposition to question the value of inoculation and to criticise the pro-
cess. Their attitude was in some measure due to the evidence of Col.
Lawrie, I.M.S., before the Indian Plague Commission and the
uncontradicted statements of Captain Johnston, I.M.S., criticizing the
composition of the lymph, which had appeared in the daily papers.
These statements gave rise to much discussion among the educated
classes of Bombay, greatly strengthened the hands of those who opposed
inoculation on the ground that the operation was unorthodox, dangerous
and useless, and any chance of protecting Bombay at that critical
moment by creating a popular and universal demand for the prophylactic
treatment was destroyed. It was considered in the then state o F public
opinion both undesirable and futile to adopt any more energetic measures
to push the matter.
In addition to the meetings above referred to the Commissioner had
in October interviews with the leading gentlemen of the Bhattia Com-
munity, which resulted in the opening of the inoculation stations at
Mr. Lakhmidas Khimji's house already referred to. He invited Dr.
Accacio DaGama and Dr. Rozario, gentlemen of influence among the
Portuguese and Goanese communities, to discuss matters with him at
the beginning of November, but was advised by them that there was
little chance of success. He asked some of the principal Borah gentlemen
to meet him on the 24th November, but only one Mr. Abdul Hossein
Adamji Peerbhoy responded. His response was, however, very cordial,
and a mass meeting was organised which was attended by Sir A.Wingate,
K.C.I.E., I.C.S., the Municipal Commissioner and other officers.
The High Priest of the community, who presided, addressed them in
moving terms, and by midday 263 persons were inoculated, Mr. Adamji
Peerbhoy himself setting the example. Khan Bahadur Abdul Razzak
bin Curtas threw himself vigorously into the cause, and it was no small
achievement to succeed, as he did, in inducing some 70 Julahis to
undergo the operation during October. Small funds were entrusted to
him to reconcile them to the reactionary fever and the loss of money
entailed. In the beginning of November Rao Bahadur Bhaskerrao
45
Balkrishnaji Pítale had a gathering in his own house at which the ad-
vantages of inoculation were impressed upon ladies and gentlemen alike.
On the 30th October 1898 a meeting of the Telugu and other Hindu
residents of Kamatipura was held, and the President, Rao Bahadur Ellapa
Balaram, put the question clearly before the meeting, generously pro-
mising himself to contribute towards the support of those who might be
temporarily debarred from earning their daily bread by the effects of the
inoculation, and promptly advancing a considerable sum for this purpose.
On the 1st, 5th and 8th November the subject was discussed by the
Bombay Medical Union and a resolution in favour of inoculation was
passed by an overwhelming majority, the four dissentients being Drs. N.
H. E. Sukhia, Dr. Khaja Abdula, Dr. M. G. Deshtnukh and Dr. G. B. Kher.
The Plague Commissioner, in his Circular No. 2178 of 2nd September
1898, placed the seal of approval upon inoculation, and in view of the
encouraging results at Hubli directed, under certain conditions, exemption
of persons holding inoculation certificates from detention while travelling,
and from segregation. The same concession to inoculated travellers was
made by the Bengal Government on 3rd October 1898. Inoculation
was one of the subjects to which the Parsee Panchayet devoted special
attention ; a large number of medical men offered their gratuitous
services, hand-bills explaining the value of the prophylactic were freely
distributed and lectures were delivered during October by Drs. Katrak
and Ranina and Khan Bahadur Daraeha Ruttonji Chichgar. Dr. Katrak
also addressed at the Madhav Bag on 5th October 1898, a meeting
of the Kapol Bannia caste convened by Mr. Tribhovandas Mangaldas,
Mr. Harkissandas and Mr. Tribhovandas Varjivandas, and on several
occasions spoke to small gatherings at his dispensary and elsewhere
in favour of inoculation, and endeavoured to move the Mill-owners'
Association on the subject. Dr. A. G. Viegas is another citizen who
was convinced of the great possibilities of inoculation and did his best
to push it. Messrs. Vassantrao Nana Moroba and Vamanrao Nana
Moroba placed a fine hall at his disposal, and 141 operations were
performed there between 6th December and 6th February.
The following table shows the actual number of operations per-
formed in Bombay during the year :—
Names of Operators.
Dr. Henderson ...
...
... ... ... ... ...
„ N. N. Katrak
...
...
...
...
...
...
„ D. K. Patel ...
...
...
...
...
...
...
„ B. S. Shroff
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
„ R. V. Patel
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
„ G. F. Dalai
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
„ Miss Bradley
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Total number of Inocula-
tions done from 24th
May 1898 up to 31st
May 1899.
Persons
newly
inoculated.
2
99
469
182
5,162
72
148
Persons
previously
inoculated.
217
116
353
21
171
46
Names
Dr. Shivdas Parmanandas
„ S. V. Kantak ...
„ Purshotam Harichand
„S.S. Missier ... ...
„ D M D'Silva ...
„ A P. Kothare ...
„ D B Naik
...
...
„ K B Shroff ... ...
Capt. Milne
...
...
Major Collie
...
...
Dr. N. D. Pathare ...
„ D. C. de Quadros ...
„ Abadan ... ...
„ Godinho ... ...
„ C. L. D'Avoine ...
Laboratory Officers ...
Dr. Underwood ... ...
„ S. S. Batliwala ...
„ Sorabji A. Doctor ...
„ K. E. Master ... ...
„ R. M. Kalapesi ...
„ V. S. Trilokekar ...
„ H K. Tavaria ...
„ Ebrahim ... ...
„ A. G. Viegas ... ...
„ B. T. Nariman ...
„ K. S. Engineer ...
„ S. D. Desai ... ...
„ De Monte
...
...
,. A. D. Modi
...
...
„ H. N. Seervai ... ...
„ Cowasji Pestoni ... ...
„ Miss G. Karmarkar ... ...
Df Operations
Total number
tions done f
May 1898 u
May 1899.
Persons
newl v
inoculated.
3
270
147
56
10
3
34
121
9
374
14
14
3,544
349
1,630
594
734
41
559
125
1,226
17
18
3
69
54
161
30
19
102
2
26
25
9
18
138
27
9
114
11
7
of Inocnla-
rotn 24th
p to 31st
Persons
previously
inoculated-
3
26
74
11
55
28
316
31
2
19
538
48
2
• • •
181
30
2
1,755
10
24
2
34
299
488
...
36
11
9
28
1
22
8
275
1
7
127
30
11
It will be seen that the only officers who o.btained any appreci-
able success were Dr. R. V. Patel, Dr. N. D. Pathare, Dr.V . B.
Jaykar and the laboratory officers, and it is curious that so large
a proportion of the work done should have been in three sections of E
Ward. Dr. Patel worked chiefly in Tarwari, Dr. Jaykar in Byculla, Dr.
Pathare in Mazagaon and the Laboratory, Khoshroo Lodge, is also in
Tarwari. Considerable sums were spent during September and the
beginning of October in compensating the poor for the loss of wages
during the reactionary fever, but it was felt that inoculation was never
likely to succeed if its claims were to rest upon a pecuniary reward ; and
on the 19th October the amount payable by way of compensation was
limited to a maximum of annas 4 to be paid only on the day subsequent
47
to the operation and only to those really in need of it. Dr. Pathare
owed much of his success to his large practice and great influence in his
neighbourhood. Those who were inoculated were always of the poorer
classes and always received a small pecuniary compensation. He also
employed agents to collect persons willing to undergo the treatment.
His death from plague was a great loss to the cause of inoculation. Dr.
Patel's work was carried out largely in connection with his duties as a
Sectional Medical Officer. When it became advisable to remove contacts or
the inhabitants of an infected locality to camp, the alternative of inocula-
tion was systematically offered to the people, and on the whole readily
accepted. Great credit is due to Dr. R. V. Patel and to Mr. George Lund
and Khan Saheb B. R. Ashburner, who co-operated and assisted in the
work. The careful collection of inoculation statistics is difficult in a
city so large as Bombay, but the following table showing the number of
inoculated and uninoculated and the number of plague cases among them
in four sets of chawls where Dr. Patel worked is of interest.
755
The number of the innoculated.
|
387
The number of the uninoculated. Platue in the inoculated.
Bemarks.
The Telang Chawl, No. 6, Mazagon Road.
\
368 | 23 Nil.
The Khadah Chawls, No. 41, 43, 45, Neslit Road.
407
411
151
243
|
165
j
164
4
1
Was inoculated once only on the 4th
August 1898 ; died of plague on the
25th Jan. 1899.
The Hy der ally Chawls, P arel Road, No. 8.
\
246
6 I
Nil. 1
The Tulsidas Wadi, No. 9, Victoria Road.
I All inoculated they enjoy good health, notwithstanding plague in the immediate
vicinity just opposite.
Inoculation was pushed on similar lines in D Ward and E Ward
West and elsewhere, but without any great success. In B Ward South
M. Haffkine addressed a meeting of the Lohana Committee, and Lt.
Brackenbury had himself inoculated in their presence and through the
influence of Rao Bahadur Karamsi Damji a few of the coolie mukadams
at the docks were induced to undergo the operation, but in neither case
did these efforts bear any further fruit. The people undoubtedly regard
inoculation with suspicion ; and many stilt believe that it may produce,
leprosy, wasting, loss of vitality, loss of memory or phthisis. Except
when plague is actually threatening them they are unwilling to undergo
the unavoidable pain and discomfort associated with it : it is to them a
new thing, and they readily seize upon any and every possible and im-
possible objection to it. Many would say that they would undergo it
if it was a certain protection against plague, but are not prepared to
suffer the inconvenience for the sake of merely increasing their chances
48
Destruction of
rats.
of immunity ; they seem unable to realise the extent to which their
chances are increased, or to have any idea of estimating chances, and
regard the death of a single inoculated person as proof that the treatment
is valueless. A few are withheld by the belief that the protection afforded
is merely temporary, and do not regard immunity for six months as
sufficient reward for the 2 or 3 days' reactionary fever.
Such are the principal reasons which have prevented the prophylactic
treatment becoming popular in Bombay, and it is needless to point out how
disastrous to the cause were the evidence given before the Indian Plague
Commission by Colonel Lawrie, and the absence of any contradiction
of it.
The following statement shows the number of rats destroyed in
Bombay, during 12 months ending 31st May 1899 :—
A.
B
C
D
B
F
G
À
B
0
D
E
F
G
W
•••
•t«
•••
...
...
Ward
...
Yaiu.
...
...
•••
*•
..
•••
June
1897
282
282
December
1897
•••
420
•
•••
•••
420
ie.
1898
864
861
1898
5,095
11,813
4,328
270
6,495
33
83
27,617
July.
1897
190
190
Jan
1898
...
...
1,350
•••
•••
•••
1,350
1898
48
83
359
102
752
29
51
1,374
aary.
1899
5,478
17,288
6,595
250
6,202
29
63
35,90
Äugest
1897
...
149
*••
...
...
••«
149
Febr
1898
...
l
$ ...
J 1,54l
) 1469
...
...
...
5 3,010
1898
59
1,101
630
191
5,145
22
220
7,368
iary.
1899
4,864
2,605
4,489
314
1,794
39
64
14,109
September.
1897
...
»8
...
...
...
• M
128
Hat
1898
•••
...
2,161
641
797
...
3,599
1898
44
3,388
1,429
234
5,636
66
309
11,106
eh.
1899
3,606
9,856
2,201
498
584
36
64
16,845
0ctober.
1897
••»
...
133
...
...
...
...
133
Api
1898
•••
•••
1,0089
426
426
1,515
1898
1,848
7,241
2,783
248
5,891
125
205
17,341
n.
1899 1898
5,356 ...
1,894 ...
t
1,064 1,054
485 ...
569 ..,
36 ...
58 ...
19,457 1,053
November.
1897
...
291
...
...
...
•••
291
lay,
1899
5,622
11,470
í
760
478
416
32
31
18,80
1898
3,715
5,615
2,854
285
5,124
28
132
17,753
Total.
85,285
81,804
37,141
5,891
38,905
5
475
l 1,278
200,729
There were 20 men employed at various times during the year for
the sole purpose of catching rats and they destroyed 13,144 of the above
total. For the rest
anna per rat was paid from Municipal funds.
B Ward is the centre of the Bombay grain trade and contains the prin-
cipal docks. These facts are enough to account for the large proportion
of rats destroyed there.
49
CHAPTER IV.
Measures Adopted—contd.
Disinfection.
The orders regarding disinfection issued by the late Plague
Committee (printed at pages 181 and 182 of Sir J. Campbell's report)
continued in force. The preparation of the disinfecting solution was
carried out at the various district offices. From time to time during
the course of the year samples were taken of the disinfectant in actual
use, and as the results were not altogether satisfactory, it was thought
desirable to have the disinfectant prepared on a uniform system at a
Central Laboratory under skilled supervision. Dr, Cayley was placed
in charge of this work, and his report upon it is given below :—
I have the honour to submit my report on the organization and work done at
the Central Depot for the preparation of disinfectants.
The Central Depot for the preparation of the Perchloride of Mercury solution
to be used as a disinfectant in Bombay was established on March 16th of this year.
A room at the Municipal Drainage Chowkey, in Foras Road was fitted up for the
preparation and storing of the disinfectant. Water was laid on to the room from
two sources.—(1) by a pipe leading directly from the main; (2) by a pipe connected
with an iron storage cistern erected outside the building. A mori with raised sides
was erected in one corner of the room. The necessary cupboards, tables, &c., were
supplied and the preparation of the disinfectant was begun on March 22nd. The
following staff was engaged :—
Medical Officer in charge.
One European Inspector.
One Clerk.
Four Coolies. After April 3rd (three Coolies only were employed).
The prepared disinfectant is distributed to, and utilized in, the various districts in
Bombay in the following manner :—
The disinfectant prepared at the Central Depot contains 10 per cent, of Per-
chloride of Mercury and 20 per cent, of Hydrochloric Acid. It is issued in stoneware
screw stoppered jars of a capacity of 21/2 gallons. One hundred jars of the prepared
solution are kept constantly in stock. This number is found to be sufficient to meet
any demand. A solution of Perchloride of Mercury tends to decompose, if kept for
any length of time, even when enclosed in screw stoppered jars away from light and
air. It was not considered advisable, therefore, to keep in stock a larger quantity of
the solution than was absolutely necessary.
To each jar containing the prepared solution is attached a label marked
"Perchloride of Mercury solution 1 in 10," the date of preparation and the
number of the jar prepared. To prevent accidents a poison label is also attached to
each jar and the solution is coloured with Méthylène Blue.
The Method oj Issue.—The District Officers indent for the number of jars they
require directly on the Medical Officer in Charge. A hand cart is sent up with two
or three coolies to whom the jars are delivered. The jars are packed on the cart
55
Instructions
for Disinfec-
tion
When a Plague case occurs disinfection should in future be carried out as
follows :—
1. The room and the whole of its contents must be disinfected, also adjoining
rooms which have, through doors, windows, cracks or crevices, any direct connection
with the room where the case occurs ; also the latrines, the passage on which the
room opens, and the passage of all floors below, together with connecting staircase.
2. First the bedding and any soiled clothes belonging to the patient should be
secured, carefully picked up, taken outside and burned. If specially valuable they
may be sent to the nearest steam sterilizer.
3. All other bedding and clothes in the room, whether lying about or contained
in boxes or cupboards, should then be collected and carefully taken out and sent to
the nearest steam sterilizer. If the distance is great or there are other difficulties
they may be soaked in a solution of phenyle or carbolic acid for at least 30 minutes.
Note 1.—The solution of Perchloride of Mercury now being supplied
should not be used for this purpose, as it is likely to be destructive
owing to the quantity of hydrochloric acid present in it.
Note 2.—In the case of very valuable clothes, and if a steam sterilizer
is not available, matresses or bulky articles which cannot be con-
veniently soaked in a solution, as above, should be either hung
up or spread out in the sun.
4. Boots and articles of leather should be carefully rubbed over with a cloth
soaked in a strong solution or Phenyle or Carbolic Acid.
5. Metal or earthern cooking pots need not be disinfected if the people strongly
object, otherwise they should be washed with solution of Phenyle and Perehloride of
Mercury, respectively.
6. Books and paper should be carefully dusted, unless the owner consents to
their destruction.
7. Furniture and boxes in the room should be mopped on the outside with a
cloth soaked in the Perchloride solution ; they should then be taken out and
thoroughly washed inside and out with the Perchloride solution.
8. Articles of food should, so far as possible, be spread out in the sun.
9. Rags and similar rubbish lying about in the rooms should be carefully
lifted, removed and burned with the patient's bedding. In placing them outside
they should be carefully laid down (not thrown down) so as not to raise a dust.
10. No brushing of floors or walls should on any account be permitted before
flushing. This is a most dangerous proceeding and likely to spread infection.
11. The room itself should be systematically flushed with the solution of
Perchloride. Special care being taken to thoroughly flood the floor if it is of mud
or cow-dung.
12. It should be swept out and again flushed and cleaned on the following
day :—
Note.—Where for any reason, e. g., in merely suspicious cases it is
necessary to allow the people to re-occupy the room without delay,
the whole operation may be completed on the same day.
56
Sterilizers.
13. Passages and staircases should be similarly flushed and then swept and
cleaned on the same day.
14. All windows and other methods of ventilation should be thrown as wide
open as possible.
15. Latrines should be thoroughly flushed with plain water, a final flushing
being given with a solution of Fhenyle or Carbolic.
16. The whole neighbourhood of the house should be thoroughly cleaned up
and all rubbish burnt.
17. Landlords should be encouraged to lime-wash their houses, after an
interval of 24 hours, with hot quick-lime.
18. Where the people are sent to camp with their belongings the disinfection
of their kit will ordinarily be done in camp where the same rules should be closely
followed.
19. The disinfecting gangs should be for Hindu houses, Pardesi Brahmans
or Marathas, and for Mahomedan houses Mussalmans. In the Fort and C Ward a
couple of Parsis should be engaged to disinfect Parsi houses where deaths have
occurred.
20. The greatest care should be taken to avoid all unnecessary damage.
21. The District Officer or his Assistant or the Sectional Medical Officer should
endeavour to be present during disinfection.
22. Except for special reasons, disinfection should always be begun within
12 hours at most of hearing that a place is infected.
23. Carbolic powder is of little value except as a deodorizer, and its general
use should be discontinued ; it may, however, be used where necessary to overcome
offensive smells.
24. The solution of Carbolic Acid for soaking clothes in should be prepared by
putting two of the measuring glasses, now supplied, full of the acid into the 21/2
gallon bucket of water and stirring well, so as to thoroughly mix. The mixture
should be stirred periodically while the clothes are soaking. Clothes should be
loosely placed in the solution, not tightly packed, so that the disinfectant can get
at every part of the clothes. When a strong solution of carbolic acid is referred to
3 cups full of the acid should be added to a bucket of water. Care in every case
should be taken to thoroughly mix the acid in the water, as if oil globules of free
acid are floating in the water they will burn the hands of whoever may wring out
the clothes. If the hands are burnt with the Carbolic Acid the acid should be
at once washed off with plenty of water, and if any oil, grease or ghee is available
it should be applied to the injured part.
If phenyle is used as the disinfectant, the solution for disinfecting clothes should
be prepared by adding one cup full of phenyle to a bucket of water. The strong
solution should be prepared by adding two cups full of phenyle to a bucket of water.
At the beginning of the year two steam disinfectors were in use,
one at Modikhana and one at Narielwadi. They have been described
at pages 201 to 203 of Sir J. Campbell's plague report. The efficiency
of these two disinfectors, the "Equifex" at Modikhana and the