NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
170
Measures to prevent the
[
APP. VIII,
platforms, and, more especially in the monsoon, it will, I am sure,
lead to great delay and much inconvenience to passengers.
3. I have also to draw attention to the third section of clause
6 of paragraph 3 in which the following appears :—
" In the case of first and second class carriages, which afford
greater facilities than third class compartments, for the
harbouring of plague germs, it will be necessary, if the
carnages are contaminated, to burn the cushions, and to
disinfect the woodwork, in the manner indicated above,
and to repaint the interior."
It would seem that this is a very serious matter if we are requir-
ed really to carry it out.
I dare say the Locomotive Superintendent will have something;
to sayas to this order to burn cushions and repaint the interior of
carriages in which plague cases have been detected.
But I may point out that the cushions are not in all cases-
loose, but are really padded backs, and in some cases padded seats,
so that it means that the carriages will have to be dismantled by
competent workmen, who will have to be employed for the purpose,
at the place where the disinfection has to be done.
4. I have not issued any orders at present, and for the reason;
that I am of the opinion that what is asked is practically impossible
and because I hope you will be able to ask Government to reconsider"
the order.
We must of course disinfect all carriages in which cases have
been detected, but, while that is troublesome enough, it is what we-
do now, and have always done, since the plague began. The burn-
ing the cushions and repainting the interior of first and second
class carriages seems not to be really necessary,
5. With regard to the Bombay, Baroda and Central India Rail-
way action in the matter, they are more favourably placed than we
are. The whole of their broad-gauge line is in the infected area,
and passengers have always to change, in consequence of the break
of gauge, at Ahmedabad. I find that they have proposed that at that
place, which is within the infected area, the passengers shall change
into the disinfected trains.
But the Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway are in ao
essentially different position on account of the break of gauge, to
that in which we are placed, and I believe that the Bombay, Baroda
and Central India Railway will protest if they are required to disin-
fect their trains, and change the passengers at any station other
than Ahmedabad, for they will then be in somewhat the same posi-
tion as we are.
APP. VIII. ]
spread of infection by land.
171
6. The Government of India say that the orders need involve no
detention to the vehicles beyond that necessary for the actual disin-
fection, the inspection of the occupants and the disinfection of their
baggage But it seems to have been overlooked that this will take,
with a train of sixteen or eighteen or twenty vehicles, such a délay as
will upset all possible hope of punctuality, and our trains will miss
connection with those of other railways at junctions, and the confu-
sion will be very great. The insides of the carriages are to be
washed with the prescribed disinfectant applied with a mop, the
doors and windows to be opened and exposed to the air. This with
the disinfection of the baggage which must first be removed from
the carriages, and the subsequent drying of the interior of the carri-
ages and return of the baggage, cannot be done in a little while as
seems to be considered possible by the Government. The public
will decidedly object to return into carriages which are wet with this
not agreeable disinfecting prescription. The difficulty will be all
the greater at night, when especially first and second class passengers
will object to being turned out in, during the rains, the downpour
which we frequently have to encounter, and which of itself will make
the drying of the carriages a long process. These are not fanciful
objections but are real difficulties.
*
*
*
*
*
*
8. I hope, however, that the Government of India may be pleased
to modify the instructions.
No, 102,
Telegram No. 462-R. T., dated 5th June 1897.
From—Works, Simla,
To—Works, Railway, Bombay.
Your letter No. 1497, dated 22nd ultimo. Relaxation suggested
in paragraph 4 (a) and (6) sanctioned, Rule S (b) (iii) applies only
in cases where, in opinion of competent medical officer, person re-
moved from carnage was suffering from plague.
Letter follows.
No. 103.
No. 463-R. T., dated 7th June 1897.
From—The Government of India, Public Works Department,
To—The Secretary to the Government of Bombay, Public Works De-
partment, Railway Branch.
Î am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 1497,
dated the 22nd May 1897, forwarding, for consideration and orders,
an extract from a report by the General Traffic Manager, Great Indian
Peninsula Railway Company, bringing to notice certain difficulties in
giving effect on that railway to the orders conveyed in Government
of India letter No. 349-R. T., dated the 21st April 1897, in regard to
172
Measures to prévent the
[ APP. VIÍI.
the disinfection of railway carriages conveying passengers and their
luggage from districts infected with bubonic plague.
2. In reply I am to say, in continuation of my telegram quoted
No. 462-R. T., dated the
5 th June 1897.
Your letter No. 1407'
dated 22nd ultimo. Re-
laxation suggested in
paragraph 4 (a) and (b)
sanctioned. Rule 3 (b)
(iii) applies only in cases
where, in opinion of com-
petent medical officer,
person removed from car-
riage was suffering from
plague. Letter follows.
in the margin, that having regard to the fact
that the plague has materially abated and that
the risk has consequently diminished in the
infected area on the Great Indian Peninsula
Railway, the Government of India have no
objection to the relaxation of the rules in
question to the extent proposed in paragraph
4 (a) and (b) of your letter on the distinct
understanding that, upon any recrudescence
of the plague in virulent form, the rules which
have been prescribed in the Government of India letter No. 349-R. T.,
dated the 21st April 1897, should be rigidly enforced in their entirety :
I am however to point out that the proposal in paragraph 4 (a)
corresponds with the procedure stated in paragraph 2 of Government
of India No. 349-R. T., as being the preferable alternative. A refer-
ence on this point, therefore, would seem to have been unnecessary.
3. With reference to paragraph 5 of your letter, I am to say that,
as clearly shown under heading (b), the rule regarding the burning
of the cushions and repainting the interior of first and second class
carriages, contained in paragraph 3 (b) (iii) of the Government of
India letter of the 21st April last, applies only to undoubted cases of
plague, and the measures prescribed by the Government of India
should be enforced whenever, in the opinion of a competent medical
officer, the person removed from a carriage was suffering from plague.
4. In conclusion, I am to say that the Government of India notice
that, as stated in paragraph 4 of the enclosure to your letter under
reply, the orders contained in their letter No. 349-R, T., dated the
21st April last, have been held in abeyance up to the present, and I
am to request that, with the permission of His Excellency the
Governor in Council, very grave notice may be taken of this deli-
berate disobedience of orders.
Papers relating to the Protection of Mahableshwar.
Resolution of the Government of Bombay, No. 1880—1308-P., dated the 6th
April 1897.
READ—
No. 104,
Letter from the Superintendent of Mahableshwar, No. 472, dated
the 25th March 1897.
APP. VIII. ]
spread of infection by land.
173
Submits a set of rules under Act III of 1897 for Mahabaleshwar,
and request sanction thereto,
RESOLUTION.—The following rules applicable to quarantine at
Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar have been communicated to the Super-
intendents of those places with a request that copies might be posted
up at the quarantine stations and other conspicuous places :—•
Public Notice.
The following temporary regulations are prescribed by Government
under Act III of 1897 : —
1. The Chief Plague Authorities at Mahabaleshvar shall be the
Superintendent and Mr. H. N. Alexander, and at Panchgani the
Superintendent and Surgeon-Captain Bedford.
2. All medical subordinates working under their orders and all
officers or persons specially appointed by them in writing shall be
plague authorities for the purposes of those and all general rules
under Act III of 1897.
3. Quarantine camps shall be established at or near Panchgani
and Mahabaleshwar by the Chief Plague Authorities of those places
and shall be managed by the Chief Plague Authorities or persons
specially deputed by them for the purpose. Every person placed in
quarantine shall be bound to reside in the quarantine camp assigned
to him or her and to obey the regulations framed by the Chief Plague
Authorities for that camp.
4. All persons coming up from the plains by any road or path shall
be quarantined unless either specially or generally exempted.
5. The following is a list of persons generally exempted :—
(1) All Government servants travelling on duty.
(2) All servants of Europeans who produce certificates from
their employés or a medical man that—
(a) they have been inoculated, or
(b) they have been in good health for ten days previously and
will on arrival be sent to the Superintendent, or other
officer appointed by him for the purpose, for medical in-
spection at such times as the Superintendent prescribes.
(3) All villagers in good health coming up from adjacent villages
where there is no plague with supplies.
(4) All cart-drivers in good health, provided, however, that cart-
drivers coming from Poona vid Wai shall, with any passen-
gers in their carts, be quarantined.
(5) All drivers and syces in good health belonging to public and
private conveyances (drawn by horses or mules).
174
Measures to prevent the
[ APP. VIII.
(6) All Europeans in good health.
(7) All Native gentlemen and their families in good health tra-
velling in conveyances drawn by horses or mules and going
either to hotels or bungalows. (The Superintendent shall
have power to decide whether a house is a bungalow or not
for the purposes of these rules).
(8) All well-known and respectable traders in good health.
N B.—By "good health " is meant " free from plague or reason-
able suspicion thereof."
6. Special exemption may be made by the Chief Plague Author-
ities, who shall have wide discretionary powers and will in exempt-
ing people be guided chiefly by the facilities available, in view of the
person's position or rank and his or her place of residence, for keep-
ing him or her under observation, for preventing the concealment of
cases of plague amongst such persons ; and for checking the spread of
plague if a case or cases should occur.
7. In making special exemptions Chief Plague Authorities may
attach conditions to the exemption. All persons thus exempted shall
be bound to comply with those conditions.
8. All persons generally exempted shall be bound, if ordered to
do so by any Plague authority, to present themselves for medical
examination at the places and times prescribed by that authority and
for such number of days after arrival as may be prescribed.
9. All persons shall be bound, if called upon to do so, to submit
to medical examination by a Plague authority who is a medical man,
to answer truly any question put by any Plague authority, as regards
names, addresses, health, baggage, and places recently visited.
10. No persons coming up from the plains shall wilfully evade quar-
antine or inspection at the posts established for the purpose. Quar-
antine shall continue for such period not exceeding eight days as may
be ordered in each case by the Chief Plague Authority in charge of
the quarantine camp. Should a case of plague occur at a quarantine
camp, quarantine may continue for such further period not exceed-
ing eight days as the Chief Plague Authority may order.
11. Persons coming from Panchgani to Mahabaleshwar shall not
On arrival be subjected to quarantine, unless there is, in the opinion,
of a Chief Plague Authority, reason to suppose that they have escap-
ed quarantine or inspection at the former place.
12. All occupiers of houses or managers of hotels shall be bound,
when called upon by the Superintendent of Mahabaleshwar or
APP. VIII. ]
spread of infection by land.
175
Panchgani, to supply a true complete list of residents in their houses
or hotels and compounds.
2. As regards the other matters referred to, they seem to be
sufficiently provided for in the rules published with Government Reso-
lution No. 1728—1201-P., dated 2gth March 1897.
No. 105.
No. 979, dated Mahableshwar, the 8th June 1897.
From—H. N. ALEXANDER, Esq., Superintendent of Police, attached to
the Secretariat,
To—The Secretary to the Government of Bombay, General Department.
In obedience with instructions conveyed in-paragraph 4 of Govern-
ment Resolution No. 1495 dated 17th March 1807, I took charge of
9S5-13.'
'
-"
ö
the duties of Chief Plague Authority at Mahableshwar on the 18th
March 1897. These duties terminated on the 29th May. Under the
rules in force few persons were prevented from entering Maha-
bleshwar direct : persons admitted, however, were subject to daily
inspection at the Civil Hospital until eight days had elapsed from the
time they had left their home. It was really only persons over whom
it would have been almost impossible to keep any real supervision,
who had to finish their eight days in the observation camps before
they were admitted into Mahableshwar. I have the honour to sub.
mit a few remarks on the working of these rules.
2. General arrangements.—On taking charge I at once began
making enquiries regarding all the possible ways by which people
might get into Mahableshwar and wrote to the Superintendent of
Police, Satara, for police. Mr. MacTie supplied me promptly with
2 jamadars, 3 naicks and 27 constables, and this force, together with
2 jamadars and 5 constables already present on plague duty, enabled
me to establish what I considered would be an effective protection to
Mahableshwar. In consultation with Surgeon-Major Monks I arranged
as follows :—
(a) The Chorpani Camp continued to work as it was doing when
I took charge. This camp is situated 2½ miles from
Mahableshwar on the Satara Road, It was, when I took
charge, being used by Surgeon-Major Monks as an
observation camp. His intention was to use it as such
until plague cases appeared when it was to be turned
into a hospital camp. Surgeon-Major Monks had caused a
camp to be erected at Machutra, 4½ miles from Mahablesh-
war on the Satara Road, which was to be used as the obser-
vation camp, when Chorpani became the hospital camp.
176
Measures to prevent the
[ APP. VIII
(b) The Ling Mala Post, 3 miles from Mahableshwar on the
Panchgani Road, started by Surgeon-Major Monks, was
maintained. To this post, however, I added two out-
posts, one on Kate's point road which commanded foot
paths leading from the Krishna Valley and one, about a
mile from the Ling Mala Post in the direction of Panch-
gani, which commanded a small though much-used foot-
path leading into Mahableshwar.
(c) I established a post at old Mahableshwar to prevent- persons
coming up from the Krishna Valley and thus getting into
Mahableshwar,
(d) I enlarged the small post at Metalya, 4 miles from Maha-
bleshwar on the FitzGerald Ghat road, started by Surgeon-
Major Monks, and added two outposts, one at the head
of a much-frequented jungle path leading from Wara to
the FitzGerald Ghat road and one at the place where the
Par Ghat path crosses the FitzGerald Ghat road.
(e) Lastly I established a post near Babington point which com-
manded paths leading up from the Royana Valley. The
jamadars placed by Surgeon-Major Monks in charge of
Chorpani Camp and Ling Mala Post remained in their places'
and jamadars were appointed at Metalya and Babington
Point. These jamadars were instructed to submit to
me daily reports showing who had came to their posts-
and how they had disposed of them. The Babington
Point Post had little to do, as the paths leading up from
the Royana Valley are hardly good enough for pack
carriage and in consequence only persons coming up
with supplies passed by this way. Neither had the Me-
talya Post much to do as few passengers came into Ma-
hableshwar from the Konkan. There was, however, a
good deal of cart traffic with which the post had to deal.
The brunt of the work fell chiefly on the Ling Mala and
Chorpani Posts.
3. Inspection at the hospital in Mahableshwar and personal su-
pervision.—On receipt of daily reports above alluded to, I entered all
the names of those persons admitted in Mahableshwar in a book which
I sent to the hospital the first thing in the morning. This book was
extremely simple. In it was entered the name of the person and
his residence in Mahableshwar, the place he came from, the date he
left that place, the date of his arrival in Mahableshwar, and the date
of his arrival in Mahableshwar, and the date up to which he had to
APP. VIII. ]
spread of infection by land.
177
present himself at hospital. This book was returned to me in the
middle of the day, and at a glance I could see who had failed to at-
tend for inspection. I then either wrote to the people pointing out
that either they or their servants had failed to attend, or sent the
police round to ascertain the cause for non-attendance. I had con-
siderable advantage in this part of my work, as 1 know the place
well and also most of the European residents, and further, being a
police officer, the local police assisted me in every way doing their
work extremely well. In order to get correct reports I had, how-
ever, at -first to inspect my two chief posts, Lingmala and Choar
Pañi, generally twice a day. This continued till I was satisfied that
the jamadars really understood their work. After that and till
the end I found that one inspection of these two posts daily was
sufficient. My other posts I visited when I could find time.
4. Measures to prevent oppression by the Police.—Mahableshwar is
to a great extent dependent for its supplies on the villagers who come
up the hill daily and who had to pass my posts. I was much afraid that
such persons might be interfered with by the police, and I therefore
made a point of frequently conversing with these people and asking
if they had any complaints to make. There were a few complaints
at first, but I was now able to put a stop to any unnecessary interfer-
ence by the police, and all complaints ceased which speaks well for
the discipline maintained by the jamadars.
5. Dandeghar observation Camp.—This camp which was close to
Panchgani was opened on the 2nd April. It was the duty of the offi-
cer in charge to settle who was to pass into Mahableshwar and who
was to remain in the camp. He issued red tickets to those who were
to enter Mahableshwar, yellow tickets to those who had been in
quarantine and blue tickets to cartmen. Surgeon-Major Monks and I
came to the conclusion that it would be wise to keep the Ling Mala
Post as a further check first, in case the officer at Dandeghar should
make any mistake, secondly, because people might evade Dande-
ghar, and thirdly because it was easier to ascertain the names and
addresses of people near at hand than to be dependent on a place
so far off as Dandeghar for the information, In every respect the
place worked well.
6. Cart traffic.—Cartdrivers with carts were under the rules ad-
mitted straight into Mahableshwar. They were directed, however, to
move away as soon as possible after they had completed their busi-
ness. As an extra precaution all cartmen moving from the Konkan
to the Satara District and vice versa, and who did not wish to stop
c 23
178
Measures to prevent the
[ APP. VIII:
in Mahableshwar, were escorted through and not allowed into the
bazaar. Persons were escorted through in a similar manner if they
did not wish to stop in Mahableshwar.
7. Machutra Camp.—This camp was first used on the 31st
March. It became the observation camp and the jamadar in charge
of Chorpani took charge of it. It remained in use till quarantine
arrangements were stopped on the 29th of May.
8. Plague case.—Only oncease of plague occurred. On the 27th
March a Marwari and two women arrived from Poona and were sent
to the observation camp at Chorpani. One of the women was suffering
from fever at the time, which proved to be ordinary fever. On the
afternoon of the ßoth the other woman got fever. I heard of this on
the morning of the 31st and, finding that the temperature was un-
usually high, came to the conclusion that it was probably a case of
plague though no glandular swellings were then observable. Surgeon-
Major Monks and I agreed that it would be unwise to run any risks,
and we settled to move all the persons, over 70 in number, who were
under observation in the camp, to the Machutra Camp. This, with the
assistance of the chief constable, I arranged for, and by the evening
the Machutra Camp was in working order. The two sick women
and their relatives were kept at Chorpani and strict quarantine was
observed at both camps. The woman died of plague the next day
and her corpse was burnt just outside the camp. The inmates of the
camp were detained for nine days, and I am glad to say no further
plague cases occurred.
9. Cholera case.—There was one case of cholera in the Machutra
Camp which ended fatally. A man arrived from the Satara direction on
the I5th May suffering with cholera. He was detained and treated
and there appeared to be every hope that he would recover, when he
suddenly got relapse and died on the 21st idem.
10. Persons under observation.—About 870 persons were detain-
ed in the observation camps and 2,200 attended at the hospital for
periods varying from one to eight days,
11. Observation camps.—The two camps erected here consisted
of grass huts. In the Chorpani Camp there were two long wards
partitioned off into rooms with some separate huts for attendants. The
Machutra Camp consisted of huts divided from one another by a con-
siderable space. I consider the Machutra Camp far superior of the
two for quarantine purposes, as in the case of an infectious disease
being discovered in a hut it could be destroyed, whereas in the case of
works this was impossible. The Chorpani Camp was constructed as