the same rule, have each their own special habits and customs.

These curious customs are rigidly observed. Some must not drink milk,
some must not touch lard, none of them must eat food prepared by persons
who are not of their religion, and many of them must not leave their own
country.

If they neglect these customs they are said to lose caste--which means
that they lose their social position among their special tribe, family,
and friends.

To lose caste is a very serious thing to a native of India.

Europeans are, as a rule, very careful not to offend the natives in
these matters, and are most particular to observe all the customs in
regard to caste. But at the time of the plague it was not possible to
exercise this care.

When human lives were in danger the doctors did not try to find out
what caste sick persons belonged to, but did what they thought best for
them.

We know for ourselves, in our own families, that the rules of the Health
Board in regard to sickness are not always agreeable to us.

We submit to having our invalids taken to hospitals when they have
contagious diseases because we know that we must not endanger other
lives.

Imagine, then, how the ignorant Indian natives must have felt, when, for