Page:The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, vol. 2.djvu/217



On the 21st December, the ship was washed down, and all the water-closets, latrines, etc., were thoroughly disinfected and quarantine rules strictly observed.

On the 22nd December, the decks were washed and the water-closets, latrines, etc., were disinfected.

The five days imposed upon the ship by the Health Officer having expired, during which time the ship was in quarantine, and the rule of quarantine having been strictly observed, the said appearer signalled the shore station as follows: “What was decided about quarantine, answer will oblige”, to which the following reply was received, “Length quarantine not yet decided.”

On the 23rd December, the decks were washed down and all water-closets and latrines disinfected, and the said appearer again signalled the shore as follows: “What about quarantine?”, and received the following reply, “Quarantine Officer has no instructions yet.”

On the 24th December, the decks were washed and the water-closets disinfected, and on that day, the Health Officer and Police Superintendent came on board, whereupon the crew and passengers were mustered and inspected, the ship thoroughly disinfected, in which carbolic acid and carbolic powder were liberally employed. The passengers’ soiled clothing and all mats, baskets and useless articles were destroyed in the donkey furnace by the Health Officer’s instructions and a further term of twelve days’ quarantine imposed. The quarantine regulations have been strictly observed up to this date.

On the 25th December, the decks and between decks were washed down with a solution of carbolic and water, in the proportion of 1 to 20, as recommended by the Health Officer.

On the 26th December, the decks were washed and the water-closets disinfected, and quarantine rules strictly observed.

On the 27th December, main deck and between decks were washed and disinfected with a solution of carbolic and water in the proportion of 1 to 20.

On the 28th December, the decks and between decks washed with carbolic solution and the water-closets whitewashed and, up till this date, day by day, quarantine rules were strictly observed. Passengers’ beds, bedding, and all soiled clothing destroyed in ship’s furnaces, and all the passengers’ clothing hung on lines on main and between decks, and nine sulphur fires placed, all hatches closed and fires kept burning till 6.30 p.m. Forecastle, saloon, and second-class cabins, waterclosets and alleyways treated in a similar manner. Passengers and crew were washed in the solution, decks washed down, and all passengers’ accommodation washed with carbolic and water, and clothing placed in the solution.