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(c) i.—At Keamari the Committee found a hospital shed situated over a mile away from
the village, at the foot of a sand-hill : the site was an unsuitable one. The segregation camp;
situated some half a mile from the village, was similarly badly placed. The plague was so-
prevalent that, for the safety of the shipping arrangements in harbour (the Keamari village-
feeing mostly inhabited by Stevedores' coolies), immediate steps were taken by the Committee.
A new hospital and segregation camp were selected, the site chosen being some new huts
recently constructed east of Keamari. The huts and hospital were suitably equipped, an effi-
cient staff collected, disinfecting arrangements, conservancy, &c., &c., receiving special attention.
The hospital and camp were placed under a military guard. A new health camp of 255 huts
including shops, bathing-ghauts, latrines, &c, &c, was erected south of the Keamari village >
this 'health camp' was also placed under a military guard. The persons, some 1,300 in num-
ber, residing in old and new Keamari were then medically examined. Those found to be sick were
sent to the Keamari Plague Hospital, persons residing in or near.infected houses were regarded as
' suspected persons,' and were (after disinfection) ordered to be detained for ten days in the new
segregation camp ; the remaining healthy persons were then removed to the health camp noted
above. The entire villages of old and new Keamari (a congerie of dirty, unhealthy huts,) were
then burnt to the ground. Dr. M. A. Nicholson, M.D., and afterwards Burgeon-Captain Jenney,
I.M.S., were in charge.
(d) The Quarantine Hospital was equipped and placed under a qualified Medical
officer for the accommodation of eases from Manors and Baba. At Bhit a special hospital
was arranged for. The quarantine detention sheds were also utilized for the accommoda"
tion of suspected persons.
MARIPUR—SHAMSPIR.
The plague never appeared at the Maripur (salt works) village. A cordon was placed
round the village and steps taken to render the huts, privies, &c., clean and sanitary.
Plague was reported from the fishing village of Shamspir on the 1st April ; in all
some 10 cases and 8 deaths had occurred on this spot. The Plague Committee visited
Shamspir on Thursday, April 1st, when it was decided to destroy the wretched huts com-
posing the village. The inhabitants, numbering 150 persons, were removed in boats to the
Khudda ; the sick being placed in the Khudda Hut Hospital, and the suspected in the
segregation huts. The healthy persons were disinfected, together with all their belongings,
and allowed to return to their houses in the Khudda village,
II,—PRIVATE HOSPITAL· AND· SEGREGATION CAMPS',
Previously to the formation-of the Plague Committee; the headmen of Certain communi-
ties had requested sanction to provide hospital and segregation accommodation for the mem-
bers of their respective castes. As at this period powers for compulsory isolation and segrega-
tion did not exist, the request was encouraged, as it was hoped that it would result in a
considerable reduction of the Joci of the disease.
A small Committee was formed and sanction given for the following caste hospitals,
the sites of which were carefully inspected previously. A set of rules (vide Appendix) was-
drawn up for the conduct of these establishments, and Surgeon-Lieutenant Rainier, I.M.S.,
was appointed to daily inspect the hospitals and advise the private practitioners in charge as
to sanitary measures, disinfecting, &c. The following is a list of the private casto hospitals
in existence at the time the Committee was assembled :—
1. Seth Vishindas Hospital, in Garden Quarter,
2. Borah Hospital and Segregation Camp, in Garden Quarter.
3. Memon Hospital and Segregation Camp, in- Preedy Quarter.
4. Parsi Hospital and Segregation Camp, in Runchore Quarter.
5. Khojah Hospital and Segregation Camp, in Muchi-Meaui Quarter,
6. Sahta Hospital and Segregation Camp, in Lyari Quarter.
7. Serai Hospital and Segregation Camp, in Lyari Quarter.
On the whole, these institutions were well conducted and all suggestions of the Inspect-
ing Medical Officer promptly carried-out ; however, a doubt existed as to the strictness with
Which isolation and segregation were observed, After careful consideration of the subject,
the Plague Committee resolved not to sanction the opening of any more private hospitals,
and to gradually close those already in existence. As the accommodation of the public hos-
pitals and segregation camps increased, and their arrangements improved, the need for
these private hospitals ceased to 'exist ; many of the persons entitled to use the private
hospitals elected to bring their sick to the Government buildings. On June 25th only one
of the Private Hospitals (Seth Vishindas') romains open, all the others having been
gradually closed.
III.—DETENTION CAMPS.
The need for the detention, under medical supervision, of persons coming to Karachi
from infected areas, presented itself to the Plague Committee in April. Appendix I shows
the gradual improvement which had taken place in the plague incidence in Karachi, from
the date the Plague Committee assumed charge of affairs ; and it now became necessary to
protect the town from fresh importations from without.