NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
14
10. Copies of the orders issued by the District Magistrate under the
Epidemic Diseases Act were sent to you with my No. 1350 of 29th March. It
is not necessary to repeat them now. They were chiefly to ensure all cases
being immediately reported, and the rules as bo disinfection and segregation
being enforced.
11. The total cases that occurred in the district according to the months
and divided into imported and indigenous are :—
Mouth.
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
Total ...
IMPORTED.
|
Cases.
24
67
85
45
9
1
1
232
Deaths.
15
43
95
38
7
1
1
200
INDIGENOUS.
Cases,
7
12
53
42
12
5
131
Deaths«
...
6
10
41
33
10
5
105
It was not until the imported cases began to diminish in numbers that
plague became indigenous in any village except Khálgám.
12. The villages where there were more than 4 indigenous eases are :—
Khálgám
... ...
Ladghar *
...
...
Karden
...
...
Bánkot
Masúra
Yeshwi
Cases,
12
44
10
16
8
13
Deaths.
10
35
6
13
7
11
Month.
January
March...
April ...
April, May
Do.
May, June
REMARKS.
* Two cases were
reported in April,
but they were not
plague.
One case in April.
I give a detailed description of the origin of the plague at each of these
places, as well as at the others where less than five indigenous cases occurred.
The seriousness of the outbreaks at Khálgám, Ladghar and Bánkot was un-
doubtedly due to the first cases not being reported. If they had been, the
disease could probably have been confined to the one house, in which the
cases occurred as was done in Barondi and other places. Of these 6 places,
Masúra is in Málvan Tálka in the south and near the coast, on a small creek.
Khálgám is in the Ratnágiri Táluka in the centre of the district, and two miles
from the Shástri river, right inland. The other four are in the Dapoli Táluka,
Bánkot and Veshwi join and are practically one village, at the northernmost
boundary of the district on the mouth of the Savitri river. Ladghar and
Karden are two miles apart on the coast and some 20 miles south of Bánkot.
13. At all these villages a Hospital Assistant was in attendance from the
time the cases were first reported till the end of the epidemic. There is one
still at Bánkot. Every endeavour was made to get information of fresh cases as
soon as they occurred. After the original cases were reported, there does not
appear to have been any concealment except at Bánkot and Veshwi. The
former is occupied chiefly by Mussalmans, the latter by Kolis, and both these
classes objected to the segregation of their sick, though the latter had no objec-
tion to leaving their houses themselves and going to live in the jungle. Hos-
pitáis were erected for the sick and segregation huts for their relations.
17
Buroudi.—Three indigenous cases. All died. One of these three, who
were all in the sanie house, had visited the plague-affected part of Ladghar.
He was taken ill on 12th April and the other two on the 14th and 23rd. They
died on the 20th, 22nd and 25th respectively. There were no buboes on any of
them, and until the third death the disease was not suspected to be plague or
reported.
Sangameshvar.—A boatman was taken ill in January, but recovered. It
is supposed that he contracted it by taking plague-stricken persons in his boat ;
but it is doubtful if this was a case of plague at all.
Are.—There were two indigenous cases in the same house on 21st February.
One recovered and the other died the same day. There was no imported case
in this village, and it cannot be ascertained how the cases originated.
Guhagar.—There was one indigenous case, a Teli, taken ill on 9th March
and died on 13th. There were two imported cases on 15th December and 5th
January ; but they did not live near the house of the Teli and no connection can
be traced.
Bhoste.—Five indigenous cases. Three persons, all relations, came from Bom-
bay with plague on 10th January and died on that day or the next. They lived in
different houses, two in one vádi and one in another. The indigenous cases were
all of one family, related to the persons who had come from Bombay, and living
only five yards off one of the houses. They died between the 2nd and 12th of
February, and are reported to have been attacked on the very days on which they
died.
15. A case was reported as indigenous at Kelshi, but it was subsequently
found that the affected ' person had got the plague at Válas.
16. The last case reported occurred on June 4th, and there are grounds
for believing that the disease has now disappeared from the district.
17. Luckily there were no indigenous cases in any of the large towns.
The Municipal Committees in most cases did what they were asked to do by way
of precautionary measures, such as cleaning their towns and building temporary
hospitals. Vengurla and Chiplun were specially energetic, sending their medical
officers down to the bandar daily to examine passengers. Assistant Surgeon
C. M. Bodrigues did very good work.
18. All the Assistant Collectors, Mámlatclárs, the District Superintendent
of Police and his subordinates worked very hard and did all that they were
asked to do thoroughly ; as also did all the Hospital Assistants and pensioners
with one exception.
19. My warmest acknowledgments are due to Surgeon-Major Collie, Civil
Surgeon, for the advice and help which I received from him during the whole
time of the epidemic.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
W. W. DREW,
Collector.
No. 706 OP 1897.
From
COLONEL J. M. HUNTER,
Political Agent, Káthiáwár ;
To
THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT,
General Department,
Bombay.
Káthiáwár Political Agency,
Rájkot, 17th August 1897.
SIR,
Subject.
Report OB the recent out-
break of plague in certain
places in Káthiáwár.
With reference to paragraph 8 of Government Resolution No. 3045 of
2nd June last, I have the honour to submit a detailed
report of the late outbreak of plague at certain
places in Káthiáwár and the measures taken for its
suppression.
Plague brought into Ká-
thiáwár by fugitives from
Bombay.
2. The virulent outbreak of plague in the Mánclvi ward of the City of
Bombay during the months of October and November
and its subsequent spread to other parts of the city
caused a general exodus of the inhabitants, who fled
to their native places or sought temporary domicile
with their relatives or friends living elsewhere. Káthiáwár being closely con-
nected with Bombay numbers of these fugitives flocked into the province
bringing with them either the germs of the disease or persons affected with it.
Preliminary measures. Me-
dical Inspection at Railway
Stations and ports.
3. As this exodus was calculated to result in the
spread of the disease over other parts of the Presidency
wherever the Bombay fugitives went to reside, the
following measures were taken to protect this province
from the disease :—
At Bhávnagar, Botad and Sihor Railway Stations medical inspection of all
passengers arriving from Wadhwán was carried out, and at the port of Bháv-
nagar a medical officer boarded all country boats and steamers arriving from
Bombay. Similar inspection was also enforced at Verával, Mángrol, Porbandar
and Jámnagar. It was found that by the 22nd December 1896 one case of
plague had arrived at Mahuva from Bombay, one at Verával, one suspicious
case at Mángrol and one at Porbandar ; in all 4 cases.
Segregation of affected
persons and their treatment
according to Dr. Haffkine's
instructions advised.
4. All maritime States under this Agency were then instructed to make
the medical inspection more thorough and effectual.
Similar orders were also issued to the officials at
Wadhwán as regards medical inspection at the Wadh-
wán Railway Station of all passengers coming by the
B. B. & C. I. Railway. In addition to medical inspection, segregation of per-
sons found to be affected with the plague and their treatment .according to
Dr. Haffkine's instructions was ordered.
Synopsis of instructions
issued.
5. The following is a synopsis of the instructions
issued to all Darbárs and Government officers for the
prevention of the spread of the disease :—
(a) Segregation in hospitals of patients found to be suffering from the
plague, disinfection of houses and destruction of clothing of patients (Cir-
cular No. 147 of 13th January 1897).
(5) Careful inspection of all imports of bájri and jowári and old or
mouldy grain being opened and dried until passed by medical officer as fit
for human food (Circular No. 170 of 15th January 1897).
B 1408—1
2
(c) Limewasbing of all public buildings and particularly grain stores
at once and at intervals of one month, and private persons advised to do the
same (Circular No. 170 of 15th January 1897).
(d) Reporting of cases of plague to the Agency by wire (Circular
No. 253 of 20th January 1897).
(e) Measures to be adopted against overcrowding in dwelling-houses
and register of daily arrivals to be kept. Camps to be formed in the
neighbourhood of towns for accommodation of new arrivals in overcrowded
houses (No. 415 of 29th January 1897).
(f) Should a case of plague occur, the following measures were to be
taken (Circular No. 632 of 12th February 1897) :—
1. The whole infected building and one or more of adjoining
houses to be at once vacated and inmates accommodated in a camp
outside the town where they should be daily inspected by a medical
officer and kept under strict police surveillance, arrangements being
made for supply of food.
2. Floors of infected building to be dug up, walls scratched and
disinfectants copiously applied, tiles to be removed from the roof and
necessary openings made in the walls for ventilation.
3. Thorough inspection of all the dwelling-houses of the town or
village and removal of inmates of overcrowded or unwholesome houses,
openings in walls and roofs of ill-ventilated houses to be made.
4. Strict medical inspection at "Wadhwán and ports,
Quarantine at Bhávnagar
and other ports.
6. In January the Bhávnagar Darbár imposed quarantine against vessels
coming from Bombay, but under Government advice
this was modified so as not to interfere with the
steamers, their passengers being landed and segregated.
Similar measures were also adopted at Porbandar and Jámnagar. Passengers
arriving by sea were landed and segregated and detained for a number of days
in shelter camps, where facilities for obtaining food were provided and the
persons were daily examined by medical officers.
Imported cases in the four
months preceding February.
7. These medical examinations and enquiries as
to previous cases led to the following imported cases
of plague being discovered :—
October 1896 ...
November ,, ...
December ,, ...
January 1897 ...
... 1
... 1
... 1
1
1
1
I
1
Total ... 6
... 1
1
1
1
3
2
1
1
3
3
Total ... 17
case in
,,
,,
,,
,,
,,
,,
case at
))
,,
,,
»
3)
))
,,
,,
)>
Jámnagar.
Wadhwán Civil Station.
Wadhván Civil Station.
Mahuva.
Verával.
Mángrol.
Porbandar.
Kutiyáua.
Wadhwán Civil Station.
Bhávnagar.
Mahuva.
Yerával.
Mángrol.
Porbandar.
Saláya.
Khambháliya.
Jámnagar.
Kutiyána.
5
Month.
April 1897
May 1897
June 1897
IMPORTED CASES.
Place.
Verával
Porbaudar
Saláya
Bedi ...
Jámuagar
Chela ...
Jetpur...
Jámnagar
Bedi ...
Rájkot
Wadhwán
...
• • »
...
..
X S
Number.
1
2
1
5
2
1
1
13
9
1
1
1
12
Place
from
which
import-
ed.
INDIGENOUS CASES.
Place.
Kutiyána
Chiklodra
Bhávnagar
Kutiyána
Katwána
Bhávnagar
Porbandar
Kutiyáua
...
...
...
••
Number.
47
1
13
61
21
16
4
1
42
3*
3
Population.
9,580
......
57,653
9,580
171
57,653
18,805
9,580
* Last case occurred on 2nd June 1897.
It will be seen from the above that Bhávnagar and Kutiyána are the only
two places where the plague established itself and made many victims, the total
cases at Bhávnagar being 44, at Kutiyána 94 and at Katwána, a village close to
Kutiana, 16.
Details of the cases at
Bhávnagar.
14. The origin of the outbreak of plague at Bhávnagar was as follows :—
There were as stated above 4 imported cases from
Bombay ; three before the first indigenous case was
reported and one after. The first imported case
arrived on the 4th January but was not discovered until the 6th and the patient
died on the 7th. The second imported case was found on the 1st February
during the medical inspection of passengers at the Bandar, was segregated and
ultimately recovered. The third case was also discovered on the 1st February
and recovered in a week. The fourth case came via Surat and Gogo, was dis-
covered on the 3rd March and discharged as cured on the 30th March. The
first indigenous case at Bhávnagar occurred on the 23rd February. A Brahmin
woman residing in the Ránika ward of the town was attacked with fever on that
clay, developed a bubo on the 27th and died in her house on the 2nd March.
It is said that she had no communication with any case but I am inclined to
think that she must have contracted the disease through contact with persons
who had come from Bombay, or through their clothes or some such channel.
The next case occurred in an adjoining house on the 27th, a large bubo was
noticed in the left groin of a patient on the 29th who died on the 6th. This
woman is said to have come in contact for 2 or 3 days with a neighbour who
had died of plague. The disease then established itself in that locality. In the
first week of March there were six cases. In consequence of this outbreak
I urged the Darbár authorities to carry out more strictly the principles of seg-
regation and disinfection, which had already proved effectual in preventing the
spread of the disease in other places.
Visit to Bhávnagar and
personal exhortations had a
most "beneficial effect.
15. On the 7th March I proceeded to Bhávnagar and personally inspected
the arrangements. I found that the Daibár autho-
rities were endeavouring to do their best but the
apathy and in some cases active opposition on the part
of the people hindered progress. My presence and ex-
B 1408- 2
9
27. No measures were adopted this in province for prevention or cure by
means of Haffkine's prophylatic or Yersin's curative serum.
28. The history of the plague so far in Káthiáwár may be summed up as
an almost entirely successful effort to keep out the disease, and on equally satis-
factory endeavour to isolate and stamp it out in those few places where it be-
came established,
29. A complete statement of plague cases from the beginning to the-
week ending 11th June last is herewith attached, as called for in your No. 2238
of the 31st May last.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
J. M. HUNTER, Colonel,
Political Agent, Káthiáwár.
THROUGH THE POLITICAL DEPARTMENT.
9
tically free, hospitals were started at Godhra, Merau, Gundiali and Kodae. On
the departure of Dr. Wilkins, the following staff was left with Dr. Mason :—
three nurses, three hospital assistants, one compounder and six ward orderlies.
With this weak staff he has to look after some ten infected villages, as well as
Mándvi. The work, therefore, which has devolved on him has been exceedingly
heavy, some of the villages being 10 to 15 miles from Mándvi. The inhabitants
of these infected villages are now to be turned out gradually one after the other,
and the houses cleaned and disinfected, and I trust that this will have the
desired effect of clearing the villages of the disease.
G. E. HYDE-CATES, Major,
Acting Political Agent.
Bhúj, 13th September 1897.
His Highness the Ráo has written and thanked Surgeon-Lieut.-Colonel
Wilkins, Surgeon-Captain Mason, and staff for their exertions, and the valuable
work done by them.
G. E. HYDE-GATES.
B 1437—3
FROM
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL J. W. WRAY,
Political Agent, Kolhápur and
Southern Marátha Country ;
To
J. DEC. ATKINS, ESQ., I.C.S.,
Secretary to Government,
General Department, Poona.
Kolhápur 2nd September 1897.
SIR,
With reference to your demi-official letter of 31st ultimo to the Special
Plague Committee, of which His Excellency the Governor was pleased to appoint
me a member, I have the honour to submit, in accordance with your request, the
following account of the measures which have been adopted here, and in this
district, at my suggestion, and which I have found effective as well as easy of
manipulation during the last six months for the purpose of preventing the im-
portation of plague into towns or villages, and also for preventing the spread of
plague from any town or village which may have become infected.
2. To avoid lengthy details I will describe the general arrangements, which
are, of course, subject to local conditions, and which are capable of modification
or enhancement as the case may be.
I also append a rough sketch plan of an imaginary infected town of, say,
10,000 inhabitants.
3. To prevent the importation of plague the following seem to be the
principal considerations :—
(1) Selection of suitable sites for observation camps.
(2) Plan of observation camps and their erection and establishments.
(3) Methods of detaining the public and preventing leakage.
(4) Disinfection of arrivals.
(5) Food and amusements for the temporary occupants of the camps.
(6) Passes for rail and road.
(7) Notice in the newspapers declaring quarantine.
while the indispensable considerations for the prevention of the spread of
plague from any infected town or village can be summed up as follows :—
(1) Warning to the neighbouring villages to make their own quarantine
arrangements and report the arrival of all strangers.
(2) Police cordon A round the infected town or village and distribution of
Police on the roads.
(3) Preparation of pass forms a, b, c.
(4) Bough register of inhabitants taken in sections.
(5) Camp of detention or "waiting camp " for people wishing to leave the
town.
(6) Police cordon B round the " waiting camp."
(7) Prohibition of visits to other bazárs, and arrangements for local sup-
plies.
(8) Plague Hospital.
(9) Standing camp for segregation or accommodation of persons while
their houses are being disinfected.
(10) Notice in Gazette legalizing the above measures in lieu of proclama-
tion.
B 1463—4.
6
In spite of this, however, in the seven months since it began, there have not
been more than 79 deaths altogether in a population of 5,000, and only one per-
son has escaped through the Police Cordon, and she was detected and brought
back to the segregation camp (where she developed plague and died).
Moreover, in the seven months not in one single instance has the disease
been communicated by Manerájuri to any of the numerous neighbouring villages,
nor to the town of Tasgaon of 10,000 inhabitants, only 6 miles distant.
7. In the Kolhápur City and villages and the Southern Maràtha Country
towns and villages, whenever the first sign of plague has appeared, the
above measures have been applied without a moment's delay according to circum-
stances and local conditions and the plague has been checked.
8. I cannot conclude this report without observing that had it not been
for the generosity of His Highness the Raja of Kolhápur who has sanctioned
all proposed expenditure, the personal exertions and promptness of the Diwán,
Mr. Meherjibhai Kuvarji, C.I.E., and the skill and energy of Dr. Sinclair,
the Darbàr Surgeon of Kolhápur, and the co-operation of some of the Southern
Maràtha Country Chiefs (notably Sángli), I could not have brought into operation
the above plans anti principles with the success which has so far, under Provi-
dence, attended their accomplishment.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
J. W. WRAY, Lieut-Colonel,
Political Agent, Kolhápur and
Southern Maràtha Country.
Scheme proposed for the protection of Kolhápur from Bubonic Fever.
For this purpose a camp should be formed near the Shirol Road Station,
Kolhápur State Railway, on a site to be hereafter selected.
Temporary huts of bamboo matting, with thatched roofs to accommodate
about 30 persons each, should be erected, each shed being divided into 3 compart-
ments : the larger one for Bráhmins, Jains, Lingáyats and Maráthas ; a second
compartment for Musalmàns, Pársis and Native Christians ; and the third for
women and children. A small separate hut should be set apart for low caste
persons.
Pive such blocks of buildings will be sufficient for the requirements of
passengers arriving each day, and the dharmashála can be utilised for office,
cooking, kothi and residence for Hospital Assistant and establishment.
A separate block of buildings, capable of accommodating 20 sick with the
partition between for women, should be erected to the north of the other build-
ings as a temporary hospital for the treatment of all suspected cases.
A block of buildings with latrine accommodation similar to the foregoing
should be provided for the use of the Police.
One latrine with 10 seats, with partition between each seat for males, &c.
separate latrine with 5 similar seats for females, should be constructed in a con-
venient place similar to those provided at Chinchli.
For effectually carrying out this quarantine, the following establishment will
be necessary :—
1 Hospital Assistant (already appointed).
1 Aval Kàrkun with competent assistant.
4 Peons.
5 Hamáls to keep the blocks clean and look after the lights.
7
2 Bhangis.
1 Health Inspector.
1 Kothiwála with Assistant.
2 Cooks, one Brahmin and one Maràtha, with two assistants.
Cooked food for all castes will be provided daily at a charge of annas 3 for
each meal. Those preferring dry rations will be supplied with the same at annas
2 per meal ; but destitute people should be fed free. Milk, firewood, vegetables
and all necessaries should be supplied daily by the Milmlatdàr.
A Police guard of about 20 men, with the usual complement of officers
should be detailed for the purpose of the protection of the camp and maintenance
of order.
A bullock with mákan, 4 ghàgris and a driver, will also be required for
supplying the people with water.
The necessary furniture, medicines and contingencies required for the camp
will be supplied from the A. E. Hospital, and rules for guidance of Medical
Officer will be separately drawn up by the Department.
Arrangement for lighting the several blocks both inside and outside by
means of lamp posts and lanterns should be provided as required.
Pots required for storage of water and cooking purposes should be ob tained
by the Awal Kàrkun from the Khásgi Department, and he will be held respon-
sible for all losses.
Arrangement should be made with the G. I. P. and Southern Marátha
Railways to intimate daily by telegram to the Medical Officer in charge the num-
ber of 2nd and 3rd class tickets issued each day to stations on the Kolhàpur
State Railway. They should also be asked to permit the tickets to hold good
during the period of the quarantine and to prevent re-booking of such passengers
at all intermediate stations.
No passenger arriving at Shirol Road should be allowed to return until he
has completed the period of quarantine.
(Signed) GEO. SINCLAIR,
Darbàr Surgeon s Kolhàpur.
(True Copy)
J. W. WHAT, Lieut.-Colonel,
Political Agent, Kolhápur and Southern Marátha Country.