Cleansing operations during the bubonic plague outbreak in Sussex Street, Sydney, 1900

The first case of bubonic plague in Australia was reported in January 1900. In February 1900 cleaning of infected neighbourhoods began under the direction of the newly formed Plague Department. Lime, carbolic water and lime chloride were used to disinfect houses and all waste, including garbage, manure and stable bedding, was removed and either burned or dumped at sea.