278 [CHAP. IX.
Kaladgi.
Population-4,622.
First Epidemic (February-March 1898).-Occasional attacks of fever unaccompanied
by buboes occurred as far back as December 1897, and raised
the total mortality of the village. But these were not
considered in any way extraordinary or exceptional. On the 23rd February 1898 the first
case of true plague was recognized, and by the 25th of that month 8 cases (5 fatal) had
-occurred.
The village was at once evacuated, and the infected houses disinfected with
perchloride solution: these steps being taken under the superintendence of Mr. J. L.
Lushington, Superintendent of Land Records and Agriculture. Only the portion known as
the " Laskar " quarter of the village was infected, and, the village being vacated, the in-
fection did not spread to any other quarter. Mr. J. L. Lushington comments as follows on
this little outbreak :-
" As regards our one outbreak in Kaladgi, we learnt that evacuation of houses promptly
was the best method of prevention: infection to those living in the fields did not extend
beyond 10 days after evacuation ; and in two cases people returning to sleep in their houses
were infected by plague and died. The people were kept in their fields over two months,
and no cases have occurred since re-occupations."
indeed, from the 4th March 1898, the outbreak was over; the figures being-
Week ending
Cases.
Deaths.
REMARKS.
25th February
1898
8
5
Evacuation complete about
4th March
...
12
11
27th February.
11th "
,,
1
1
18th "
"
1
...
25th "
,,
1
1
1st April
"
1
...
In the rest of the District meanwhile all was well ; and from the beginning of
April 1898 to the middle of September 1898-nearly 6 months-no plague of any kind
was reported.
Ilkal Town.
Population-11,895.
Second Epidemic.-After the above outbreak at Kaladgi had subsided, no more
is heard of plague in the Bijpur District till the middle of
September 1898, when the town of Ilkal was attacked and
suffered from a short but rallier severe epidemic. 18 cases-10 deaths were reported as
having occurred during the week ending the 23rd September, the first cases being
discovered on the 17th of that mouth; but it is probable that the infection was introduced
some time previously, and that undetected cases occurred during the interval. This will
be seen from the Collector's report :-
"The outbreak at Ilkal, which occurred on the 17th September 1898, appears to have
resulted from an imported case from Hubli. A Mrwdi, who had arrived from Hubli, was
under medical surveillance at Guledgud, but escaped to Ilkal and died there on the 81st
July 1898 in a house in Settar Peth. On the 19th and 20th August two persons died in
the same house. Since that there were some suspicious deaths in the same street, but
these were not recognized as plague till the 17th September. There was no previous
outbreak in the village."
Evacuation was begun by the beginning of October and the Spence Committee rules
were applied to the Town. Circle Inspectors were appointed to watch the Dhrwr Frontier,
the police being withdrawn. Dr. J. Thomson) English Doctor, was placed in charge of the