112
usual habits, they generally left their holes in order to die, and their presence was thus
quickly discovered. It was a common sight to see these animals in the last stages of the
disease, crawling about the streets and drinking at the gutters, when they were easily killed.
In addition to this, large numbers of cats and dogs used to be found lying about dead, but their
high mortality may be ascribed to the evacuation of the city and their consequent starvation.
Steps were taken to destroy these animals.
Revised instructions to Divisional
Officers.
Systematic cleaning and disin-
fection commenced.
21. On the 5th April, revised instructions were issued to Divisional Officers. in which
their attention was called to the importance of their assuming
the entire administrative control of their charges, both as
regards the special disinfecting operations and the ordinary
conservancy of the divisions, instead of merely confining
themselves to the routine duty of superintending· the work
of the coolies engaged in disinfecting houses. The necessity for beginning systematic
house-to-house cleaning and disinfecting was urged, and directions were given for the
issue of passes to houses in which all the necessary steps for disinfecting had been taken
to the satisfaction of the Divisional Officers. These instructions were intended to apply
to all houses irrespective of the fact that a large proportion of them had been cleaned and
limewashed before the outbreak of the plague. Now that the supply of coolies had
become sufficient to meet the demand for labour, that the supply of disinfectants and
pumps was no longer inadequate, that the subordinate staff had thoroughly learnt its
duties, and that, in short, the entire organization had in process of time been brought into
smooth working order, the rapid rate at which cases continued to occur was no longer an
obstacle, as before, to the undertaking of these wider operations.
Precautions, against the evasion
of segregation, the concealment of
cases, and the spread of infection
by the public conveyances.
22. On the 8th April, strict orders were issued forbidding the removal of the inmates of
an infected house without the permission of the Divisional Officer,
in order to prevent the evasion of the rules for the segregation
of such persons in the detention camp ; and, further, in order to
check the practice of concealing cases, no burial or cremation
was allowed to take place without the production of a certificate.
showing that the death had been duly reported at the central office, special police being
posted at the burial and cremation grounds to enforce these orders,
Amongst other minor precautions that were adopted may be mentioned the steps taken
to prevent public conveyances from becoming a source of infection. These were stripped of
their cushions and any material likely to retain infection, and specially marked carriages
were permanently retained for the conveyance of plague patients or suspected persons, care
being taken to have them frequently disinfected.
Mr. Dodgson proceeds on leave,
and is succeeded by Mr. Steele,
Services rendered by the former.
23. On the 10th April Mr. Dodgson proceeded on medical leave, delivering over charge
temporarily to Mr. J. C. Gloster, I.C.S., who had been sent to
Hyderabad in the first week of that month as Special Plague As-
sistant, the magnitude of the operations having become such as
to make it impossible for a single person to direct them unaided.
specially when hampered with his ordinary duties as Collector of the district. Mr. Dodgson
withdrew from his difficult and onerous position, his health seriously affected by the severe
mental and physical strain to which it had been subjected. As sole originator and director of
the complex organization which had been set on foot, his task was an exceedingly arduous
one, while the heavy responsibilities with which he was burdened only accentuated the diffi-
culties of his position. None can appreciate more fully than his successor the extent of
the labour which devolved upon him.
Appointment of a Plague Com-
mittee, and reasons therefor.
24. Before leaving, Mr. Dodgson had addressed the Commissioner regarding the
advisability of the supersession of the Municipality by a Special
Plague Committee. The reasons alleged in support of this
proposal were that, while no grounds existed for being-
dissatisfied with the work oí the Municipal Executive, who had given the Collector their
loyal support and assistance throughout the plague campaign, nevertheless they were not
in a position to take any important steps on their own initative, partly on account of their
constantly requiring the advice and guidance of the Collector, and partly owing to their
being hampered by the necessity for obtaining formal sanction before entering on any
expenditure, however insignificant. It was thus left for the Collector to direct operations
through the intermediary of the Municipal Executive—a cumbrous form of procedure,
utterly unsuited to the requirements of the emergency.
On the 9th April Mr. Dodgson's proposals received the .sanction of Government and
the Committee was constituted as below :—
Chairman.
The Collector.
Members.
Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel Henderson,
Major C. H. U. Price,
Surgeon-Captain Catón Jones,