358
[CHAP. XI.
disappearance of the plague. The statistics are untrustworthy, but the total reported figures
from the date of the original outbreak in February 1897 to the 15th May 1897 were 141
cases and 90 deaths. From the 15th May to the 2nd August 1897 no case was reported.
Second Epidemic.—On the 2nd August 1897, 2 cases occurred. The origin of this out-
break is obscure. Importation must be set aside after the definite statement of Lieut.-
Colonel F. H. Jackson, Political Superintendent—
"Dr. Cleveland duly came and inspected the arrangements made by the Darbár and
informed me that he was satisfied with them. He cannot say how the plague made its
reappearance, but it has certainly not been imported. He thinks that a house that was closed
at the time of the first period of plague might have been re-opened without going through a
course of disinfection, but that this was the case cannot be determined by facts. At any
rate the plague commenced again in the immediate vicinity of the place where it left off the
first time."
Note.—Lieutenant Rainier states that the second outbreak originated in the same chawl in which the first
case has occurred.
The following measures were at once introduced: —
(1) Segregation.
(2) Observation camps.
(3) Disinfection (of houses, &c.).
(4) Medical inspection.
Observation camps were established at Deesa Station and Abu Road. Medical inspection,
which had been in force from the beginning of the year, was continued at Pálanpur Station.
Up to the end of August no serious rise in the mortality took place; but on the 4th
September the week's figures were 39 cases—26 deaths, although this includes some con-
cealed cases. During this week 5 dead rats were found. The following week (4th—11th
September 1897) the figures were 49—24, and cases still continued to be concealed. In con-
sequence, the Darbár offered rewards for the discovery of cases ; and the ward system was
introduced (11th September 1897), the town being divided into four wards, which were
visited by four search parties. Spread of infection by rail to the north was checked by exam-
ination of out-going passengers by Assistant Surgeon J. P. Wadia and a Hospital Assistant.
A serious rise in cases and deaths during the next week, 11th—18th September, was,
perhaps, in some measure due to unfavourable weather, heavy showers of rain, with an
intermittent cold wind being severely felt by the people in segregation camps.
Up to this time the Political Superintendent had no skilled European assistance, but on
the 22nd September 1897 Lieutenant N. Rainier, I. M. S., took charge of the operations;
and he thus describes the measures in force on his arrival :—
" (1) For the different classes of inhabitants four hospitals, and attached to each a segre-
gation camp, to which were removed the sick with their attendants, and the inmates of the
neighbouring houses.
(2) Search-parties of Darbár sepoys, but with no responsible official in charge of them.
(3) A rough disinfection of infected houses with a solution of 1—20 carbolic acid."
On these arrangements he comments as follows :—
"These arrangements were found not to work satisfactorily owing to a strongly rooted
objection amongst the people to hospitals and segregation camps, and the apathy of the
search-parties, who, sympathising with the people, could not be depended on to give much
help or timely information, in many cases information being delayed until the neighbours
had had time to remove to a different locality."
In order to overcome these difficulties, Lieutenant Rainier turned to the native gentle-
men appointed to supervise the four wards into which the town had been divided ; the