SATARA DISTRICT.]
243
the Collector that there was plague in the town. The Mámlatdár of a neighbouring Táluka
even complained of it. The Collector called for an explanation. The Mámlatdár consulted his
Hospital Assistant, who, having no previous experience of plague, gave it as his opinion that
the disease then existing was not plague but remittent fever, which generally prevailed at that
time of the year. The improvement in the mortality in the month of June \vas also calculated
to conceal the identity of the disease. But the common belief in the existence of plague in
May naturally led the people to think of the measures that would be adopted for its suppres-
sion ; and a vague fear of those measures may have led to the concealment of deaths.
Such, at least, is the explanation given by Major Baker, I. M. S., Plague Inspecting Officer,
of the decrease in the mortality during June. Doubtless, an inadequate system of death
registration rendered evasion quite possible.
But the disease soon asserted itself in a manner which could no longer be mistaken, and
on the 7th July 1897 plague was declared epidemic in Karád. During the first 3 days 5 cases
were reported, and, in the week ending 16th July, 26 cases with 14 deaths. A Plague
Hospital was opened on the 13th July, and on the 29th Lieutenant K. V. Kukday, I. M. S.,
arrived in charge of a Plague Flying Column ; while Mr. Clements, Second Assistant
Collector, supervised the arrangements. Captain Smith observes :—
"Trade was altogether paralyzed ; the majority of the municipal members fled. The
utter disorganization that prevailed in the town could hardly be imagined by one who had
not seen it. It was only by the most strenuous exertions on Mr. Clements' part that bearers
could be had to convey the sick to the hospital, and that food could be obtained for the hospital
and segregation camps. Search parties were conducted by Mr. Clements, Dr. Kukday and
Mr. Sapre (Municipal Commissioner), aided by Hospital Assistants and School-masters.
Disinfection and white-washing were being carried out by a staff all too small for the work,
but labour was not to be obtained locally on any terms, and it was not until a large number
of coolies were obtained from Bombay that any headway was made."
The rapidity with which the epidemic grew worse, as well as the proportions which it
attained, can be better illustrated by a statement of attacks and deaths than by any description :—
9th
16th
23rd
30th
6th
13th
20th
27th
3rd
10th
17th
24th
July
,,
,,
August
,,
,,
,,
Week ending
1897
,,
,,
September
,,
,,
,,
1897
,,
...
...
...
...
...
...
..
...
··
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Total
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
··
Cases.
5
26
30
62
95
117
208
247
230
142
101
60
1,323
Deaths.
14
20
43
65
102
149
192
186
112
79
46
1,008
It must be remembered that of the total population—12,086—a large proportion fled;
and it will then be seen that, concealment and flight considered, twelve is a low estimate
of the percentage mortality, and that considerably more than one-tenth of the actual
inhabitants were swept away in less than three months.
It will be observed from the figures that the epidemic showed signs of declining in
the beginning of September. On the 2nd of September, Captain J. B. Smith had
relieved Lieutenant Kukday of the charge of the Flying Column ; on the 3rd, Lieutenant Gr.