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DHARWAR DISTRICT.]
"There are now about 1,500 men, women and children residing in these huts, 1,200 in
one camp, 300 in another and 55 in the segregation and observation sheds connected with
the hospital.
"Water is laid on to the larger camp, and wells are available for the others. Supplies
are obtainable from bunniahs who have opened shops in close proximity to each camp.
"The total number of plague cases which have occurred up to date has been 26, twelve of
which appeared in the barracks, twelve after removal to the huts, and two imported into the
city from the railway quarters.
" The disease from the first has been of a serious type, and the cases have ended fatally
within a short time after the first appearance of the symptoms . . . The necessary work
in connection with disinfection will be commenced at once, but it will necessarily occupy
some time . . .
" Two residents of the barracks went to live in the city, where they were discovered to be
suffering from plague and were promptly removed to the hospital. The houses which they
occupied in the city were vacated, cleaned and disinfected. These are the only cases as yet
which have been reported from the city. All deaths are certified, and there is no reason to
believe that plague exists there at present, but, as an additional check, the Collector has been
advised to issue orders for the registration of all funerals as they pass the octroi posts . - .
"Several of the towns in Dhárwár are very populous, and it is highly desirable that every
legitimate means should be employed to prevent plague gaining an entrance into them. We
have, with this object in view, suggested to the Collector that an inspection and disinfection
station should be established here, at Gradag, and at a station to the west of Dhárwár."
Inspection and disinfection stations were accordingly opened at Gadag and Dhárwár, and
every possible precaution taken, not merely to stamp out the disease in Hubli, but to prevent
its spreading to any other place.
On the 25th November 1897 there were 1,500 men, women and children in camp, and up
to that date 32 cases of plague had been reported. Of these cases—
15 occurred in the barracks ;
15 after removal to the huts ;
2 were imported into the city from the Railway quarters.
The disease was of a virulent type, 29 of these 32 cases ending fatally in a very short time.
These prompt and energetic measures were, however, apparently successful in keeping
the scourge at bay for some months ; for, with the exception of rare and isolated cases—many
after long quiescent periods—Hubli was practically free from plague.
Credit should be here given to the Railway authorities for the help they afforded the
Collector in his efforts to ward off an epidemic.
Isolated, imported, and indigenous cases excepted, therefore, Hubli was practically free
from plague from the 24th of December 1897 to the 15th April 1898, the total number of
cases between these dates being 13 (7 imported). Prom the 15th April, however, the
disease was never quite absent ; and from the beginning of June the figures rose steadily.
Climatic conditions were at this time unfavourable. With the rains beginning, proper
shelter outside the town could not be afforded to persons turned out of their houses : eva-
cuation was an impossibility. Previous to this (in February 1898), the Collector had
recourse to the drastic measure of burning down houses to stamp out the disease : and some
250 houses were actually thus disinfected. But such a measure must necessarily be limited
in its application.
An appeal was, therefore, made to inoculation ; and it was eagerly supported by the
people. By the beginning of June over 2,000 inoculations had been performed. From this
time a weekly average of over 2,000 inoculations were performed, until by the beginning
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