# The Black Plague—II explained — The Story of My Experiments with Truth

> Chapter companion for The Story of My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi.

## What happens

Gandhi recounts the aftermath of the plague outbreak in Johannesburg, including the establishment of a temporary hospital, his use of earth treatment and refusal of brandy, and the recruitment of Albert West to manage the Indian Opinion press in Durban.

## Themes in this chapter

### Service and Community Leadership

Gandhi organizes a temporary hospital, nurses plague patients, and recruits Mr. West to manage the press, demonstrating selfless service.

### Self-Discipline and Simplicity

Gandhi reduces his diet during the epidemic and refuses brandy, relying instead on earth treatment and personal discipline.

## Character check-ins

### Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Leads the nursing effort, uses earth treatment, and recruits Mr. West for the press.

### Albert West

Volunteers to nurse plague patients but is instead sent to manage the Indian Opinion press in Durban.

### Sjt. Madanjit

Likely to be engaged in Johannesburg, prompting the need for a replacement at the Durban press.

### Henry Polak

Mentioned as having been secured through Gandhi's letter to the press about the plague.

## Key lines

> I expressed my gratitude, and without taking even a second to think, replied: 'I will not have you as a nurse. If there are no more cases, we shall be free in a day or two. There is one thing however.'

Gandhi thanked Mr. West but declined his offer to nurse, instead proposing he manage the Indian Opinion press in Durban.

_Gandhi quickly redirects Mr. West's offer of help to a more pressing need._

> The experience enhanced my faith in earth treatment, as also my scepticism of the efficacy of brandy, even as a medicine.

The plague nursing experience strengthened Gandhi's belief in earth treatment and his doubt about brandy's medicinal value.

_Gandhi reflects on how the outcomes of his treatments shaped his views._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-iv-xvi-the-black-plague-ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters