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February and at Bhagalpur and Banka on the 23rd February. In March
cholera was wide-spread in the district, affecting the south much more than
the north. In April it was at its height, declining in July. Both in 1869 and
1870 cholera in this district was observed to subside on the setting in of the
east winds; whilst the disease prevailed the wind was westerly.
Gya.-There were a few sporadic cases of cholera from time to time in
the district, but more frequently in the months from May to August.
Shahabed.-The rains were very heavy, and continued up to a late date,
even so late as the end of October, and as a consequence an unusual amount
of fever of a severe intermittent and remittent type prevailed during the
succeeding two months over nearly the whole of the district, but chiefly in
the southern portions of it. The crops during the year were good and the
price of food below that of the previous year. A slight outbreak of cholera
was reported at Jugdespur, in the south, but it soon ceased as the rains set
in heavily and the weather became cooler.
Sarun.-There was not much cholera in this district during 1870. In
the fair held in this district there were seven cases of cholera and only one
death in an assemblage of about 50,000 persons. There was one fatal case in
the jail and another among the police-600 strong.
Tirhut.-Cholera was prevalent in this district about March and reached
its height in July, after which it began to decline. In July the mortality
stood at 1,229.
Chumparun.-No mention is made of cholera by the Civil Surgeon, who
took charge of the station late in year.
Midnapur.-Cholera is endemic at Midnapur. The disease in 1870
broke out on the 28th January near Midnapur Bazar, where there were 19
cases with eight deaths out of a population of 500. On the 17th March the
disease assumed an epidemic form and became wide-spread, more particularly
amongst the poor. The disease was at its height from 20th March to 20th
April, declining in May. There were about 500 cases and half as many deaths.
Balasur.-There was a virulent form of cholera here during February and
March, and the disease was prevalent in the district to the close of the year.
Kattak.-Cholera prevailed during June, July, and August, when it is
known to occur every year throughout the district, especially along the
pilgrim route. In October, November, and December it occurred in villages
by the road side, most of the cases being return travellers from Puri. During
the last six months the deaths are reported to have been 485.
Puri.-Cholera raged in the town from the 12th February to 21st March,
and there was a second outbreak on the 14th June, which spread to the whole
town and its vicinity. In October and November there were a few sporadic
cases. In the town there were 420 deaths, exclusive of 127 in the hospital.
The pilgrims visiting the place suffered severely; in the jail there were 6 cases
with 3 deaths; and among the police 2 cases, both fatal.
The general conclusions deducible from all the local reports regarding
cholera during the year under review, writes the Sanitary Commissioner for
Bengal, Dr. D. B. Smith, seems to be as follows :-
(a)-The spring and the cold season were the periods of greatest pre-
valence. As a general rule the disease declines throughout
Bengal during the rains.
(b)-The districts in which the greatest mortality is reported to have
occurred were Bakirganj, Bhagulpur, Tirhut, Chittagong, and
Tipperah.
(c)-As usual, some Civil Surgeons believe the disease to have been
spread by human inter-communication, whilst others strongly
oppose this opinion.
(d)-On the whole the year (1870) was one of general comparative
immunity from the ravages of cholera. The deaths reported
among the pilgrims in Orissa were much lower than commonly
occurs.
The incidence of the cholera of 1870 among the troops and jail popu-
lations in this province is shown in the following abstract statement:-
Among the European troops-total average strength 3,724-there were
altogether 28 admissions and 11 deaths from cholera, giving a death-rate of
H 2