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Gulzarbagh, P. O.
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IN EUROPE AND AMERICA.
THE OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR INDIA, Public Department, India
House, Aidwych, London, W. C. 2.
REPORT
OF THE
MUNICIPAL COMMISSIONER
ON
THE PLAGUE IN BOMBAY
ΓΟΒ THE YEAR ENDING 31sT MAY 1900.
PART I.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION.
Bombag:
PRINTED AT THE " TIMES OF INDIA" PRESS.
1901.
CONTENTS.
PA.GE
CHAPTER I.—Administrative Details
1
Personnel
...
...
...
...
...
...
··- 1
Measures ...
...
...
...
...
...
...
··. 3
CHAPTER II.—The Course of the Epidemic
4
Population in Bombay ....
...
...
...
...
...
4
Plague Attacks and Deaths
..
5
Plague Deaths including Suspicious
6
Total Mortality
7
Mortality of the City as a whole
··.·
8
The course of the Epidemic in each District ....
....
... 15
General Remarks
...
....
...
...
...
.... 25
CHAPTER ΠΤ.—Measures adopted ....
....
....
...
.
29
The Discovery of Plague Cases
29
Removal of Patients to Hospital
...
....
....
.. 34
Segregation of Contacts
....
....
....
..
.... 36
Evacuation of infected Houses and Localities
36
Disinfection
...
...
...
...
...
...
... 41
Improvement and Demolition of Insanitary Buildings
47
Destruction of Rats
48
CHAPTER IV.—Inoculation
49
Inoculation Circular
...
...
... 49
Central District
50
C Ward
56
A. ward. ...
...
...
...
...
.·.
...
... oo
Other Districts
60
General
65
Inducements offered
...
...
...
...
...
... 66
Difficulties
67
Precautions adopted
68
Abuses
74
Assistance by Private Practitioners
76
Protection
..x
78
Inoculation Stations'
„
85
Number of Inoculations Performed
86
CHAPTER V.—Camps...
89
Population in Camps
89
Public Camps
92
Private Camps
95
Camps in the North of the Island
103
Expenditure of Government Grant for Camps
105
ii
PAGE
CHAPTER VI.—Discretional Relief
107
Principles of Distribution
...
107
Mr. Lund's Report for the Arthur Road and Maratha Hospitals. 107
Statement of Expenditure
...
...
...
...
... 109
CHAPTER VII.—Volunteers
111
Number of Volunteers
111
Work of Volunteers
111
Names of Volunteers whose services have been valuable
... 112
CHAPTER VIII.—Staff and Expenditure
...
115
Staff
115
Expenditure
124
CHAPTER IX.—Miscellaneous
126
Attitude of the People
126
Plague at Bandora Slaughter Houses
128
Appendix A.—The History of some badly infected buildings... 129
Appendix B.—Miscellaneous Notes
135
No.
OF 190 .
FROM
W. L, HARVEY, ESQ., I.C.S.,
Municipal Commissioner for the City of Bombay,
To
THE UNDER SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT,
General Department (Plague),
MUNICIPAL COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE,
BOMBAY,
December 1900,
SIR,
I have the honour to forward herewith the Report on Plague Opera-
tions in Bombay during the year ending 31st May 1900,
2. Mr. J. H. DuBoulay, I.C.S., was in charge of general plague
operations throughout the year, and Col. Wilkins, D. S. O., exercised con-
trol over all hospitals and camps from the time of his return to plague
duty in September 1899 till the end of the year. In forwarding their
last Annual Report I brought to the notice of Government the very
valuable services rendered by these officers, and it only remains for me
to add that during the period under report their duties were carried out
with the utmost tact, zeal and ability. Mr, DuBoulay has now proceeded
on furlough and Col. Wilkins has reverted on promotion to the Military
Department, and while the loss to plague administration is a severe one,
the admirable state of efficiency in which these officers left the depart-
ments subordinate to them has rendered the task of their successors
lighter than it might otherwise have been.
3, The services rendered by the Staff Corps Officers in charge of
Districts were maintained at the same high standard as before and the
ease with which they adapt themselves to this class of work, requiring
as it does, tact, sympathy with the people and withal firmness, demon-
strates their peculiar suitability for it. Many of -our most experienced
officers have been withdrawn owing to the exigencies of Military duty,
and then· services have been separately acknowledged by Government;
of the others who have served for the greater part of the year I would
specially mention Captain Pritchard and Lieutenants Dalgleish ana
Browne, as deserving the commendation of Government for their excel-
lent work. The constant changes among District Officers detailed in
paragraphs 1—3 of the Report undoubtedly interfered with the efficiency
iv
of the administration, and I may be allowed to express a hope that during
the coming season it will not be necessary to make so many transfers.
However able and zealous a new officer may be he requires time to
obtain the confidence of the people in his charge> and until he obtains
this he cannot effect much.
« l Dr. K. B. Shroff, Deputy Heal h Officer,
2 „ Britto.
S „ Fazal Ahmed.
4 „ B. V. Patel.
5 t Dady Burjor.
6 , Bardi.
7 , Matthai.
8 , Kapadia.
9 , Pedneker.
10 , Munshi.
11 , Contractor.
12 , Jayakar.
13 Mr. Guider.
4. The staff subordinate to
the District Officers have carried out
their duties to my entire satisfaction.
Among the Sectional Medical Officers
I would specially mention those
noted in the margin* as having been
very successful in the performance
of the work assigned to them.
I have the honour to be.
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,..
W. L. HABVEY,
Municipal Commissioner
for the City of Bombay.
CHAPTER
1.
ADMINISTEATIVE DETAILS.
Personnel,
The Municipal Commissioner, Mr. W. L. Harvey, I.C.S., continued
in charge of Plague operations in Bombay throughout the year; the duties
oí Special Medical Officer for Plague operations were carried out by Dr.
C. H. Cayley, Divisional Health Officer, Bombay, from the beginning of
the year till he went home on leave. They were then undertaken by
Capt. H. A. L. Howell, R.A.M.C., from 31st July 1899, till Lt.-Col. J. S.
Wilkins, D.S.O., I.M.S., returned to this post on llth September
1899. Lt.-Gol. Wilkins held charge till the end of the year, and was
assisted by Dr. E. L. Hunt, from 2nd January 1900 till the end of the
year. Mr. J. H. DuBoulay, I.C.S., continued as Deputy Commissioner
for Plague operations throughout the year.
No change was made in the division of the City into districts for
the purpose of Plague administration during the year. The following
statement shows the names of the officers from time to time in charg3
of the various districts ;—
A. Ward : comprising Colaba (Upper, Middle and Lower}, Fort
(¿forth and South), and the Esplanade :—Capt. F. R. E. Lock, I,S.C.,
was in charge throughout the year,
B. Ward, South : comprising Mandvi and most of Chukla :—
Lieut. W. J. W. Braokenbury, I.S.C., was in charge till the 16th
November, when he went on one month's privilege leave, and again
from 18th December 1899 till 30th April 1900, when he was recalled
to Military duty. Lieut. W. C. French, I.S.C., was in charge during
Lieut, Brackenbury's absence on privilege leave. Lieut. M. H. B. Gecldes
took charge when Lieut. Brackenbury was re-called, and remained in
charge till the end of the year.
B. Ward, North : comprising Dongri and part of UmarJchari:—
Capt. G. A, Brownrigg, I.S.C., was in charge from 6th June 1899 to 30th
October 1899, when he reverted to Military duty. Lieut. E. E. C.
Dalgliesh, I.S.C., was in charge from 28th November 1899 till the end
of fche year. From 1st to 6th June and 30th October to 28th November
1899, Captain H. E. Pritchard, I.S.C., held charge.
C. Ward: comprising Market, DJiolitalao, Fanaswadi, Kumbhar-
wada and most of Bhuleshwar :—Capt. W. A. Cuppage, I.S.C.j was in
2
charge throughout the year and was assisted at various times by the
following officers :—
Lieut. L. B. H. Haworth, I.S.C., from 27th June to 12th August,
1899.
Lieut. H. E. Browne, I.S.C., from 17th October 1899 to the end of
the year.
Lieut. 0. A. G. Fitzgerald, I.S.C., from 20th December 1899 to 19th
February 1900.
Lieut. G. G. M. Wheeler, I.S.C., from 20th December 1899 to 12th
January 1900.
Lieut. M. H. B. Geddes, I.S.C.,from 20th January to 29th April 1900.
Lieut. J. L. Furney, I.S.G., from 19th February to 26th April 1900.
Lieut. A. O. Hobson, I.S.C., from 20th April 1900 to the end of the year.
Oapt. G. D. L. Ghatterton, I.S.C., from 25th April 1900 to the end
of the year.
D. Ward : comprising Khetwadi, Girgaum, Chowpatti, Walkesh-
war and MaJialaxmi:—Capt. P. Dunbar Stuart, I.S.O., was in charge
throughout the year.
E. Ward, West: comprising Kamatipura, Tardeo and 1st
Nagpada :—The beginning of the year found Lieut. W. C. French,
I.S.C., in charge. He went on three months' privilege leave on 13th
August 1899 and was relieved by Lieut. Haworth. Lieut.
Haworfch was re-called on 15th November and Lieut. C. G. Ames
took his place, till Lieut. French returned to this district on 19th
December 1899. On Lieut. French's reversion to Military duty
on 12th April 1900, he was relieved by Capt. A. Chichester who
continued in charge till the end of the year.
E. Ward, East, Byculla: comprising the larger portion of
Byculla:—Capt. W. H, Wooldridge, I;S.C,, was in charge throughout
the year.
E. Ward, East, Wari Bundar: comprising Mazagon and
Tar wan:—Capt. A. T. Walling, I.S.C., was in charge throughout the
year ; from 1st to 27th June 1899 he was assisted by Lieut.
Haworth, who was then transferred to C. Ward.
F. and G. Wards : comprising Parel, Sewn, Sion, Mahim, and
Worli :—The beginning of the year found Capt. C. E. Lewis in charge.
He was relieved of the district charge on 20th August, and of the charge
of Stores on 29th September 1899, by Capt. C. C. Boileau, I.S.C., and
reverted to Military duty.
Lieutenant J. A. Stewart, I.S.C., assisted in this district from 1st
to 3rd June 1899, Lieut. J. D'Oyly, from 28th October 1899 to 16th
May 1900 and Lieut. W. C. Pakeologus throughout the year.
3
Central District: comprising Kharatalao, 2nd Nagpada and portions
of UmarJthari, Chukla, Bhuleshwar, and Byculla :—The beginning of
the year found Lieut. \Varneford, I.S.C., in charge. From 5th June
1899, on Lieut. Warneford's recall; Captain H. E. Pritchard, I.S.C.,
was in charge till the end of the year. He was assisted by :—
Lieut. J. A. Stewart, I.S.C., from 3rd to 12th June 1899.
Lieut. V. G. Menzies, I,S.O., from 7th June to 22nd November 1899.
Lieut. E. E. C., Dalgliesh, 1.8.0., from 24th October to 28th Nov-
ember 1899.
Lieut. 0. St. J. Skeen, I.S.C., from 26th October 1899 to 15th
March 1900.
Lieut. Nicolas, I.S.C., from 22nd November 1899 to 19th De-
cember 1899.
Lieut. J. C. Coldstream, I.S.C., from 19th December 1899 to 2nd
April 1900.
Lieut. C. G. Ames, I.S.O., from 20th December 1899 to 2nd
February 1900.
Capt. A. H. Bolton, I.S.O., from 8th February 1900 to the end
of the year.
Lieut. A. V. Searle, I.S.C., from 20th March 1900 to the end
of the year.
Lieut. E. W. Ballantyne, I.S.O., from 14th April 1900 to the
end of the year.
Measures.
Except that inoculation was vigorously pushed and to some small
extent replaced evacuation, there was no change in the general outline
of the measures adopted.
CHAPTER II.
THE COURSE OF THE EPIDEMIC.
Population in
Bombay.
The following statement very roughly indicates the population in
Bombay during the year. It is compiled from the returns of
emigration and immigration furnished by the Collector of Bombay.
The prevailing opinion during the year was that the City was
exceedingly full, and this belief may have been partly due to the crowds
of Kathiawari refugees who constantly met the eye. In any case the
results given are in direct contradiction of the general opinion.
Month.
1st July
„ August
„ September
„ October
„ November
„ December
„ January
„ February
5, March
„ April
,,
M
ay
16th May
Av
1899
,
1900
ι
,.
srage for the year in round numbers ...
Total......
Population.
7,71,000
7,07,000
7,73,000
8,11,000
8,08,000
8,01,000
7,80,000
7,41,000
7,08,000
6,67,000
6,65,000
6,42,000
89,34,000
7,40,000
Utilising the figures given in last year's report, the aveiage popula-
tion for recent years is as follows :—
For years immediately preceding the outbreak of plague,
For
For
For
For
1896-97
1897-98
1898-99
1899-1900
8,50,000
7,00,000
7,90,000
8,50,000
7,40,000
5
Plagrue at-
tacks and
deaths.
The following statement shows the total recorded number of
Plague attacks and deaths in each section during the year ending
31st May 1900:—
Wards.
A
B
C
D
E
P
G
Sections.
Upper Colaba
Middle and Lower
Fort Southern
Fort Northern
Esplanade ...
Mandvi
(Jhukla
Umevkhadi ...
Dongri
Market
Dhubi Talao
Fanaswadi ...
LJhuleshwar ...
Khara Talao
Kumbharwada
Khetw.idi ...
Girraum
haupati ...
.kcshwar
Mahalaksbmi
Mazagon,
Tarwddi
2nd Nagpada
Kamathlpura
Tardeo
Byculla
1st Nagpada
Parel
Sewri
Sion
Worli
Water Division
Non-Resident and
Colaba
Unknown
Total
Attacks.
50
434
54
768
39
1,085
632
792
882
999
680
574
1,048
809
999
476
655
110
254
138
470
303
674
634
441
1,565
311
641
154
483
609
546
1
18,310
Deaths.
26
320
2
548
153
878
337
660
600
591
486
327
527
330
667
621
575
99
196
202
378
374
259
719
430
1,119
284
781
91
384
490
470
4
13,928
From 28th June to 11th October, 143 of the cases that occurred were imported.
6
Plague deaths,
iuclud ing
suspicious.
The following statement shows, district by district, the number
of Plague deaths, including suspicious, for the year ending 26th
May 1900:—
A
B
B
C
D
E
E
E
F
C
Section
WARD—
WARD, SOUTH —
Mandvi
...
...
.
Ohukla (Portion)
WARD, NORTH —
TJmerkhadi (Portion)
...
WArD —
Market
DhobiTalao
Fanaswadi
Bhuleshwar (Portion)
Kumbharwada
,
WARD —
Khetwadi
Girgaum
Chowpatti
Walkeshwar
WARD, WEST —
Kamatipura
Tardeo
IstFagpada
,
WARD, EAST (BYCULLA) —
Byculla (Portion)
WARD, EAST (WADI BUNDEE) —
Mazagon
...
Tarwadi
Ghorupdeo (Consists of a portion of Mazagon and a portion oi
Tarwadi)
...
& G WARDS—
(/) Parel
Sion
Sion and Sewri
..?
Mahhn and Worli ...
(g) Worli
/ENTEAL DISTRICT —
Chukla (Portion)
Umerkhadi (Portion)
Bhuleshwar (Portion)
KharaTalao,
2nd Nagpada
Byculla (Portion)— (Madanpura)
No.
405
967
3,273
590
579
1,419
899
667
469
366
1,007
942
774
193
282
391
1,708
905
452
1,798
581
238
486
1,124
253
409
969
858
167
945
796
1,077
879
777
25,645
7
Total Morta-
lity.
The following statement shows by sections the average yearly
mortality and the actual mortality for four years, from 1st June 18%
to 31st May 1900, together with the average population and the
death-rate per mille :—
Wards.
1
1
Sections.
Jpper Golaba
M iddle and Lower Colaba
A Fort, Southern
Fort, Northern
]
f
R
±5 i
1
1
Esplanade
Handvi
Uhnlda
Jmerkhadi
Dongri
Market
Dhobi Talao
Fanaswadi
Bhuleshwar
Kbara Talao ...
Kumbharwada
Khetwadi
...
Girgamn
D Chowpati
Walkeshwar
E
TP JL
G
Mahalaks'hmi
Tazagon
!arwadi
2nd Nagpada
lamafcipura
"ardeo
iyculla
1st Nagpada
Vlahim
Worli
Water Division
*Jnn-'rp*?f1p'nfi anrl Tinlmnwn . .
.1V/U l.VKA\AtlJlU Ctil4U H1-IIV.1JV \I I-l.
Total .
Average population ...
Mortality per mille
Average.
Mortality
for 5 years
from 1891
114
337
29
931
167
1,455
1,269
2,118
1,1G5
1,140
1,207
555
1,181
1,125
1,152
784
965
201
236
280
998
522
938
1,870
781
1,667
393
1 217
180
446
587
569
70
615
.. 26,842
.. 8,50,OOC
..
81-5*
Actual Mortality.
1896-57.
164
670
37
1,316
143
2,422
1,910
3,458
1,820
1,503
2,171
870
1,846
1,773
1,599
3,349
1,577
351
437
578
2,071
937
1,725
2,753
1,394
3,415
608
1,932
430
1,197
1,666
1,543
55
2,492
48,496
7,00,OOC
5
69'2£
1897-98.
131
804
25
2,025
254
2,364
2,255
3,524
2,142
2,168
2,590
1,127
2,286
2,048
2,369
1,780
1,999
423
253
500
2,336
1,105
2,132
3,272
1,636
4,804
738
2727 U "
295
872
1,234
1,143
83
2,283
55,727
7,90,000
70-54
1898-99.
135
873
12
1,507
446
2,794
1,921
3,766
2,461
1,898
1,874
1,000
2,029
2,010
2,729
1,954
1,782
395
307
631
2,386
1,516
1,853
2,668
1,723
4,686
798
2,705
464
935
2,086
2,030
61
892
55,327
8,50,000
65'0[
1899-1900.
165
881
4.
2,165
760
3,763
2,433
4,823
3,198
2,504
2,475
1,346
2,821
2,525
3,281
2,460
2,140
351
490
881
2,867
2,542
2,505
3,555
2,344
6,160
1,294
3,446
506
1,578 t
2,693
2,770
70
71,801
7,40,000
97-02
8
The following table shows for the past four years the extent to-
which the total mortality exceeded the average, after making deductions
for Plague and suspicious deaths:—
Year.
1896-97
1897-98
1898-99
1899-1900
Total
Mortality.
48,496
55,727
P5.327
71,801
Plague &
Suspicious
Deaths.
11,683
16654
19,958
25,645
Balance due
to ordinary
causes.
86,813
*9,178
85.3H9
46,156
Average
Population.
7,00,000
7,90,000
8,50,000
7,40,000
Average
Deaths on
basis of 31-58
per mille.
22,106
24,948
26,*49
23,369
Excess Mor-
tality not
due to
Plague.
14,707
14,225
8,520
22,787
It will be seen that the death-rate frcm normal causes- was almost
double the average. There were, however, recorded during 1 the year
3,271 deaths from small-pox, 1,798 from measles, 346 from cholera and
523 from relapsing fever—total 5,938—and if these are deducted the
balance of deaths due to ordinary causes in excess of the normal is
reduced to 16,849.
How far this excess was due to undetected
Plague cases, and how far to the debilitating effects of famine, is a
poiot upon which it is difficult to arrive at any satisfactory conclusion.
The matter is dealt with in the follo\ving paragraph :—
Mortality of
the City as a
WlWi8.
Diagrams showing the rise and fall of the geneial death-rate in Bom-
bay, as n vhcle and for each section of the City, aro attached to this report.-
Last year it was staled that the line of general mortality could be taken
as a safe index to the rise and iall of plague ; this remark cannot be
applied to the year under report. In Februaiy 1900 the Government
of India drew attrition to the great and increasing mortality in the City
of Bombay, only a small part of which was accountf d for by the reported
plague deaths. The following is transcribed from ibe Municipal Com-
missioner's report on the subject:—
The deaths due to measles, small-pox and relapsing fever as reported by the Sec-
tional Medical Officers for the four weeks in question were as follows : —
Week ending
6th January
...
13th
„
20th „
27th „
Measles and
Small-pox.
131
394
260
293
Relapsing
Fever.
18
28
22
23
Total.
149
222
282
316
If these are deducted from the figures in column 6 of statement B,* the excess
mortality from ordinary causes over the average is as follows :—
Week ending Gth January
.
13th „
20th „
27th „
632-149 = 483.
884-222 = 662.
918-282 = 636.
3081-316 = 765.
2. The circumstances of the year have been undoubtedly favourable to a high
mortality. The failure of the monsoon drove into Bombay crowds of destitute
paupers—many of them already enfeebled by privntion. High prices have tended to
reduce the standard of living of the lower classes, and the effect has boon accentuated
by the partial closing of many of the mills and a reduced demand for labour. The
* Printed below.
9
water-supply ha3 been limited and of inferior quality, and the cold was more severe
than is often experienced in Bombay. There has been much sickness amongst all
classes—Europeans and Natives alike. The European General Hospital has been,
crowded ; and the following figures for the two big Native Hospitals—the Goculdas
Tejpal and the Jamsetji Jijibhoy—speak for themselves :—
October
to
January.
1895-96
1896-97
1897-98
1898-99
1899-00
Admissions.
G.T-
787
531
776
881
1140
J.J.
1887
1283
1727
1798
2U9
Total.
2074
1814
2503
2679
3259
Deaths.
G.T.
107
94
182
140
204
J.J.
336
339
538
417
665
Total,
443
433
720
557
869
Causes.
plague.
G.T.
..
..
J.J.
.
5
1
4
9
Total.
5
1
4
9
Intestinal.
G.T.
22
37
30
18
25
F.J.
60
70
132
78
125
Total.
82
97
162
93
150
Respiratory.
G.T.
27
25
43
45
48
J J.
80
86
178
141
261
Total.
97
111
221
186
299
Privation.
G.T.
23
13
73
34
54
J.J.
25
23
9
2
13
Total.
48
36
82
36
67
Other.
G.T.
35
29
36
46
77
J.J.
171
155
218
182
267
Totel.
208
184
254
228
344
The percentage increase for 1899-1900 over 1895-96 was for these four months
in the case of admissions 21, and in the case of deaths 96; while the percentage in-
crease in deaths from diseases of the respiratory system was no less than 208.
3. The season has then been an unhealthy one and sickness of a serious charac"
ter has been far more prevalent than usual. In this respect history is repeating itself,
and if we look back to the famine of 1876-77, we find that for the year 1877 the
mortality was 52-00 per mille against 32*25 for the previous year; and it is open to
question whether in that year (1877) the enumeration of deaths was by any
means perfect.
4. The excessive mortality has given cause for grave anxiety for months past
and the District and Medicul Officers have been steadily and constantly impressed
with the necessity of exercising the strictest care in the diagnosis of cases, with a
view to preventing any Plague escaping detection. They are held accountable for
every death referrable to their charges, and have, week by week, to indicate the
method in which they have verified the cause of every death other than those treated
as Plague or suspicious. The following table shows how far this verification was
reliable for the weeks in question :—
Plague and suspicious
Still-born
Deaths from ordinary causes in public
hospitals
Seen by Municipal Medical Officers
during last illness
Examined by Municipal Medical Officers
after death
Certified by qualified medical men
...
Certified by unqualified medical men ...
Deaths in Lunatic Asylum, certified by
Coroner, certified by Volunteers, etc., etc.
Deaths verified by enquiry only from
Mends, relatives, and neighbours
Total ...
Deaths not traced ...
Grand Total ...
January
6th.
572
62
104
280
128
135
26
26
338
1,664
66
1,730
January
13th.
745
51
129
329
167
159
24
13
420
2,037
73
2,110
January
20th.
843
58
128
375
161
149
32
21
391
2,158
123
2,281
January
27th.
895
48
121
400
190
169
43
28
489
2,383
110
2,493
Total.
3,058
209
482
1,384
646
612
125
88
1,638
8,242
872
-8,614