NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
113
a characteristic appearance to the specimen which enables the pneumonic
type of plague to be detected readily by microscopical examination.
There is in sputum however always the possibility—
(i) That it is not derived from the lungs at all but only from
the throat or even the mouth.
(ii) That plague organisms are scanty and cannot with certainty
be detected on account of the multitude of other organisms.
(iii) That bacilli bearing a close resemblance to plague may be
present and so render a guarded opinion necessary.
(3) Microscopical examination of a bubo prior to suppuration
gives almost certain evidence as to plague. The only error likely to
occur is that fluid supposed to be from the gland is really from the
tissues around it or even blood from the skin sucked in when the needle
is withdrawn.
It is on account of the uncertainty attaching to puncture that
cutting down upon the gland is so much to be preferred when a great
deal turns upon the diagnosis.
Old buboes which have become purulent may or may not show the
plague bacillus since this organism is apt to be killed off.
(4) The examination of specimens of the spleen or in default of
this the liver of a fatal case is most likely to give definite results.
Almost all fatal cases tend eventually to become septicæmic and the
absence of bacilli from the spleen and liver is extremely strong evidence
against the case being one of plague. On the other hand in no exami-
nation except that of a fresh bubo can euch definite positive evidence of
plague be obtained as in films from an undecomposed spleen. Where
decomposition is advanced a guarded opinion is often necessary since
the plague bacillus rapidly disappears under such circumstances and
even if present is considerably altered in appearance.
B.—RAT PLAGUE.
(a) Whole rats should pot be forwarded unless there are special
reasons for such a procedure. If rats are sent whole they should be
packed in sufficient ice to allow them to reach Guindy undecomposed.
Rats may also be sent in spirit. In this case the abdomen should be
opened and at least one pint of spirit be used for each rat. This method
of sending material should only be adopted when no other procedure is
possible.
(6) Material sent for diagnosis should always if possible be in the
form of films.
To make a film from a suspected rat.
(a) Lay the rat on its right side and with a pledget of wool
dipped in weak spirit wipe over the side of the belly which lies upper-
most. This will keep the hair from interfering with the subsequent
dissection.
(6) Pinching up a large fold of skin with a forceps and with a
pair of scissors cut this off. If the whole thickness of skin and muscle
over the abdomen be included in the fold one cut of the scissors will
expose the viscera with the small elongate spleen lying upon them.
(c) Remove the spleen with the forceps and lay it upon a slide.
8*
114
(d) Snip off a small piece about the size of a pea and make three
streaks on a clean glass slide as described under " Human Plague."
(e) Dry and wrap in paper.
Pinch up and slice away with the scissors folds of skin over the
groins, axilla and beneath the jaws. If enlarged glands are seen, out
these in two and make smears by drawing the cut surface of the gland
thrice across a clean slide.
Interpretation of Reports.
(1) If the rat is very putrid plague bacilli even if present have
probably disappeared. The remark "many putrifactive organisms
present " may be taken therefore as showing that the result of
examination means little.
(2) If a rat found dead, but not markedly decomposed, shows no
plague bacilli in the spleen it is probably not a plague rat.
(3) In some cases owing to putrifaction, etc., the plague organisms
cannot be diagnosed with certainty. Under such circumstances a
guarded opinion has necessarily to be given.
(4) In some cases organisms closely resembling plague occur in
rats. Where typical plague bacilli are not present a guarded opinion
will always be given.
APPENDIX II-X.
Scheme for Rat Extermination.
It is now universally agreed that plague is disseminated by rats.
The following scheme, modified to suit local conditions, will help
municipalities in conducting a campaign against rats.
The most effective poison against rats is the Common Sense Bat
Exterminator and before commencing operations a good supply of this
poison should be obtained.
The town or municipality should be divided up into sections
according to the ground to be gone over in each.
A central head office for counting the rats, checking the returns
and laboratory work should be established. .
Head Office.
This should be in a central and convenient locality. It should be
isolated from the surrounding buildings by a large compound. There
must be a constant supply of wuter.
Accommodation.
(a) In the main building accommodation will be required for
conducting the clerical work, preparation of the bait and laboratory
work.
(b) In the compound a pandal should be erected, if possible on a
cement plinth to conduct the dissecting and counting operations in.
The cement plinth will ensure cleanliness.
116
Deal or mango wood tables are required for cutting the rats upon.
A table 15' X 4' will hold 100 rats when laid out for dissection.
A portable incinerator for the destruction of the carcasses.
Equipment.
For preparing bait—Knives, forks, spoons and baskets for holding
the bait.
Dissecting pandal.
Laboratory
Stains and
Reagents.
Forceps for lifting the rats.
Dissecting scissors and forceps for cutting up
rats.
Flat dishes containing disinfectant solution
for placing fragments of spleen in.
A wire to file rat labels.
Blue grease pencil for marking slides.
One microscope with 1/12 in oil immersion
lens.
Long trays 4' X 4" for staining smears in.
Carbol. Thionin, or
Loefflers Methylene Blue.
Ceder oil.
Xylol.
Wash-hand basin, carbolic soap and towels.
Plenty boiling water.
Staff.
Medical officer.
One Sanitary Inspector.
One clerk
Office
work
One
peon
Staining peon.
Bandy.
Lascar for cutting up rats.
Lascar for collecting rats.
Coolies to work incinerator.
Duties.
The medical officer must be able to use a microscope and the examin-
ation of the rats and smears should be entrusted to him. He will
count the rats and check the sectional registers.
He will superintend the working of the scheme and bo responsible
for the accounts and that the operations are conducted under the
strictest antiseptic precautions.
The Sanitary Inspector will—
(1) Prepare the disinfecting solutions to be used during the day.
(2) Attend to the disinfection of the collecting bandy, dissecting
tables, floors of the dissecting room and all baskets and receptacles
used.
(3) Assist at the arranging and counting of the rats.
(4) See that the rats selected are placed on the dissecting table
according to their sections.
(5) Take smears from the spleen and see that the slides are
marked correctly.
116
(6 ) Attend to the careful disposal of the carcasses in the incinerator.
(7) See that all the instruments after use are boiled, cleaned and
ready for the next day's operations.
(8) Superintend the preparation of the hait.
(9) Superintend the working of the incinerator.
Staining peon—
(1) To place the marked slides in the trays.
(2) To stain and wash the smears according to directions. After
washing to place the slides face downwards against the sides of the
tray to dry.
(3) After the examination of the smears under the microscope to
wash the slides in boiling water, clean them and get them ready for the
next day.
Lascar for cutting up rats—
(1) To place instruments, dishes containing (1—20) carbolic acid,
nails and hammers, on the table ready to carry on the work.
(2) To cut up the rats according to instructions.
(8) To assist in cleaning up and disinfection.
(4) To wash dirty instruments in boiling water and see that they
are kept thoroughly clean.
(5) Help in preparing baits.
Collecting lascars—
(1) To accompany the bandy in the morning and bring the rats,
etc., from the sectional offices to the head office, between 10 and 11 A.M.
(2) To lay out the rats at the head office in places allotted to each
section according to their species— bandicoots, rats and mice.
(3) To place the selected rats on the dissecting table on their
allotted spaces and nail them to the table.
(4) To collect the labels of the selected rats and file them till
after the examination of the smears under the microscope when they
will be burnt in the incinerator.
(5) After the smears have been taken, to clear the rats off the
tables and take them to the incinerator in a closed vessel.
(6) To scrub the tables after the operations with soap and hot
water, and disinfect them and the floors with 1— 20 carbolic solution.
Sectional offices.
These should be established in the more densely populated part of
the section.
Equipment.
One notice board.
One kerosine-oil tin.
One long handled fork for picking up and distributing bait.
One covered receptacle or bucket.
One register.
Bat traps.
Supply of firewood.
Staff.
One clerk-peon with a little knowledge of reading and writing.
One peon, preferably one connected with the locality and who knows
the people.
117
Duties— Clerk-peon.
1. To remain at the sectional office between the hours of 6-11 A.M.
and 3-6 P.M.
2. To start boiling the water in the kerosine-oil tin immediately he
arrives at office.
3. To dip each rat as he receives it in the boiling water and place
it in a closed, receptacle.
4. To pay the reward at once to any one bringing a rat, mouse or
bandicoot and to enter the transaction in his register.
5. Label all the rats, etc., with their serial number, the address with
the number of the house from which they came and the number of the
section.
6. Keep accounts of money spent on firewood and bait for rat traps
in another column in his register.
7. Send register to head office daily with the rat-collecting bandy
to be checked.
Peon.
1. To pick up all. baits remaining from the previous night, count
them, enter the number in register and despatch them with the rats to
the head office where they will be burnt.
2. To distribute the bait.
3. To attend to the rat traps.
4. To help in the preparation of the bait at the head office.
Collection of the rats.
When the clerk-peon at the sectional office receives a rat, he will
dip it immediately in the tin of boiling water, label it with its serial
number, the address and the number of the house from which it came,
also with the number of the section. He will then place it in a closed
receptacle or bucket reserved for the purpose. A bandy with a col-
lecting lascar should be employed to collect all the tats from each
section ; it will return to the head office before 11 o'clock.
Each clerk-peon on handing over his rats will write the number he
hands over, in the collecting lascar's register and send his office register
with the bandy to be checked in the counting operations at the head
office. When the bandies arrive at the head office the collecting
lascar will take out the rats and arrange them according to their
species in the space set apart for each section, taking care that no labels
are lost in the process. The Superintending officer will then count the
rats and enter the number of each species, whether they are rats,
bandicoots, or mice, in a register. He will check the sectional regis-
ters at the same time and adjust any discrepancy. No rat to be accepted
which is not a " whole rat."
The Superintending officer will then examine all the rats and
select the ones he wishes to be dissected and smears taken from their
spleens.
119
It is not advisable to place the poison down in the same locality
every evening, but to give each locality an interval of rest, as rats leave
houses and places where poison has been put down for a short interval.
Fowls and crows readily succumb to the poison but larger animals
require very large doses.
The poison takes 12—48 hours to kill a rat.
Rat traps.
The best trap for catching rats is the wire trap baited with toasted
cheese or salted fish. The chief points to be observed in ordering a trap
are—
(1) It should be made of hard unyielding iron wire. A rat can
easily force its way between soft galvanized wires and escape from the
trap.
(2) The horizontal bars should never be less than seven in
number and they should be firmly bound to the vertical bars by a
double thin wire.
(3) The flap should be sufficiently weighted as any movement of
the trap may swing it open. The trifoil trap with a trifoil stamped on
the flap, made by an English firm is considered a good wire trap.
Traps should be daily washed in boiling water after use and
rebaited. To kill the rats caught the whole trap can be dipped into
the boiling water in the kerosine-oil tin.
General precautions.
The workers in the dissecting and counting room should be provided
with dissecting aprons and sleeves.
The rats must not be handled, but a forceps made after the style of
a uterine forceps should be used in lifting the rats.
In the event of plague occurring in a station, the danger of handling
the rats should be impressed on the people.
Attention to cleanliness and disinfection daring and after the
operations are absolutely essential.
Disinfectants.
Perchloricde of mercury 1 : 1,000 is made as follows :—
1/2 oz. of perchloride of mercury.
1 oz. of strong hydrochloric acid.
3 gallons of water. Colour with a pinch of methylyne blue
powder.
Carbolic acid.
8 oz. acid to a bucketful of water makes (1—20) solution.
Stir a little soft soap in it ; this makes a good emulsion which
enhances the disinfecting power of the solution.
l2l
INDEX,
A
ABORTION. — Obligation to report cases of
ACCOUNTS. — Plague
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF ...
AFFECTIONS OF THE LUNG. — Obligation to report cases of ...
ALLOWANCES —
Plague
Statement showing rates of — to officers on plague duty
Statement showing rates of — to plague Inspectors
AMBULANCE STAFF. — Composition of
APPOINTMENTS. — Plague
ABEA UNDER OBSERVATION.— Notification of
ARTICLES OF FOOD AND DRINK. — Closing of places used for the
and preparation of
ASSISTANT PLAGUE OFFICERS ...
PAGE
18
52
... 37,38
18
... 51,52
... 89-93
... 94-96
... 21,22
50
19
supply
36
... 37,38
RULE
47
142
103
47
139,
140, 141
• ••
58
137
52
97
103
B
BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION. — Instructions for despatching material
to the King Institute, Guindy, for ...
BEDDING. — Prohibition against the transmission of — used
BUILDINGS —
Abatement of overcrowding of ...
Acquisition of — for plague purposes
Collector's power of entry into ...
Disuse of — unfit for human habitation
Occupation of buildings required for plague purposes
Letting of infected — prohibited
...
...
...
Power of Collector to force open buildings for purposes
disinfection
ial
110-ll4
19
36
... 22,23
19
... 35,36
... 22,24
35
of
48
50
95
61
49
94
61&65
92
116-A
c
CANAL BOATS. — Rules regarding
CANTONMENTS. — Responsibility for carrying out plague measures in
CAUSE OF DEATH. — Certificate of
CERTIFICATE. — Improper use of — prohibited
COMPENSATION — for loss of property ...
CONTACTS —
Obligation to furnish information regarding ...
...
...
Segregation of
Passes
...
...
...
...
...
..
...
...
...
CONVEYANCES FOE THE CARRIAGE OF THE SICK AND INFECTED ARTICLES —
Provision of ...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
CONVULSIONS. — Obligation to report oases of
CORRESPONDENCE —
Plague
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
,,.
Distribution of spare copies of printed orders of Government
44
41
28
44
43
18
25,63
33,73
24
18
49
88
49
120
110
75
118
116
47-A
67
85-A
66
47
131
133-36
• ••
132
D
DETENTION CERTIFICATE —
Form of
...
...
...
•••
...
...
..
Persons under — bound to obey directions given to them ...
DISINFECTION
,
Mode of
Procedure in oases in which a closed house is to be disinfected
80
44
... 65-68
43
43
••• •
119
115
115-A
122
E
EMERGENT WORK.— Collector's power to carry out...
EPIDEMIC DISEASES ACT
Powers under — delegated to Local Government
ESTABLISHMENT LIST
ESTIMATES. — Plague
EVACUATION
PASE
43
1
3
51
52-58
63
RULE
117
...
138
143-50
F
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS —
Form of statement to accompany proposals for restrictions on
Forms of notifications imposing restrictions on
...
...
Restrictions on the attendance at
FEMALE PASSENGERS. — Examination of
FEMALE PASSPORT HOLDERS.— Examination of
FEVER WITH GLANDULAR SWELLINGS.— Obligation to report cases of
FRONTIER INSPECTION STATIONS—
Establishment of ...
Examination at
FUNERAL PROCESSIONS. — Restrictions with regard to
81
... 82-83
16,17
12
14
18
19,20
20
31
...
...
40- 45
23
33
47
53, 54i
55
81
G
GOsHA WOMEN. — Examination of
GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS. — Occupation of — for plague purposes
GOVERNMENT MEDICAL SUBORDINATES ON PLAGUE DUTY —
Collector's power to punish
Grant of casual or privilege leave to
GOVERNMENT ORDErS. — Distribution of printed copies of ...
GRAIN —
Inspection of — from plague infected areas
Inspection of — bazaars ...
14
24
38
38
88
19 19
33
65
103-A
103-13
51
51
H
HEALTH CAMP. — Establishment of a
HEDJAZ. — Pilgrimage to the
HOSPITAL CAMP. — Establishment of ...
HOUSE SEARCH, — When permissible ...
22
17
22
29
59,60
46
59, 0O
76,77
I
INCAPACITATED PERSONS. — Obligation to take passport in the case of
INFECTED HOUSES —
Letting of — prohibited ...
Destruction of
INOCULATION
Form of — certificate
Obligations of inoculated persons
Privileges of inoculated persons
INSPECTION SHEDS ON RAILWAY PLATFORMS. — Expenditure on
10
35
35
28, 64, 65
75
45
44
16
13
02
93
4
122
121
39
INTER-COMMUNICATION OF PLAGUE NEWS — between British, Mysore and
Hyderabad officials
INTIMATION —
Duties of district medical officer and tahsildar in regard to ...
Form of
of passengers from Bangalore proceeding to Ceylon ...
of the move of a large body of troops, police or coolies
of travellers by rail
48
10
79
15
16
... 8,9
,,. 9,10
130
12
...
37
38
9,10
11
123
L
LOCAL AUTHORITY —
Definition of
Duties of
Exemption from personal attendance before
His register
PAGE
22
5
7,8
5
8
BULE
61
2
7
2
8
M
MILITARY — should obey plague regulations
MILITARY OFFICERS. — Procedure in obtaining the
plague duty ...
...
...
...
MINORS. — Obligation to take passports in the case of
41
services of — for
39,40
10
111
107
13
N
NATIVE MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS. — Employment of — at public and
private hospitals
NUISANCES. — Abatement of
89
3Ü
105
96
O
OBSERVATION —
Ranges of — ; and staff
Control of — staff...
Duties of — staff
List of areas under
OBSERVATION CAMP. — Establishment of — near large towns threatened
with plague ...
...
...
OFFICERS. — Treatment of the absence of — who suffer from plague or
are segregated for plague
...
20
21
21
24
35
42, 43
56
57
57
66-A
90
114
P
PASSES —
Contact
Forms of
General
Improper use of — prohibited
Special
Register of permanent
...
PASSPORT —
Different kinds of ...
Erroneous issue of ...
Exemption from taking ...
Form of
Improper use of — prohibited
Intimation of the issue of
Notice in railway carriages regarding ...
Obligation to take ...
PASSPORT EXAMINER. — Duties of
...
...
PASSPORT-HOLDERS. — Duties of
33
71-74
32
44
32
75
31,32
14
34,35,
76-78
70
41
7
10,11
... 5,10,31,33
7, 8
6, 7
85-A
84
118
85
...
82,83
32
88-A,
89
...
118
5
15
2,13,
82, 86-A
7
4
PASSPORT-HOLDERS WHO CHANGE THEIR RESIDENCE WITHIN THE OBSERVA-
TION PERIOD. — Procedure in respect of
PASSPORT-ISSUING OFFICERS — defined
Duties of ...
...
...
...
PASSPORT ISSUING OFFICES —
Establishment of
PASSPORT RULES —
Penalty for infringement or evasion of
Relaxation of
...
PLAGUE —
Discovery of
...
...
...
...
Measures to be taken on the occurrence of a case of
Obligation to report cases of
7
6
34
33
5, 34
, 76, 77
62
25-27
18
6
3
87
86
2,88
...
67-72
47
124
PLAGUE CAMPS. — Closure of
PLAGUE CHARGES —
Classification of ...
Statement showing classification of
Quarterly Stabatement of — audited
PLAGUE HOSPITALs. — Closure of
PLAGUE-INFECTED AREA —
Notification of
Obligation to report the arrival of persons from
PLAGUE MEASURES. — General remarks on
PLAGUE OFFICERS
Jurisdiction and powers of
.
PLAGUE PATIENTS —
Collector's power to segregate or isolate
...
...
...
Their removal to hospital
PLAGUE RECORDS. — Destruction of
PLAGUE REGULATIONS —
Penalty for the breach of
Procedure in case of evasion of — by giving false name or ad
PLAGUE REPORT. — Form of — by Collectors ...
Form of — by subordinate officers to Collector
PLAGUE SHEDS. — Grants towards construction of ...
PLAGUE STAFF. — Notice of discharge in the caso of
Power of Collectors to punish ...
PREVENTIVE RANGES.— Formation of
PRIVATE HOSPITALS. — Sale-proceeds of
..-.
PRIVATE PLAGUE CAMPS AND HOSPITALS —
Government grants towards construction and maintenance of
Supervision of
...
...
...
. .
Appointment of committee of non-official visitors
PUBLIC CONVEYANCES — Use of — by plague patients prohibited
PUNCH-MARKING of railway tickets
PAGE
87
58-60 15
97-100
58, 104-109
37
4
18
61,62
37, 38
38,39
19
29,30
, 87,88
37
dress
37
. ,,. 83,84
... 84-87
24
42
... 38,39 1
27
23,24
23
... 23,24
30
35
13,14
RULE
99
62, 153
• ••
152
99
1
48
...
103
104,
34-A&
104-B
49
78,79 &80
100
102
...
64
113
03-A&
104-B
73
63
62
63
79-A.
91
29-32
K
RAGS. — Prohibition against the transmission of
RAILWAY INSPECTION —
Appointment of — station
Attempts to evade
...
...
,..
...
Detention — Certificate of
Duties of railway staff
Examination of passengers
Intimation in respect of passengers passing through — station
»
»
„
„
from Bangalore
Tuticorin vid Jalarpet
Penalty for refusal to submit to examination
Powers of staff
...
...
. .
Time allowed for examination ...
RAILWAY PASS-HOLDERS. — Stationmaster's certificate as to placo
departure in the case of
RAILWAY STAFF — Duties of
...
..
RATS —
Destruction of
.,.
Unusual mortality among
...
...
..,
...
,
Plague among
...
...
REPORTS AND RETURNS
19
11
15
....13, 80
... 11, 12
... 11 13
... 8,9
to
15
11
... 13,14
80
of
15
... 41,42
19, 68, 69,
114-]19
18
... 68, 69
... 45-48,1
83-87
60
16
35,36
26
19,20
17, 18,
21-25
9, 10
37
17
28,29
34
112
51
47,
48-A
.23-128
125
s
PAGE BULE
SEARCH PARTIES—
Control of
29
77
Organization of
29
76
SEGREGATION—
of contacts
25,63
67
Persons under — bound to obey directions given to them
44
119
SOILED LINEN.—Prohibition against, the transmission of
19
50
SUDDEN DEATH.—Obligation to report cases of
18
47
SUSPECT CAMP.—Establishment of
22 59,60
T
TROOPS—
Clothing for
58
151
Use of — for plague purposes
40
109
Movement of — from infected areas
16,100-
38
104
V
VOLUNTEER AGENCY.—Employment of
39
105
W
WASHING OF CLOTHES.—Restrictions on the
36
98
WASTE PAPER.—Prohibition against the transmission of
19
50
IP/QB.10
(NEW SERIES.)
No. 55.
SCIENTIFIC MEMOIRS
BY
OFFICERS OF THE MEDICAL AND SANITARY DEPARTMENTS
OF THE
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
The Structure of Hæmatopota Pluvialis
(Meigen)
BY
CAPTAIN F. W. CRAGG, M.D., I.M.S.
ISSUED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA BY THE
DIRECTOR-GENERAL, INDIAN MEDICAL SERVICE.
CALCUTTA
SUPERINTENDENT GOVERNMENT PRINTING, INDIA
1912
Price Re. 1 and Annas 2 or ls. 9d.
M. 91. b
(NEW SERIES. )
No. 55 .
SCIENTIFIC MEMOIRS
BY
OFFICERS OF THE MEDICAL AND SANITARY DEPARTMENTS
OF THE
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
T h e
S
tructure of Hæmatopota Pluvialis
(Meigen)
BY
CAPTAIN F. W. CRAGG, M.D., I.M.S.
ISSUED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA BY THE
DIRECTOR-GENERAL, INDIAN MEDICAL SERVICE.
CALCUTTA
SUPERINTENDENT GOVERNMENT PRINTING, INDIA
1912