ABSTRACT
The adoption of measures for the prevention of the conveyance of plague infection by Railway passengers engaged the attention of Government as early as October 1896, as soon as it was found that plague had become established, and was spreading in the Town and Island of Bombay. The authorities of the G. I. P. and B. B. & C. I. Railways were consulted as to the best method of securing adequate inspection arrangements, and before plans were developed, a telegram was received from the Government of India on the 12th October 1896, urging the adoption of a systematic examination of Railway passengers. Measures were soon organized for the systematic and careful examination of all passengers leaving Bombay by through trains at Grant Road on the B. B. & C. I. Railway line, and at Victoria Terminus on the G. I. P. Railway line, under Section 47 (d), 71 and 117 of the Railway Act (No. IX of 1890). Meanwhile active steps had been taken by local bodies in most of the important places in the Presidency for their own protection, and by the 22nd of October 1896 it was decided to make arrangements for the medical examination of arrivals at those places where it did not already exist. At about the same time Government were informed that the Southern Mahratta Railway Company had of their own accord instituted arrangements for the inspection of passengers travelling on their line at Poona, Miraj, Belgaum, Londa, Hubli, Gadag, and Hotgi.
