220
in this disease, will give his opinion on its clinical aspect. On seeing the chart,
which, I think, gives a fairly correct return of the deaths, it will be at once seen that
the disease made steady downward course every week. If you ask me what it was
due to, I cannot give you an answer, save that every effort was made to combat
the disease-segregation, isolation, sanitation, and hospital treatment. Perhaps all
these had a hand in it ; or, as some think, the disease had reached its climax and
declined of its own accord, having expended its virulence and demanded its victims.
At all events, the city was cleaned up and the sick removed, and those who could be
pursuaded removed to fresh air and light out in the open gardens.
The city gates were guarded in the first week in May, and it was not till the last
week or so in June that people from outside were allowed in the city. At present the
place is filling fast, and the mortality fortunately keeps low. Precautions are, however,
taken to clean and whitewash all houses where deaths take place even now, and search
parties are still alert. The greatest precaution, however, ought to be taken about
keeping the city clean and not fouled by being used as a latrine. To obviate this,
I have already built one latrine outside the city walls, and others are being construct-
ed. We have been obliged, owing to the overcrowded nature of the place, to select
two sites in the heart of the city where latrines could be built to relieve the congestion
there. I would again strongly condemn the liberty which cattle and dogs have of
entering and roaming about the city. It is no place for them, nor are they to be
allowed as scavengers.
In conclusion, I think every praise is due by the State and people to
Major Hyde Gates for the prompt way in which he grasped the situation and obtained
help for the city, and I owe him many thanks for the help which he gave me in
sanctioning every requisite that was considered necessary, and sparing no trouble
in obtaining them for me. He was the first on the field and saw the epidemic to
its close.
In Mr. Pestonji Sorabji, the State possesses a man of sound, practical common
sense. He was here throughout the epidemic, and kept his head in what must
have been a very trying time, indeed, to him. I obtained every help from him, and he
kept all the other State Officials up to their work, so that there was no hitch in the
carrying on whatever work was required, and by his genial and kindly measures
smoothed over all difficulties which cropped up.
As for Surgeon-Captain Mason, Dr. Shroff, Mrs. Remy and her staff of excellent
nurses, and the subordinates, I cannot say less than that, if the proof of a work is its
result, the result here fully justifies every praise to them for their hearty co-operation
in every measure taken in hand. On Dr. Mason's work, I shall have much pleasure in
reporting more fully ; the Service possesses in him a very zealous and painstaking
officer.
The work of the nurses was of a trying character, and it was more so when Nurse
Remy and the other nurses who came here at first took the nursing in hand, as the
number of patients was very large and a great tax on their powers. For all that, they
never relaxed their duties, but, by the conscientious performance of their arduous work
and their gentle manners, combined with a thorough knowledge of their duties,
won the confidence and affection of all the sick. Those who know the constant demands
which plague cases entail on the attendants must feel that, when short-handed, the
demand on patience and endurance is very heavy ; but I am glad to say that in no
instance have I heard that the sick were treated except with uniform kindness and
gentleness. The nurses, one and all, deserve the thanks of the State and the
gratitude of the sick.