20
then see the necessity, and Mr. Lucas was directed to proceed to Karachi to
acquaint himself with plague administration there.
On the 23rd, Surgeon-Major Baker, having been placed on special duty,
visited Shikárpur and with the Collector inspected the arrangements there.
Surgeon-Captain C. Milne, I. M. S., had been deputed to Shikárpur on the
19th March owing to the occurrence of imported cases, of which to the date of
his arrival 14 cases had occurred, and because of the increasing death rate.
Surjeon-Captain Milne at once, of his own motion, began examining the dead
bodies, and where any objection was made called in Lady Doctor Nash.
This thoroughness elicited the fact that the increased death rate was largely clue
to the increased population, and the mortality was mainly among insufficiently
nourished infants and very old people. Search parties had been instituted,
and their working was improved during Surgeon-Major Baker's visit. There
was an excellent spirit of co-operation among the people, and this must be attri-
buted to the healthy influence of Mr. Dayaram Gidumal, the Judge, and
Mr. Mohsin Badrudin Tyabji, the Joint Judge, seconded by the City Panchayat
and the local officials.
Mr. Mules, the Deputy Commissioner of Jacobabad, had imposed detention
under observation at Jacobabad with success. This was now asked for by the
people of Shikarpur and was now sanctioned. Writing on the 19th February,
the Collector of Shikárpur had concurred with the Acting Commissioner that
the quarantine then imposed should be removed, and the experience of Surgeon-
Captain Milne soon showed that, without European supervision the quarantine
would not have been successful. By the time detention was re-imposed, the
leaders of Shikárpur society were determined to make it effectual. All through,
Colonel Mayhew gaye himself heart and soul to the defence of Shikárpur, and
reposed in Surgon-Captain Milne and Surgeon-Captain E. S. Clark, A. M. S.,
who was subsequently sent to assist, the most unstinted confidence, which
maintained their authority unquestioned.
Meanwhile, in Karachi improvement was perceptible. Disinfection of
houses was up to date and general cleaning in full swing, and the unaffected
quarters were being taken in hand in advance of the attack. Surgeon-Captain
Arnim was now fully occupied, having in the middle of February been
placed in charge of the suburban quarters in addition to the Sadar Bazar.
The Deputy Sanitary Commissioner was so valuable as a general guide that it
was found impossible to give him charge of the Nasarpuri. Camp, which was
looked after by Mr. Strachan.
Indeed, at this time every one's strength was being put forth in the endeav-
our to limit the area infected. Major Morris, Karachi Artillery Volunteers,
Port Trust Engineer, took charge of Kiamari and Manora. He segregated
every case with extreme care, but cases at Kiamari did not cease till the old
village of huts was burnt and the people disinfected and moved to a new site
by the Plague Committee. The Manager, North-Western Railway, Colonel
Brackenbury, R. E., paid a visit to Karachi on the 18th February and organised
the protection of the Railway quarter, and throughout, as will appear, lent the
fullest aid of his Department to the Civil officers.
Mr. Giles had arranged with the Railway administration for special trains
to run between Karachi and the two neighbouring stations of Landhi and
Malir, where he and several of the European merchants had erected camps.
By this means, subordinate officials and office clerks and coolies were safely
housed out of reach of infection and were able to come to work daily. This
was a very successful scheme, and a great boon to the mercantile firms who
were being deserted by their establishments- Major Morris was similarly
active in protecting the shipping.
By the end of February, the Collector reported that few cases now remained
undiscovered, and hence the removal of the healthy was at once universally
carried out. To this must be attributed the progress that was being made as
shown in the decreasing mortality, as also to the sick being rapidly brought
under medical treatment. At this time, Surgeon-Captain Borradaile, A. M. S.,