DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.24890#0144
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“ The same principles were carried out in poorhonses
and hospitals. As regards the former, rules are laid down for
their conduct in the Famine Code ; hut as the result of obser-
vation it was considered desirable to supplement them by
suggestions which were accordingly prepared and issued by
Government.
“ These arrangements, which were settled and agreed
upon before the institution of relief works, worked without
difficulty, and the people soon fell in with the scheme. The
Sanitary Commissioner, the Special Famine Medical Officers,
the Civil Surgeons of districts, and the Deputy Sanitary
Commissioners visited and inspected the works and camps at
intervals, and the Public Works officers in charge of the
gangs selected and appointed the subordinates from among
the workers. Weekly reports were submitted to the Sanitary
Commissioner’s office by the Special Famine Medical officers,
and Civil Surgeons and Deputy Sanitary Commissioners also
reported as occasion required. Upon these reports instruc-
tions—telegraphic or otherwise—were issued where necessary.
On the occurrence of serious disease or other emergent mat-
ter, copies of reports were sent by the Secretary to Govern-
ment in the Public Works Department, to the Sanitary
Commissioner, who was authorized to issue instructions direct
to members of that Department to avoid dangerous delay.
Throughout the whole course of famine relief measures no
friction whatever occurred between the Public Works and
Sanitary officers on the works ; and it is largely to the assist-
ance and co-operation of the former Department that the
success of the sanitary arrangements was due.
“ To ensure early recognition of distress in any locality,
special arrangements were made. The health and condition
of the general population was reported on fortnightly to this
office by all Civil Surgeons, and from these reports a general
statement was compiled and submitted to Government. Dis-
trict Officers also telegraphed the death-rates of their districts
month by month.
“ A circular letter was issued to all District Officers
early in the year, requesting that measures might be taken
so that all births and deaths in poorhouses and on relief
works should be carefully recorded.”
The great benefits derived from the use of permanga-
nate of potash have already been mentioned in connexion with
the operations of the Public Works Department. Its use
rarely if ever excited any apprehension or opposition on caste
grounds. Its efficacy was so popularly recognised, that in
some cases village proprietors applied for a supply to use in
their own wells. It undoubtedly proved a most useful agent
in checking disease.
“ The same principles were carried out in poorhonses
and hospitals. As regards the former, rules are laid down for
their conduct in the Famine Code ; hut as the result of obser-
vation it was considered desirable to supplement them by
suggestions which were accordingly prepared and issued by
Government.
“ These arrangements, which were settled and agreed
upon before the institution of relief works, worked without
difficulty, and the people soon fell in with the scheme. The
Sanitary Commissioner, the Special Famine Medical Officers,
the Civil Surgeons of districts, and the Deputy Sanitary
Commissioners visited and inspected the works and camps at
intervals, and the Public Works officers in charge of the
gangs selected and appointed the subordinates from among
the workers. Weekly reports were submitted to the Sanitary
Commissioner’s office by the Special Famine Medical officers,
and Civil Surgeons and Deputy Sanitary Commissioners also
reported as occasion required. Upon these reports instruc-
tions—telegraphic or otherwise—were issued where necessary.
On the occurrence of serious disease or other emergent mat-
ter, copies of reports were sent by the Secretary to Govern-
ment in the Public Works Department, to the Sanitary
Commissioner, who was authorized to issue instructions direct
to members of that Department to avoid dangerous delay.
Throughout the whole course of famine relief measures no
friction whatever occurred between the Public Works and
Sanitary officers on the works ; and it is largely to the assist-
ance and co-operation of the former Department that the
success of the sanitary arrangements was due.
“ To ensure early recognition of distress in any locality,
special arrangements were made. The health and condition
of the general population was reported on fortnightly to this
office by all Civil Surgeons, and from these reports a general
statement was compiled and submitted to Government. Dis-
trict Officers also telegraphed the death-rates of their districts
month by month.
“ A circular letter was issued to all District Officers
early in the year, requesting that measures might be taken
so that all births and deaths in poorhouses and on relief
works should be carefully recorded.”
The great benefits derived from the use of permanga-
nate of potash have already been mentioned in connexion with
the operations of the Public Works Department. Its use
rarely if ever excited any apprehension or opposition on caste
grounds. Its efficacy was so popularly recognised, that in
some cases village proprietors applied for a supply to use in
their own wells. It undoubtedly proved a most useful agent
in checking disease.