The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1879-02-13
THE AsTRAKHAN PLAGUE.
Symptoms OF the DiHease-Farn1er Vista
tfOns of Ihe BLACK Death,''

AHS OASoeASS AO" IaNaSAHS buS OislLtCbs
of Astrakhan is the "bIack death"
which for ages has had its home in
Egypt, syria, Greece, Turkey snd the
adjoining provinces of Russia, to which
count cies it is now chiefly limited. The
people in the first infected districts are
dying, the report states, like flies. So
rapidly has the disease spread that fully
ten per cent. in the newly injected dis
tricts have died. No one dares touch
the dead, and they lie uuburied in the
streets.
In the commencement of the disease
there is q feeling of wearinass and fa-
tigue. shivering, nausea and sickness,
confusion of ideas, giddiness and pin in
the Ioins. These are quickly followed
By increased stuPor and deiirium, by
pal'or and flushing of the face, and
feeling of intense binding or construction
about the heart. Darling pains are felt
in the groins, armpits and other parts of
the body. The lymphatie glands be-
come enlarged and esTbuncles appear.
The tongue becomes dry and brown,
and the gums, teeth and Ii ps are covered
with dark fur, while the bowels
which are at first constipated, become
relaxed, and dark, offensive and some.
times bloody discharges are frequent.
The will loses its control over the mus
cles. About the second or third day
Iivid spots and stripes appear upon the
skin. In fatal cRses-and most are fatal
the pulse gradually sinks, the surface
becomes cold and clsmmy, the blood
oozes from the mucous surfaces, and
there is either coma or deliIium. TIE
victim usually fingers five or six days,
and may pass away without a struggle,
or in commissions. It is said that inject
ed persons might visit every country in
Earope be ore the symptoms were
recognized, and 10 this way endanger
the whole world.
The plague may be spontaneously en-
gendered by endemic or epidemic infu-
enees it may originate from local causes,
and may be propagated by peculiar CON
tagion. Temperature seems to exert
very great influence over it. In tropical
climates it is not known, and it does not
long Withstand the cold of northern
climates It's particular harvest time in
/ Europe is late IN the summer and eaJly
in the fall, especially in September.
Like the germs of yellow fever, it has
thus far evaded the examination OF
chemists and microscopists. As soon as
absorbed it alters the composition of the
blood and the condition of the tissues.
There is no universal cure for it. In
occasional instances fresh air may be OF
benefit. Cleanliness is generally pre-
ventive, and it is due to this and superior
ventilation that foreigners in the LsVant
are comparatively exempt.
In 1888, 50 Chinese historians tells us,
there were great commissions in nature,
and earthquakes aud foods, which were
followed by dr0uths ard famines. Hills
and lakes disappeared, and the gases
rising from the earth and decaying veg
tation and animals, rendered the air
excessively impure. Following these
eonvulsions came the great plague, and
before it entered Europe, 1900, 900 of
people in China and 25, ,OOe 900 people in
Western Asia and North Africa had
died.
It appeared in Russia, near where it
now prevails, in 1348 Constantinopie
was attacked, and from there it spread
over all Turkey. The disease was carried
to Italy, and from thence to France,
England, Germany and the Low Coun-
tyies. From England it was conveyed
TO Sweden, and passed over the Baltic
sea into Northern Russia. In only three
years it covered the whole of Europe
Halt the population of Italy died of it.
Fifteen continental cities lost 300, 900
inhabitants, London 100 600, and in
Europe 25. 100000 people perishei.
The terrible disease was attributed by
the superstit1ous to the Jews, who were
accused of poisoning the wells, so that
the water would breed pestilenee. Ba.
tire colonies of Jews were msssacred,
and thousands were 50 terrified that
they took their own lives. The disease
WIS extensively spread by numerous
bands of religious zealOts, who visited
town after town, tOrturing their bodies
in the vain hope of expjating the sins Of
the people. These Flagellants, as they
were called, com pTised both men and
women, who went about nearly naked
and each one wore a red cross upon the
breast. The church Teaped a rich haT'
vest, for many of its frightened subjects
gave to 1t their all. Tne donors were
obliged to throw their gifts over the walls
tof the enclosure, for the monks were
afraid to come in contact with them, anl
shut the gates. Multitudes sought Il
3 escape the disease by living in caves anC
woods, and starved. Some endeavoreC
to escape by the sea. They died, anc
e the sailors who picked up their boat
e shared ths came fate. ROtted bodie
g foated down the streams, polluting then
> and filling the air with contagion
I Some OF the delirious victims ral
: through the streets of the villages, tear
1 ing the hair and scratching the faces c
3 every one they met.
The plague of 1868, 1864 and 1856;
the last that prevailed very extensively
produced fewer deaths. In 1920 Mar
y. seilIes was almost depopul&ted, and i
= 1870 Turkey, Poland and Russia wer
again visited. From all reports tn
r,rasant rnIarms nrnnniseE tn daatrnv g