IOR/P/1203 Jan 1878 nos 12a-28

pp 09-45. Extensive collection of reports and correspondence forwarded to the Government of India regarding the plague outbreaks in Baghdad and Hillah, and efforts taken to prevent its spread through the Persian Gulf and Turkish Arabia.

Discussing shipping regulations; the efficacy of quarantine; the alleged role of pilgrims in spreading the disease; plague aetiology and the debate over whether the disease prevalent in Baghdad is plague or what Dr Bernhard Beck terms "marsh fever"; actions taken in Baghdad and along transport routes in order to suppress the plague, including commentary on the differing responses of the Muslim, Jewish and Christian populations.

Includes detailed reports, memoranda and correspondence from:

• Lieutenant-Colonel W F Prideaux, Officiating Political Resident in the Persian Gulf.
• R M Wall, Civil Surgeon, Bushire.
• Sir Joseph R L Dickson, Physician to Her Majesty's Legation, Tehran, reporting on the Proceedings of the Board of Health at Tehran.
• Dr E A Dickson, British Delegate to the Board of Health, Constantinople.
• Colonel John Piggot Nixon, Political Agent and Consul-General in Baghdad.
• Surgeon Major W H Colvill, Civil Surgeon at Baghdad, including detailed reports on the measures taken against the plague in Baghdad, and the attitudes and actions of the Muslim, Jewish and Christian populations in Baghdad; infection and mortality statistics for Baghdad, Amarah, and towns along the Tigris and Deyala; tables showing quarantine dues levied; reports on his research expedition along the Euphrates; case studies for named patients [pp 83-85]; comments on the articles published by Dr Beck in the Weekly Medical News, Vienna; and tables showing a detailed list of deaths from plague amongst the named Jewish population of Baghdad from 02 Dec 1876-04 Jun 1877, plus details of those houses blockaded, and those house where the residents fled [pp 127-133].
• Translations of letters and reports by Dr Bernhard Beck [Bernhard von Beck (1821-1894)], originally published in the Weekly Medical News, Vienna.
• Sir Louis Mallet, Under Secretary of State for India.
• the Special Commission on the outbreak of plague in Mesopotamia, comprising MM. de Webenau, Dr E A Dickson, Dr Pappadouca, M Argyropoulo, and Dr Bartoletti.
• plus copy correspondence and telegrams between the Government of India, the Secretary of State, the Foreign Office, and numerous British Delegations.

Summary comments thereon by the Government of India, forwarding the papers to the Secretary of State.