can secure this once for all by undergoing a simple operation of which the discomfort is inconsiderable in com«
parison with the discomfort entailed by other measures, such as evacuation. In plague therefore more than
in other diseases the use of a prophylactic of proved value is important. In the same way as the people have-
taken to vaccination against small-pox and small-pox has decreased in proportion to the degree in which the
population is vaccinated, it is to be hoped that the people will take to inoculation and by its help will check
the ravages of plague. The advantages of inoculation should therefore be carefully explained to the people
and the utmost efforts should be made to induce them to accept it generally, though at the same time it
should be pointed out that as inoculation is not a complete safeguard other precautionary and preventive
measures should never be neglected when plague imminently threatens or actually breaks out amongst an
inoculated community. On the outbreak of plague such a community, like an uninoculated one, should
evacuate its village and use every endeavour to destroy by disinfection the infection which has been introduced
amongst it.
The "preaching" of inoculation.
35. Many persons are already convinced of the value of inoculation, and officers on plague duty will
have no difficulty with them : they will not improbably
ask for inoculation of their own accord. The difficulty
is with stupid and careless persons and those who are blinded by prejudice or are afraid of a little physical
discomfort and suspicious of the after effects of inoculation. Such persons may be willing to prefer the risk
of dying of a terrible disease and introducing it among their relatives and friends to undergoing a little pain
and discomfort in order to obtain comparative immunity. But their opposition can be overcome by the exer-
cise of tact and patience and by enlisting the sympathies of sensible and influential persons in order to argue
with and to reassure the doubters and to impress upon them that it is their duty to become inoculated both in
their own interests and in the interests of their neighbours. To ensure success in the inoculation operations
it is essential that the advantages of inoculation should be " preached " in every district not only by the Civil
Officers who will be specially appointed for the purpose, but also by the Deputy Commissioner and his ordi-
nary district staff. Systematic preaching and arrangements for having the people ready at each inoculating
station previous to the commencement of his work there by the Inoculating Officer are very necessary if each
officer specially appointed for inoculation duty in the coming cold weather is to work up to the average of
700 inoculations per day, which the Lieutenant-Governor trusts may be attained. The ordinary district staff
should therefore be guided by the same instructions as apply to the Civil Officers specially deputed for plague
duty, which are set forth in the next paragraph.
CHAPTER VI.
DUTIES OF OFFICERS IN CONNEXION WITH PLAGUE.
Duties of Civil Officers specially employed in con-
nexion with inoculation.
36 Civil Officers should make it their business to become acquainted as thoroughly as possible with
the people of the circle to which they are posted and to
gain their confidence. They should maintain maps of their
circles, marking out the boundaries of zails and noting
the names of the Zaildárs and leading men in each zail.
and they should also have lists of the villages in their circles with a note of their populations. They should
try and enlist the sympathies and co-operation of all influential men, heads of communities and sects, Zaildárs,
members of District Boards and Municipal Committees and others whose advice or example is likely to have
weight with the people. The co-operation of such men and the example which they can set by submitting to
inoculation themselves with their families (especially their women) and dependents is particularly important.
The Civil Officers should visit all the villages in their circles as frequently as possible and endeavour
to get the people together to listen to arguments in favour of inoculation. At such meetings the objections
and arguments of the people should be considerately dealt with, and it should be impressed upon every
one that while no other practicable measure affords a greater hope of relief from the ravages of plague,
and that although Government is anxious that inoculation should be freely accepted, yet no compulsion
will be used and the acceptance or rejection of inoculation depends on the choice of every individual
concerned. They should use every means in their power to assist Inoculating Officers and in particular
should arrange for the collection of persons in large numbers in villages to be visited by the Inoculating Officers,
and under the orders of the Deputy Commissioner should, in communication with the Inoculating Officers,
arrange dates for their visits to the various villages in which the people are willing to come forward. They
should make such arrangements as are necessary for encamping-grounds for Inoculating Officers and for the
carriage of their personal effects, apparatus, and material, and for supplies for them and their establishments.
The cost of carriage will in the case of Medical Officers who have been specially engaged in England be paid
by the Civil Officers under the orders of the Deputy Commissioner, and as these Medical Officers will be new
to the country and will be unable to speak or understand the vernacular, Civil Officers should keep in very
close touch with them and advise them concerning their relations with the people, bringing to their notice
customs and prejudices which require to be respected so as to avoid giving offence. They should also do every.
thing in their power to secure for such officers the confidence and respect of the people. Officers on special
duty should also maintain registers, and submit weekly reports, in accordance with the instructions detailed
below in this volume.
*******
Control of plague operations vested in the District
Magistrate, subject to the orders of the Commissioner
of the Division and of the Local Government.
Punjab Government Notification No. 717 L.-P.,
dated the 27th May 1901—page 45, Plague Hand-
Book.
Punjab Government Notification No. 1068, dated
the 5th September 1901—page 53, Plague Hand-
Book.
37. In accordance with the first clause of
each of the notifications quoted in the margin* " the
general control of plague operations will vest in the
District Magistrate, the Commissioner of the Division,
and the Local Government.
*******
Special duties of District Plague Medical Officers.
Page 54, Plague Hand-Book.
In each district there will be a District Plague Medical Officer, who under clause 6 of Punjab Govern-
ment Notification No. 1086 L.-P., " will be in charge of
the medical arrangements and also of disinfecting
operations, which will be carried out under his orders.
Any general direction issued by the Plague Medical
Officer should be sent for the information of the District Magistrate and Chief Plague Medical Officer. In