164
[CHAP. VII
The Cordon was opened on the 1st January 1898, and its working entrusted to Rao
Bahadur Bhimbhai Kirparam, Talukdari Settlement Officer, who brought with him from his
own establishment a band of very active Bandar-karkuns. These, together with Talatis,
especially deputed for the purpose, were appointed Supervisors, while · the Nakedars were
drawn from the village Rawanias and Dharalas specially engaged for the purpose. They
were strengthened by a few Police at the more important crossings ; and on the long shallow
reaches, Sowars lent by the Cambay State by the Babi of Balasinor and by the Thakor of
Sonipur were employed to patrol the posts. As the season advanced and the river grew
shallower, the number of Nakas, and with them also that of Supervisors, had constantly to
be increased.
The Nakedars and Supervisors were to allow no one to cross without special orders
from Rao Bahadur Bhimbhai, and any one found to have crossed was taken to the nearest
Observation Camp. Concessions were made only when absolutely necessary, and in such
cases were made without regard to persons.
The Cordon was broken up on the 20th May 1898, after having accomplished its pur-
pose very successfully, not a single case crossing the river.
Umreth.
Population—15,638.
First Epidemic (Sevtemler 1898—May 1899).—After this long period of successful
endeavour to preserve the District from indigenous plague,
the village of Umreth at length succumbed, and reported
15 cases—8 deaths (all indigenous) during the week ending 30th September 1898 ; Saoli,
a Baroda village, being responsible for its infection. The disease was at first confined to
the Golas, who were all sent into Camp, the Golawad quarter being emptied ; but the
disease, thus checked amongst them, attacked those remaining in the village, which had
ultimately to be completely evacuated.
To Umreth must be assigned the infection which subsequently spread to a large number
of villages as far as Dakor on one side and B'halaj on the other, although no effort was
spared to prevent such a fatality. Plague also entered into the north of Thasra Táluka
from the Panch Mahals villages across the Máhi. The weekly figures for Umreth are given
below. It is easily seen how probable was dissemination with a village thus continuing to
return cases week after week, from which there were doubtless many fugitives : —
Week ending
30th September 1898
7th October
14th
„
21st ,,
28th ,,
4th November
11th
,,
18th
25th 25th
,,
2nd December
9th
16th ,,
16th
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Umreth.
Population— 15 638.
Case,s.
15
7
7
15
15
12
12
10
7 (
5
0
ο
Deaths.
8
8
6
12 i¿
5
ο
7 ι
4
7
7
REMARKS.
Amongst the Golas only. Golawad
evacuated during first week of
October.
People
remaining in the village
attacked. Evacuation of the whole
village ordered and completed by
about the middle of November.
Exact date not known.
During this week, three other
villages were attacked, reporting
in all 23 cases — 17 deaths.
Τwο more
villages
attacked,
making six in all : these six
places reporting 68 cases — 54
deaths between them.
Thirteen
places reported 117 cases
— 71 deaths from
indigenous
plague.