75
almost complete immunity enjoyed by Europeans is decidedly less than formerly, and cases are
now occurring in full-blooded Europeans of a rapidly fatal nature.
"It is useless to recommend minor practical details until the system of the isolation of the
sick and segregation of the infected has been brought into operation.
JAMES A. LOWSON, M.B.
W. S. READE, Surg.-Major, A.M.S."
17. By this time Government had come to the conclusion that for the sup-
pression of the plague in Bombay City before the rains a large organization would
be necessary and that a Committee should be formed of experts who should be
responsible to Government alone. On the 27th February it was resolved to
associate with the Municipal Commissioner a selected Engineer and a selected
Medical man, and in view of the important share which the Military might be
called upon to take in the extensive operations which were contemplated, a Military
member of the Committee was considered necessary. The Military officer
selected—Brigadier General Gatacre—as the senior member of the Board, was to
be chairman thereof. The issue of formal orders was delayed until details of the
necessary organization could be settled by the members of the Committee : but on
the 5th March the following notification was published in a Government Gazette
Extraordinary :
"No. 1204.—In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 2 of the
Epidemic Diseases Act, 189 7, and of the powers in this behalf conferred by the Governor
General in Council under Section 2, sub-section (3), of the same Act, the Governor of Bombay
in Council is pleased to direct as follows :
(1) The following gentlemen are constituted a Committee for the purpose of carrying
out, under the orders of Government, the measures to be taken to suppress, and prevent the
spread of, bubonic plague in the City of Bombay :
[1] Brigadier-General W. F. Gatacre, C.B., D.S.O
...
...
... Chairman,.
[2] Mr. P. C. H. Snow, I.C.S., Barrister-at-Law, Municipal
Com-
missiouer, Bombay Municipality
...
...
...
...
...
[3] Surgeon-Major H. P. Dimmock, M.E.C.S.,
L.RC.P...
...
Members.
[ 4 ] Mr. C. C. James, A.M.I.C.E., Deputy Executive Engineer, Bombay
Municipality ...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
(2) The Committee are invested with all the powers conferred on or vested in the Muni-
cipal Commissioner for the city of Bombay by Sections 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, 427 and 429
of the City of Bombay Municipal Act, 1888, and by the Notification of the Municipal Com-
missioner dated the 6th October 1888, and by the Notification No. 228-p. of the Governor of
Bombay in Council, dated the 10th February 1897, and the Committee are empowered to take
any of the measures authorized by the said sections and notifications.
(3) The Municipal Corporation of the city of Bombay, and all the officers and servants of
the Corporation, and all public servants and all persons employed by the Committee shall carry
into effect, without delay, any measures which may be ordered by the Committee.
(4) All expenses incurred in carrying out such measures shall, in the first instance, be paid
out of the Municipal Fund of the City of Bombay, but the Municipal Commissioner or the
Corporation may recover from any person any amount which such person would, under similar
circumstances, be liable to pay to the Municipal Commissioner or the Corporation under the
City of Bombay Municipal Act, 1888.
(5) On the requisition of the Committee, the Commissioner of Police shall give such assist-
ance as may be necessary in order to enforce immediate compliance with any order of the Com-
mittee."
18. At the same time the following letters were despatched :
"Malabar Point, 5th March 1897.
DeAr GENERAL GATACEE,
It is desirable that I should supplement the notification appointing your Committee by
Home definite written instructions as to the course of action you should take. The notification