Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-07-16
THE BIRTHPLACE OF CHOLERA.

The Terrible Disease Distributed By PA.
grims From Hardwar and Mecca.
LoNpoy, July 1.-THE only countries
upon the globe to which cholera has not
been carried are the islands Ct the South
Pacific, Australasia, the Cape Of Good
Hope, the islands ofthe North Atlantic, and
the Western coast Of South America.
It's Birthplace.
Cholera has not been permanent outside
Of India, although il is seldom absent from
some of the provinces Of Hindustaa. Frea
its birthplace in the delta Of the Ganses,
the disease has effected a permanent lodg.
ment in the provinces Of Bengal Madras
and Bombay.
Hurdwar, in the Punjsb. 4, the foot Of
the Himalaya Mountains, is the great nur-
sery Of cholera. Ii never originates there.
but has annually been developed there dur
ing the great Hindoo festivals.
There immense numbers OF human BE-
ings gather upon bare, sandy plain on the
banks of the Ganges, massed like herds Of
swine, without means Of sanitary protec-
ton.
An Army OF Cooks.
They are fed from the Temple kitchen.
where as many as 4O, 900 cooks are at work.
and the food is distributed among them in
n rude way. When fresh il is not unwholc-
some, but too much OF il produces indiges.
ton and grea, sutferings. The half starved
pilgrims eat it like glultons, rush into tks
wnter again TO bathe and drink, and the rr-
suit is arrangement Of the digestive oegann
When they have eaten their gil, whatever
food is left is preserved. Under the hotsun
it soon becomes poisonous to the pilgrims
who eat il.
In these hotbeds OF disease, under condi
tons that would breed plague anywhere.
these pilgrims live. The living the sck
and the dying are huddled togethr,
with only Just s much space
As they can cover lying DOWN
Misery Increased.
But on the return journey the misery OF
the pilgrims reaches its height They are
sick and lame. but stngger along until ths
weak fall by the roadside to die. Thsir
bodies lie thickly along the journey uncover.
ed. Some drag their weary limbs until
they reach village, where they drop and
lie in masses, blocking mp the streets, until
they get strong enough 10 move forward, o.
die OF starvation and disease.
Those who do not die on the journey
carry the germs OF disease home seal.
iering pestilence along their path. Thus
the cholera is started on its periodical
march around the world.
Holy City of Mecca.
The Holy City Of Mecca is another great
distributing point for cholera; in fact, Il IL
a sort Of clearing house for all sorts Of In
fectious diseases. In lsG5, Il Is said, 10000
pilgrims died there Of cholera in six dayA
Constant professions Of pilgrims are passing
to and from Mecca; for this pilgrimage, st
leas, once in lifetime, is binding on oil
true Mohammedans.
The Return.
The return Of one pilgrimage 10 never
accomplished from any Of the larger settle
ments before another IL on the move.
Having arrived nj Mecca without rsst o.
food, the pilgrims enter at once upon thss
religious duties. Upon the arrival 81 ths
Kasba all drink and perform their sbluioas
in the well Of Iem Zem.
The water is tepid, salty, and milkiAh Ia
color. II might have been pure once, BATH
has no, been 20 in centuries. No pilgrim
ever qnib Mecca without carrying jar d
this nater away with him.
In Mecca sl the essentials for IN cpl
demic are constantly gathered, ~ vell 40
the means for distributing the germs o(
disease broadcast.
The present epidemic In France cen b
traced from Hurdwlr 10 Mecea. fsa
Neecs TO Egypt, aud thence along ths
Mediterranean to Toulon and NArseiEles.
strict Measures:
L0xpoy, July l5.--Edwin A. Merri.t the
United States Consul General, has refused
10 grant clean bills OF health " vessels
leaving London and Liverpool for ports In
the United States unless American in.
speciors certify to the health Of those oa
board.
Asked to Cooperate.
LONDON. July lj.-Anstria has asked the
Porte 10 cooperate In measures 70 pfeyent
cholera from entering Austria and Turkey.
Strut Out.
LIsBox. july I5.-yeSseis from infected
ports are forbidden 70 land passenger o.
cargo at any port Of Portugal
Quarantine at Odsssa.
OpEssa. July i5.-Two weeks of cholen
quarantine has been proclaimed here Against
French vessels from the MediteTanean.
TorLox. July l5.--Tbere were ssven
death, from cholera to-day between l0s.
m. and I p. m. Among the victims vss
the Chief Of Police.
Suggestion FROM the PIanbsvs.
CHc.Go, July l5.--Andrev Young. Prs-