The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1894-07-28

The Terrible f1asue Has Ragged In
China.
In the Spring Black Death Broke Out in
Canton. Thence Spread to Hong Kong,
Where II Ragged With Panic
Breeding virulence.

WASHINGTON, July 23.--Surgcon Gen.
eral Wyman, of the Marine Hospital
service. has receiveda a report regarding
the plague in China from DR.. Stuart
Eldridpe, q member Of the imperial
board of health of Toxic and health
officer of the port Of Yokohama. The
plague, he says, has been known to be
present In the Yunnan district Of South
ern China for at least fifteen years
past, at times epidemic in malignant
form. At the end of February last the
disease broke out in Canton, and al
most simultaneously was epidemic in
Pakhoi, port at the head of the Gulf
of Tong King.
During March and April the epidemic
in Canton steadily increased until in
the latter month it had assumed
gigantic proportions. The authorities
of Hong Kong, the center of trade in
the far east, half days journey from
Canton, and, in consequence, in very
frequent communication Herewith,
utterly ignored the existence of danger
even in their city, until in the first ten
days of May the plague broke out
violently and extensively in Hong
Kong.
Since it's appearance in Hong Kong,
the epidemic, which is unquestionably
the genuine bubonic plague of the most
malignant type, has steadily increased,
until, by the latest reliable advices,
the mortality is certainly over one
hundred per diem, and this despite the
fact that at least one hundred thou
| 6
have evacuated the place-the former
in many cases leaving on feeling the
first symptoms of the disease, in the
hope of dying in their native villages.
At least a dozen Europeans have been
attacked, most of them succumbing.
From Canton and Hong Kong the
disease is spreading throughout the
neighboring country, and will, prob.
ably, in a short time appear in the
coast towns of China to the northward
of Hong Kong, for, partly from the
carelessness in such matters but toe
prevalent among the English in the
or is likely to be established at these
points.
Several cases have already occurred
on the steamers trading from Hong
Kong to the Chinese ports, but, so far
and this is encouraging, without seri
Gus consequences, possibly on account
of prompt action on the part of the
ships surgeons.
A quarantine system has been put
into operation in Japan, largely under
DIR. Eldridge's advice and personal SUI
pervision, imposing on all ships from
the infected district a minimum deten
tion of nine days when all is well or
board, and the same in case of infec
ton, dating from last death AS al
the steamship lines between Hong
Kong and Japan are themselves talk
ing every precaution, SO far but ont
infected vessel has reached Japanes,
port. This was the Pacific Mail Steam
ship Co.'s Peru, on board of which
while at sea between Hong Kong ant
Nagasaki, one of the Chinese firemel
died of unmistakable and malignan
plague, on June 4, after but twenty
four hours illness. The surgeon o
the ship acted in an EXCEPTIONAL,
prompt and intelligent manner, ant
though the ship was quarantined Il
Nagasaki for the term of nine day
after the death, no more cases occurred
on board.
"If may presume to advise" say
DR.. Eldridge, II would say that tn
most stringent measures may need b
be taken to protect the United States
particularly as regards certain classe
of goods from China likely to conve.
infection, rags, old cotton, etc, ant
also such manufactured articles as ar
made in the little native workshops will
perhaps case of plague dying in tn
same room, such things as straw mat
ting, embroideries and every sort o
textile fabric. So long as the diseas
is kept out of Japan, SO long will thi
country be the best bulwarlk for tn
United States against the importation
of the disease. Should it break out il
any part of Japan, shall see that yo,
have every information by cable"
Forest Fires in Wisconsin.
WEST SUPERIOR, Wis, July eth
Superior fire department was called t