NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
159
Out of the 58 admissions, 42 had ordinary plague symptoms, viz.,
high fever, delirium and bubo, while 9 had pneumonia (with a diffused
bubo in the left axilla), the temperature varying between 103 and 105°,
respirations hurried and numbering from 50 to 70, tongue dry and
furred, sputum containing pure blood, violent delirium, thick speech,
pulse weak and compressible.
Among the males that died, 3 had high fever on admission (105°).
Within a few hours after admission there was a sudden fall of temper-
ature (97—99), and again after 6 hours the temperature began to rise
and the patient gradually died.
A diffused type of bubo was seen in the left axillary region generally
accompanied by pneumonia. In these cases the temperature never rose
above 103°. One of the patients discharged became insane, and another,
a female patient, lost her sight.
Out of the various forms of treatments adopted, stimulants such as
spt. ammon. aromat., tr. digitalis., liq. strychnine, spt. ætheris, sulph.
spt. vin gallici, and tr. of musk were found most efficacious. In some
cases hypodermic injections of liq. strychninæ, tr. digitalis, aeth.
sulph. were found advantageous. In many cases of high fever, wet
packs were freely used. External applications used on the buboes were
ice, empl. hydrargyri, ext. belladonæ, and linseed meal poultices.
The Mahommed Bbrahim Khoja Hospital.
PRIVATE HOSPITAL No. 25.
Medical Officer—Dr. Khaja Abdullah, L. M. & S.
This hospital was founded last year by Mahomedbhoy Ebrahim
Hassun Bhaloo, Esq,, and has been maintained at his expense. It re-
opened on August 23rd, 1898. A separate building is utilized for
segregation of the relatives. Cases of multiple buboes were unusually
frequent. One case with 7 buboes proved fatal. Another patient with
5 recovered. Pneumonia was present as a complication in 20 cases, of
which 14 proved fatal. Black blisters were present in 5 cases, of which
only one recovered. Of the cases discharged cured, 23 were under treat-
ment for fourteen days or less. The patients were treated with native
remedies.
Case;
„
„
3 admitted
176
died .............. ........... 85
remaining
3
General mortality, 48·29 per cent.
Of the above, 17 were not cases of Plague. One patient suffering
from relapsing fever died. The plague mortality is therefore 52·33.
160
The Nizampura Hospital,
PRIVATE HOSPITAL No. 26.
Hajee Shamsuddin Markay, Chairman of Committee.
Medical Officer—Dr. Khaja Abdullah, L. M. &S.
This hospital is situated in Bapu Hajam Street, near Bhendy Bazaar.
The building is in a crowded locality, and has no arrangements to
recommend it as a hospital.
Cases admitted
71)
„ discharged..................... 30 ( General mortality, 50·70 per cent.
„ remaining
5
Pathare Prabliu Hospital.
PEIVATB HOSPITAL No, 27,
Dr. S. A. Talpada, Chairman of Committee.
V, A. Kirtikar, Esq,, Secretary,
Chief Medical Officer—Dr. A. V. Yelkar, L. M. & S.
This hospital has a capital position between Churney Road Gardens
and Back Bay. The general arrangements and management of the
hospital are excellent. It was opened by the community on February
10th, 1898, and during its first month 40 patients were admitted, of whom
25 died. Of these 10 died within 24 hours and 6 within 48 hours.
The types of plague cases treated during this period were as
follows :—
With buboes
Without buboes, but with lung complication
Without lung complication
77·5 per cent.
10·0 „
12·5
„
The following table shows the situation of the enlarged glands :—•
Femoral.
5
In guiña.
11
Axillary.
7
Cervical.
7
Multiple,
1
Total.
31
In all the cases admitted there was a clear history of rat mortality
in the houses. The majority of these cases presented the characteristic
physiognomy, tongue, pulse, injection of the ocular conjunctivse, and
difficulty of speech. The highest temperature recorded was 106°; it varied
between 101 to 105° on admission. The pulse rate varied between 100 and
160. Cerebral symptoms were observed in almost all the cases. There were
convulsions in four cases (children), and out of these one is convalescent.
Severe spasmodic movements were seen in one fatal case. There was
161
constipation in about 75 per cent, and diarrhoea in about 25 per cent, of
cases. Vomiting was not an uncommon symptom. Persistent scanty
urine and uroemic symptoms were observed only in one case, which
proved fatal. This was the only case out of the forty admitted, which
was inoculated this year, a month previous to the attack.
The general line of treatment followed was chiefly stimulant and
nutritive. The only antiseptics administered internally were :
Liq. Hyd. Per. :—Sod. Sulph. Garb.—Liq. Iodi. Ferr. Chi.
For
delirium and insomnia bromidia was used with fair success, For hyper-
pyrexia no depressing antipyretics were used, but ice friction and ice bag
to the head were chiefly resorted to for this purpose with good effects.
As for local treatment, application of extract belladonna with tinct.
ferii perchloride and extract opii was found useful, as also fomenta-
tion. Glands suppurated in six cases, and four of these were incised.
No special method of treatment was tried.
Cases
„
„
„
; admitted
40
discharged ..,
10
died
25
remaining
5
Plague
mortality,
62·5 per cent.
The Port Trust Hospital.
PRIVATE HOSPITAL No. 29.
Medical Officer —Dr. Shivdas Parmanandas, L. M. & S.
This hospital was re-opened on January 12th, 1898. Tt occupies
a convenient position close to the docks and was specially erected during
the last epidemic by the Port Trustees for dock labourers. A segregation
camp was also maintained in connection with the hospital with separate
accommodation for—
(a) Contacts,
(b) Suspicious case for the Bunders.
(c) Patients discharged from the hospital.
(d) Observation cases from highly infected localities.
The general arrangements and managements were excellent.
Cases
„
„
admitted
discharged
died
remaining
158
27
129
12
r
General mortality,
75·32 per cent.
Of these, 7 were cases of simple fever. The Plague mortality is therefore
78-80.
162
Shikarpur—Multani Hospital.
PRIVATE HOSPITAL No 30.
Jevandas Mangumal, Esq., Chairman of Committee.
Messrs, Tirattdas Luxidaram & Co., Treasurers.
Medical Officer—-D. H. Freeman Underwood, M. L. D., H. K. &
Q. C. P. L, L. R. C. P.
A capital bungalow in Arab Gully Lane was rented by this
community, and a portion of the building was reserved for contacts.
An English nurse was resident during the greater part of the time.
Case
„
„
„
3 admitted
discharged
died
remaining
14
1
10
3
71·42 per cent.
The Telegu Hospital.
PRIVATE HOSPITAL No. 31.
Rao Bahadur Ellapa Balaram, Chairman of Committee.
Medical Officer—Dr. V. P. Chavan, L. M, & S.
This hospital is situated in Bazaar Street, Kamatipoora. It was re-
opened on July 26th, 1897, and has been maintained entirely by Rao
Bahadur Ellapa Balaram. The general arrangements of the hospital were
good, but the internal management was less satisfactory. The figures
are hardly trustworthy, as the register for one entire month was kept in
pencil on a sheet of paper, and 31 cases showed no record of diagnosis or
result.
Cases admitted
241
„
„
discharged
67
died
...
174
/^1
1
L 1 *L
General mortality,
72· 19 per cent.
Twenty-five of the above cases, of whom 17 died, were not suffer-
ing from plague. The mortality from plague was therefore 72·86-
From November 1st to March 31st there are recorded 18 cases other
than plague, of whom 15 died. There was one case each of brain
tumour, typhoid, and old age, with 15 cases of relapsing fever ; the
3 first cases died and 12 of the latter, giving a total mortality of
83·3 and an 80 per cent, mortality for relapsing fever.
163
The Textile Mill Hospital.
PRIVATE HOSPITAL No. 32.
Medical Officer—Dr. D. R. Wadia, L. R. C. P., M. B. C. S,
This Hospital was opened at the end of December by Messrs.
Nowrosji Wadia & Sons for the employés of the Textile and Century
Mills, as they objected to being taken to the Municipal Hospital.
The hospital occupied a capital isolated position within a convenient
distance of the mills and the accommodation and arrangements were
excellent.
Cases admitted
6
„
„
discharged
1
died
5 }
/"•<
1
L 1 'L
General mortality,
83·33 per cent.
The one case discharged was admitted on February 28th and dis-
charged on March 2nd. This gives the impression that it cannot have been
a case of plague, and thus the plague mortality stands at 100 per cent.
Thakoordwar Lohana Hospital.
PRIVATE HOSPITAL No, 33.
Moolji Narayan, Esq., Chairman.
Madowji Dharsey, Esq., Secretary.
Haribhai Hemraj, Esq., Treasurer.
Medical Officer—Dr. Nagindas Pranjiwandas Metha, L. M. & S.
This hospital was opened on March 6th owing to lack of accommo-
dation for the large Lohana community at the hospital already provided
for them (the Dariasthan Lohana hospital), in Mandvi.
Cases admitted
20
„
„
„
discharged
5
died
14
remaining
1
70 per cent.
Of the above 20 cases, one patient, discharged, was not a plague
case.
Plague mortality, 70·68 per cent.
Third Boiwada Hospital.
PRIVATE HOSPITAL No. 34.
Kalabhai Virchand, Esq., Chairman.
Nagindas Dwarkadas, Esq., Secretary.
Medical Officer-Dr. V. S. Divan, L. M. & S.
This hospital was started mainly through the exertions of Messrs.
Kalabhai Virchand and Nagindas Dwarkadas, and was re-opened on
164
December 12th, 1897. The building is in a narrow street, and being
very much shut in, is not well adapted for the purpose.
Cases admitted
147
„
„
„
discharged
29
died
114
remaining
4
7 7·5 per cent.
The Vaishnav Sampravada Maharajah's
Servants' Hospital.
PRIVATE HOSPITAL No. 35.
Narsinglal Maharaj, Esq., Chairman.
Chuturbhai Moraji, Esq., Secretary.
Jamnadas Purshotum, Esq., Treasurer.
Medical Officer—Dr. S. S. Miser, L. M. & S.
This is located in Cathedral Street, Pinjrapol, and excellent accom-
modation was provided for the patients.
Cases admitted
„
„
discharged
died
remaining
,
15
2
10
3
,
General mortality,
66·66
percent.
Vassanji Trikamji Hospital.
PRIVATE HOSPITAL No, 36.
Sheth Vassanji Trikamjee, Esq., J.P.
Laloobhi Kalidas, Esq., Manager.
R. Lackamsey, Esq., Secretary.
Medical Officer.—Dr. Munchershaw Disana, L. M. & S.
This hospital was first opened on March 27th 1897. It was closed
on July 31st at the close of the first epidemic, and re-openëd on Decem-
ber 1st on behalf of the Cutchee Dassa Oswal Banias by S. V. Trikamjee,
Esq., J. P., at whose expense it is maintained. It has a capital situation
on Clive Road, Dongri, and the building is light, clean and well-ven-
tilated. No nurses are employed, two relations being allowed to remain
in constant attendance on each patient. There has been no case of infec-
tion amongst these relatives.
Cases admitted
121
„
„
discharged
32
died
89
General mortality,
73·55 percent
Of the above, 4 cases were sent in for observation and were none
suffering from Plague. The Plague mortality is therefore 76·06.
APPENDIX No. 1.
Administrative Details.
Bombay Plague Committee and Staff from its Establishment,
March 2nd, 1897.
COMMITTEE :
Brig.-General W. F. Gatacre, C.B., D.S.O., Chairman.
P. C. H. Snow, Esq., I.C.S., Barrister-at-Law, Municipal Commis-
sioner.
C. C. James, Esq., C.E.
Surg.-Major H. P. Dimmock, I.M.S.
SECRETARY :
Major W. F. Cahusac, D.A.A.G.
ASSISTANT SECRETARIES :
Capt. C. W. Chitty ; Lt. G. Warneford.
STORE OFFICERS :
Lieut. A. J. Thompson, R.A. ; Lieut. Windham, R.I.M.
ACCOUNTANT.
Mr. Kaikhoshro N. Ranina.
On Lieut. Warneford's retirement, Lieut. F. W. F. Vining, R.N.,
succeeded him on the 31st of March.
On Capt. Chitty being invalided to Poona on March 15th, Capt.
D. S. Welsh of the 2nd Border Regt, was appointed in his place.
Brig.-Surg.-Lieut.-Col. T. S. Weir, Health Officer, was attached as
Chief Medical Officer until the 5th of June, when ho reverted to the
Municipality.
Lieut. Thompson, R.A., and Lieut. Windham, B.I.M., served as
Store Officers from March 2nd to the end of May.
When General Gatacre departed from India on July 23rd, Sir
James MacNabb Campbell, M.A., LL.D., K.C.I.E., I.C.S., became
Chairman of the Plague Committee, and at the close of August
Mr. F. W. F. Vining, R.N., became Secretary in place of Major Cahusac.
On Capt. Welsh being summoned to Quetta on military duty,
Mr. J. Wastie Green, M.A. (Camb.), was appointed Assistant Secretary.
166
On December 3rd Mr. W. Barker, B.A. (Camb.), arrived from
England and joined the Committee's staff as an Assistant Secretary.
On November 3rd, 1897, the Committee was strengthened by the
appointment of Surg.-Major-General G. Bainbridge and on 3rd February
following by Surg.-Col. G. Hay, L M. S., and Mr. Playford Reynolds,
M.I.C.E., Superintending Engineer to Government, P. W. D.
In the first week of December Capt. R. M. Betham and Lieut. H.
Strong of the 8th Bo. I. came down from Baroda with a detachment,
300 strong, of that regiment for general plague work. The Officers and
troops were domiciled on the Kennedy Sea-face.
Capt. H. G. Swayne, R.E., joined the staff on February 9th for the
construction of camps and the alteration to houses.
Capt. Clowes, Commissariat Officer, joined-the staff as Director of
Stores on February 9th and Commander J. Hewett, E.I.M., as District
Officer in Tardeo on 12th February.
Messrs. R. B. Stewart, I.C.S., J. H. DuBoulay, I.C.S., and A, M.
Wood, I.C.S., assumed charge of Wards A, E, D, as District Plague
Officers on February 14th, January 29th, and February 1st respectively.
On Capt. Betham departing on leave on March 26th, Capt. the
Hon. R. E. Mostyn, R.A., became Extra Secretary.
On Mr. F. W. Vining, R.N., being placed on sick list on April
1st, Lieut. G. Warneford was appointed pro tem. Secretary.
Early in February through the courtesy of Capt. H. Fleet, R.N.,
Lieut. Mansergh with Lieuts. Henderson, Mason, and Mr. J. Jenkin,
(Chief Engineer, H.M.S. "Assaye") and 20 Blue Jackets were put at the
disposal of the Committee. These Officers and men were housed in a
camp on the Kennedy Sea-face and were chiefly employed in the vacating
of infected houses and chawls. In view of the declining epidemic the
Naval authorities were informed at the end of March that the services
of the above Officers and men could be dispensed with, and accordingly,
with the exception of Lieut. Mason, they returned to Naval duty after
giving the Committee every satisfaction.
In the first week of February a company of the Durham Light
Infantry under Major Ross with Lieuts. Way and Davis arrived from
Poona for plague work. Major Ross assumed charge of C Ward South
as District Plague Officer, and under him worked the Officers and men
of the Durham Light Infantry. On Major Ross' retirement on 25th
March, the charge of C Ward was taken over by Captain Bingley, 7th
Bengal Infantry.
167
Early in March a detachment of Sappers and Miners, 50 in number,
with two Engineer Sergeants arrived in Bombay for plague duty and
were put under the orders of Capt. Swayne for the alteration to houses,
On February 1st Capt. the Hon. R. E. Mostyn with Lieut. Lough
and 25 men of the Royal Artillery were placed at the disposal of the
Committee and remained on plague duty until March 15th, when Lieut.
Lough and the gunners returned to military duty.
On February 2nd, Lieut. Jordan with 2nd Lieuts. Robinson and
Rundall with 50 men of the King's Own Shropshire Light Infantry, who
had been on plague duty in Hongkong, joined the staff of the Com-
mittee and remained on plague duty until the end of March.
Surgeon Julius R.N.'s services were placed at the disposal of
the Committee on 24th September 1897. He was placed in charge
of the Committee's Detention Camps and a Plague Hospital until he
retired through ill-health at the end of February. Staff Surgeon
Nicholson, R.N., and Surgeon Bernard, R.N., took his place and
remained with the Committee until early in April.
The following Doctors and Nurses arrived in Bombay from England
for plague duty in October 1897 and February 1898 and were placed at
the disposal of the Plague Committee by the Surgeon-General:—
October 3rd, 1897.
Dr.
/>
11
V
>J
}>
»
»
»
»3
Doctors.
Miss Corlhorne.
F. M. Gibson.
L. G. Haydon.
R. H. Castellotte.
J. T. Leou.
E. L. Hunt.
F. A. Foy.
L. A. R. Hutchinson.
S. Nariman.
T. F. Pearse.
Februanj 1898.
Dr. Parsons.
„ Homabrook.
„ W. A. Justice.
„ G. J. Blackmore.
„ McKenzie.
„ H. D. Packer.
„ A. E. R. Laing.
Nurses.
Mrs.
Miss
,,
,,
)3
5)
53
33
JJ
5)
»
Pearse.
Evans.
Hodges.
Harris.
Rawlings.
Dawson.
McDougall (deceased).
Murphy.
Grieveson.
Fry.
Hitchman.
Miss
»
33
J3
})
}J
»
}J
3)
JJ
»
Buckley.
Barrow.
Bleaney.
Campbell.
Cracknell.
Chick.
Gardiner.
Foxleo.
Bradshaw.
Hyland.
Truman.
Miss
33
3>
3?
5)
33
33
33
33
J)
Harvey.
Greene.
Smith.
Crowdy.
"Wood.
Richardson.
Riley.
Boyd.
Greening.
Brown.
168
The accompanying statement shows the District Staffs from June
1897 to April 1898, and the increase and reduction with the rise and fall
in the epidemic :—•
Year and
Mouths.
1897.
June ...
July
...
August ...
September ...
October
November ..
December ...
1898.
January ..
February ..
March
April ...
5
5
0
G
5
5
5
5
9
10
8
18
17
17
22
21
22
16
23
27
29
28
8
8
9
7
7
7
4
15
19
22
16
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
3
5
3
5
5
9
10
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
3
3
8
0
0
0
1
2
2
4
4
15
U
8
6
4
3
6
G
9
6
8
11
10
4
25
0
21
18
18
20
24
28
53
65
0
2
2
o
2
2
1
1
1
1
0
23
12
13
14
lé
17
21
19
25
26
26
638
275
332
299
286
367
422
735
1,841
2,051
1,219
727
347
404
379
36G
455
500
847
2,023
2,251
1,355
The following table shows the distribution and the names of the
chief members of the Staff at the beginning of March 1898 :—
169
(1)
Sections.
A. Ward, S. ..
„
N. ...
B Ward.
M AND VI
...
CHACKLA
UMARKHADI ...
DOXGRI
C Ward, N. ..
DHOBI TALAO .
C Ward, S. ...
MARKET
PJEANAS WADI ,.
D Ward
KUETWADI ...
GIROAUM: AND
ClIOWPATI.
E Ward
BYCOLLA
...
MAZAGAON ...
NAGPADA
KAMATIIIPDRA.
TARDEO
F& GWards ..
PAREL
SIGN
MAHIJI &WORLI
PAREL HOSPTL.
DADAR CAMP...
1
(2 J
District Officers.
Brig.-Surg. - Lieut.-
Col. Barker
J. H.DuBoulay.Esq.
I.C.S.
Brig. - Surg. - Lieut .-
Col. Wilkins, D.S.O
Surg.-Capt. Aruim..
Maj. W. Eoss, D.L.I
Capt. Bingley
...
A. Wood, Esq., I.C.S.
W. T.Morrison, Esq.,
I.C.S. (Chairman
of Committees), D.
E. B. Stewart, Esq.,
I.C.S.
......
Comdr. G. S. Hewott.
Surg.-Capt. Jennings.
Lieut. C B. Lewis.
|
( 3 )
Sectional M. Officers.
Surg.- Lieut. Sealy ...
Dr. Malegaumwalla.
Dr. Divecha.
Dr. Kutar.
Dr. Dalai.
Dr. Hay don
Dr Hussein (M).
Dr. Packer.
Dr. Jeykar.
Miss Brennan.
Asst. Surg. Fenwick.
Dr. Nariman.
Dr. Setna.
Dr. Mrs. Vanlngen.
Dr. Sorabjee.
Dr. Pinto.
Dr. Hornabrook
Dr Blackmore
Dr. Hustice.
Dr. Munsi.
Dr. Chubb.
Dr. Godinho
Dr. Shroff
Dr. Foy.
Dr. Seerva'i
Dr. Mackenzie
Dr. Jethar.
Dr. Gallaghar
Dr. Gibson
Dr. Britto (M).
Dr. Laing
Dr. Dalai.
Surg -Major Barry
Dr. Parsons
Dr. Hutchinson.
Dr.Bhatawadekar (M)
Miss A. Corthorne.
Dr. Contractor (M).
Dr. Tavaria
Dr. Dady Burjorjee.
Dr. Clemow
Dr. Castellotte
|
( 4 )
Disinfecting In-
spectors.
Mr. D. Eienzi anc
4 Sub-Inspectors
Mr Atts
Mr. Glen
Mr. G. Cooper ...
Mr. Hughes
Mr. O. Kelly
Mr P. Eodriguos
Mr. D'Souza
•••*••
Mr. Murphoy ...
Mr. Lyons
Mr. Hurley
Mr. Wolf"
Mr. Hinks
Mr. Carol
[
(5)
Contact
Inspectors.
Mr. C. Clark
Each sub-section sends
its contacts to Camp,
Mr. Allen
Mr. Willard
Messrs. Valladerer,
klosira .Miller , Munis
Mr. Holmes
Mr. DeSouza
Mr. Gonsalves
Mr. Fernandez
|
( 6 )
Vacating Officers.
Lt. Mansergh, E.N
Police Constable S. Cartel
Lieut. Henderson
E.N
Lieut. Jenkin
...
Lieut. Mansergh,
E.N.
»••...
Lieut. Mason, E.N.
«•»*••
• >* *»*
Messrs. Domings,
Lewis, Pappi.
«*••*•
Mr. Holmes
Mr. Muers
Mr. Whelpdale
Mr. De Souza
|
(7)
Military Officers.
Lieut. Jordan ...
Lieut. Eendell*
Lieut. Eobmson
Capt. the Hon
R. E. Mostyn
E.A.
Lieut.Lough,E.A
Lieut. Way
Lieut Davis
•••«•
Lieut.Warneford
Lieut. Christie...
Capt. Hartigan...
••••••
|
(8)
Medical
Students.
4
1
)
.,
i i
3
••*«•»
2
9
1
|
0)
Hospital
Assistants.
1
•••»«•
8
Messrs. Godwelkar,"
tf arayen, Fernandez
Mr. Tulgaram, (M).
Mr.Hirabhai (M),
Mr. Sullivan.
Mr. Calcaprasad.
|
( 10)
Nurses.
Mrs. Hudson.
Miss Sinclair.
Miss O'Neil.
Mrs. Birleau,
Mrs. Collet.
Mrs. Fitzgerald
Mrs. Booth.
Mrs Myer.
Mrs. Cooper.
Mrs. Hanson.
Mrs. Murphoy.
Mrs. Turner.
Mrs. Wells- Willis.
Mrs. Armstrong.
Mrs. Overthrow.
Miss Storrie.
Miss Fernandez.
Miss Crowdy.
Miss Mill.
Mrs. Graham.
Mrs. Gibson.
170
APPENDIX No. 2.
Finance.
The accompanying statement shows that during the ten months
under report (July 1897 to April 1898) the Committee have spent
a little under ten and-a-half lakhs of Rupees. The expenditure during
the four months of operations against the first epidemic was about
three lakhs. The outlay during the past ten months falls under two
periods—the six months ending December 1897 and the four months
ending April 1898. The totals show that during the first period of
six months the charges fell from Ks. 88,901 in July to Es. 27,089
in September, when they rose to Es, 49,016 in October, Es. 53,591 in
November, and Es. 86,047 in December. The average monthly outlay
during these six months was Es. 60,250. It is doubtful whether during
these six months the Committee did not err on the side of economy.
They made every effort to reduce expenditure, hoping that the disease
would gradually depart. At the same time, as has been noticed in the
summaries of the months of July to October in Chapter I, the Committee
had no alternative but to allow the efficiency of the staff to be reduced.
Almost all the covenanted Medical Officers were removed for service
on the frontier and in consequence of the united demands of famine
and plague neither Military nor Civil Officers could be spared. The
chief items that increased the expenditure from Rs. 49,010 in October to
Es. 76,047 in December were the expense connected with the building
and maintenance of segregation camps, increased hospital charges, and
the additional staff of Medical Officers and Nurses brought from
England.
The period of the second epidemic shows an increased expendi-
ture from Es. 93,057 in January to about Rs. 2,50,000 in April and an
average monthly charge of Es. 1,57,553 or roughly 1^ lakhs. The
low expenditure in March (Es. 1,64,037) as compared with the
very high expenditure in April (about Es, 3,00,000) is a matter
of account. The actual expenditure in April has been less than in
March; but the bills for the construction of the great health camps
have been held over and were not finally disposed of till after.the be-
ginning of April. The increase in expenditure from Es. 76,047
in December to an average of Ks. 1J lakhs during the three
171
following months comes mainly under three heads—(1) Large
additions in the number of the staff in all its branches and the
employment of several officers of a much higher grade than any whose
services had been previously available for district work, (2) Additions
to hospitals and hospital charges. (3) Expenditure on camps. The
amount expended is doubtless large. Still it may perhaps be admitted
that ten lakhs is not too large a contribution to secure the two great
objects which have been attained (though by no means solely by the
plague measures enforced by the Committee), namely j h'rsc the subjection
of the death-rate below such a figure as would have caused general
panic and flight from the city ; and second the reduction of the death-rate
in April to so moderate a figure that it ceases to hamper the city and
leaves Bombay free to take full advantage of the possibilities of a
season of unusual activity and prosperity in most branches of trade.
Plague Committees Expenditure from MarcJi to July 1897 and
July 1897 to April 1898.
Epidemic of 1S9G-97.
Month.
March 1897
April
„
May
„
June
„
Pay of Government Officers
debited to advances
Total ... Es.
Amonnfc.
Es,
4,972
28,407
95,539
1,39,922
2,68,840
22,163
2,91,003
Epidemic of 1897-98.
Month,
Jnly
August
September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
1897
• >• >
"*
•••
„
...
...
,,
•»•
...
,,
•••
...
„
...
1898
j>
•••
•••
,,
...
„
...
Total ... Es,
Amount.
Es.
88,901
66,887
27,089
49,016
53,591
76,047
93,057
1,23,117
1,64,087
3,00,000
(about)
10,41,742
The estimate for April covers all the usual charges for establish-
ment, etc., for the month and also all outstanding liabilities for work
done and salaries due, etc., since the appointment of the Committee.
The following table shows the details of expenditure from March
1897 to March 1898.