A group of plague staff preparing to do some white washing, Karachi, India. Photograph, 1897.

The workers carry pails of white paint on wooden poles. Sign posts with the names of different camps are leaning against the building behind them

Karachi is a port in the province of Sind (subsequently in Pakistan) It was placed in quarantine in 1882, during the outbreak of bubonic plague which spread from Bombay. The Plague Committee consisted mostly of volunteers, who were organised into parties and were responsible for the segregation and inoculation of various districts

1897

1 photograph : photoprint, albumen ; sheet 21.7 x 29 cm

Lyari plague staff and white washing party The lettering is printed on the mount

Photograph probably by Jalbhoy, R.

Wellcome Collection 30054i