216
[CHAP. VIII.
Dr. Maynard refers to
the number of cases subse-
quent to the 18th August
1897.
"The above facts, at least as far as Násik is concerned, show a peculiarity as regards
this epidemic, viz., that no less than 26 cases 01 a virulent type or
the disease (these cases showed a mortality of 92.73 per cent.), nearly
all in the same quarter of the town (Kájipura and its vicinity), in
which the conditions seemed to be peculiarly favourable for its
becoming indigenous, occurred before one of the local residents contracted the disease."
With Igatpuri infected, however, it was no longer possible to ward off an outbreak,
and several places in the Táluka, including Deoláli, Nándgaon. and Ghoti, as well as Ambe in
the Dindori Táluka and Khede in the Niphád Táluka, were soon infected, with the result that
during the months of August and September 1897, 393 attacks and 309 deaths were reported.
The next place of importance attacked was Manmád, but the infection is stated to be
due to an arrival from Sirúr in the Poona District, which at the time was infected.
The epidemic, which had so long menaced Násik Town itself, at last broke out ,
and the first case, which was discovered on 12th October 1897, is thus referred to by
Dr. Maynard :—
"The first case in which exposure to infection by the patient had not occurred outside Násik
Town was that of a Mussalmán, who, on the 12th October 1897, was found to be suffering
from plague in a house in the same part of the town in which most of the imported cases had
been found ; and which afterwards furnished the greatest number of local cases, and was the
first to be vacated. This house was found to have been also occupied just previously by seven
people who had come direct from Igatpuri. These people had stayed in the house for a few
days, when one of their number was taken ill ; and they returned at once to Igatpuri, where the
one taken ill died."
The manner of dissemination was obscure ; but in Dr. Maynard's opinion rats were
apparently closely connected with it—
"As bearing on the question it may be stated that on the two days immediately preceding
the discovery of the first local case, about a dozen dead rats were found in the immediate vici-
nity of the house in which it occurred. It is unfortunate that no material was available by
which a bacteriological examination of these dead rats could be made. The local cases were
at first confined to that part of the town in which the first one occurred, a quarter consisting
chiefly of small dark grass-roofed huts inhabited by poor Mahomedans. In a great many
cases the source of infection could be directly traced to another cause."
During this month Sinnar also had to be added to the list of infected places, and the
returns number 197 cases and 164 deaths.
The early measures adopted throughout the District are thus described by the
Collector :—
"In March 1897, Hospital Assistants were deputed to Igatpuri, Mánmad, and Násik
Road Stations to examine passengers, and additional police were sent there to assist them.
Isolation sheds were erected at several places, and orders were issued to the Mámlatdárs to
make strict enquiries in every village into the cause of death, especially where there was an
allegation of fever. Comparison of death statistics was directed to be made in large towns,
and village plague authorities were appointed througout the district. The Station Master
at the Násik Road Station was directed to make such arrangements on the station as would
make passengers alighting on it pass out by such exits as the Civil Surgeon prescribed for
facilitating medical inspection. Nos. 6 and 7 of the plague rules were applied to the towns
of Násik, Igatpuri, Málegaon, Manmád, Nándgaon, Yeola, and Trimbak."
These measures were gradually supplemented by others, and from about the end of
October 1897 the measures actively employed to combat the disease were—
(1) An isolated plague hospital.
(2) Health and segregation camps for contacts.
(3) Observation camps for suspects.
(4) Disinfection of houses (either infected or in close proximity to such).
(5) Evacuation