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Two of the chawls were at one time completely evacuated. The
butchers are an exceedingly difficult class, and strongly resented any
interference of any kind. At one time they threatened to strike, but were
pacified by Khan Bahadur Abdul Razzak bin Curtas. Indeed to this
gentleman belongs most of the credit of having got through the year
without serious trouble at the Slaughter-houses. Messrs. Mahomed
Kasum, Ali Khan, and Shahbuddin Shah must also be mentioned. They
were appointed as volunteers and their influence and advice was most
valuable. The brunt of the work fell upon Khan Saheb Fazl Ahmed,
the Sectional Medical Officer of Umerkhari; it was a serious additional
burden to his already onerous duties, but he undertook it ungrudgingly
and carried it out conscientiously and with tact and success.
APPENDIX A.
The history of some badly infected buildings.
By Dr. Bardi.
(1). 80-82, III. Bhoiwada,-Bhuleshwar. This is a very large chawl, four-
storeyed, with more than 35 rooms on each floor. It is very well ventilated, and
was free from any infection during the previous epidemics except for a solitary case
in 1898 and one in 1899-both of which were imported from other parts of the
town. The first case during the present epidemic occurred on 12th February 1900,
when two plague cases were sent to hospital. These cases were on the first floor and
usual action was taken. About ten families only remained on the 1st floor, the
others vacating it for health camps in the suburbs. One of these two cases came
from B Ward. Seven more cases occurred in the same house. Five on the 1st floor,
one on the 2nd floor, and one on the 3rd floor, during the same month, i. e., within
16 days. The whole floor was then vacated and disinfected. One case occurred in
April 1900 on the fourth floor and the house has been practically free since then.
It is curious that all the cases sent to hospital from 1st floor died there, whereas
those from 2nd and 3rd floor recovered in the hospitals.
(2). House No. 2, Punchayet Wadi.-This is also a large chawl divided into
three blocks. The block behind the Bhuleshwar Library was infected during the
previous epidemics. This year plague cases, three in number, occurred in the same
rooms that were infected last year, the first case was on 21st February 1900, and
the third on 25th February 1900. The tenants vacated the chawl and went to Dadar
and Matunga. The whole block was disinfected, and there have been no cases there
since then.
(3). House No. 7, Kalliandas Kirparani's Chawl.-Bhuleshwar. This is a large
4 storeyed house with 20 rooms on each floor. Four cases occurred in this
house during the last epidemic when it was disinfected and shut up for a month.
This year the epidemic commenced in this house in March and the first case occurred
on 22nd March 1900. Usual action was taken but two more cases occurred, one on
31st March 1900, and the other on 2nd April 1900. The people then left the house
for health camps and the place was disinfected. No fresh cases have occurred in the
house since then. This is also a fairly well-ventilated house.
By Dr. Britto.
(1) Antoba Wadi, No. 21.-This is a double row of chawls of wattle and
daub construction. The rooms are small and dark, having no other means of venti-
lation, except the doors. It is tenanted by Mahrattas. There is considerable
overcrowding in the rooms. The 1st case occurred on 2nd January 1900. The whole
chawl was vacated, as dead rats were found. After the lapse often days, the room
were allowed to be re-occupied. On the 27th February again one case of plague was