MEASURES AND RESULTS.]                          13
(i). To keep open the trade and commerce of the Port.-This was done by stiffening the
inspection already in force on ships in cases of infectious disease, and making such infection
applicable to plague. On the promulgation of the Venice Convention, its terms were strictly
enforced, and have been steadily complied with up to the present time. But this question had
two aspects. There were vessels going to ports out of India and again others to ports in India.
At first the inspection was confined to vessels bound for certain ports out of India, but when it
was found that people were being taken to Indian ports in the immediate vicinity of Bombay,
all vessels were examined before leaving the port. This examination was, however, not
introduced until after the Bombay Coast ports had become heavily infected.
This inspection of all departures from Bomhay which was introduced in February 1897
has not since been relaxed, and its efficacy has been proved by the comparative freedom of the
coast ports from plague during the second and third epidemics in the City.
When Bombay was almost free from plague in the hot weather of 1897 the people from
the infected ports in its immediate neighbourhood commenced to flock into the City. Medical
inspection of all arrivals from these infected ports was carried out with a view to prevent plague
travelling by sea and this inspection was relaxed to suit the circumstances prevailing in
Bombay itself or at previously infected coast ports.
The success that has attended the efforts to keep open the commerce of the port has been
most striking. It is perhaps one of the few bright spots on an otherwise sombre canvas.
Notwithstanding the difficulties of diagnosis in the incubation stages of the disease, the
number of cases which have been taken by ship from Bombay to ports out of India can be
counted on the fingers of one hand. The mischief they have done has been nil : for in no
case did they establish or spread infection. Too much stress cannot be laid on such a result,
when the importance of Bombay City as an Indian sea-port is considered. Details of the
working of Sea-inspection during the first year may be found in Nathan and Couchman,
and from June 1897 to June 1899 in Chapter V.
(ii). To prevent its spread in the Presidency and to other parts of India.-To this end
Railway Medical Inspection was introduced as early as October 1896. At first carried out by
Civil Surgeons and their Assistants, under arrangements made by Collectors, it was, as far as
concerned Bombay and its neighbourhood (Kalyan, Coorla, etc.), placed in January 1897,
first in charge of Major (now Lt.-Colonel) Street, I.M.S., and then in that of Captain (now
Major) Jennings. Captain Jennings relinquished charge in July 1897, and from that time
till November 1898 a system of inspections and detention camps on the railway was in force
throughout the Presidency under the superintendence of Collectors, aided by Hospital Assist-
ants. In November 1898 all Detention Camps were abolished ; and a new system of Railway
Medical Inspection, combined with Surveillance, was introduced ; Captain Jennings, with u
competent staff of Commissioned and Subordinate officers, being placed in charge.
Although this measure has not prevented dissemination, it may be safely asserted that it
has materially lessened it. Details of the working of Railway Medical Inspection during the
first year may be found in Nathan and Couchman, and from June 1897 to June 1899 in
Chapter VI.
(iii). To stamp out the disease in Bombay and other places as they became infected.-la
the beginning all such attempts were, owing to the widespread ignorance which prevailed on
the subject of plague, its origin and its treatment, necessarily tentative. One of the most
important steps taken was the constitution of the Plague Research Committee, whose work
in connection with plague was careful und thorough.