The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-08-09
THE RECENT PLAGUE IN INDIA.
Intense Aversion of the Natives to
Removal to Hospitals.


There was "Blue Book issued yester-
day containing the official story of the bu-
bonic plague in India down TO May. This,
of course, doth not include the period of
the outrages in Poona and the riots in Cal
cutta: but there is much in the dispatches
that helps US to understand the native
panic. AS to the sanitary precau-
tons enforced, the Bombay government
resisted for some time the attempt of the
Indian government, urged by the home
government, to impose too drastic regua-
lions. upon the people. This was the opin-
ion OF the Bombay administration:
From the beginning Of the outbreak of
this disease It has been found that the
native inhabitants of the city are very
reluctant to leave their houses or to al
low any member of their family afflicted
with the disease to be taken away. In
deed their dread of the disease itself APP
pears to be hardly so powerful as their
horror FLEEING removed from their houses.
Ignorance and superstition prevent them
from discerning either that removal to
hospital is good for the sick or removal to
infected dwellings good for the
healthy, and they are far
more easily moved by fear Of
the municipal and police authorities than
DIV any ltdlEhNiDH OF the UtItllh llldl Will
accrue from a sensible course Of action. II
is estimated that not less than 10000 per-
sons have already fed from Bombay, NOV
ed so to do, not on.y by fear of the plague,
but quite as much, If not more. by an I'M
founded and unreasonable fear of what
might happen TO them at the hands OF the
police and municipal authorities were they
TO remain.
1.-THE exodus has already necessltated
,,..,.ttFf,pnvtr "a. "A
from Bombay in every part Of this presi-
dency, IL has led 10 the plague becoming
endemic I'm Poona and In parts Of the
Thana district; II has resulted In over
crowding by refugees from Bombay OF
many cities and towns, and Il has made
demands on the number Of qualified medi-
ca. practitioners available TO government
that can with difficulty be met. Every ad-
dition TO the number OF refugees adds 10
the possibility Of spreading the disease and
to the difficulty Of dealing with II should e.
break out.
1.-THE measures taken may not have been
so stringent as those that would, In "a Eu-
ropean city. have gained general support.
but they are the most stringent that n
was possible to undertake without almost
certainly producing a calamity more Sc
rious and more widespread than the very
terrible one that has now to be dealt
with"
The Indian government. however. were
impressed by the necessity OF decisive ac-
don. and replied:
"Tho government OF indian having care
fully considered your telegram 292-P., dated
18Th. and lettcr 263-P.. dated 18TH regarding
the evacuation Of p.ague-infcctod houses.
regret that. while giving fun weight to the
opinions of the local government IN regard
10 the deposition OF the people. they are
unable 20 accept the view that the con-
silcratlous adduced IN your letter show
that II IL impracticable to induce people 10
move from Infected houses 90 "a healthy io-
callty This course has been strongly rec
commended by The medical adviser OF the
government OF India. II is only the mons.
ure attacking the root OF evil which APP
pears practicable, and experience ln Kara
emf seems 10 show that u can ho 40 intro
duccd nH not to offend The prejudice 0f enc
people and % Ciectual IA holding the dis
case ln cheeks