196
From the hospital report it will be observed that 41 cases took place amongst
both communities out of an approximate population of 700 souls or 5.85 per cent.
Of these people, 650 were Mahomedans, of which 35 were attacked or 5.38 per cent.
27 died or 77.11 per cent. 20 males contracted the disease, and 75 per cent. of them
died. Of 15 females attacked, 80 per cent. succumbed. Of the 50 Hindus, 6 were
attacked or 12 per cent. Five out of the six died or 83.33 per cent. Peculiar to
say, no females of this sect were affected. This may be, in some measure, due to the
fact that the Hindu women, being poor, have to work the major portion of the clay
in the open and are not subjected to the same amount of insanitary seclusion as Maho-
medan women are. Plan No. 9 is a chart shewing the progress of the plague
from its inception to its decline.
Like all visitations of this kind many desolate people are left helpless-
the bread-winners gone. I appealed to the public for monetary aid to assist me in
relieving distress and received the following sums :- Mrs. Martelli, Baroda
Residency, Rs. 400 ; Major Hildebrand, Bombay, Rs. 16; and Rs. 50 through
Mr. Leask, Acting Health Officer, from Dr. Pollen's fund. This has been a very
great boon and has gladdened the hearts of many a widow and orphan. Of the
Mahomedans, there are 5 widows and 11 orphans left. Of the Hindus, there are
4 widows left and 22 orphan children mostly young, and of aged parents and
relatives dependent upon those who have died, 6, or a total of 42 souls.
The whole slaughter-house staff did their duty in a manner which reflects
great credit upon them. I cannot, however, but mention the ready assistance I
receved at all times from the Assistant Superintendent, Mr. Sanders. He spared no
pains to give me his support in dealing with the people ; Mr. Evans, too, proved
of great use. I cannot speak too highly of the invaluable services rendered
by Dr. D. D'Monte, the Medical Officer in charge. He refused the pecuniary
remuneration offered to him by the Plague Committee and gave, during the out-
break, well nigh his whole time to the work of attending to the sick and in house-to-
house visitation. This meant to him not only a large monetary loss, but also the loss
of many clients for some time to come at least. His labours from first to last are
beyond all praise, and I would beg to strongly recommend him to favourable notice
of the Plague Committee. The Mullah of the Mosque, Hassan Aneef, is well
worthy of reward. No man could have worked harder than he did. He was con-
stantly with the sick attending to their wants. He personally washed the bodies
of the dead of his own sect and prepared them for burial. He acted as arbitrator
in cases of dispute about compensation for burnt clothing, &c. I always found
him fair and just, both to me and his own people. Without the ready aid the
Mullah afforded me on all occasions, I am confident that the plague operations
would have assumed a very different aspect from what they did, and I would urge
that a recommendation be sent to Government asking them to be pleased to kindly
grant this man a Sanad and a Robe or Dress.
Report of Bandora Slaughter Houses Hospital.
This hospital opened on 20th March 1897 and closed on 17th April 1897.
Received 41 patients, of which 34 died.
Cases
41
}
Previous history of district cases 9, deaths 5.
Recovered
7
}
Died
34
}
Very grave opposition was offered by Mahomedans and Hindus to all hospital
arrangements, and great difficulties in establishing temporary arrangements were