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matter. The periodic exposure to the sun's rays of the bedding, cloth-
ing and general contents of houses situated in a known plague focus
has been known to prevent outbreaks of plague, and is a measure which
should be carried out regularly. If the houses were completely emptied
once a week for a month or so before the plague season sets in and all
the contents were spread out in the sun for 4—6 hours, not only would
rats be disturbed (nests of rats are often to be found in bundles of
old bedding and rags) but the rat fleas would be killed off.
15. (o) Control of movement—(i) Goods.—By far the most important
factor in the dissemination of rat infection is the grain trade. It would
hardly be an exaggeration to say that if once the movements and storage
of grain cou]d be effectively controlled the danger of plague infection
would be almost negligible. In some districts the cotton trade, and
in others the jaggery trade, are also a source of danger, but it is the
movements of grain that require the closest attention of the preventive
staff.
16. The movements of grain both by rail and by road are more or
less seasonal and the sources from which a particular town ordinarily
derives its grain can generally be ascertained by local inquiry. It is
incumbent on the local health authorities to study closely the grain
movements on the area within their charge, and place on record the
areas from which and to which grain is ordinarily transported in each
month of the year. It should be possible, once the main mechanism of
the local grain trade is ascertained, to induce merchants and the railway
authorities to inform the preventive staff of any deviations from the
normal which may lead to the introduction of infection into, or its
dissemination within, the area in which they are operating.
17. It is not often possible or even desirable to prohibit the move-
ment of goods from an infected area. It should, however, be possible to
arrange for the examination of consignments from areas known to be
infected either before delivering to the consignee or in transport or at
the place of export before despatch. The last alternative is undoubtedly
the safest and best. But it cannot be provided for except by close
co-operation between the authorities of (a) the place of export, (6) the
place of import a.nd (c) the railways.
18. Railways.—There is no doubt that the part played by rail-
borne grain in the spread of plague infection has received nothing like
the attention it demands.
19. Plague Regulations Nos. 7 and 8 lay down the measures which
railways can be compelled to carry out. The railway authorities at the
instance of the Government have in certain cases attempted to destroy
rats at infected stations, and have undertaken other preventive measures
such as inoculation, evacuation of infected houses and the erection of
temporary huts for the accommodation of those evacuated from the
infected area. But there is no record of any attempt at co-operation on
the part of either local bodies or railways. Preventive measures are
usually carried out by each spasmodically without any mutual consulta-
tion. As a consequence, the results obtained have been incommensurate
with the expenditure of money and energy involved, and have led to the
general belief that anti-plague measures are valueless. The failure of
these authorities to act in concert is a serious administrative defect. The
railway authorities in the Presidency have all agreed to do everything