CHAP. IX. ] Measures outside the Bombay Presidency. 279
Attitude of the
people.
"Some reluctance to comply with the measures detailed above
was at first evinced, but this was soon overcome, and the local officers
subsequently received much assistance from the people, who recog-
nised that the action was taken for their special benefit and began to
thoroughly co-operate with them.
Visit of the
Lieutenant-
Governor.
"The Lieutenant-Governor, with the Inspector-General of Civil
Hospitals, the Sanitary Commissioner, the Commissioner of the Divi-
sion, the Deputy Sanitary Commissioner, and the local officers,
visited Kankhal on the 16th October and inspected the camps, which
he found to be admirably suited for the objects contemplated. His
Honour found the people to be in excellent temper: he questioned
them both in the camps and in the town of Kankhal, and heard no
complaints whatever. After visiting the various camps, His Honour
held a conference of all the officers on the spot, at which the whole
situation was reviewed, additional precautions discussed, and orders
issued on necessary points. His Honour also discussed the situation
with the chief local residents and was able on certain points to
comply with their wishes. The Lieutenant-Governor was informed
by the medical officers that the general health of the people had
improved since they went into the camps, where suitable arrangements
are made for their convenience, for the privacy of the female mem-
bers of their families, and where special attention is paid to their
sanitary condition. At the time of His Honour's visit there were
nine camps, established in the vicinity of the town, falling under the
classification above noted and containing a population of about 1,200.
Since then the number has largely increased, and information has
just been received by the Government that the whole town has been
evacuated and the entire population accommodated in the camps.
No doubt that
the disease was
plague.
"Of the character of the disease there can be no doubt whatever,
as in numerous cases referred to the Bacteriologist to Government
(Mr. E. H. Hankin) the specimens sent were reported to be "typical
plague." Apart from this, the Sanitary Commissioner, Deputy Sani-
tary Commissioner and Civil Surgeon had no hesitation whatever in
diagnosing the disease as true plague. Out of 51 cases 38 have
proved fatal, the symptoms being those of true plague; thirteen cases
with similar symptoms remain under treatment in hospital.
Disinfection.
Increase in the
"In regard to the general organisation for dealing with the out-
break, no improvement had to be suggested by the Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor at his visit in the general system or scope of the arrangements,
which followed those which had proved successful last summer. But
it was considered prudent to extend the disinfecting operations to the
towns of Hardwar and Jwalapur (in which the disease has not
appeared). Moreover, the subordinate establishment and the officers