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Chapter    V.
SEA TRAFFIC INSPECTION AND OBSERVATION
CAMPS.
Outward.
The inspection of the outward sea traffic was started on the 6th
February under the Government Resolution, General Department,
No. 1975-1446-P, No. 624-130-P, of February 4th, and as soon as
the Plague Committee entered on their work they took up the question
of the inspection of the inward traffic. The plague had spread to
many places along the coast, and it was certain that most of the people
who had left Bombay would be forced to return shortly ; and it was
evident that the masses of mill hands who had fled to neighbouring
districts like Ratnagiri, and whose relations could not support them long
in idleness after their own savings were exhausted, would soon be
returning home. There was no time to lose, therefore, if the City was
to be protected against a fresh importation of the disease.
In addition to the people who had fled from Bombay, an influx of
people, not inhabitants of the City, flying from the plague in their own
villages, was to be anticipated. Many places were now suffer-
ing far more from, the plague than Bombay, and partly on this account,
and partly to escape the vigorous measures of the local authorities
to stamp it out, people had begun to flock into the City from the
districts most affected. Over this influx it was necessary to keep a
careful watch. A typical instance was the case of the fishermen
of Danda ; here the plague had broken out with great violence, and
Mr. Gilbert, the Chairman of the Bandora Municipality, removed all
the people from the infected village to a segregation camp outside. As
the ground in the camp became soiled by the number of people living
on it, they were moved from spot to spot, and every effort was made to
prevent the escape of plague-cases to other places. On this account,
on the 23rd of March, about 400 persons left their village and proceeded
to Bombay across the creek. Mr. Gilbert had of course no legal power
to detain them, and all he could do was to warn the authorities in Bom-
bay to be on the look-out for them ; he also suggested that they should
be induced, if possible, to return to their village, by warning them that
their houses would be broken open in their absence for disinfection, if
they did not return soon. As, however, it was easily ascertained where
they were living in the various districts, a close watch was at once
established over them, and it was not thought necessary or advisable by
the Plague Committee to take any special steps to disturb them.
Arrangements.
The examination of the steamer traffic presented comparatively
little difficulty, especially as Mr. Shepherd, who owns the line which.
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