38
CHAPTER IV.
THE CHOLERA OF 1870.
Activity of Cholera
in South Arcot, Trichi-
nopoly, and Tanjore
Districts in the begin-
ning of the year.
60. We found cholera at the end of the year 1869 vigorous in action in the
South Arcot, Trichinopoly, and Tanjore Districts. Before
tracing its advance southward, it will be necessary to take a
brief survey of its ravages in these districts during the early
part of 1870.  The following table will show the monthly
deaths, and the progressive southern movement of the epidemic to the districts
of Madura and Tinnevelly:-
Deaths from Cholera in the Southern Districts, during 1870.
Districts
South Arcot.
Tanjore.
Trichinopoly.
Madura.*
Tinnevelly.
Population for which returns were received.
12,61,846
17,31,703
9,90,037
19,01,774
13,10,117
Total Cholera Deaths.
3,248
6,584
2,557
5,638
7,611
January
617
3,708
960
18
8
February
246
1,119
344
70
46
March
150
216
192
323
258
April
118
218
122
275
637
May
238
175
7
307
1,721
June
300
392
14
53
1,911
July
687
357
44
621
1,246
August
574
176
65
1,445
626
September
176
110
103
932
398
October
88
45
28
462
142
November
38
18
139
330
45
December
16
50
539
324
573
	
This table illustrates the intensity of the epidemic in all the three districts
where cholera was in force at the end of 1869, and during January 1870, and its
rather sudden declension in them after that month. In May there was a consi-
derable accession of cholera in the South Arcot District, and in the following
month there was some renewal of activity in Tanjore, but in the Trichinopoly
District the renewal was less marked. The contiguity of these districts to the
pilgrim sites of Triputty and Conjeveram must be borne in view, in relation to
the reproduction at this somewhat unusual season of the year. In South Arcot
and Tanjore the epidemic had nearly died out at the end of 1870, but there had
been a normal seasonal reproduction in Trichinopoly, in November and December.
More Cholera in irri-
gated than in dry up-
land talooks.
61. TRICHINOPOLY DISTRICT.-The following table shows the degree in which
each talook was affected.   It will be noticed that the Municipal
Town of Trichinopoly and the Trichinopoly Talook suffered
more in proportion than any other part of the district, during the first three
months of the year when cholera was in motion. Out of 613 villages cholera
prevailed in 117, during the month of January. The dry upland districts of
Perambalore and Kulutalli were the least affected. Only 11 and 13 villages out
of 314 and 1,303 respectively being affected, during the month, of greatest
prevalence. The Trichinopoly Talook, which is very extensively watered by
irrigation channels, suffered, apparently, in proportion to the degree of moisture
in its soil:-
*Exclusive of Zemindaries.