350
[CHAP. XI.
Up to the 17th July 1898, then, Kutiyána and Porbandar were the only places in
Káthiáwár where indigenous plague had appeared. But the spread was destined to become
much wider. On the 17th July 1398 a new town appears, viz., Sardárgadh with 2 cases—
1 death; and the following week Bantwa, ultimately the worst infected of all, reports 19
cases—8 deaths, indigenous. Two weeks later (11th August 1898) Saláya is added to the
list; and on 27th August) 1898, Khambália. Thus the disease gradually spread, till, on 2nd
November 1898, thirteen places suffered from indigenous plague. The following table shows
the gradual spread :—
Town or Village.
Porbandar
Kutiyána
Sardárgadh
Bantwa...
Saláya ...
Khambália
Nakra ... ...
..
Sodháslu
Sodsála
Buri
Khámbhla
Khákharda ... ..
Jurisdiction.
Porbandar
Junágadh
Sardárgdh
Do.
Navánagar ...
Do.
Sardárgadh ...
Navánagar
Do.
Bantwa
Sardárgadh ...
Naváuagar ...
Dánta
...
...
..
Date of first imported or
indigenous case.
17th February 1898 ... ...
19th
"
"
...
...
17th July " ... ...
24th
"
"
...
...
11th August " ... ...
27th
"
"
...
...
10th September " ... ...
11th
"
"
...
...
12th
"
"
...
...
24th " " ... ...
6th October " " ... ...
31st
"
"
...
...
2nd November " " ... ...
Source of infection.
Bombay (probably).
Do.
Kutiyána (probably).
Bombay. } (Uncertain
Porbandar } which).
Unknown.
Do.
Bantwa.
Unknown.
Do.
Bantwa.
Do.
Unknown.
Do.
From the 24-th July 1898, the town of Bantwa, some 14 miles from Kutiyána, figured
amongst the infected towns. As the scourge struck it with peculiar severity, practically
decimating the population in a little over two months, it perhaps deserves more than a passing
notice.
Bantwa Town.
Population—S,641.
Bantwa is a town with a population of some 8,500, lying about 20 miles to the west of
Junágádh. Plague was first reported there on the 24th July
1898, although there is little doubt that cases had been occurring
for a month or two previous to this date, and that concealment
was largely practised. If this was the case, the large numbers attacked are easily understood.
Its origin is very uncertain. It may have been imported from Bombay, or it may have
been imported from Porbandar, or, again, from Kutiyána. But the latter is most improbable.
Colonel Hunter inclines to the former theory : —
"There is a difficulty in accepting Mr. Antia's conclusions that the plague was introduc-
ed from Porbandar, inasmuch as that there have been no cases either among Memons or
Sonis at Porbandar. It is more likely, therefore, that the disease was imported from Bombay
in spite of the observation camps at Porbandar and Verával. The information on this sub-
ject where there are no registers of death is never reliable."
Captain H. G. Carnegy, Assistant Political Agent, and Khan Bahadur H. J. Antia,
Deputy Assistant Political Agent, were sent at once to the spot and set to work without delay.
Two hospitals and two camps were erected some 300 yards on each side of the town by the
1st August, Hospital Assistants being placed in charge, Segregation and disinfection were
also started, About the middle of August, Lieutenant R. S. Pottinger relieved Captain
Carnegy who returned to Rájkot. Dr. Vaishnav (the Junágadh State Doctor) and Dr. Chubb
(sent from Bombay at the request of the Shethias) arrived shortly after and extended the
operations inaugurated by Captain Carnegy. Colonel Hunter and Major TV. H. Burke,