284
[CHAP. IX.
the district, double figures were returned every week. The position was now an anxious
one ; and the worst anticipations were unfortunately destined to be realized. July saw a
marked increase in the severity of the Hubli epidemic, and the infection of Dhárwár and
Gradag. In August, the figures in Hubli reached their climax—515 cases—425 deaths
(week ending 26th August 1898)—and the infection spread with terrible rapidity.
Throughout September, October, November and December 1898, the Dhárwár District
suffered from the severest epidemic yet recorded since the beginning of plague in September
1896. During the week ending the 11th of November 1898, over 100 villages returned
a total of 2,646 cases—2,202 deaths : and up to the 2nd June 1899 the Dhárwár District
reported 38,066 cases—30,875 deaths from over 320 villages.
As has been said, the first case of plague reported from the Dhárwár District occurred
Hubli.
Population—52,595.
at Hubli on the 17th October 1897: and the weekly figures
from that date up to the 31st December 1897 were as follows :—
Week ending
22nd October
1897
29th
„ ,,
5th November ,,
12th ,, ,,
19th ,, ,,
26th ,, ,,
3rd December ,,
10th ,, ,,
17th ,, ,,
24th ,, ,,
31st ,, ,,
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Totals ...
HUBLI.
Cases.
4
4
10
8
6
...
2
2
3
2
41
Deaths.
3
3
6
7
6
4
4
2
3
1
39
DHARWAR.
Cases.
...
... ... 1
1
...
2
Deaths. |
...
... ... ...
2
...
2
G A DAG.
Cases.
1
2
... ... ...
...
3
Deaths.
2
... ... 1
...
3
REMARKS.
Dhárwár and Gadag — All
imported.
IIubli — 3 cases and 3 deaths
imported (week ending 5th
November 1897); the rest
all indigenous.
On this little outbreak at Hubli, and on the measures taken to check its development
and spread, a Commission, consisting of Surgeon-General Cleghorn, Mr. (now Sir)
A. Wingate, and Colonel Hay, I. M. S., who visited Hubli in November 1897, reported as
follows :—
"There are extensive railway workshops established here, the employes residing in
barracks situated in close proximity to the workshops. These barracks are about a quarter
to half a mile distant from the city, and were occupied by about 1,500 men, women and
children.
"The first case of plague was reported on the 17th October and occurred in one of the
barracks occupied by a Punjabi who, it was stated, had been on a visit to Sholápur. On the
appearance of other cases preparations were made for the eventual evacuation of the quarters.
A hospital and observation wards were erected in one field, and segregation huts for the healthy
in another. There was no vacant space in the immediate neighbourhood, and a sufficient area
for the huts could only be obtained by removal of the standing crops.
"Evacuation of the barracks was commenced on the 30th October and was completed on
the 13th November. The personal effects of all those removed to the huts were disinfected
in the perchloride of mercury solution, and all rags and refuse were burnt. As each house or
room was emptied, the door was, for the time being, securely fastened with screws and the
whole roof removed.
"On arrival in camp a register was kept of the members of a family occupying each hut,
and a cordon- of Police was placed around the encampment with orders to prevent all egress.
A roll-call was instituted every morning and an inspection made by railway officials of all
residents.