The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1900-06-22
BOMBAY SUFFERS
AWFUL HORRORS
DR.. KIopsch Finds FrightfuI Con.
ditions of Disease and Famine
in the Presidency.
Cholera and SmaupoN-Fueatives
from Relief Camps Scatter In
fcctiOn-Death in Fields
and bitches.
New York Herald.


At the office of the India Famine Re-
lief Work, Bible House, this city, under
the auspices of The Christian Herald,
the following cable despatch of yester-
days date has been received:
Bombay, May 2S. 1900.
"Dr. KlOpsch has just completed his
| tour of the Famine Districts in Bombay
Presidency, including the native states
of Gujerat and Barodd. Everywhere he
was confronted with shocking ard re
Voting scenes. He found the famine
camps stampeded by cholera and small
pox fugitives who had come from distant
points Of infection and are now scatter
ing these diseases in al directions. Many
arc dying in the fields and bitches and
along the roadside.
AT Godhra, about 800 miles north Of
Bombay, in Gujerat district, there were
5000 deaths from cholera in four days.
AT Donad, some fifty miles east of
Godhra, he found similar frightful
condition OF affairs, there having been
$500 deaths flom cholera In the
hospitals the death rate as reported by
the physicians was ninety per cent.
At Baroda, some seventy miles south
OF Godhrd, lie found in the poprhous .
1,2OO natives who had been rescued from
famine. The place was dreadfully filthy
and showed total lack of system.
AT Ahmedabad, about eighty ME
west OF Godhra, he found the water
supply vitiated and prolific cause oc
sickness. In the poorhouse at Ahme-
dabad the death-rate was ten per cent.
daily. The thermometer at Ahmedabad
marked 115 degrees in the shade. He
ha IL
wards of Niramgan. All the patients
were lying on the ground, there being no
cots for their accommodation.
DIR. Klopsch declares the stories O:
human bodies being devoured by vul-
lures, dogs and Jackals absolutely true.
1t is evident, DR.. klopsch adds, that
the India Government is doing its best to
light back the ravages of famine and dis
ease. The native officials, however, aru
heartlessly Indifferent, and the condition
OF large part of India is, as whole,
the worst that has been known at any
time during the century. The distress tn
be seen on every side is heartrending.
but it is to be feared that the worst i;
yet to come. This will be reached whel
the monsoon breaks and the torrential
rains flood the relief camps and large
ease, and especially cholera.
DR.. Klopsch has purchased thorsand
hand plews, which will he given to those
native agricultuIiSts who have lost their
oxen. He is now arranging for the pur-
chase of 100, 900 blankets to be distributed
before the rainy season sets in. lie has
protested to the authorities against the
employment of nursing mothers, sick
women and delicate children on the relief
works, such employment being in viola
tion of the famine code. In this connec-
ton he has received an appreciative let
ter from Lord Northcote, Governor of
bombay, promising an immtd late investi-
cation.
1t is quite clear, however, that all that
has been done will count for little unless
in the crisis more help is generously and
quickly extended.'i