Plague and anti-plague measures in Hyderabad State, with special reference to the use of DDT.

Abstract

A brief history of plague in Hyderabad State during the present pandemic is given. It is shown that the epidemics on the whole are on the wane, and this experience coincides with the experience of other Indian states. This general decline cannot be attributed to any specific anti-plague measures adopted earlier. Earlier measures such as fumigation of rat burrows with Cyanogas were able to control epidemics to a large extent, but were not successful in eradicating infection, particularly from the endemic zones. Recently DDT has been introduced as an anti-plague measure, relying on the assumption that control of transmitting agent alone may be able to check the epidemics and may ultimately succeed in eradicating the infection from the state. Insufflation of rat burrows with DDT I0 per cent. powder and disinfection of houses with DDT suspension spray made by mixing water with 50 per cent. DDT wettable powder for the disinfection of huts, walls, roofs and windows, etc., are the main anti-plague measures now adopted. The measures have given very encouraging results ; the record of incidence and mortality from plague in the whole state during the last year has been the lowest recorded for the last fifty years.