34
Date.
Number of Inoculated present.
Plague Attacks.
Plague Deaths.
Number of Uninoculated present.
Plague Attacks.
Plague Deaths.
1900.
28th May
1,534
179
29th
1,535
175
30th
1,536
174
31st
1,539
170
1
1st June
1,553
151
2nd
1,553
151
1
Total
23
8
83
65
Daily average
1,190
982
The above figures were obtained in the following way: The number in-
oculated day by day is taken from the inoculation register which was carefully
kept from the beginning, and in which was entered the name, age, sex, caste,
occupation, residence, date of inoculation, number of brew, and dose administered,
nature of reaction resulting, and subsequently, date and result of attack if such
occurred.
The number of the uninoculated was got from a house-to-house visitation,
conducted between the 15th and 24th July, just a month after the epidemic
had ceased, and when therefore events were still fresh in the minds of the people,
and at the same time the fear of removal was no longer dreaded by them.
This census was carried out by Assistant Surgeon Mehta, with the help of
Mr. Salem Harun, a prominent member of the Jewish community, and who
knew personally most of its members. As the epidemic was over, and the fears
of the people quieted by the presence and assurances of one of their number in
whom they could trust, it is probable that the census represents the actual course
of events with great accuracy. The following information was obtained for each
houses:- House number ; name, age, sex of each of the inhabitants; whether in-
oculated or not, whether attacked by plague or not, date of attack; recovery or
death, whether remained at home, removed to camp, or went out of Aden, with
date; and deaths from all causes.
The result of this enumeration showed that the Jews living in the Crater
at the commencement of the epidemic numbered 2,614; consisting of 842 males
940 females, and 832 children under 10 years of age.
The statements respecting cause of deaths were checked by comparison
with the plague hospital register, and the municipal death register. All deaths
were certified by a Medical Officer, before any corpse was permitted to be dis-
posed of, so that reasonable accuracy is thus secured. The only item remaining
unchecked was the plague attacks ending in recovery, which may possibly have
been successfully concealed during the epidemic. But as Mr. Mehta had gain-
ed the confidence of the people and was assisted by a gentleman in whom the
community fully trusted; and as no penalties could be feared after the epidemic
was over; it is probable that very few, if any, such cases escaped enumeration.
As a matter of fact 26 such concealed cases, ending in recovery, were discovered
during the census operations. In the case of persons who were attacked by,
or died from plague, the fact of inoculation or otherwise was always checked by
reference to the inoculation register. From the above account of the way the investigation was carried out, it must be apparent that great accuracy has been
attained, and the figures may be accepted as substantially correct.
As in this case inoculation was not carried out on one day, but was gradually
pushed on through a lengthened period, it becomes necessary to take an average
population when comparing the two groups of inoculated and uninoculated.