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great mortality that was taking place in Poona and to prevent the spread of the disease to
the other towns of the Deccan, in none of which had it so far attained epidemic proportions."
8. The result of the recommendations referred to in paragraphs 2—6 above
was that Mr Rand and Dr. Beveridge went together to Bombay with a scheme
for plague operations in Poona. This scheme was discussed with His Excellency
the Governor. The two senior Hongkong Doctors, Surgeon-Major Reade and
Dr. Lowson, who had been appointed Joint Plague Commissioners for the whole
Presidency, were also called into consultation.
Mr. Rand and Dr. Beveridge
then returned to Poona to make arrangements for bringing the scheme into
operation. Drs. Reade and Lowson followed them to help and advise. His
Excellency the Governor himself proceeded to Poona in the first week of March,
and on the 8th addressed a meeting in the Collector's office. In the course of
his speech His Excellency said that the increase in the death-rate had made it
necessary to search out cases of plague and treat them in hospital ; those who
sought to conceal cases were only adding to the danger and exposing themselves
and their friends to the risk of certain death. Large numbers of people had
been leaving the city on account of the rumours which were prevalent as to the
measures to be adopted. He wished to allay those fears, and hoped that those
present would assist him by explaining to their countrymen what house-to-house
visitation meant and why it was being done. He wished to impress on the people
that what was being done was for their good and that the treatment in the hospi-
tals was for their good, and that the treatment there was humane and kind.
Persons who were asked to leave their houses would be provided with accommo-
dation and supplied with food if they wished it. Every consideration would be
shown to females, and their privacy would not be interfered with except by
females. Special orders had been issued to secure this. Certain native gentle-
men had been asked to accompany the search parties and explain to the people
what was the object of carrying out the searches. Where it was necessary to
destroy property, the owners would be indemnified for any loss they might suffer.
He was glad to see so many leading native gentlemen present, and among them
Mr. Tilak, who was a member of his Council. He thought it was Mr. Tilak's
duty as a Member of Council to explain what was required of the people. He also
desired the Muhammadan gentlemen present to explain to their co-religionists
the orders which had been issued for the protection of the privacy of their
females, and for showing consideration to them in the searches. The authorities
were trying to work with the people and not against them, and he hoped that the
people would appreciate the gravity of the situation and come forward to help
the authorities in their work. As regards the hospitals he wished to tell them
that those who were taken there could have a friend to accompany them there,
and they should be encouraged to keep up communication with those outside.
A hospital was not a prison, but was designed to make the life of the patient more
comfortable. Though it was not possible to admit a large number of friends to
the hospital, one at least should be encouraged to come to ascertain what was
actually being done for the sufferer, and to see for himself if the accommodation
was satisfactory. The gentlemen who accompanied the search parties would
be able to render the most valuable assistance, and all their expenses in the way
of carriage, &c., would be paid for them to encourage them to come.
9. His Excellency also availed himself of the opportunity during this visit
to Poona to impress the same points on the authorities, especially insisting on
the necessity of securing the co-operation of the leading native gentlemen, of
having ladies to accompany the search parties, and of doing all that was
possible to ensure that the caste and religious usages of the people should "be
respected.
10. In a letter addressed to Mr. Rand on March 10th the Private Secretary
to His Excellency again drew his attention to the same points. Soldiers by them-
selves were not to be employed for search parties, for the views of the Hong-
kong doctors had to be adapted to the circumstances of this country. Although,
therefore, there was no objection to soldiers working by themselves for ventilating,
cleansing, and disinfecting work, no search party should work without a re-
spectable native to be the interpreter, and to explain the object of the visit. No
house should be entered by the soldiers without giving the occupants due notice,