8
14. From the experience of the inspections it would appear that a large
percentage of the lascar class suffer from the ravages of syphilis ; and it was
noticed that when anyone of this class, or indeed any of the lower orders of
natives, had glandular enlargements in the groin, syphilis became the explana-
tion. In fact so anxious were men to avoid suspicion of Plague that a disease,
which is generally either indignantly denied or only admitted with shame and
reluctance, became the fashionable excuse for a lump in the groin even amongst
those who were certainly not syphilitic.
15. It is due to the natives who experienced the inspections to say that
generally speaking they submitted cheerfully to examination, and when rejected
allowed themselves to be taken to observation camp and remained there quietly
and without demur; or, before these camps were instituted, gave up their
addresses and drifted peacefully back into the city. As the rejection of one of a
family generally meant the abandonment of departure by the rest, they deserve
credit for stoical behaviour under misfortune. Occasionally bribes, from a few-
annas to considerable sums, were offered, and when no notice was taken, the
profferer gave up all hope and calmly awaited the pleasure of the Sarkar. Harely
was any insolence or discontent manifested, and then only by youthful natives with
a high school education and a partial knowledge of English.
16. It is worthy of note that out of all the Europeans examined only one
had to be removed from his vessel on suspicion. This case, a cabin boy on an
Austrian Lloyd steamer, had so high a temperature, 105° F., and seemed so ill
that he was sent for observation to St. George's Hospital, where after some days
his disease, typhoid fever, became apparent. He recovered and proceeded to
Europe in a subsequent ship.
17. The assistance afforded by the leading shipping companies deserves
acknowledgment. Their agents and commanders, although doubtless consider-
ably harassed and inconvenienced by the rigour of the system, were almost in-
variably courteous and helpful. The requirements of the inspecting officers
were always attended to, and their efforts to secure high sanitary conditions
in the vessels leaving were fairly seconded by agents, commanders and officers ;
so that it is no exaggeration to state that almost all steamers which have left
Bombay during the year were as clean as human hands could make them. To
Messrs Shepherd, P. & O., British India, Austrian Lloyd's and Rubattino Com-
panies especially acknowledgment is due and is now freely made.
18. Should at any future time another epidemic of plague necessitate a
second system of wholesale inspections of outward sea passengers, the records of
the present time will doubtless he searched for information as to the arrangements
and staff necessary. It is well therefore to make it clear that the Inspecting
Staffs A and Β detailed in paragraph 6 of this report were really insufficient.
The work was only satisfactorily got through by working at the highest pressure,
and under conditions which left no margin for illness or accident. At times of
especially heavy departures, as on English Mail days, it was found necessary to
enlist the services of at least two and sometimes for medicial officers from other
appointments. The unfailing punctuality with which these extra officers were
provided, often at the shortest notice, by the Secretary to the Surgeon-General,
Surgeon-Captain Grayfoot, reflects the greatest credit on that officer, who also on
several occasions assisted at the inspections himself. To Surgeon-Captain Hojel
and the other officers who at much personal inconvenience assisted on these spe-
cial occasions, and carried on their share of the work with much skill and tact,
the thanks of the Port Health Staff are due.
For future contingencies then the Staffs A and Β should be increased by
the addition of one Commissioned Medicial Officer and one Assistant Surgeon
and arrangements made, as under existing circumstances, for supplementing that
staff on special occasions.
19. During February and March, as already stated, there were no abserva-
tion camps available for the detention of suspicious cases. Should severe Plague
again declaie itself, such camps should be at once run up and placed as close as
possible to the busy centres of passenger traffic. These centres are Modi
Bandar, Victoria and Prince's Docks' harbour walls, and the open harbour. At
Modi Bandar, which is much the busiest passenger centre on the foreshore, there