HISTORY OF THE PLAGUE IN SIND.
On the 3rd October 1896, the Karachi Chamber of Commerce addressed the
Commissioner in Sind through their Chairman, the Honourable Mr. McLellan,
suggesting that precautionary measures against the introduction of plague
from Bombay should be taken, such as subjecting the passengers of vessels
arriving to a medical examination. The imposition of quarantine was not
recommended. Next day, a letter was received by the Commissioner in Sind
from the Principal Medical Officer, Sind District, inquiring as to the state of
the law in respect to dealing with vessels and passengers infected with plague.
The Honourable Mr. James on the 5th idem communicated with Government
by telegram, and under Notification dated 13th October 1896, No. 4530,
Government published Rules for Quarantine against Plague in the Port of
Karachi. Under these rules, no communication with the shore was permitted
till the Health Officer of the Port had ascertained by inquiry from the Com-
mander whether any person on board had suffered from plague. If there had
been no plague, pratique was granted. If there had been plague, the passengers
and crew were to be removed to the Quarantine Station for a period varying
from 8 to 15 days.
The Commissioner in Sind immediately took steps, in consultation with the
Principal Medical Officer, Sind District, and the officers of the Port, to increase
the accommodation at the Quarantine Station at Manora and to provide extra
Police for enforcing the restrictions imposed. To consider these questions, a
Meeting of officers assembled at Government House on the 16th October under
the presidency of the Honourable Mr. James, and it was arranged to fit up the
hulk Manora for Europeans and to erect sheds for 300 Native passengers in
addition to the accommodation for 100 already existing, the expenditure to be
divided between Government, the Port Trust, and the Municipality. The two
latter bodies subsequently intimated their consent to contribute one-third share
each. The operations were entrusted to Mr. Jackson, the Officiating Port
Engineer, and, with commendable despatch, he reported on the 24th October
that everything was ready for occupation.
Spent
by
the
Port
Engineer...Rs.
6,517.
Spent
by
the
Health
Officer..."
5,136.
These proceedings were reported to Government, and by Government
Resolution No. 5202, dated 26th November 1896, General Department, Govern-
ment sanctioned the estimated expenditure for temporary quarantine accom-
modation and also the expenditure for estab-
lishment
and other expenses to be incurred
by
the Principal Medical O
to be divided as proposed. Government approved the entertainment of the
additional Police, the exact strength and cost being finally sanctioned by Govern-
ment Resolution No. 1672, dated 2nd March 1897, Judicial Department. The
Port Trust placed a .steam launch at the disposal of the District Superintendent
of Police.
The Rules required that healthy ships to secure pratique must carry a
Medical man. One or two coasting steamers neglected this rule, and on board
other steamers death from plague had occurred. Thus, a considerable number,
between 600 and 700 persons at a time, were detained in quarantine, necessi-
tating increased accommodation. The Collector of Karachi, at the instance of
the Honourable Mr. James, early in December, made arrangements for the
supply by private charity of food to those persons in quarantine who were
indigent. The administration of the Quarantine Rules and arrangements was
supervised by the Principal Medical Officer, Sind District.
On the 16th December, while on tour, the Acting Commissioner in Sind
received intimation from the Health Officer, through the Collector of Karachi,
of what was reported to be a " doubtful " case of plague. A Brahman cook,
aged 16 years, resident for 9 months in Karachi, stated to have taken ill about
the 4th December, was reported on the 8th to the Health Officer to be suffering
B 1440—1