NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
CHAPTER
ill.
MEASURES ADOPTED.
New measures for the prevention and suppression of Plague were
introduced into Bombay City late in September 1900. They were based
upon the Report of the Indian Plague Commission and the Government
of India Resolution dated 16th July 1900.
The Resolution contained a review of the proposals and measures
recommended in the Plague Commission Report, dictated the policy to
be pursued towards the people affected by outbreaks of Plague and in-
dicated the methods to be employed and measures to be adopted in
future Plague administration.
The following summary of orders was accordingly issued as being
specially applicable to the people of Bombay City. Government con-
curred in the views which found expression in these orders and agreed to
provide as a minimum staff thirteen Staff Corps officers and five
English doctors, to carry them out.
Summary of the Orders of Government on Chapters VI, VI-A
and VI-B, VI-C and VI-D of the Report of the Indian Plague
Commission dealing with measures for the suppression of
Plague compiled for the guidance of Officers on Plague
Duty in Bombay City.
[ Vide Government of India Resolution No. 1789-1804, in the Home
Department, Sanitary (Plague), dated 16th July 1900, and
Bombay Government Resolution, General Department
(Plague), No. 4677-P, dated 1st August 1900.]
Introductory—Paragraphs 1 to 6.
The high case mortality in plague, combined with the longer continuance of
an outbreak, makes it a disease more to be dreaded than cholera in a locality
where it has established itself.
In India various measures, some successful, some unsuccessful, have been
tried, and most absurd rumours as to the objects of Government have obtained
currency among the people. These misapprehensions, and the universal experience
that the people of infected places can and will evade measures for dealing with
plague which are distasteful to them, have established it as an axiom that it is
hopeless to carry out any system of plague administration which runs counter to
the feelings, susceptibilities and prejudices of the people. The Commission there-
fore observe that measures which press with severity upon the inhabitants of an
infected place, as a whole, or on the friends and relatives of the patient as dis-
tinguished from the patient himself, can never be enforced in the case of a wide-
spread epidemic by the staff available in India. Coercion is not a practical policy,
but much can be done by persuasion and practical demonstration of the utility of
certain measures.
44
These Orders speak for themselves. They require greater care, and
patience in investigating the causes of death and lay stress on the results to
be expected from chemical disinfection by a specially trained staff. The
greatest attention has been given to these two points during the year
under report with very gratifying results.
The publication of the Orders of the Government of India having
led to the impression that all plague measures had been abolished the
following further summary was translated into Urdu, Marathi and
Gujarati and distributed broadcast throughout the City at the end of
September.
Summary of the Measures to be Adopted in Bombay City Based
on the Orders of the Government of India.
This summary is issued in order to prevent any misapprehension on the part
of the people as to the measures to be taken in dealing with plague in future.
It is most necessary therefore that the efforts of Plague Officials, popular leaders
and Volunteer helpers should be directed to convincing the people of the utility of
the measures which they will be required to submit to, and which have been devised
on a clear appreciation of the feelings and susceptibilities of the people. The
good feeling that already exists between the people and the gentlemen referred to
should render this a matter of: no great difficulty.
MEASURES.
Under the ordinary provisions of the Municipal Act Medical Practitioners
will continue to be bound to report plague or any other dangerous diseases which
may come to their knowledge.
House-to-house searches have long since been discontinued in Bombay and
will not be resumed except in isolated quarters of a ward which is otherwise free
from infection.
Surveillance over arrivals from infected areas is difficult to enforce in Bombay,
but success in this direction may be obtained if the people directly co-operate for
their own protection by giving information regarding new comers to the Plague
Officers and Volunteers.
There will be no compulsory corpse inspection. Removal of the sick is not
considered by Government to be an effectual precaution owing to the number of
cases that escape detection, hence removal of the sick will not be compulsory in
Bombay. But patients who are left without anyone to look after them or who
have no home will as usual be removed to hospital.
Segregation of contacts will be abandoned in Bombay.
Evacuation though generally accepted as a beneficial measure in Bombay will
not be compulsory, but the people will be encouraged and assisted as heretofore
to erect camps when a plague epidemic is threatened. As in the past also Muni-
cipal Camps will be erected if considered desirable in F and G Wards for the
accommodation of those too poor to build their own camps.
The compulsory evacuation of chawls will cease except with the special
sanction of the Municipal Commissioner and will be replaced by rigorous and
thorough disinfection, where evacuation would formerly have been resorted to.
46
The work of the volunteers in the Central District, C Ward and
E Ward West, was exceptionally useful. Many of them attended daily
at the district offices, accompanied the sectional medical officers on their
rounds, reporting the sickness and assisting the staff in every way. The
volunteers in Byculla were just as devoted and reported a considerable
amount of sickness. There are only a few gentlemen in this district,
but these few worked regularly throughout the year. The work in B
Ward North was carried on by the old volunteers who have long served
the public interest by their presence with the plague staff on their rounds
but the attendance has not been as regular as in former years. In
Byculla, Wari Bunder, A Ward and B Ward South, there are only a few
working volunteers, they do all that is possible and are always ready
when called upon to assist, but there are a few amongst them who are
very regular and attend almost daily at the district offices. In F & G
Wards and D Ward owing to the conditions prevailing in these districts
there are but two or three members who continue to report plague and
assist in the plague work of the district.
Our best thanks are due to those volunteers who have continued to
work. They deserve recognition for the ungrudging way in which
they have given their services in a difficult and dangerous task. Most of
them are gentlemen who came forward at the commencement of plague in
Bombay, and to previous years, one more has now been added to their
record, during which they have had to contend with one of the severest
epidemics of cholera that this city has ever experienced, besides the
recent plague epidemic which was as bad and perhaps more acute than
any previous epidemic. A special chapter is devoted to the volunteers
and their services are recorded in it.
Private
Practitioners.
The attention of private medical practitioners and the people was
drawn to the fact that under the Municipal Act the former were bound to
report plague or any other dangerous disease which might come to their
notice. They were also informed that the new orders did not affect the
Municipal Act. There was no time lost in impressing upon practitioners,
hakims and vaids that since compulsory removal of patients to hospital
had been abolished there was now no ground for fearing loss of practice
if they reported their cases; that the people had also nothing to
fear and their co-operation with the plague officials was specially in-
vited. The result has been very fairly successful, the sickness reported
being greatly in excess of that of past years, and it is probable that
by degrees the people will learn that they have less to fear if they report
sickness than if they conceal it. In past years the cause for conceal-
ment was directly due to the compulsory removal of patients
to hospitals. In the present year it was found they would not
report sickness if they thought disinfection would result, but, in a
case where there was no doubt about the cause of sickness being not due
to plague they had no objection to report it. It was owing then to dis-
infection and the inconveniences accompanying this operation that in the
47
majority of cases the people shrank from reporting sickness this year.
Most of the medical practitioners who habitually gave information direct
to the District Officers continued to do so this year.
The following statements show the number of cases of plague and
sickness from other causes reported by various doctors. It testifies to a
very great increase in the feeling of confidence between themselves and
the plague officials in which of course the people, their clients, must also
have shared. It is evident that the verification of the cause of death by
the sectional medical officers must have been carried out with sufficient
thoroughness to have taught the people that if the plague staff were in
doubt as to the cause of a death, disinfection would surely follow. In
fact, they have been brought into closer contact with the officials in see-
ing to their own interests.
Statement showin;/ the -Xu»d>er of Plague Cam's Reported to the Health Officer,
ln/ various Doctor* and other persons from 1st June 1900 to 31st JSlay 1901.
Names of l)octoi>.
Prof. T. K. Gajjar
Dr. Khaja Abdulla
• • -
, V. R. Parulker
...
, P. J. L. DeSouza ..
...
, H. J. Dady Sett
..
• • •
, D. N. Pereira
...
, E. F. Underwood ..
, V. N. Mehta
, P. K. Patel
, M.J. Hakim
.
•. •
, Edaljee Nusserwanjee
...
, Sorab K. Narinian ..
•
...
, B. Pais
.
...
, L. B. Dhargalker
, P. R. Pilgaoker
.. •
, C. H. F. Underwood
, C. F. Dalai
...
, K. S. Engineer
.
...
, F. K Bisni
, A. P. Dias
, N. A. PeSilva
.
...
Mr. A. H. Ekins, Superintendent
of Public Health Camps
...
Dr. G. B. Klier ...
, J. S. P. Rodrigues ..
...
, A, N. Sambare
...
, A. A. Gair
, Salvador D'Almeida ..
, Jehangir Edaljee
...
, V. P. Velinker
...
, D. M. PeSilva
...
, P. M. Mathai
...
, V. S. Divan
...
, S. S. Batliwala
...
, S. B. .Tatar
...
, Pestonjee Ukerjee ..
. R. R. Lakhdir
...
, J, I, DeQuadros
...
Mr, Puvshotam Haricliand
...
Dr. S. K. Dadachanji ..
, D. S. Eraser
, C. R. Marrett
...
, Burjorjee H. Dantra..
...
No. of cases
reported
by each.
219
7fi
57
57
32
25
22
22
20
19
17
15
14
13
is
12
32
12
7
7
(5
(5
G
5
5
5
5
4
4
3
3
3
: >,
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
Names of Doctors.
Dr. Tayabkhan Abdul Husain
Zanzibar walla
, Iv. N. Goklile
, J. R. Thanawalla
, Bhagwant S. Patker...
V Dins
, F. Dadabhoy...
, L. P. Gomes...
Hakim Ruttonjee Framjee
Dr. R. N. Ranina
„ H. E. Sukhia
„ M. B. Kulkerni
,, Edaljee Cawasjee
Capt. H. Pritchard
Dr. H. Mahomed Eshak Khan ...
, Cawasjee Pestonjee ...
. Chhab'ildas T. Master
, Sorabji J.
, V. S.'Trilokekar
, Cawasjee Nowrojee ...
, H. J. Appoo...
, Martin J. Lobo
, S. Raghuvendra
, Sorabjee Jamsetjee ...
, P. M. D'Silva
, J.S.B. Vakil
, A. L, Naiv ...
Lt.-Col. H. P. Pimmock
Surgeon in Charge Gokuldas Tej-
pal Hospital
Hakim Ramnarayen
Dr. C. Fernandes...
, Shivdas Permananddas
, John T. PeCunha ...
, C. Rodrigues...
Hakim Manekjec Cawasjee
Dr. Pirojsha Pallonji
, Gurumaharaj Jaisingji Kur-
undwadkar
Superintendent, Vaccination Dept,
Dr. Ramchandra Madhowrao
, Rustomjee Dadabhoy
, Temuljee B. Nariman
P
. C
No. of cases
reported
by each.
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
48
Statement of Sickness Other than Plague reported by Private Practitioners
to District Officers.
1
Names of Private Practitioners. c
Dr. P. J. DeSouza
„ Razabali V. Patel
„ J. P. Nicholson
„ *Ismael Jan Mahomed
,, A. G. Viegas
...
„ Khaja Abdula
„ A. P. Kothare
,, Edulji C. Tukina ...
„ V. S. Divan
„ S. S. Missir ...
„ E. Hakim ...
„ H. J. Daclishett
,, B. Kapadia ...
Hakim A. Zanzibanvalla...
Dr. Popat Prabhuram ...
„ Purshotam Harichand
,, De Silva
„ D. S. Fraser
„ J. Edulji
„ M. Disana ...
Vaidya Errappa Pottaya...
Dr. J. F. Underwood
Profess or T. Gajjar
Dr. S. D. Nadirshaw
„ J. M. Continho
„ *D. K. Patel
,, N. Mehta
„ V. K. Parulker
,, Pereira
,, Abadan
Vaidya Damodar...
Dr. D. N. Sahir
„ Dadarker
„ D. C, Setlma
„ Rajaballi Lakhdhir ...
„ Motilal Harkissondass
„ D. R. Wadia
,, P. Gaula
,, S, S. Batliwalla
„ M. J. Hakim
„ Edulji Nasserwanji ...
„ Yeshwant Sanzgiri ...
„ Framji Shapurji
,, S. N. Sharman
„ R. M. Modi
„ A. V. Velker
,, P. S. Shurrna
„ A. D. Contractor ...
•To. of cascf-
f sickness
reported.
800
82
78
7G
52
47
47
47
45
45
•12
39
39
39
38
88
85
84
32
29
29
28
27
2G
2G
25
24
24
23
23
22
21
19
]8
1G
1G
]G
1G
15
]5
14
14
14
14
13
12
12
12
11
Names of Private Practitioners.
Dr. Kher
lakim Abdul Wahab ...
Dr. D. B. Master
„ *L. J. Pinto
,, B. J. Horscdealer ...
TC Ivi
nOPviTii mipplr
mj
J.V • XYX • XJ-V>C1 ttUJclllCv^lv • • •
• • •
,, Salveclore de Almeida
„ C. H. Underwood ...
„ S. R. Setlma
,, Banker
,, R. Khory
,, De Garna
„ Sir Bhalchandra K....
,, Desai...
,, Abraham A. Gair ...
„ F. N. Bisni
„ H. J. Appa ...
„ D. R. Tata
,, S. Nariman ...
K R Watoha
,, Bharucha
„ B. A. Shroff
„ D. S. Appoo...
,, Pirozsha Pallonji
„ Mr. Guider
„ P. S. Sivan
„ N. R. Dordi
., R. N. Pennanand
„ P. R. Pilgaokar
„ -J. C. Merchant
„ Maganlal Bhatt
,, Tuljaram
,, H. Nowroji ...
,, R. Kalapesi ...
„ D. R. Guzdar
., Cowasji Nowroji
„ Hakim Nurkhan
,, Dr. Ebrahim Husein
„ Vicaji
,, S. Permananddas
„ Rao
,, Tambe
...
... ...
„ Framroz S. Joshi
,, M. R. Setlma
„ Cowasji Pestonji
,, P. J. Swamy
,. *De Mello
„ C. Rodrigues
No. of cases
of sickness
reported.
G
G
G
G
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
b
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
8
8
8
3
8
8
8
3
8
8
3
8
3
8
3
3
3
49
Names of Private Practitioners. c
Dr. "VVamanrao Madbavrao
„ E. Underwood
„ Fernandez ...
„ K. E. Master
„ Hiraji
„ F. S. Madon
„ Gregory
„ Murkute
,, Sambhare
,, KJ. X. iviastei• • •
•••
•••
„ Nagindass
„ »0. L. Dalai
„ V. S. Trilokekar
„ D. T>. Mistri
Vaidya Mathuradass
Dr. Homiusji C. Modi ...
,, Eanina
„ E. Moses
„ L. B. Dhargalkar ...
„ Pais
*.
To. of cases
)f sickness
reported.
11
10
9
8
8
8
8
8
8
7
7
7
7
7
6
6
G
(!
6
6
6
Names of Private Practitioners.
r. P. P. Vaidya
lakim Bustornji...
)r. Pestonji Ukerji
„ B. Dantra
„ S. B, Shroff
Hakim Framroz ...
Vaidya Bancbordas
Dr. Dubasli
„ K H. Sukhia
„ Kootar
„ A. D. Quadros
„ Miss Gomez ...
„ P. M. Mathai
,, Chunilal
,, Miss Turkhad
„ Bardi
...
.,,
„ H. B. Modi
„ Gokhle
„ K. Engineer...
Hakim Gulam Mobidin ...
t^o. of cases
of sickness
reported.
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
The following are the names of private practitioners who have rendered great assistance
to the District Officer, E AVard, Wari Bunder, as reported by him in addition to those
marked with an asterisk :—
Dr. C E. Surti, Dr. Narielwalla, Dr. Eozario.
Many others whose names are not mentioned reported one case of sickness.
In A Ward, B Ward South, and C and D Wards where the most
advanced communities reside, the number o£ cases o£ plague and other
sickness reported by practitioners was greater than in other parts o£
the City. But a glance at the two statements will show with fair ac-
curacy the value o£ the work done by each of the practitioners. It is
hoped that next year will see a greater increase in the number o£ cases
reported, since the present measures leave no excuse for not reporting
cases, on the contrary they have dispelled fear ; and concealment is useless.
Sectional
Medical Offi-
cers, Staff
and Regis-
tration
Ramosis.
The number of cases reported by the Sectional Medical Officers and
the staff rose from 6,833 to 14,339, while the Ramosis increased their
total from 4,405 to 6,813. These figures are highly satisfactory and show
both the efficiency of the paid establishments and the absence of con-
cealment on the part of the people.
The following statement gives all the figures of Plague cases reported
at the various plague offices. As some officers have included suspicious
cases and others not, there is some variation in the totals compared with
those in the table of Plague Cases and Deaths given at page 5, but
the figures are sufficiently accurate for the purpose for which they
are intended.
13
Volunteers
Hospital Returns
Lunatic Asylum
Private Practitioners
S. M. Os. and Staff
.
Registration Ramosis .
Municipal Subordinates
Police
Military Authorities
Landlords
Friends and Neighbours.
Cemetery Memos.
TOTAL ...
Total for the year ending
31st May 1900.
A WARD.
Cases.
54
90
1
117
63
16
23
17
20
13
51
465
752
Deaths.
8
...
...
36
427
15
13
72
6
2
11
30
620
475
Total.
62
90
1
153
490
36
89
26
15
62
30
1085
1227
B, SOUTH,
Cases.
112
50
...
138
56
32
21
2
46
460
827
Deaths.
5
...
...
6
064
1085
336
Total.
117
50
...
144
56
1096
30
2
46
1545
1163
B, NORTH.
Cases.
72
...
...
63
247
386
583
Deaths.
53
...
...
24
1106
12
...
1195
479
Total.
125
...
...
87
1353
14
1581
1062
C WARD.
Cases.
393
262
...
227
239
101
12
4
12
57
1307
1564
Deaths.
266
...
...
76
4221
109
6
1
4
13
4698
2066
Total.
659
262
303
4460
210
14
10
13
61
13
6005
3630
D WARD.
Cases.
98
67
81
201
32
19
23
9
539
719
Deaths.
58
...
17
1058
714
4
...
8
1868
830
Total.
156
67
98
1259
746
28
13
23
9
8
2407
1549
E, WEST.
Cases.
361
40
42
88
133
16
...
18
20
718
1021
Deaths.
...
...
3
1639
...
...
...
2
1644
907
Total.
361
40
42
91
1772
16
...
18
20
2
2362
1928
E, BYCULLA.
Cases.
76
47
14
107
67
2
3
19
342
498
Deaths.
175
...
...
...
370
...
6
1
7
1559
1777
Total.
251
47
14
107
1437
8
3
20
7
1901
2275
E, WARI
BUNDER.
Cases.
20
29
55
151
131
1
13
401
460
Deaths.
4
2
...
87
034
1
1
1129
486
Total.
24
31
55
238
1165
1
14
1
1530
946
F&G WARDS
Cases.
68
46
80
617
102
2
945
1347
Deaths.
23
10
3
1761
168
1
...
4
1970
1623
Total.
91
56
83
2378
270
1
2
4
2885
2970
CENTRAL
DISTRCT.
Cases.
388
80
135
444
67
13
15
16
1158
1407
Deaths.
519
27
12
3163
4
...
1
2
3733
1773
Total.
907
107
147
3607
72
13
4
15
17
2
4891
3180
GRAND TOTAL.
Cases.
1642
711
1
952
2213
683
113
36
20
89
231
6691
9178
Deaths.
1111
39
...
174
11826
6130
33
94
6
3
18
67
19501
10752
Total.
2753
750
1
1126
14039
6813
146
130
26
92
249
67
26192
19930
GRAND TOTAL FOR
THE YEAR ENDING
31ST MAY 1900.
Cases.
3175
1463
5
379
2378
997
41
77
35
226
402
9178
Deaths.
1709
521
1
53
4455
3408
43
163
7
30
58
304
10752
Total.
4884
1984
6
432
6833
4405
84
240
42
256
460
304
19930
50
51
The following statement shows district by district and section by
section the amount of work done in the removal of the sick and of contacts
and evicts to hospitals and camps, for the year ending 25th May 1901.
SECTION.
1
A WARD—
Upper Colaba
...
•••
Middle and Lower Colaba
Fort, Northern
Fort, Southern
Esplanade
B WARD SOUTH—
Mandvi
Chukla (Portion)
B WARD NORTH—
Umerkhadi (Portion)
Dongri
C WARD—
Market
Dhobi Talao
Fanaswadi
Bhuleshwar (Portion)
Kumbharwada
D WARD—
Khetwadi
Girgaum
Chowpati ...
Walkeshwar
Mahaluxmi
E WARD WEST—
Kamatipura
Tardeo
1st Nagpada,
E WARD EAST(BYCULLA)—
Byculla (Portion)
E WARD EAST (WARI
BUNDER)—
Mazagaon
Tarwadi
F & G WARDS—
Pavel
Sewri
Sion
Mahim
Worli
CENTRAL DISTRICT—
Chukla (Portion) ...
Umerkhadi (Portion)
Bhuleshwar (Portion)
Khara Talao
2nd Nagpada
Byculla (Portion)...
Total
Total for the previous year
No. of Plague cases
discovered.
Attacks
2
5
122
263
20
61
471
392
133
525
197
196
393
480
246
142
176
258
1,302
225
155
78
47
74
579
352
257
109
71
340
34
225
139
384
245
75
24
433
138
915
40
179
159
256
266
260
1,160
6,787
9,127
Deaths
3
5
188
307
9
94
603
830
244
1,074
312
902
1,214
1,245
674
662
490
1.578
4,649
644
512
163
102
447
1,868
806
347
477
1,630
1,614
1.614
712
459
1,171
619
385
113
324
529
1,970
92
681
600
936
751
629
3,689
19,482
10,541
Total
4
10
310
570
29
155
1,074
1,222
377
1,599
509
1,098
1,607
1,725
920
804
666
1.836
5,951
809
667
241
149
521
2,447
1.158
604
586
2.348
1,954
1,954
937
618
1,555
864
460
137
757
667
2,885
132
860
759
1,192
1.017
889
4,849
26,269
19,668
No. of patients
removed to hospitals
5
5
73
154
17
52
301
116
33
149
73
86
159
21
126
65
58
122
582
157
101
49
31
51
389
122
68
46
236
137
137
94
72
166
165
15
12
128
87
407
13
100
36
93
146
158
546
3,072
8,144
No. of persons sent to
Hospitals or Camps as Contacts.
6
278
153
3
14
448
244
61
305
201
233
434
912
541
215
350
2,018
110
68
31
3
35
247
597
461
167
1,225
82
82
58
415
473
62
4
1
55
32
154
5
21
169
444
222
99
960
6,346
27,335
No. of persons
segregated in
private quarters
other than
authorized
Hospital
or camp.
7
49
109
3
9
170
276
100
376
124
110
234
269
120
77
118
136
720
68
54
29
16
23
190
230
189
63
482
203
203
131
87
218
80
60
12
305
51
508
27
79
123
163
120
102
614
3,715
983
8
244
392
3
4
643
214
222
436
747
323
204
282
474
2,030
159
114
54
29
54
410
308
54
87
449
2
...
2
196
143
41
765
149
1,294
59
55
822
936
6,200
4,178
No. of Persons sent to
Camps sent as Evicts.
9
381
41
10
15
447
763
763
840
422
1,262
409
377
69
5
161
1.021
51
8
6
...
65
712
304
156
1,172
63
63
49
...
49
...
...
...
166
171
51
145
533
5,375
36,978
REMARKS.
10
53
There was a fair proportion of recoveries amongst those who were
segregated in their homes in B Ward North.
Lieut. Dalgliesh states the conditions under which this happened as
follows :—
The total number of suffering cases found during the year was 4D6 out of
which 162 were removed to Hospital, 127 were left in their houses being in a
moribund condition and 117 were isolated.
Out of the 117 isolated 75 recovered. Isolation as far as the majority of the
people living in this district is concerned, is purely imaginary.
When one considers that a family of 9 or 10 persons live in one small room
it is apparent that isolation of sick people is not possible.
Isolation, therefore, in this district was practically another name for non-
removal to Hospital.
I regret that no. records have been kept as to what effect isolation has had in
spreading the plague among the family of the patient, but according to my own
impressions, the spread of infection has not been very noticeable.
The people have become so indifferent to plague that no difficulty is
experienced in finding contacts.
In B Ward South there were 376 patients segregated in private
quarters. Concerning these Lieut. Shakespeare states that 264 died and
104 recovered ; of the 264 there were 103 who died within 24 hours
of the case coming to the knowledge of the staff
Lieut. Shakespeare comments on the precautions taken in cases
not removed to hospital. He states as follows :—
The precautions taken consist of supplying disinfectants to the tenants, showing
them their use ; removal of all bedding and kit at least once a week for sterilization :
disinfection of the room, if possible ; continual visits by the plague staff. Even
with all these measures it appears impossible to secure isolation.
The word isolation has been generally used with reference to those
who have been left in their dwellings and must not be considered to
mean all that isolation means in its proper sense.
Dr. Matthai of B Ward South gives several instances of contacts
who were in attendance on patients, catching 1 the infection from which
they afterwards died. He says :—
I mention two instances (1) In De Souza Street a child of 7 years died
of Plague ; just before her death the mother was attacked ; 2 days after her sister
was attacked. (2) In Samuel Street No 77, a girl was attacked with Plague ; a day
after her death, her father and only sister went to Matoonga where the father
was attacked and died in 4 days' time. The sister returned to the same house in
Samuel Street soon after the father's death. On the very day she reached the house
she got fever and died of Plague on the 4th day. All these cases were Bubonic
type. I can give more instances, if necessary, to show the danger of isolating cases
in houses.
14