NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
Apt 5 . X.]
infection by merchandise and food-stuffs.
425
since December last. In inspecting godowns all old bags and
loose grain have been destroyed and most of the large godowns have
been cleaned upon your telegram at my request. General Cooke has
been arranging for military party to regularly inspect grain godowns
and bakeries.—'Ends.
No. 14.
No. 2723, dated Bombay Castle, the 6th April 1897.
From—A. M. T. JACKSON, Esq., I.C.S., Under Secretary to the Gov-
ernment of Bombay,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India, Home Department.
Memorandum from the Com-
missionsr in Sind, No. 1548, dated
3oth March 1897, and accompani-
ments.
In continuation of my telegram dated 2gth March 1897, I am
directed to forward, for the information
of the Government of India, copies of
the papers noted in the margin relating
to the measures taken to prevent ex-
portation of contaminated gram trom bind.
No. 1548, dated Karachi, the 3oth March 1897.
Memo, from—A. WINGATE, Esq., Acting Commissioner in Sind,
To—The Secretary to the Government of Bombay, General Department»
1. Commissioner in Sind's No. 1297, dated ijth
March 1897,
2. Civil Surgeon, Sukkur's letter No. 394, dated
Ijth March 1897.
3. Collector of Hyderabad's No. 1267, dated
i8th March 1897.
4. Deputy Commissioner, Upper Sind Frontier's
No. 1016, dated igth and 2ist March 1897.
5. Collector of Shikarpur's No. 2080, dated 22nd
and 23rd March 1897.
6. Collector of Karachi's No. 2353, dated 25th
March 1897.
7. Deputy Commissioner, Thar and Parkar's No.
346, dated asth March 1897.
8. Commissioner in Sind's No. 1485, dated 20th
March 1897.
9. Commissioner in Sind's No. 1529, dated 29th
March 1897.
In reference to the telegram No. 354> despatched on 2yth instant, in
reply to the telegrams,
dated loth
and 2yih
instant, from the Secretary
to Government, Revenue
Department, the Acting
Commissioner begs to for-
ward for the information of
the Government the papers
marginally noted, relating
to the measures taken to
prevent exportation of con-
taminated grain from Sind.
No. 1297, dated Karachi, the I7th March 1897.
Endorsed by—J. SLADEN, Esq., Assistant Commissioner in Sind.
Copy forwarded to the three Collectors and two Deputy Commis-
sioners in Sind for favour of immediate report.
2. Grain in any way suspected should be detained and the mat-
ter reported for orders.
3. Grain godowns should be examined, and if dead rats are found
in the godowns, the grain should be detained.
¿54
426
Measures to present the spread of
[ App. X.
No. 394, dated the i;th March 1897.
From—The Civil Surgeon, Sukkur,
To—The Commissioner in Sind.
In continuation of my letter No. 341, dated nth instant, Ï have
the honour to state that for the week ending I5th March 1897 fifteen
fresh cases of plague have occurred, making a total of 29 from the
beginning of the outbreak, of which 22 have proved fatal and 7 are
under treatment at the Contagious Landhies.
2. Of the 15 fresh cases, there is distinct evidence that 13 either
tad communication with, or resided in, the infected area mentioned
in my last weekly report ; of the remaining 2 cases, no reliable in-
formation could be obtained from one, as the patient was found
migrating to a village on foot, and, when arrested by the police, was
semi-delirious, the other case showing no direct signs of infection,
beyond the fact that two cases had previously occurred in his neigh-
bourhood.
3. The following few facts may prove interesting in proving how
the disease, once localised, infects the neighbourhood.
When the disease first began to establish itself in Sukkar, it was
reported by the Sanitary Inspector that several dead rats were fre-
quently being found outside a Hindu temple, and to which there was
a well adjoining, at the entrance of Gunga Lane, where the disease
first took root. I investigated the place several times, and though
I saw several rats in the act of drinking water from the drain which
communicates with thi? sacred well, I never witnessed any of them
dying or dead, as the Sanitary Inspector assured me he had seen
them come out and drink, and while in the act of drinking get con-
vulsed and die. I interviewed the Head Fakir on each occasion, and
as there was a godown in which grain was stored just behind this
temple, I was led to believe that the rats found their way to this
well from the godown. However, I reported the matter to the
Collector on the 4th instant, immediately on his arrival in Sukkur,
and it was arranged to force open the godown that evening (as the
owners had deserted), with the result that beyond a certain amount of
ordinary accumulation of dust, the godown was found practically
clean and free from all insanitary defects. About five days subsequent
to this it was reported that this Head Fakir had deserted to a village
about TO miles out of Sukkur and died suddenly the day after his
arrival there ; this naturally excited suspicion and the temple was
closely watched.
On tha morning of the nth, it was reported to me, sub rosa, that
a man was lying ill in this very temple. I accordingly forced my
way in and found such to be the case. I met with some opposi-
tion, but was able to force my way into every room and found a men
APP. X.]
infection by merchandise and food-stiiffs.
427
concealed in different rooms, one plague-stricken, and the other, who
was evidently the next representative of the temple, concealing
himself through fright, but apparently in good health. I had the
two plague cases at once removed to the Contagious Landhi, and the
other man to the Health Camp ; a fourth man had in the meantime
escaped, but he was found two days after and removed in a critical
condition to the Contagious Landhi. I then drove off to the Collector
O
and he very kindly returned with me and, at my suggestion, ordered
the whole building to be destroyed and burnt, and the well to be
closed, after having the value properly assessed.
The three patients removed to the Contagious Landhi died as well
as the headman who was sent to the Health Camp, and in the course
of demolishing the building, no fewer than 35 dead rats were removed»
so that the whole of the 5 inmates, including the man who died
in the village outside of Sukkur, were exterminated within 10 days.
The conclusion one is apt to draw from this is that the infection prob-
ably first began in this temple and that it was a perfect hotbed of
infection, as all the Hindus from Gunga Lane and other lanes in the
neighbourhood were in the habit of congregating and worshipping
in this temple, but that they managed to conceal the danger from us
until suspicions were aroused by the Head Fakir's death, and it is
now evident that these rats were being poisoned from the neighbour-
hood of the temple and not from the adjoining grain godown to
which our suspicions first pointed.
No, 1267, dated Hyderabad, the iSih March 1897.
From—C. G. DODGSON, Esq., Collector of Hyderabad,
To—The Commissioner in Sind.
In reply to your endorsement No. 1297, dated I7th instant, I
have the honour to inform you that I do not think that grain export
should be stopped. I know of no cases of plague near grain godowns,
buf l will keep a sharp lookout.
No. 1016, dated Jacobabad, the igth—2ist March 1897.
From—H. C. MULES, Esq., Deputy Commissioner, Upper Sind Frontier,
To—The Commissioner in Sind.
Precautions tobe taken to pre-
vent contaminated grain being
exported from Sind.
In reply to your No. 1297 °f the I7th March 1897, I have the
honour to state tnat with the exception
of one imported case from Sukkur,
which was quarantined on arrival and
isolated when the disease developed, no case of plague has occurred
at Jacobabad or in the Upper Sind Frontier District. Consequently
there appears to be no reason, so far as fear of possible infection is
concerned, for prohibiting the export of grain.
428
Measures to prevent the spread of
[ APP. X.
3. Should plague make its appearance, the instructions contained
in paragraphs 2 and 3 of your letter will be followed.
No. 2080, dated Sukkur, the 22nd—23rd March 1897.
From—COLONEL ALPRED MAYHEW, Collector of Shikar pur,
To—The Commissioner in Sind.
With reference to your endorsement No. 1297 °f the I7th instant,,
I have the honour to report that there are godowns of grain situated
in the infected area of Sukkur, viz., in Gunga Lane, Miani Road, Fakir
Street. Orders have been issued prohibiting export of grain from
these godowns.
2. As these godowns are being cleaned and lime whitewashed,
they will be examined with a view to find if any dead rats are there.
No. 2117, dated Karachi, the iSth March 1897.
Endorsed by—R. GILES, Esq., Collector of Karachi.
Forwarded for immediate report to the Mukhtiarkar of Karachi,
who is requested to state whether the number of grain godowns is
very large, and.whether he could carry out the enquiry or if it would
be necessary to appoint a special officer.
2. The information required is—
(1) Whether plague cases have occurred in or near grain
godowns.
(2) Whether any grain open to suspicion has been removed or is
detained by orders.
3. The Collector is asking all Superintendents to report at onee
any case where plague has occurred near a grain godown and to stop
the removal of the grain in such a case, pending further orders.
No. 235, dated Karachi, the 23rd March 1897.
From—FRAMROZE E. PANTHK.EY, Mukhtiarkar of Karachi,
To—The Collector of Karachi.
With reference to your endorsement No. 2117, dated 18th March
last, on the subject of the inspection of the grain godowns, I beg to
state that it is very difficult to give a correct idea of the number of
grain godowns now existing in Karachi. Even the most experienced
and well-informed merchants as well as brokers are not in a position to
do so owing to people having gone away and closed their godowns. But
from my personal observation and experience as well as from enquiries
instituted from merchants and others, I find that there are at present
only 60 to 70 godowns out of about 200 existing before the plague,
with stock in them ; the rest are all empty. These are the godowns
where grains are stored for exportation purposes ; but besides these
there is a larger number of smaller godowns, where shopkeepers
APP. X.]
infection by merchandise and jood-stuffs.
420
have stocked their supplies for local consumption. Such godowns
will number about 500 to 600, for with every shop in the town there is
a small godown attached either in the shop or somewhere adjacent ;
but even many of these godowns are closed and empty. Godowns of
both denominations are scattered about in all the localities of the town.
Some of these godowns are near or adjacent to infected houses, and in
some, cases of plague have occurred ; but correct information on this
point can be obtained from the Superintendents. If it is intended to
examine the few big godowns where grain for exportation is kept, I
shall probably be able to carry out the inspection with an additional
staff, but shall not be able to devote my whole time with grains so
stored ; but if it is intended to examine all the godowns, big or small
export or otherwise, it would not be possible for me, in addition to my
present duty, to carry out the work ; in that case it will be desirable to
appoint a special officer, who can devote more time on this work.
Grains from godowns close to infected houses have been exported.
At present no grain is exported from Karachi to Punjab. In
December last about 3,000 bags were exported by three native mer-
chants to the Punjab.
Grain from Karachi is now chiefly exported to Bhaunaggar, Vira«
wal, Bombay, Makran and Lus.
No. 2353, dated Karachi, 25th March 1897.
Memo, by—R. GILES, Esq., Collector of Karachi.
True copies submitted to the Commissioner in Sind in reply to his
endorsement No. 1297, dated the ijth instant. The Collector also
called for reports from the Superintendents in charge of the City
Quarters.
2. Five samples of grain sent by Mr, Cadell from a grain shop in
the market quarter, from the places on which dead rats were lying,
are also forwarded. The rats had apparently been dead for more
than a month and were dried up.
3. Mr. Gloster reported that "in all cases where dead rats are
found in or near grain and in cases of plague occurring in close prox-
imity to a flour mill or grain store, he destroyed the loose grain and
grain in open bags, transferring grain in closed bags to new bags and
disinfecting the old ones."
4. He asks orders regarding a considerable quantity of such grain
which is under detention, and whether it should be handed over to the
owners.
5. Mr. Cadell has also burnt loose grain, where dead rats were
found, and all old bags, new ones being put in the sun and disin-
fected.
43°
Measures to prevent the spread of
[ APP. X.
6. His third paragraph runs as follows :—
"I think this is all that can be done, for the following reason.
Most of the big grain godowns have been cleared, not by us, but by
the owners. This has been necessary, both because the latter have
the right to do so, and because the labour of cleaning such big go-
downs would be so great that the Municipality would not be justified
in undertaking it, unless absolutely obliged to do so. Now, we can-
not exercise supervision over all the private godowns, nor know how
many dead rats are found therein. All we can do, as has invariably
been done, is to see that the owner has cleaned his godown, burning
all the loose grain before we pass it."
7. The above information will show the Commissioner that in order
to deal efficiently, an intelligent officer must be appointed with a con-
siderable staff under him. Small godowns would, as a rule, be more
dangerous than large ones, and the number of small ones is very large*
8. The Collector at once directed the Superintendents to detain
grain in any godown where plague had occurred or dead rats been
found, and instructions regarding grain so detained are requested.
No. 57, dated Mirpur Khas, the 23rd March 1897.
From—BHAG CHAND, Mukhtiarkar, Mirpur Khas,
To—The Deputy Commissioner, Thar and Parkar.
With reference to your office endorsement No. 311, dated the 2Otb
instant, I have the honour to state that I have seen all the grain go-
downs in the town, and found no dead rats in any. They are
all kept clean.
No. 346, dated Umarkot, the 25th March 1897.
Endorsed by—C. STEELE, Esq., Deputy Commissioner, Thar and Parkar.
Copy forwarded to the Commissioner in Sind with the compliments
of the undersigned in reference to his endorsement No. 1297, dated
lyth instant.
No. 1485, dated Karachi, the 26th March 1897.
From—A. WINGATE, Esq., C.I.E., I.C.S., Acting Commissioner in Sind,
To—The Chairman, Plague Committee, Karachi.
Government telegram dated the loth
March 1897.
Commissioner's No. 1297, dated the
I7th March 1897.
Collector of Karachi's No. 2117, dated
the i8th March 1897.
M ukhtiarkar of Karachi's No. 2J5, dated
the 23rd March 1897.
Collector of Karachi's No. 2353, dated
the ssth March 1897,
I venture to append copies of the correspondence noted in the
margin regarding plague in grain
godowns, as I think that your
Committee might detail a Military
Officer with a party of men to
make a thorough inspection of the
godowns under rules which your
Committee could prescribe. Several
bakers seem to have been attacked
APP. )L]
infection by merchandise ana food-stuff s.
431
by plague. This is not unnatural, because rats go to grain and being
infected die there, and so grain godowns and bakers' shops become
infected.
The grain or flour near or on which any rat is found may, please,
be carefully collected and marked, and it will be sent to Bombay for
examination by experts. I would also venture to suggest that the
officer detailed to this duty should arrange for daily inspection of
all bakeries and persons employed therein.
Note by the Commissioner in Sind.
General Cooke has informed me that a party is being detailed as
requested.
No. 1529, dated Karachi, the 2gth March 1897,
Endorsed by—A. WINGATE, Esq., C I.E., I.C.S., Acting Commissioner in Sind.
Copy forwarded for information to the—
Collector of Hyderabad, with reference to his No. 1267, dated
8th instant.
Collector of Shikarpur, with reference to his No. 2080, dated
22nd—2ßrd instant.
Deputy Commissioner, Thar and Parkar, with reference, to his
No. 346, dated 25th instant.
Deputy Commissioner, Upper Sind Frontier, with reference to
his No. 1016, dated iQth—2ist instant.
2. The Government of India attach great importance to deten-
tion of suspected grain, and the Acting Commissioner would there-
fore request that a special inspecting staff may be appointed for
godowns and bakeries in infected towns, similar to that organised for
Karachi by General Cooke.
Information of the action taken and the results should be furnished
in the weekly reports.
No. 1501, dated Karachi, the 27th March 1897.
Memorandum from—A. WINGATE, Esq., Acting Commissioner in Sind,
General Department,
To—The Secretary to the Government of Bombay, General Department.
The Acting Commissioner in Sind presents his compliments and,
with reference to Government telegram, dated i6th instant, has the
honour to forward five samples of grain taken from a grain shop in the
market quarter at Karachi on which dead rats were lying, for favour
of examination by an expert for plague bacillus. The rats had
apparently been dead for more than a month and were dried up.
432
Measures to prevent the spread of infection by
[ APP. X.
merchandise and food-stuffs,
Dated Municipal Laboratory, Bombay, the loth April 1897.
No. 15.
From—E.H. HANKIN, Esq., M.A., Chemical Examiner and Bacteriologist,
North-Western Provinces and Oudh,
To—The Secretary to the Government of Bombay, Revenue Department.
In reply to your No. 6587, dated i5th April 1897, I have the
honour to state that I have received five samples of grain sent by the
Commissioner in Sind for examination as to the presence of the bubo-
nic microbe.
2. Extracts of each of these specimens were injected into mice.
One specimen contained a piece of the skin of a dead rat. This
was separately extracted and injected into a mouse. Three of the
mice have survived. Two died of malignant cedema, and the last
died without showing any sign of microbic infection. In no case was
any appearance of the presence of the bubonic microbe met with. I
note that in the case of the grain on which dead rats were lying, it is
stated they appeared to have been dead for more than a month. So
far as my knowledge of the bubonic microbe goes, it is not likely that
it would survive in a rat for so long a period.
APPENDIX XI.
REGULATIONS AGAINST ARRIVALS FROM INDIA ENFORCED IN
OTHER COUNTRIES.
PAPER
Nos.
I
2
3— ii
CONTEXTS.
Summary of Regulations
.
.
.
.
General Regulations of the Local Government
Board of the United Kingdom as to Cholera,
Yellow Fever and Plague.
.
PAGES.
435—57
458—67
Regulations issued in other countries under
the Venice Convention—
3 France
4—5 Italy
«
»
ii Egypt
. . .
o
....
467—68
468—72
4.72—77
477—78
478—86
c 55
APPENDIX XL
REGULATIONS AGAINST ARRIVALS FROM
INDIA ENFORCED IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
Summary of Regulations.
No. i.
INDEX LIST.
Country.
Austria-Hungary
Belgium
,.,
• •«
Brazil
Bulgaria .,,
»•
Ceylon
,,,
».»
Cyprus
,,,
...
Egypt ' ...
France
>.,
..»
French Guiana
...
Germany ...
»••
Gibraltar ,,.
...
Goa
,ii
...
Greece
,,.
Holland
...
Italy
Madagascar
,,,
Malta
Morocco ...
Muscat
Consecutiv
number in
summary.
.,, 9
... 4
... 35
... 17
... 23
• » 7
... 27
ni
2
... 37
... s
... 6
.., 24
... 18
... u
'••
3
... 31
... 5
,,. 28
... 22
e
Country.
Natal
Netherlands India
,,,
N'onvay ...
,«.
Persia
,,,
,,,
Peru
,.,
,,,
Portugal ,,,
.,,
Reunion
,,,
Roumania
Russia
,,,
,,,
Siam
,,,
,,,
Spain
...
,,.
Switzerland
,,,
Tunis
...
,,.
Turkey
...
,,.
Turkish Arabia
,,,
Uniled Kingdom
United States of America
Zanzibar ,,.
Consecutive
number in
summary.
'•• 33
...
20
... 15
... 21
,.,
36
...
13
... 32
... 16
... 14
... 25
,.,
12
...
10
... 29
...
IQ
... 20
I
•" 34
... 30
430
Regulations against arrivals from India
[ App. XÍ.
*Dateoî Regulation.
November gth,
1896.
Purport of Regulation.
EUROPE.
(i) UNITED KINGDOM.
Arrivals from Indian infected ports were treated
under the (1 General Regulations as to Cholera,
Yellow Fever and Plague " issued by the Local Gov-
ernment Board on the Qth November 1896. The
following is the purport of these Regulations : — •
The customs-officer shall visit the ship, and if he
suspects that the ship is infected or has come from
an infected place, he shall require the master or
surgeon to state whether there has been any
case or suspected case of plague, etc., on board.
If he finds or has reason to suspect that the ship is
infected, he shall detain the ship and inform the
sanitary authority of the port.
Sanitary authorities of ports shall fix moorings
for infected ships and make provision for the re-
ception of persons suffering from plague, etc. On
receiving notice from the customs-officer the sani-
tary authority shall cause the ship to be inspected
by the Medical Officer of Health. The Medical
Officer of Health may also examine any ship which
he has reason to suspect to be infected or to come
from an infected port. The detention by the cus-
toms-officer shall cease as soon as the vessel has
been examined by the medical officer, or if the
ship is infected, as soon as she is anchored at the
mooring appointed for infected ships.
If the medical officer finds the ship to be infected,
he shall give a certificate to that effect, and the
master shall then moor the ship at the appointed
anchorage. No one shall then leave the ship until
the detailed examination is completed. The medical
officer shall examine every person on board, and
if he finds or suspects any one to be suffering from
plague, etc., shall give a certificate to that effect
with respect to such person. Any person certi-
fied to be suffering from plague, etc., shall, if
his condition admit of it, be removed to a
hospital or other suitable place appointed for the
* The dates are in many instances only approximate,
APP. XI. ]
enforced in other countries.
437
Date of Regulation,
Purport of Regulation.
purpose, there to remain until certified free from
the disease. If he cannot be removed, the ship shall
remain subject to the control of the medical officer.
and the person shall be detained on board until the
medical officer grants permission for his disembar-
kation. Any person certified to be suffering from ill-
ness which may be plague, etc., shall be detained on
board or on shore for two days, and if found to be
suffering from plague, etc., shall be treated in the
manner stated above, No other person shall be
allowed to land from the ship until he has satisfied
the medical officer as to his name, intended place
of destination and intended address. These par-
ticulars shall be communicated to the local authority
of the place in which the intended destination is
situated. Any person thus permitted to land who
within forty-eight hours after landing arrives at any
address other than that communicated to the medi-
cal officer shall immediately report his address to
the local authorities.
The medical officer shall give such other directions
and take such other steps as may appear to him to
be necessary to prevent the spread of infection from
the ship. If any death from plague, etc., occurs on
board whilst the ship is detained, the body shall be
disposed of according to the prescribed directions.
The clothing, bedding and other articles of personal
use likely to retain infection belonging to sufferers
from plague, etc., shall be disinfected or destroyed.
The master shall cause the ship to be disinfected,
and articles that may probably be infected (other
than those mentioned above) to be disinfected or
destroyed.
When a ship which is not infected has passengers
on board who are in a filthy or otherwise unwhole-
some condition, or has come from an infected place,
the medical officer may give a certificate stating
these facts. The rules regarding passengers from
an infected ship shall then apply to the vessel thus
certified.
The medical officer may direct the bilge-water
and water ballast of infected vessels or vessels from