9
is ample space for the erection of a camp sufficiently large to accommodate for
a few days outward bound passengers rejected from the boats there, and who
would thus have only a few yards to walk in order to obtain temporary shelter.
The absence of observation camps during the first months of the inspections was
the cause of considerable hardship to many of those rejected at the examination,
who had given up their city homes and, when not permitted to sail, had no means
of proper shelter. When Modi Khna Observation Camp was opened the reject-
ed at Modi Bandar were sent there, but the distance was considerable. Hence
the necessity for a small camp at the Bandar itself, especially for such cases as
an obesrvation of perhaps one day or even less may clearly prove to free from
suspicion of Plague.
For the busy centres at the Wet Docks and their harbour walls the obser-
vation camps might be placed outside the Northern Gate of Prince's Dock, where
there is ample space between the Merewether Dry Dock and the Pilgrim shed
at Malet Bandar.
For rejections from vessels in open harbour, Modi Khna would be the pro-
per place for an observation camp; and if steps were made leading to the water,
access to the camp would be quite easy.
At each of these camps there should be a separate shed, of dimensions pro-
portioned to the size of the camp, where Plague cases can be detained pending
removal to Plague hospital. The equipment of these observation camps should
include supplies of the excellent ambulances introduced by the Plague Com-
mittee, and sufficient stores of disinfectants.
20. A sufficient number of rapid registering thermometers should be in
stock for use at the inspections. Experience has proved that any instrument
that requires a longer time than half a minute for temperature observation is
of little use when dealing with the enormous human traffic shown in Table I.
Unfortunately these half minute thermometers are very fragile and require
very careful handling. It may be useful to place on record that the number
used and broken on both outward and inward inspections during the six months
of the former and the four months of the latter has been 12 dozens, the ap-
proximate cost of which was Rs. 900.
21. A statement is attached in the form of an Appendix (I) to this report,
which will furnish an approximate estimate of the cost to Government of the
Outward Sea Inspections.
II.-INWARD INSPECTIONS.
22. Large numbers of the city population who had fled from Bombay in
December and January began to return as the Plague declined. They had
already scattered the disease far and wide over the Presidency, and they rushed
back to the city which they had abandoned in panic with as much eagerness as
they had originally left it. Public opinion fearing the effects on the health of
Bombay from this inrush of people, many of whom came from Plague centres and
famine districts, demanded some check on the importation of Plague cases; and,
under the directions of the Plague Committee, the inspection of arrivals by sea
from places within a defined area was organized and placed in working order.
Karchi in the north was heavily infected, and the whole coast more or
less as far south as Goa was either infected or in communication with infected
places. Accordingly a line drawn through a point 10 miles north of Karchi
and Bhatkal on the West Coast of India and some 100 miles south of Goa were
fixed as the limits of a prescribed area from ports and places within which vessels
on arrival at Bombay should be medically inspected. All other vessels were
allowed free pratique, subject to the ordinary rules of the port, on furnishing
the boarding Pilot with a certificate to the effect that there had been no communi-
cation during the voyage with places or vessels within the prescribed limits.
The necessary powers were obtained on 12th April 1897 by the issue of the
following rules under the Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897:-
1. The Bombay Plague Committee is hereby authorised to appoint
persons as Plague authorities.
B 1397-3