27 8. As an additional security the Commissioner announced that he had sanctioned the entertainment of four travelling European inspectors to be paid from Local funds, to travel in turn with every train from Karáchi to Dádu. Persons suspected of plague were not to be forcibly examined, but detained for observation. Females were in no case to be subjected to bodily examination. 9. These instructions of the Commissioner were approved by Government on January 29th. SECTION 5. Departures from Bombay by Sea-new measures regarding. The measures taken for the protection of Aden and Karáchi and the system under which pilgrim ships and vessels leaving Bombay for the Persian Gulf, Aden, Mauritius, Red Sea ports and the Suez Canal were originally inspected, have been referred to in Section 4 of Chapter I. 2. In January when plague had assumed a severely epidemic form in Bombay City and panic-stricken persons were leaving the city in large numbers Govern- ment came to the conclusion that further measures were necessary; that the passengers and crews of all vessels leaving the port, including native craft and ferry and coasting steamers, must be compulsorily inspected; that the inspection should be of a detailed nature and that the necessary medical staff must be provided. 3. In ordinary times vessels are under no legal obligation to take any certificate of health. Those that do so, take it for their own protection. The vessels by which persons can leave the Island of Bombay by sea are of four classes: (1) Those which receive a Bill of Health in Form B. This includes all vessels proceeding to what are known as the quarantine ports, viz., Persian Gulf, Mauritius, Red Sea ports, and Europe viâ the Suez Canal. This Bill of Health declares whether at the time when the ship leaves the port of Bombay it is in a satisfactory sanitary condition, and whether any case of infectious disease dangerous to life exists among its officers, passengers, or crew. It further declares whether the town and port of Bombay are free from cholera, plague, yellow fever, and all other dangerous epidemic diseases. (2) Ships which receive Bill of Health, Form C. This merely states whether there is epidemic disease prevailing in the city and suburbs of Bombay. (3) Shepherd's steamers, which do an enormous coasting traffic in both directions, as far as Karáchi northwards, and as far as Mangalore in the Madras Presidency to the south. (4) Native craft. 4. The outlines of a large scheme for inspection were settled at a Con- ference at which His Excellency the Governor presided. The details were then worked out by the Collector of Land Revenue and Customs, and rules under the Quarantine Act I of 1870 were framed in consultation with the Government Solicitor. 5. The sanction of the Government of India being necessary to the issue of rules under this Act, an application was made to that Government for sanction to the proposed rules. In reply the Government of India telegraphed on the 28th January that the legality of the rules was open to question, but action could nevertheless be taken thereunder, and that a Bill giving power to make such rules would shortly be passed. 6. Government Resolution No. 624-130-P., dated February 4th, accord- ingly authorised the Collector of Customs and the Port Health Officer to act on the proposed rules. To avoid delay an informal communication had previously been made to these officers, who had made arrangements to engage the requisite staff, and to commence work forthwith.