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Excellency the Governor was advised by the Surgeon-General that they would
be of little use as they would know nothing of the language. The necessity for
more stringent measures was clear, but it was also recognized that in a city with
the characteristics of Bombay little could be done without the co-operation of
the people. On the 28th January His Excellency the Governor addressed selected
representatives of the native community in the following speech :
Not very long ago I was asked to preside at a meeting not very far from here, the object
being to suggest that those who were in a position to do so should help by generous donation
their less fortunate brethren in their time of need and famine. To-day the circumstances are
different. Gentlemen, I have asked you to assemble—you who are men of influence and leaders
of different sections of the community — to ask you to impress upon those who look to you for
guidance the need, nay the imperative necessity, for helping themselves. I need hardly refer to
the circumstances by which we are surrounded. The press, daily conversation, nay the very
appearance of our city put only too plainly before us the state of affairs. Do not believe for one
moment that I speak myself with feelings of panic. I have none of that feeling. My object is
to allay panic if it exists here. But I am not blind to the gravity of the situation. What 1
want to promote among you, gentlemen, if it does not exist already, is a spirit of co-operation.
Among you here I have no doubt that spirit exists, but I am most desirous that you should
exhort those whose confidence you hold to co-operate with and assist in the measures that are
being taken for remedying the disease and preventing its further spread. We are all of us
witness of their untiring energy and ceaseless exertions. But with the view of preventing the
spread of the disease and stamping it out there must be individual action, without which much
of the effect of the action of the executive is lost. If they are obstructed in their work and
met with unwilling response to advice, the benefit of their measures must inevitably be
retarded, and the run o£ the disease prolonged. Instead of obstruction the executive
should be met half way, houses should readily be thrown open, and indeed many of
those who have means might well have the limewashing of their houses done for them-
selves. This would result not only in so many more houses being whitewashed within a
given time, but to a certain extent be simultaneous action resulting in so many more people
being employed in the task. This is a city in which, as in all great towns, rumour is easily
initiated, and as it rolls along unfounded tales already absurd assume proportions which
impose easily on the credulous. I have heard some, there are no doubt many. I would
ask you, gentlemen, to dismiss such idle and impossible imaginings, and to impress their
obvious untruth upon your people. I believe one of these rumours which have contributed
much towards the mortality by this disease is as to what goes on in the Hospitals at Arthur
Road and others. Gentlemen, I need not tell you that these hospitals, many of which have
been established by the various sects, are built and maintained for one object only—the
curing of the sick. Insist strongly on this to your followers, and further, that what is
more necessary than anything else is that sufferers should go to the hospital at the very
earliest possible suspicion that they have contracted the disease. Do not let them wait till
the disease has made such an inroad on the constitution that it is incapable of successful
opposition. I have myself been making enquiries about the Arthur Road Hospital \vhich I
passed early this morning, andi have consulted with Mr. Snow and the Health Department, and
efforts will be made to render it still more useful and the assistance rendered of still greater value.
I do not speak in ignorance of hospitals. I managed one of the largest of those in London, and
I unhesitatingly say that at home, where I live in a small house, I have always said that were I
so unfortunate as to fall ill I was to be sent to the hospital without loss of time. There, gentle-
men, you. see my belief in these instruments of relief. I ask you most earnestly to enjoin your
followers to have confidence and early recourse to them if seized with illness. Again, gentlemen,
there is another method by which those who are healthy can be protected, and it is by leaving
their houses and delivering them over to the energies of the executive and by themselves going
to a camp for the time being. I am told there are strong objections to this. I am further told
that if the leaders of the communities really exert their influence in this direction their advice is
most likely to be followed. There surely, gentlemen, never was a better opportunity of using
your influence for good than the present situation now offers you. I have to-day seen the com-
mencement of a hutted camp. I believe that similar arrangements have been made by some
employers and by others. This might be extended, and to this I ask your aid. I believe this to
be the most efficacious of all, and I cannot lay too much stress upon the importance of it, much
as I sympathise with those who have to undergo the inconvenience and hardship. Not only are
our endeavours directed to the stamping out of the disease, but also we are anxiously striving to
prevent its spread to other important and popular cities and districts in India. Various rumours
are spread about, but here again I must ask you to believe no idle rumours of tyrannical treat-
ment at the hands of Government. Now, gentlemen, you are, I am told, men having influence
with your fellows. I believe that that is true ; if true, a great responsibility is laid upon you.
You must aid me, nay, you must aid the city of Bombay which you proudly claim as the second
city in the Empire. Do npt be apathetic. Take courage and do not let those who trust you
despair. I am hopeful you share this spirit with me. Do all in your power to assist and co-
operate with the executive. As far as possible encourage getting the sick to hospital and the
healthy out ου their houses, and going into new and temporary homes, by showing a brave
example, and thus· leading and encouraging the others you will greatly aid in driving this enemy
from our midst.