The evening times., 1899-12-18

That only the most rigid enforcement of
the quarantine laws will prevent the intro
duction of the deadly bubonic plague into
this country has been illustrated on several
occasions, notably in the cases of Spain
and Portugal. But the wide Infectious
ness of the disease has not heretofore been
so forcibly demonstrated as in report on
the outbreak of the scourge in Paraguay.
which has been issued by the State Depart
ment.
The report came from United States Con-
sui Albert W. Swain, whose station is at
Montevideo In his report IL is shown that
the disease was imported into that coun-
try by two firemen who arrived a
steamer from an infected port, and whose
deaths were supposed TO have been due 10
typhoid fever. In his report Mr.. Swain
says:
The outbreak OF the alleged bubonic
pest in Paraguay has been traced TO the
death in Ascuncion of two Portuguese fire.
men, who came direct from Portugal about
four months ago The death of the two
men was out of the usual order. but was
attributed to & condition arising from bad
food used on board ship. No post -mortem
examination was made. and the deaths were
reported as of the usual type OF typhoid
fever heretofore met and successfully dealt
with.
Appeared Among Troops.
Toward the latter part of August, the
disease appeared among company of
troops in barracks in Ascuncion. in such a
way as TO create doubt as TO its cnarac-
ter, and the sanitary authorities set about
the work Of more thoroughly cleansing the
barracks and town prisons
THE sParaguayan officials were frank
enough ito express their doubts as TO the
disease and TO invoke the best judgment of
their local medical world which included
French. Spanish, German, English. and
American physicians.
1T wss found that the pathological con-
ditions corresponded quite closely with
those of the bubonic plague. and il was
dsemed wise TO adopt the theory that it
might be the dreaded pest.
THE Argentine authorities took up the
matter with great diligence. followed by
the Brazilian. who closed the Matto Crosse
outlet absolutely. All commerce from
Paraguay has been stopped, and cargoes
for Buenos Ayres or Montevideo have been
turned back to Peragueyan ports. there to
be discharged and vessels and crews fumi-
gated in the most thorough manner. The
Argentine authorities have made the amp
lest sanitary preparation for the work. and
have established a sanitary Gordon cover
ing the entire river front on the Parana.
the Upper Parana. and the Paraguay riv-
ers. using a number of torpedo boats for
the purpose.
Declared TO BE Plague.
Paraguay sends down the river a great
many hides, the chief port of export being
Ascuncion. and they find their way to
Buenos Ayres and Montevideo and thence
into the hands of exporters. The hides are
deemed excellent means Of carrying infec-
tion of all kinds. and should the pest con-
unue special care will be required in their
reception at these ports, These Para
guayan hides are very largely taken for
the Spanish market, but the major part of
this product is not shipped through Mon
tevideo.
Paraguay Is such healthful land and
fevers and infectious diseases are so little
known there. that it is hoped that even
should this be the real East Indian plague,
II will appear in mild and less contagious
form. At all events. the Paraguayan au-
thorities are to be commended for the
thoroughness with which they acted. 1t is
a calamity to their business interests. and
they are richly entitled to the sympathy
of the friendly world.
THE disease has been officially declared
by the Argentine specialists TO be the true
bubonic plague"