The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1894-06-23
Spread of Black Death.

SAN FRANCISCO, June 19.-The steamer
Belgic arrived yesterday with fuller
details of the black plague, now raging
at Hong Kong. When the vessel cleared
the scare resulting from the first dis
closures of the epidemic's progress had
subsidized considerably and it was hoped
that the disease would soon be stamped
ont. Mortality statistics, however, re-
vealed the terribly fatal character OF
the disease. Despite the operations OF
the sanitary staff and police, assisted
by the army medical staff corps and
soldiers from the Shropshire regiment,
about 500 new ases had been reported
within week and there had been 400
deaths. Heavy rains about the middle
of May were hailed as great blessing
The water supply had been nearly ex-
hausted, the drains of Hong Kong were
filed with poisonous gases, the plague
had been spreading in the most densely
populated part of the city, and to cap
the climax, an outbreak of smallpox
was dreaded.
For day or two people thought the
epidemic was losing its virulence. An
other favorable indication appeared to
be tie cooperation of Chinese. who
were said TO be assisting In the detec-
ton of cases and the removal OF patients
to the hospital. The rate of mortality
dropped temporarily. The sanitary
authority gained encouragement, and
while the rain water washed out some
public and house drains, disinfectants
were scattered about and injected
houses were cleaned ard whitewashed.
The Chinese supplemented the sanitary
nrecantions with a vast amount Of
cracker firing, which they calculated
would have salutary effect by driving
out the evil spirits whom they regarded
as responsible for the visitation OF inc
plague. A house to house visitation IN
search of victims of the plague was
kept up by the police, bat they were
unable to get through the crowded
houses of the infected district with
sufficient celebrity 10 overtake all cases.
Soldiers were consequently detailed TO
assist ia the unpleasant task. Inc IN
creased vigilance revealed greater
number of patients. The prevalence OF
disease created good deal of alarm In
different shipping centers in communi'
cation with Port Saisnon and the other
forts of the French colonies, ana
Manila imposed q1arantide upon all
vessels arriving from Hong Kong. Sim
rapcre followed suit and the aspect OF
shipping interests is becoming serious.
The discovery of more cases aroused
the enmity of the Chinese, who had for
a short time been willing to cooperate
with the authorities In Bringing to
light all knownc cases. This Willingness
diminished probably, on account OF toe
heavy proportional mortality which &C
companies the disease. Attempts were
made to evade inspection. Sick per
sons were removed from house to house
at the approach of the police houses
were barricaded and In few cases thu
officers engaged in the disagreeaol'
duty were stoned by the infuriate'
Chinese. Owing TO these dificultie
the ep,demi: gained renewed virulence
Rumors that the plague had arpeare'
. in Japan prove to be unfounded.
News from Canton, where the plagu
, started, states that the deaths no'
average 200 daily. During March ~