Life of Ahmad — Page 589
as PLAGUE 589 possible to save themselves from the coming calamity. In view of the outbreak of the disease in Bombay 145 and other places the authorities were taking all precautionary measures, but the people were not cooperating with the Government. Ahmad as tried to remove the misunderstandings of the people with a view to inducing them to make it easier for the Government to fight the pestilence. And on the other hand he appealed to his countrymen, in all sincerity and earnestness, to work a change in their lives. He called all men to God and asked them to pray to God and give up their evil and wicked ways so that He might have mercy on them. This leaflet was circulated throughout the country. The Paisa Akhb a r , Lahore, raised some silly objections to which the Al- H akam , Qadian, published a short reply in its issue dated, February 20th, 1898. A public meeting was held at Lahore in which doctors and physicians took part to discuss ways and means of fighting the pestilence; and the Government issued general directions regarding necessary precautions in the event of an outbreak. Therefore Ahmad as also decided to hold a meeting at Qadian for the benefit of the public. A leaflet was issued on April 145 Plague appeared in the city of Bombay in 1896. The infection spread gradually and slowly at first, but during the first three months of 1897 not only was the town of Bombay severely affected, but district after district in the presidency was attacked, notably Poona, Karachi, Cutch Mandvi, Bhiwandi and Daman. The total for the presidency, including the city, in 1896 and 1897, was 49,103 deaths.