268 [CHAP. VIII
The source of infection in Shamspur was clearly traced, for the Collector writes :-
"In the case of the village of Shamspur, the origin of the infection has been clearly
traced. A woman from Akole came into this village about the 10th of August. She was
a kinswoman of the Ptil, who allowed her into the village contrary to orders, instead of
detaining her outside under observation. She died of plague and infected the Ptil's family
and the. whole circle of his relations who all live in adjacent houses. The rest of the
population have remained free. Shamspur is only a small hamlet of 12 houses, and it is not
expected that the plague here will do much mischief. The village has been evacuated."
Comparing this table with that for the last epidemic, it will be seen that, with the
exception of Dahitne, all the villages attached now suffered for the first lime.
The figures up to 31st December 1898 by months from August 1898 are-
Months.
Cases.
Deaths.
July and August 1898
- 7
weeks
271
193
September ,,
- 5
,,
137
116
October ,,
- 4
,,
199
142
November ,,
- 4
,,
85
68
December ,,
- 5
,,
186
152
Total
878
671
Towards the end of December 1898 there was a steady subsidence, and plague has
not been bad in the district since, though the weekly figures show considerable fluctuation,
owing to the sudden infection of fresh villages. In the second half of April 1899 the
district was quite free, but two villages in the Sholpur Tluka were re-infected in May.
The attacks, however, have been mild, and in the week ending 2nd June only one of them,
Wngi, returned three cases. Evacuation was always promptly resorted to, and no place
remained, infected for any length of time. The returns for the year 1899 areas follows :-
Month.
Cases.
Deaths.
January
100
86
February
83
67
March ...
59
45
April ...
14
16
May
25
24
Total
281
238
A Chart showing weekly Plague mortality in Sholapur District is given opposite.