132 [CHAP. IV.
available for plague duty rendered it impossible to detail one to each district. As a matter
of fact, only 5 such Doctors in all were employed, viz., Doctors Thomas, Parsons, Haydon,
Dalal, and Lewis, the latter being the only one present during the epidemic of 1898-99.
The following table which gives the approximate dates of the beginning of the main
outbreaks in each district or ward is taken from the Municipal Commissioner's Report:-
22nd November 1898-2nd Nagpada.
29th ,, ,, -Fort North, Dongri, Kumbharwada, Mahim.
6th December ,, -Market, Kharatalao, Byculla.
13th ,, ,, -Mandvi, Dhobitalao, Mazagon, Parel, Worli.
27th ,, ,, -Umarkhari, Bhuleshwar, Fanaswadi, Kamatipura, Tardeo,
1st Nagpada, Sion.
3rd January 1899-Middle and Lower Colaba, Khetwadi, Girgaum, Tarwari,
Sewri.
10th ,, ,, -Chukla, Mahalaxmi.
24th ,, ,, -Chowpatti.
31st ,, ,, -Walkeshwar.
7th February ,, -Esplanade.
The poorer classes suffered most severely in this epidemic.
Camps.
The great difficulty experienced with regard to health camps was that of space. Thir-
teen standing camps were taken over from the Plague Com-
mittee; of these, 8 were retained either wholly or in part; all
the rest were demolished. Towards the close of 1898 a generous grant of one lakh by the
Government of India for expenditure on camps greatly assisted the solution of the difficulty.
In addition to the 8 camps abovementioned which were retained, over 20 more were
established, the distribution of which is fully given in the Municipal Commissioner's report,
and the cost of which was roughly Rs. 60,000.
These numerous camps in and about the City have undoubtedly been of the greatest
service, furthering the evacuation of infected houses and localities, minimizing the incon-
venience arising from such evacuation to the inmates, permitting of greater accommodation
to the evacuated population and conducing generally to health.
The Discretional Relief Fund.
As the Discretional Relief Fund has been dealt with in a separate chapter by itself,
and as full details of \ill\ working in Bombay are given in
Chapter VI. of the Municipal Commissioner's report, com-
ment on it here would be superfluous.
Hospitals.
The hospitals in Bombay City which were either expressly set apart for, or, in addition
to their ordinary patients, took in, the victims of plague
number between 30 and 40. As a whole, they were well
appointed, well managed, and successful. Chief amongst them must be mentioned the
Arthur Road Hospital. This hospital is a permanent institution, and has been constantly
open since plague began in 1896. It has a staff of over 100 all told, of whom 2 Medical
Officers, 10 English Nurses, 6 local Nurses and 4 Hospital Assistants, form the superior