ARE WE IN DANGER FROM THE PLAGUE? 



579 



Since the plague has prevailed at Bombay for nearly three 

 years, it may be well to inquire concerning its probable continuance 

 at that place. In making this inquiry we may learn something of 

 the sanitary condition of the city and the habits of its inhabitants. 

 Bombay is the metropolis of western India, and is situated on a 

 long, narrow island running almost north and south. The city is 

 located near the southern end of this island, with its harbor to the 

 east and its sewage outfall to the west. Its population of about 

 nine hundred thousand is a very mixed one, consisting of Hindoos of 

 different castes, of Mohammedans, of Eurasians, and of Europeans. 

 Differences in race, in religion, and in caste make it exceedingly 

 difficult to carry out sanitary measures and to look after the sick. 

 The mean temperature is about 79 F., and the relative humidity 

 seventy-seven per cent. A considerable portion of the island is 

 below high-water level, and consequently the sewage must be re- 

 moved by means of pumps. The mean maximum temperature of 

 the ground eleven feet below the surface is 84.9 F., and the mean 

 minimum temperature is 80.9 F. It will be seen from these figures 

 that organic matter must undergo rapid decomposition both on the 

 surface and in the sewers. The water supply, which is said to be 

 excellent, is so carelessly drawn upon by the natives that, although 

 sufficiently abundant if used properly, it sometimes becomes scant. 

 It not infrequently happens that the sewers will not carry the vol- 

 ume of water turned into them. For this reason, together with 

 the tropical rains, the soil often becomes water-logged. Indeed, 

 the surface in some sections of the city may be, not inappropriately, 

 compared with a fermenting muck-heap. Besides the fixed popu- 

 lation, there is a constant current of people flowing to and fro be- 

 tween the island and the mainland. When there is any opportu- 

 nity for the employment of a large number of unskilled laborers, 

 hundreds and thousands from the surrounding country pour into 

 the city. These people know nothing of sanitary appliances, they 

 lodge in the most densely crowded parts of the city, and often a 

 dozen of them will hire a single room, not more than ten feet 

 square, in which they eat and sleep. It is said that seventy per 

 cent of the inhabitants of Bombay live in " chawls." These are 

 tenement buildings of from five to seven stories high, built on the 

 " flat " system. A narrow hall, at the end of which is a latrine, 

 runs through each story, and from this doors open into rooms eight 

 by twelve feet in area. In one of these houses from five hundred 

 to eight hundred people live. These buildings are crowded to- 

 gether, with only narrow, dark alleys between. Into these alleys 

 the inhabitants of the houses on both sides throw all kinds of refuse. 

 In many parts of the city fecal matter is deposited in boxes or bas- 



