The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-02-06

Advices from Europe manifest great
and universal alarm concerning the
spread Of the plague, now becoming prev
alent in Southwestern Russia, where its
mortality is sreported as frightful. Under
the dread of a visitation by this fearful
scourge, the governments of Western
Europe are insttuting the most rigorous
measures of quarantine, by land and by
sea, againsS its spread into those coun-
tries. The Russian Government has
prescribed most vigilant police regula-
ton against any communication what
ever with the infected localities within
its dominions; and is seriously consider
ing the advisability of committing to
the flames the entire villages where this
dreadful disease has gained foothold, the
inhabitants being first removed and pro-
vided for, all else to be burned to ashes.
Should such measure prove really
efficient for the extinction of this deadly
contagion now threatening that Empire,
it would be the wisest and cheapest
thing to do for the public good. For,
the ravages heretofore sustained from
former visitations Of the plague would
well justify the resort to most extreme
measures to prevent its recurrence. And
it is in view of those previous ravages
that all Europe has become alarmed at
the present indications of the approach
Of this destroyer of whole nations of
men.
The origin of this desolating disease
that defes all human medication is trace
able to Eastern and Central Asia. Full
five hundred years have elapsed since il
first became known to Europe. In 1912
it appeared in Europe, but with no great
severity. Six years later, in 134S, it re-
turned with most malignant violence. 1t
was then commonly called by the appall-
ing name of "The Black Death" This
name was given it because of the dark
discolorations of the body as the disease
progressed towards a fatal termination,
which generally occurred about the
second day from the attack.
The first onset of the disease is indicat-
ed by extreme lassitude, chills, nausea
and confusion Of ideas. This is speedily
followed by giddiness, increased mental
disturbance, low delirium, pains darting
through the loins, and intense cramping
and construction in the region of the
heart. Soon the lymphatic glands of
the groin and armpit are attacked. They
rapidly enlarge and break, producing ter
rible running ulcers. Boils, deep-seated,
like carbuncles, appear on various parts
Of the body. Stupor ensues. About the
second day lvid spots, like "black and
blue" from a bruise, appear on the skin.
This eccbymosis spreads and grows
darker. 1t indicates the dissolving of
the tissues beneath the skin and the es-
cape of the blood from its proper vessels.
Soon this extravasated fluid pours out as
bloody sweat through the skin. Bloody
discharges occur from all the mucous
membranes. Inc patient rapidly sinks,
becomes comatose, stupefed, and dies
without convulsion or struggle. Nc
medicine has ever been found capable OF
withstanding the rapid strides of this
disease, not inappropriately named ''The
Black Death"
1t seems singular. that the old Cont
ncnt of Asia should have given to the
world nearly all the more dreadful epi
@emic and contagious diseases. But 50 il
il. When the plague was first intro
duced into Europe its course of approach
was traced along the line of. travel taker
by the trading. caravans from Eastern
Ash, to the Black Sea. Since that time
the plague has become to some exten
dcmesticated in the region around tn,
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