The times., 1899-12-17
THE BUBoNIC PLAGUE.
China First Invaded by the Disease
About Five Years Ago.

The statement that the officers of the
Marine Hospital service at Washington
were much alarmed over the probability
of the introduction of the bubonic plague
into this country by way of San Francisco
was followed by the startling discovery
Of several cases Of the disease on the
British steamer J. W Taylor from San
tos. Brazil. on her arrival at Quarantine in
New York harbOr II is the generally ac-
cepted belief that such fearful scourges
as the bubOnic plague, which has been
ravaging various ports of Southern Asia
during the past few years. and is still
raging there, are not likely 10 spread far
beyond these countries, and that the more
highly civilized states of Europe and
America are practically free from peril in
this direction. Our more cleanly habits
I Of living, our strict quarantine laws. and
our more advanced knowledge OF hygienic
and remedial agents and agencies are sup
posed TO insure US to a large extent from
danger But according TO statements
made at the recent annual meeting of the
British Medical Association, our immunity
! from the plague is not so much OF a Ger
/ tainty as has been supposed.
/ Addresses on the subject were made be-
] fore the association by Dr. ". J. Simpson,
/ one Of the most prominent physicians in
/ Europe, and by other eminent men who
nave given years TO the investigation and
study Of epidemic diseases. From these it
I IS learned that the bubonic plague first ap-
peared in China about five years ago; that
4 it afterward advanced from China TO In
! dia. and thence to Egypt. It has a 50
shown itself in Persia. at the MauriJius,
I and other places; an outbreak has occurred
IN Russia at Kolobovka, in the Astraknan
] Government. and there has recently been a
/ temperance Of the disease in China and
/ India. But what is more to the point, the
! facts show that the plague has been slowly
/ but surely advancing TO the westW ard from
/ India. in spite of all precautions. and has
/ finally made its appearance in Oporto and
other cities in Portugal, where it is said
TO be more virulent than it is in Bombay.
Il first invaded this continent some weeks
I ago, several cases being reported from Rio
I de Jaueiro and other points in Brazil
/ European governments being alarmed at
the outbreak in Bombay, the Venice con-
} ference was called TO formulate rules and
. regulations for commerce and pilgrim traf-
I Gck having for their object the prevention
0f the Importation Of plague, more particu-
( lerly into Egypt and Europe, as well as
into other countries east Of the SUeZ Canal.
The rules ana regulations have been in
force some TWO years, and during that time
Notwithstanding q most rigid adherence
OF the part OF all concerned 10 the recon-
meudatiuus of the convention the plague
has reached the Persian Gulf the Mauri-
titus. the French Island OF Reunion NADIA
gascsr. and il rumor is correct, the Gold
Coast of tie French possessions in West
Africa. and now Portugal and this eXJen-
sion has happened though the rules We
formulated according to the most advanced
knowledge on the subject and by the most
eminent representatives, OF the powers
such being the facts, the English medi-
cal experts are agreed that extraordinary
measures should be adopted by the nation.
iu this part of the world TO prevent the
spread Of the plague within their borders
They urge the more general use OF the mos
approved prophylactic, asserting that inoc-
ulati0n is the most successful method o
combating the disease. Tney also recon-
mend the establishment CT laboratories anJ
. special departments for organized research
4 and enquiry into the nature Of the plague
and spread Considering the frightful re-
suits which have attended the existence o.
the disease in other lands it's tenacity O
life and lis persistent progress. no argu.
meut is needed 90 Justify the adoption o.
every possible safeguard that modern sci
ence has provided TO prevent i-s lodgmen
ia this country. No expense should bt
spared for If the matter is considered from
no higher standpoint than q financial one
experience has shown that the plague
wherever Il has acquired a firm hold, dis
organizes and paralyzes trade 10 such al
I extent thaL the money losses are immense