New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1879-06-25
The Plague in Moscow ii. 1770.71.

The appearance Of the plague Ia the
Astrakhan Government has revived the
memory Of the terrible outbreak in
Moscow during part Of the years ITO
and 1771. The first victims were the
soldiers whom shot and steel had
spared during the war Waged against
Turkey. It then made its way into
Russia from the southwest, extending
as far north as Serpukhof. It first be-
gan to declare itself in December, 1910,
but it was for some time ignored or
denied, the Empress Catherine IL.
writing to say that If any one said
there was plague in Moscow he lied;
nothing but fever was to be feared.
But after being kept under by the win
ter's frost and officially protested
against during the summer, the pest
burst forth in the autumn with fury
which even ukases could not control.
By the middle of September. 1771, the
condition of Moscow was terrible.
From 800 to 1000 deaths took place
every day. The upper classes fled
from the plague-stricken town, and
the populace took to rioting. On the
10th (27th) Of September broke out
what is generally known as the
''tchumny bunt, y or plague riot. The
populace assembled in crowds before
one of the gates Of the kremlin, wish
ing to avail themselves of the good
offices of the Bogolyubof miraculous
Madonna. The Archbishop Ambrose
rtis-Kamensky prudently ordered the
picture to be removed from its usual
locality to q more open spot, in order
to avoid the danger likely to arise from
tho thronging together of SO many
plague-fearing worshipers. A cry was
raised that he was stealing the holy
portrait, and that he must be put to
death. He fled in disguise from the
kremlin. and took refuge in the Dons-
koi monastery. Thither, however, he
was pursued, and there he was torn
from behind the altar. For two
hours,' according to the evidence 81
an eyewitness, he was beaten with q
cudgel. Then he was left for dead.
But after time his right hand was
seen to move, whereupon the rioters
again attacked him, beating him on
the head till he died. Only by grape.
shot was the riot suppressed. A few
days later arrived in Moscow Count
Gregory Orlof, sent expressly by the
Empress to put down the plague. The
city, so long deprived of guidance, re-
ceived him with rapture. And, il
truth, he deserved to be hailed with
acclamation; for he attacked the
plague with such vigor that he over
came it. Drawing q number of SAM
tary cordons round Moscow, he main
tanned SO strict quarantine that ever
the dogs which ran across his lines ani
the crows which flew over them were
shot. All popular gatherings were
prohibited; no burials were allowed
within the city; and the faithful were
even prevented from entering tn,
churches, being obliged to listen K
divine service from without. Before
Count Orlof's arrival the common PEG
pie had showed decided aversion
toward the hospitals, in which the,
were roughly treated and badly fed b!
coarse and ignorant medical practi
TONERS. Orlof inspected the building
SET apart for the sufferers. visited then
frequently, and soon brought about
change greatly for the better in tn
treatment of the patients. The mum
Der of daily deaths soon fell to SOC
and then became smaller and smalle
until the plague was stayed. Coun
Orlof was enabled on Nov. 20 20. S.
to leave Moscow rejoicing over cleal
bill of health. On his return to 81
Petersburg the Count was receive
with many manifestations of Joy an
triumph. A medal was struck in hi
honor, bearing on one side his pc,
ton of Curtius leaping into the gull
with an inscription that Russia, toe
possesses such sons.'' Hercules Stay
ing the Len@n Hydra would hav
formed, perhaps, a more appropriat
image. Pail Mall Gazette. j