SATARA DISTRICT.] 253
doubt, imported from the latter. Raviwr Peth had 14 cases, and Malhr Peth had 26 cases in
all. The plague in Malhr continued far along time, viz., October to the end of January
1899, thus endangering the safety of adjoining Peths, although repressive measures, such as
evacuation of blocks, were actively and promptly carried out. While plague was running its
course in Malhr Peth, the disease appeared in the adjoining Peth called Guruvr. It began
in Guruvr in the second week of December 1898 and continued up to the week ending 28th
January 1899, recording 32 cases in all, which was the largest number recorded in the history
of all the infected Peths. From Guruvr the plague was imported in the adjoining Peth of
Shanvr. It began in Shanvr in the week ending 13th December 1898, and ended in the
week ending 14th March 1899, 9 cases in all having occurred. From Shanvr the disease
appeared in the neighbouring Peth of Bhavni ; only 2 cases occurred in the Bhavni Peth,
after which plague was practically over in the City."
The Hospitals and Camps established during the prevous epidemic were re-opened, patients
and contacts segregated, and evacuation of infected houses and of blocks of houses, large or
small, according to circumstances, and even of whole Peths, was vigorously enforced. Doubt-
less, added experience and more stringent measures assisted in mitigating the severity of the
epidemic : but, whatever the reason, Stra suffered far less severely in this epidemic than in
the previous one, as the following figures demonstrate :-
Month.
Cases.
Deaths.
October 1888
6
3
November ,,
49
35
December ,,
29
27
January 1899
17
15
February ,,
34
27
March ,,
9
8
Total
144
115
At about the same time as Stra (October 1897), the town of Kard succumbed,
Kard.
Population-12,086.
although every endeavour was made to prevent its re-infection.
Each case as it occurred was followed by the evacuation of
several adjoining houses, but without avail. Towards the end of December 1898, therefore,
a large part of the town was ordered to be evacuated ; and some 2,000 people left the town.
Up to the 19th January 1899, no further case occurred. On that day a case developed
itself in a house on the very edge of the evacuated quarter. Another large block was
emptied, and plague then ceased in the town ; although some cases occurred in camp. At
the end of March 1899, the town was re-occupied. Four more cases occurred up to 7th
May 1899, but these were merely sporadic cases and did not cause any alarm. The
epidemic was a very mild one. The following are the figures :-
Month.
Cases.
Deaths.
November 1898
9
8
December ,,
19
17
January 1899
21
14
February ,,
8
7
March ,,
5
4
Total ...
62
50
64