The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-26
THE PLAGUE IN RUSSIA.
Germs OF the EpIdemic Imported by Cosaaeks
from Turkey-AIarm In Europe.

LONDON, Jan. 25.-'rhe British lfedica
journal publishes tho following:
" Russian and German medical journals say
that the cast Of Europe Is In a state Of great
alarm at the progress Of what they allogc to be
the plague which is rapidly making its way
upward toward the north and east OF Russia
from the Caspian Sea along the course Of the
Nolga. According TO an article dated Jan. g.
published In the Wiener Medicnische Hochel-
sc'rJt. No. g. II has reached Mimi Novgorod.
AS far as regards the origin Of tho disease. It is
asrcriaincd that 1t was imported 10y two regl-
mcnts Of Cossacks who lately returned from tho
war in Turkey, and. In spite Of strict orders to
dsinfect everything. probably hid part Of
their booty. which. without doubt obtained the
germs Of the infection. When the disease flrst
showed itself 1t was rathcr neglected. and looked
upon merely rs variety Of typhus fever. and
1t was not until the mortality began to assume
alarming dimensions that the local auth oritios
began TO feel IL 10 be their duty to do something
toward arresting its further progress. Accord
inRly. strict quarantine was enforced. but the
Inhabitants Of Astrachan. seized with n panic
had begun 10 fiy In different directions SCATTER
ing on their way germs ~ the disease. which
advanced To inc north over the provinces OF
Sumura and SHrato1. and reached Inritzyn
This last named place ought especially to have
heen protected. being very important trading
town on the NoEa connected 10y rail with nj
most the whole Of Russia. and through II with
IN" rest of Europe. Having once passed that
place. the plague went on spreading tin 1t
reached Mini NovEorod. which II but few
honrs distant from Moscow. the centre Of Russia.
IL In n curious fact that some Of tho Russian
papers.nmong othor the lrdischebuVgd IcdO-
most Medical News -pcrsistenty deny the ex-
istcnc" OF the disease and simply treat II as an
IetGsbTger. HOchenslrQ and other papers
Openly speak Of 4 as the plague, The number
most contains kilograms from the Governors of
the INFECTED provinces lAstrachan and Saraioll
10 the Ministers Of the Interior which report
the present state OF affairs rs most hopeful
The mortality has decreased. and there are
very few new patients. most energetic quar-
villages are divided into districis which are
not allowed 10 communicate with each other
In some places i II stated that only 1--WE 10 ton
persons have died within week. The symp-
toms are described Ms being headache accom-
panled Gy Ever and sw"liing ofthe glands; The
most t"rrlble picture OF the present state OF
things In Russia
Whatever the disease may be. whether nero
ly eNanthomatic typhoid fever or n fetiris recgu'-
rrus or really tho plague It il certain II would
mover have assumed those terrible dimensions
II the Government Ind not treated 1t NJ FIRST
with objectionable neglect. IL Is almost too late
now To attempt 70 stop II. especially n the Rus
sian nation itself has very vague ideas regnrd-
ing sanitary arrangements and the misery
caused by the last war and the famine has un-
dcrminrd tnc forces Of the population, render
lux II unit 10 resist the infection. Another very
important thing II the want Of experienced
medical men in Russia. About one-th ird Of tho
Russian doctors died either during the war or
from typhoid fever. which followed IT, and a
large number OF Young students have been
summoned from hospitals and medical schools
10 take their plncne
The Wiener Meiicu,ische WOchenschrin in
Insists on the importance. in the interest Of the
whole ot Europe. OF providing Russia with doe
tors and helpin her to keep down and restrain
her powerful enemy Both DR. Zoeknuer and
Prof Botkin have declared the disease TO loo
really the plague in its worst form. They have
drawn this conclusion from the threatening
mortality NINETY per cent?, the rapid spreading
OF the disease and tho very few cases OF re-
covery. If any which have como under their
notice.
The s. Riersbughe' Medicinische Vochen-
schrW Of Doc. 80 lJan. IL merely gives short
notice on the disease, saying that although the
Government persists in calling 1t not epidemic
communications 10 the official papers. that it is
the plague"