296
[CHAP. IX.
solitary case—one of the very first that was discovered in the Southern Division—had been
imported in October 1896 in the Kumta Táluka ,· but the infection did not take root. The
method and energy with which preventive measures were introduced, and the careful
scrutiny, week by week, of the mortality all over the District, doubtless largely contributed
to this happy immunity.
Precautionary measures practically began on the 9th of August 1897, when the
District Magistrate was appointed a Special Plague Authority by the Commissioner, S. D.,
and was at the same time requested to do his utmost to protect his District from the
introduction of the pestilence. Thus called upon, the Collector at once directed his attention
to the necessity of watching arrivals from infected places ; and Observation Camps were
established at all the ports" on the west coast at which steamers called—at almost all the
places of entrance on the eastern land-boundary—and on the Goa Frontier on the north.
All passengers were medically examined, and, after their names were noted down, were
allowed into the District; only those that actually had fever or swellings being detained,
These latter remained under observation for a period of eight days. For -the first few
mouths, people whose temperature was higher than normal, or who came from infected
districts without passes, were compelled to present themselves for examination for eight
days after arrival. Later on, when the chances of infection increased with the increase
of plague in the Southern Marátha Country, it was considered advisable to detain all persons
who could not produce proper health certificates, with the exception of those who being free
from, suspicious symptoms, furnished security for their due presentation for daily medical
inspection for the prescribed period of eight days. People detained in Camps were daily
examined by Hospital Assistants and also visited by Plague Authorities.
From all the municipal towns, where an exodus from affected localities was pro-
bable, weekly mortality returns were called for ; and any abnormal excess in the death-
rate thoroughly iuvestigated. Important municipal areas were divided into wards, or
blocks, and given into the charge of supervisors, whose duty it was, not only to look to the
sanitary condition of each ward, and the limewashing of all the houses therein, but also to
watch the health of the inhabitants, especially of all new-comers. Plague Authorities were
directed to do all they could to prevent the inspection, of persons from affected parts being
a farce on the one hand, and a cause of needless inconvenience on the other, caste prejudices
being, as far as possible, respected.
By these means not only was protection from attack sought, but the people were
taught to prepare themselves for a possible outbreak, so as to prevent a rude shock, and
the plea of helplessness, if an epidemic should declare itself. The event proved the wisdom
of this action, for, with characteristic suddenness, plague appeared.
Hungund.
Population—1,096.
"Without so much as an imported case for the space of two years, 2 imported and
3 indigenous cases, all fatal, preceded by the death of rats, were
reported in a single week—that ending 30th September 1898—all,
with one exception, at Hungund. Both the imported cases were
from Dharwar, the most potent source or infection for Kanara; one of them was discovered
at the Castle Rock Station, the other at Hungund in the Mundgod Petha, which was also
responsible for the 3 indigenous cases. But the authorities were not unprepared.
On the 1st October the Collector reports—
" One Hospital Assistant, two Police Head Constables, and 16 Constables have been
given to the assistance of the Mahálkari of Mundgod. The village site has been ordered