The times., 1899-10-21
THE BUBoNIc PLAGUE.
steps Taken 20 Prevent Its Introd "a
tion Into This Country.


tiop Into This Country.
Considerable alarm has been created in
the Marine Hospital Service over the ap-
pearance of the bubonie plague in Brazil
Surgeon General Wyman has received a
cablegram from Inspector Wavelburg. ot
the Marine Hospital Service, at Rio Janeiro.
Brazil. saying that the plague had broken
out at Santos, Brazil. Six cases and two
deaths were reported. and IL was stated
that autopsies in the fatal cases confirmed
the diagnoses. Inspector Wavelburg said
that isolation was possible.
There have already been several cases
OF the bubonic plague reported from As
cuncion Paraguay. The appearance Of the
plague at Santos. a coast city only short
distance from Rio JaueiTo, is regarded as
serious. The great shipping interests there
render serious peril TO the United States.
NO case or suspected case Of plague and
no baggage that has been exposed TO the
disease will be permitted 10 leave Santos
for the United States. Officers at all OF
the seaport towns along the North At
lantic coast have been ordered to make a
careful inspection OF all vessels from san
tos and other seaport towns in the vicinity
No one will be permitted TO land from a
vessel which cannot show a clean bill Of
health As soon as case is discovered at
Santos it will be isolated. and the greatest
vigilance exercised in keeping the disease
from spreading.
Surgeon General Wyman said yesterday 10
Times reporter thar he had taken active
steps for the prevention OF the admission
Of the scOurge to this country He believes
there can be no doubt that the bubonic
plague is in Santos. il the diagonsis OF the
two cases sent him is correct. In these
cases the disease affected the glands and 10
twenty four hours the victims were dead.
The surgeon general had ordered the
medical officer at Rio Janeiro 20 proceed
Immediately to Santos. and to report all
details. He is 10 assist the American Consul
IN the creation OF a perfect quarantine
The colonial government Of Mauritius
has imposed additional internal taxes in
order to raise money to be used in stamp
ing out the plague. Consul Camp
I bell, Of Port Louis. writes to the State De-
partment. as follows
AT the meeting of the Chamber OF Com
merce Of Mauritius. the question OF i'm
| posing an additional excise duty was dis
| cussed. The finances OF the colony have
made this TAX necessary. owing TO the
great depression Of the cane-sugar indus
try. An ordinance Ievying a tax OF 10 per
cent on all imports and exports went into
effect on January of this year. Within
the past ten days another ordinance has
been passed levying duty of 10 per cent
on home and foreign spirits. as well as on
all other imported commodities.
1T is alleged that this new duty is rem
dered necessary to meet the extraordinary
expenditure in connection with efforts TO
stamp out the bubOnic plague, which broke
out in Mauritius in January, 1899, and dur
ing the past few months has assumed the
nature Of an epidemic. Deaths are now
daily reported from all parts Of the ISL
and, and the mortality in Port Louis has
been greater, in proportion to the popula-
ton. than in Bombay Placards have teen
posted over the town requesting the in
habitants TO receive incubation with the
Haffkine serum, which is administered free
Of charge by the medical officials OF the
Government. Only small percentage OF
the people, however, especially those OF the
lower classes. have availed themselves OF
the opportunity"