The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-08-26
FIGHTING THE EPIDEMIC.
Alarming Spread of the Cholera
in St Petersburg.
THE DREAD DISEASE AMONG THE
TROOPS AT HAMBURG.
Many More Deaths Added to the AL
ready Long Lfst-The Disease Abat-
ing In F1orence-Great Precautions
Being Taken at New York and
Other American Ports.
Special to the REcoRD-UNIoN.


first persons to fall victims to the disease
were dock laborers. They were taken to
the hospitals, where the doctors, though
they were probably fully aware the
disease was Asatic cholera, stated to
newspaper correspondents that it was
common cholera and nothing was to be
feared from it. They acted on the worn
out theory that concealment of the dis
ease will prevent its spread. That their
reasoning was fallacious was very soon
proven. for other patients were soon
taken to the hospitals suffering with the
same disease, and the number of cases
has constantly increased since. The first
victims died almost Immediately after
entering the hospitals, and the appear
ance of the bodies, if nothing else, was
sufficient proof that common cholera had
not caused the deaths. The bodies re-
tanned their heat for longer period than
IS usual when death is caused by another
disease, and they looked as though they
had been through long attack OF sick
ness. Many physicians hold that post
mortem examination would have re-
vealed the fact that malignant and not
simple cholera was the cause of death.
TROOPS INFECTED.
HAMBURG, Aug. 25.-Considerable ex-
element has been caused by the appear
ance Of cholera among the troops. Three
cases Of the disease and one death oc-
Cured in regiment temporarily quar-
tered here. The regiment was ordered to
leave Hamburg and remain isolated until
all risk of their spreading infection had
passed.
The weather continues intensely hot
and the sun is unfortunately favorable TO
Growth nhOIQra 10
however, more wind prevailing to-day
and this adds somewhat to the comfort of
the city. Yesterday there were eighty
two new cases of the disease reported
and the deaths amounted to thirty-one.
The papers here, which have been ac-
cused OF greatly exaggerating the situa-
ton, turn on the authorities to-day and
attack them for persistently denying the
presence in Hamburg of Asiatic cholera
until the violence of the outbreak made
the concealment no longer possible. They
claim that if the authorities had admitted
at the start that the disease was true chol-
era, sanitary measures might have been
enforced that would have prevented the
spread of the disease to the extent it has
now reached.
Advices received at st. Petersburg from
Astrakhan, on the Nolga, show the
cholera, which has been ravaging that
city, has lostrits epidemic character.
SPREADING IN ST. PETERSBURG.
ST. PETERSBURG, Aug. 25.-The dis
ease is spreading in this city, but the peo-
pie now show little concern about it.
Though the new cases reported here are
larger the death rate is smaller The
doctors say the disease is less virulent in
its character, and that in addition to this
the number of deaths has been lessened
by better arrangements for the treatment
of patients.
When the disease first became epidemic
the physicians in the city were greatly
overworked, but now number of doc
tors from other places are serving in the
hospitals, and much closer attention can
be given 70 the sufferers. The number OF
hospital attendants has, also, been largely
increased. There has been no relaxation
in the strict sanitary regulations, and
any violation is met with prompt punish
ment
1t is believed the custom that prevails
among the poorer classes, many of whom
during the summer leave the city and
live at Staraya, Novaya. Derevina, PoIus-
trovo, and other suburbs of st. Peters
burg, has done much to prevent the NOR
tally in the city from being greater AS
yet these places have been little affected
with the disease, though the outlook is
better.
At present the authorities are looking
forward anxiously to the beginning of
cold weather, when the germs of the dis
ease will became harmless.
One reason for the people of st. Peters
burg not getting panic-stricken over the
disease is that European, and perhaps
also ASiatic cholera, is endemic in the
city, an average of $500 deaths annually
being due to this cause. During the pres
ent epidemic the deaths have, of course,
been far more numerous than usual, but
with the disease ever present, in the short
but hot summer that prevails here the
people have in measure lost the fear
Of it.
Yesterdays new cases of cholera were
Ia in excess Of those reported Tuesday,
and the deaths were eighty-tour in excess
of those reported the same day. Yester-
day the totals for Russia, according to
official figures, were 5,679 new cases and
2, 743 deaths.
PROF. KoCH'S VIEWS.
BERLIN. Aug. 25.-The carriages of ale
trains arriving at Berlin and Cologn-
from Hamburg are locked until passen-
gers are examined by physicians. Prot
lessor Koch is reported to have said tha-
the number of cases of cholera in Hame
burg was not great in proportion to tn 1
population, but the yirulent character
the disease gives grounds for the great
est possible anxiety.
In consequence of the facilities for the
sleeping cars, that service between Ham
burg and Berlin has been suspended.
A passenger who arrived here to-day
from Hamburg showed symptoms of the
disease when he reached the CITY. He
was at once conveyed TO the hospital
where he was isolated. The wife of a
merchant Of this city died last night. 1t
is believed her death was due to Asiatic
cholera. The weather. residents of the
city are beginning to grow uneasy, and
it would not be surprising if an exodus
should commence.
THE STEAMERS.
LONDON, Aug. 25. = The Hamburg
American Packet Company, in view of
the prevalence of cholera at Hamburg.
has decided to entirely withdraw its fast
steamers from that port for the present.
Henceforth their vessels will make
Southampton the port of departure and
arrival.
No special precautions are being taken
by other companies running ships be-
tween Hamburg and London against the
cholera, except TO enforce more strictly
the rule that no pauper emigrants be
carried. All persons arriving in the
Thames supposed to be infected with
cholera will be sent to an isolated hos
pital, prepared below Gravesend. The
Local Government Board met to-day to
decide upon measures for the protection
of the metropolis from cholera.
ABATING IN FRANCE.
PARIS, Aug. 25.-The Sanitary Chief
of the War Office declares that the cholera