The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-07-15
THE BLACK DEATH I'M CHINA.
Fears That 1t VIII Sweep Over Easter
Asia Before 1t Disappears.

Fears That 1t VIII Sweep Over Eastern
Asia Before 1t Disappears.
BLACK DEATH" that mysterious dis
ease which has been creating such havoc
among the natives at Canton, seems
destined TO sweep over eastern Asia.
Hong Kong has been attacked by this
insidious and fatal enemy, and already
hundreds have succumbed to it. The
colony is almost shut off from communi-
cation, save by telegraph, with other
Asiatic ports, and every effort is being
made to check the spread Of the plague
Strict quarantine regulations have been
made, and outgoing steamers on oriental
lines carry neither freight nor passen-
gers.
But the germs Of tho disease seem to
be in the air, for latest news is that
deaths by tho plague have already &C.
Cured in japan. Tho natives are panic
stricken.
The plague made its appearance in
Hong Kong about May 10, when many
dead rats were found in the streets.
This is the first sign the disease makes,
Usually other animals arestricken before
human beings arc affected. The spread
of tho disease was most rapid. In a few
days the victims claimed numbered
nearly 80 daily. 1t was even more fatal
there than in Canton, fully go per cent
Of those seized dying in about 48 hours.
One cause that led to this result was
that there had been no rainfall for a
long period, and all streams and sources
of drainage were foul. Vigorous steps
were taken to secure artificial flushing
Of all drains, and thorough cleansing
of the entire city was had, but there
was no decrease until about the Goth,
when several heavy rain storms CO.
CURED.
Health officers made house to house
canvass of the district of the city where
the disease seemed to center, and all
sick persons were removed to the Hygeia,
tho hospital ship in the harbor. The
dead were taken in charge by the same
officials and buried at once in a place
especially selected
When the disease was at its worst.
the deaths in the hospitals numbered
about 30 daily. In some cases whole
families were exterminated in few
days. Europeans seem to be almost
proof against the disease, although in
some cases their surroundings were the
same as those Of the Chinese. An excep-
ton to this is the death of several Por-
tuguese in Hong Kong.
The cause of the strange malady is a
1,,,t 20 ,,,,J0,,hto11r a I'll,
disease. A physician who had large ex-
perienoe with the black plague in PAX
hoi some years ago said in an interview
that it was due to foul smells. The
plaques symptoms as described already,
are as follows: With or without pre-
monitory warning in the shape of chill
there is a sudden fever rising to 105 de-
grees or over. There is much headache
and cerebral disturbance, accompanied
by stupor. In from ! 2 to "a hours q CLAN
dular swelling occurs in the neck, arm
pit or groin, rapidly enlarging to the
size of q fowls egg. 1t is hard and ex-
ceedingly tender. With or without a
decline Of the fever the patient sinks
deeper into condition of coma and
dies usually at the end of 48 hours or
sooner. He declared that animals were
affected first, because the germs were
near the ground.
Native reports from Canton say that
tho epidemic is somewhat decreasing
there, but many new cases are still re-
ported. 1t is said that fish are also
stricken, and fishermen in some dis
tricts have been forced to cease opera
lions. San Francisco Chronicle.