47
One example, where it was possible to carry out disinfection
thoroughly, in accordance with standing orders with most satisfactory
results, is worth quoting. The circumstances are stated in the following
report from Dr. C. H. Cayley:—
" I have the honour to forward a report giving details of the outbreak of
" Plague in the Municipal ohawls at Valpakadi, and the effects of the measures of
" disinfection adopted for controlling the same. From May 1st up to May 14th
" there were 14 deaths from Plague in the Municipal chawls themselves. On
" May 12th the chawls were thoroughly flushed inside and out with the engine and
" every room and all clothes and furnUure were thoroughly disinfected under the
" supervision of Capt. Bolton, the District Officer. This disinfection was not
" completed until the afternoon of the 14th. On the 15th and 16th there were
" two deaths in the chawls of people who had been ill since the 12th and 13th,
" respectively, with Plague, i.e., had been attacked before the disinfection was
" completed. These people were not removed from the chawls, but were allowed
" to remain in their rooms which were afterwards disinfected. From May 10th
" to May 13th there were 6 deaths from Plague. After that date, with the exception
" of the two cases referred to above, there have been no deaths OP attacks from Plague
" in the chawls themselves, although there have been several cases of Plague in the
" huts outside the chawls. The thorough disinfection of the cbawls that was adopted
" put a complete stop to the epidemic in the chawls, and there was no recurrence,
" although numerous cases of Plague were occurring in the immediate vicinity of
" the chawls."
I have, &c.,
(Sd.) G. H. CAYLEY,
Divisional Health Officer,
No. 1 Division.
Improvement
and demolition
of Insanitary
Buildings.
The important but most difficult work of house improvement
remained in the hands of the Executive Engineer, under the direct control
of the Municipal Commissioner. The following summary of the year's
work has heen supplied by the Executive Engineer :—
During the year, ending 31st May 1900, a systematic inspection of
houses in the following districts, which was in hand at the commence-
ment of the year, was continued :—
Colaba, Fort. Dhobitalao, Chalda, Mandvi, Umarkhady, Dongri,
Bhuleshwar, 2nd Nagpada, Byculla, Market, Khara-talao, Kumbharwada,
Tardeo, Khetwadi, and Mazagon. The Walkeshwar District Was also
taken up during the year. The inspection of houses in Kamatipura and
Dhobitalao Districts was completed during the year, and the improvement
of several houses in these and other districts carried out, while that of
others is in progress. Stray cases in the remaining districts of the City
were also inspected when their improvement was urgently demanded.
1,867 buildings were inspected during the year under review, of which
1687 were found more or less in need of improvement, 170 incapable of
improvement and fit for demolition, the remaining being such as not to
require any improvement. In all 245 houses and sheds were actually
demolished during the year.
Notices.
During the year 2,787 notices were issued requiring the
house-owners to improve their buildings, out of which the owners