KATRA DISTRICT.]
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at over 5,000 for nearly a month. It was not till the 18th January 1898 that ten days'
detention could be generally re-introduced. As the panic in Bombay subsided, the traffic
resumed its normal dimensions and the population of the Camp fell to 3,000, at which figure
it remained for several weeks.
On the 9th February 1898 an entirely unexpected and heavy downpour of rain completely
flooded the Camp and rendered its immediate dissolution imperative. About 3,000
persons were in detention : they were all despatched by special trains to Ahmedabad, and
thence to their destinations, the authorities at these latter places having first been duly
warned. Thanks to the dryness of the soil, the Camp soon became inhabitable again and
was re-opened on the 11th February.
The site selected for the Camp was an admirable one. It was adjacent to the Railway
Station. At one end stood the spacious Premchand Roychand dharamshula, offering accom-
modation for the office, and quarters for the superior class of travellers. On three sides
stretched large open fields, rendering the Camp capable of almost indefinite expansion. The
site was admirably suited for drainage, being on high ground cut off into sections by inter-
vening nálas. It was far enough from the town to minimise the risk of infection being car-
ried thither, but not-too far for the convenient supply of provisions. The Camp covered about
60 acres of ground. It consisted of three main divisions entirely isolated from each other—
the Detention Camp, the Segregation Camp, and the Hospital. The Hospital had two
divisions carefully isolated from each other, one for the treatment of fever and other
diseases, the other for plague. The accommodation of these divisions was as follows :—
Detention Camp, 5,000: Segregation Camp, 400: Hospital, 30 (plague)—100 (other
diseases).
In all sections of the Camp separate huts were assigned to Hindus, Mahomedans,
Pársis, and low castes. First and second class passengers wore allowed better accommoda-
tion than the rest. Every facility was given for families to consult their privacy by allowing
them, so far as possible, to occupy a room by themselves. Unattended females were lodged
in specially reserved huts.
Every section of the Camp was well supplied with water, of which the average daily
consumption was about 15,000 gallons. Washing platforms and bathing enclosures for
males and females were provided in every division of the Camp. There were three good
wells in or close to the Camp premises ; but as there were sporadic cases of cholera in
Bombay, it was thought advisable to close these wells to the inmates. The more scrupu-
lous among them, however, who objected to the use of pipe water, were supplied from the
wells by specially entertained Brahmin water-bearers. The wells were regularly disinfected
with permanganate of potash.
The Camp was studded with Banias' shops, where supplies of all kinds could be purchased
at prices duly notified ou boards placed outside the shops. Persons wishing to cook for
themselves could do so in one of the cooking rooms erected for the use of the several castes.
Cooking pots were supplied to those that had none. Persons not wishing to cook for them-
selves could board at one of the hotels—Hindu, Mahomedan, or Parsi, as the case might bo,
for four annas a day. The requirements of the better class of people were not lost sight of.
Articles of luxury such as tea, milk, fruit, and sweets, could always be had at the shops at
moderate prices. Furniture, in the shape of country cots, tables, chairs, and benches, could
also be hired on the premises. Test examinations of the food and provisions sold in the
Camp were constantly made by one of the Hospital Assistants detailed for that duty.
At the commencement of the Camp the Banias from Anand ran the provision supply.
But this course was open to more than one objection. There were too many of them for a
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