246 [CHAP. VIII.
27th September, when systematic disinfection was taken in hand. On the 20bh October 1897
it was complete : over 1,000 houses having been disinfected.
The pestilence disappeared from Kaledhon towards the end of October 1897 : having
more than decimated the town in less than two months. The figures reported were 602
cases-452 deaths.
Khatv, Khnpur and
Mn Tlukas.
Turning from Kaledhon to the other villages attacked in the Khatv. Khnpur and
Man Tlukas during this-the second-epidemic, 26
villages in all were attacked in them. The source of infection
in most of them was either Kaledhon or Kard. Importation was almost invariably
followed by abnormal mortality : but apathy and concealment neutralized the vigilance and
efforts of the District Deputy Collector. With the arrival of the Flying Column, however,
greater control was possible. Surprise visits were paid to villages and death registers
scrutinized. Thus plague was either warded off by prompt attention to imported cases, or
detected in an inceptive stage. As the people became better acquainted with its nature,
they put forth spontaneous efforts for their own protection, by preventing the entry of people
from infected localities; in many cases with considerable success, of which Vita, Mayani
and Pusesvli are conspicuous instances.
The suppressive measures adopted from the beginning of October 1897 throughout these
Tlukas were briefly as follows :-
1. Early evacuation of affected villages.
2. Regular and careful search for cases among the people encamped.
3. Removal of patients to small huts built on a selected site ; hospitals being
regarded with disfavour by the people.
4. Destruction of the clothes of patients, and of the huts in which cases occurred.
5. Precautions with regard to the disposal of the dead.
6. Disinfection and segregation of inmates of affected huts.
7. Disinfection of whole villages and opening up of houses for admission of sun
and air.
8. House-to-house inspection for 10 days after re-occupation.
These measures were attended with a fair amount of success.
The attacks and deaths in each of the three Tlukas were as follows :-
Tluka.
Cases.
Deaths.
REMARKS.
Khatv (excluding Kaledhon)
332
253
26 villages in
all attacked.
Khnapur
1,118
900
Mn ...
478
347
1,928
1,509
Add- Figures for Kaledhon
596
448
Total
2,524
1,957
...
Kard Tluka.
The Flying Column under Captain J. B. Smith at Kard has already been referred
to. But no sooner was the epidemic in that town con-
trolled, than the villages in the Kard Tluka demanded
attention ; and the number of them attacked before the end