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and epidemic in the cyclone-stricken areas of Bakirganj, Chittagong, and
Noakholli. From June to August cholera prevailed very mildly, and was
entirely absent from several districts in some of the months of this period.
Darjiling, which was epidemically visited in 1876, enjoyed immunity from the
disease almost throughout the year. The autumnal epidemic, commencing
in September and continuing to the close of the year, prevailed with severity
only at Howrah in the western districts, in the northern and central portions
of the central districts, and in the eastern districts, with the exception of
Bakirganj, Chittagong, and Noakhalli; the districts most severely visited by
the cholera of this season were Nuddea, Jessore, Dinagepore, Pabna, Bogra,
and Mymensingh.
In Bihar cholera prevailed very mildly during the first three months of
the year, except in Maldah (which during the year was transferred to this
division), where it prevailed severely from January to May. From January to
March Darbhanga and Chumparan were markedly free from cholera. As
usual, however, the disease prevailed in a severe form all over Bihar from
April to August, or even September in some places, whilst in Parnia, (which
borders on Dinagepore), and Maldah in Bengal, it also prevailed in the cold
season. The districts which suffered most severely were Chumparan, Mozuaf-
forpore, Darbhanga, Monghyr, and Bhagulpore.
In Orissa the periods of severe prevalence correspond with those of
Bengal, viz. from January to May and September to December. But in 1877
the spring outbreak continued untill August in Puri, and the autumn
outbreak began in August in Kattak. Cholera was epidemic in Puri during the
early outbreak and most severe in Kattak during the winter, and in Balasore
during the early visitation.
In Chota Nagpore the cholera of 1877 prevailed with marked mildness
throughout the year.
The conditions associated with soil, air, water, drainage conservancy, diet,
crowding, climate, &c., &c., reported from year to year to favour the develop-
ment of cholera were again referred to this year as the exciting and
predisposing causes of the disease. The following particulars are gathered
from the history given of the incidence of cholera in districts.
Beerbhum.-Cholera prevailed generally from January to March, and most
severely in the easterly parts of the districts, in which area lie two places
of pilgrimage, viz. the Baidnath and the Ganges. After March the disease
almost left the district, and out of 693 deaths only 16 occurred in the five
months June to October.
24.Purgunnahs.-Regarding the prevalence of cholera in the Baripore sub-
division, it is stated that cholera breaks out very soon after the rice crops
are removed from the fields which are then exposed to the full action of the
sun. In the lower parts of the country where the extensive rice swamps
continue submerged until the end of February or March, the disease breaks
out later than in the higher parts. In the cold weather a shower of rain acts
as a temporary check, and in the rainy season when the soil is saturated,
vegetation rank, and the land covered with crops, cholera disappears. Those
parts of the country which are subject to inundations suffer most after the
subsidence of the floods. Bad living and consumption of new rice and the
fresh toddy of the date-tree have also some connection with the spread of
cholera. " At the fair held during eight days in January in Sagur Island,
and attended by about 50,000 people, cholera broke out and caused 15 deaths;
at the fair held at Harwa during seven days in February, and attended also
by about 50,000 people, cholera appeared and caused four deaths. In the
January fair, the outbreak abated after a shower of rain."
Jaisur.-The cholera of 1876 continued to prevail, but with diminished
fatality, in the Magura, Bhagirhat, and Khulna sub-divisions until June
when it sunk to its minimum. In November the disease broke out afresh,
and spread generally over the district, and was severest in December.
Murshidabad.-Cholera raged with great virulence during April and May,
and during October and December. "These outbreaks were not confined to
particular localities, but occurred simultaneously in different parts of the
district remote from each other, and in a few days spread throughout the
district.'