12 [CHAP. I, ?T. II. The importance of the people's co-operation in plague measures cannot be overrated, In a Town or Village which is determined to protect itself from infection, every person in such Town or Village becomes a plague authority to prevent the introduction of infection; a fact to which the Panch Mahals, Broach, and other places which escaped for a long period bear eloquent witness. In the introduction and enforcing of any plague measure it should be remembered that trade is liable to be affected, the occupations of the people to be seriously interrupted, their prejudices and feelings shocked, and their comfort interfered with. It may be said that hardly any plague measure has yet been introduced which has not had as a result one or more of these undesirable consequences. In weighing plague measures, therefore (the co-operation of the people themselves being essential to their successful operation), next to their beneficial effects, the extent to which they will hamper trade, interfere with professions and occupations; shock widespread prejudices and still widerspread feelings, and produce general discomfort, must be considered. The considerations affecting the introduction of a plague-measure may be classed as follows :- (1) Its feasibility. (2) Its beneficial effect and utility. (3) Its influence on trade and on the lives, occupations and minds of the people. (4) Its expense-costliness. (5) The sphere of its effect. (6) The duration of its effect. (7) The organization required to carry it into effect, and a few other minor con- siderations. The value of a measure may be arrived at by an appeal to- A.-Facts. B.-The opinions (founded on personal experience) of those who have had a large acquaintance with its operation. The facts are contained in the statistics of Plague. Unfortunately, a small circumstance will vitiate them, e. g., the natural subsidence of plague having begun before evacuation was started, concealment of the existence of the disease until a great many cases have occurred, false statements made by persons wishing to avoid plague restriction, inexperience, etc., etc. These and many other similar reasons render the attitude of the statistician towards plague figures and statements one of extreme caution; and such an attitude makes confident deduction and reliable results almost impossible. Executive work has, moreover, unfortunately militated against the keeping of reliable detailed records. In such cases, however, the results have left their impressions on the minds of those engaged in carrying out the measure; and these impressions will be noticed later. The following is a brief sketch of the measures introduced throughout the Presidency from September 1896 to the present time: - Bombay City, the scene of plague's first appearance in 1896, being at once the seat of Government, the chief commercial and trading port of India, and the Capital of the Presidency, the following points were of the first importance :