Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1900-03-29


) Natives of wealth and influence, who
: wear European clothes and speak
English fuently, insist there is no bu-
, bonic plague in India, and that II is
: only an excuse for conspiracy in
} tended 20 Kill of certain natives and
for couhscating the estates of those
whom the native inspectors willfully
poison, ana for obtaining money
They say the paltry salary that
plague inspectors receive Is not suf-
hcient 70 induce any one to undertake
Isuch work among real plague suffer
ers, and they wax warm as they cite
cases supporting their view Hun
dredS of cases are known to have
been Incorrectly called bubonic plague
until the native or European Inspector
was paid his bribe. Then the house
was not sacked, the business destroy
ed nor the members Of the family
sent 10 plague hospitals never to re
turn
The native popuace's acquaintance
with such occurrences accounts for
the flight TO the hills of many wealthy
native families. They flee in terror
mot from the plague, but from the per-
secution they expect They would
Willingly hide a case of plague in their
home utterly fearless OF it and re-
sardleSs of the danger to others 4
Mohammedan would rather die in his
house than 20 to a hospital for treat
ment 20 all measures OF isolation
. las led O. .',tf
ism also presents a hostile front
Europeans in India do not dread the
plague, 1t attacks chiefly the natives
and those of very uncleanly habits
Nearly all Europeans in India who
have died from ii have been nurses
or those connected with its treatment
Tourists and resident foreigners
Throughout India miugle in the most
leongesred quarters of the native town
section, unmindful of any danger
from plague However, life does not
seem 10 have The same value in india
as in America. II resident dies
they merely remark TOO bad, poor
fellow and continue their amuse-
ments and pleasures During the
great mortality from plague at the
little town OF Poona a mountain re-
sort, the racing continued daily. only
one or two races being postponed for
cause.
The banks Of all rivers and thous-
ands Of tanks and every little pool af-
ford constant panorama
Here the dhobl or washerman
brings his work, and the natives gath
er TO battle and drink the mixture.
At Calcutta. Benares and other places,
thousands line the rivers banks for
miles
Most public tanks and ponds are
covered with thick green scum The
dhobl pushes the scum away and, as
ii Wild, whips and beats the clothes
upon a rock or the stonesteps OF the
tank Then he spreads them on the
bare earth, unless grass Is near A
/, few minutes suffice for drying, Often
two natives hold the garment in hand
until dried by the fierce sun. The
garments are frequently torn. poorly
washed. never fresh and clean The
thought that your linen must pass
through such stagnant filthy water
makes one shudder.
There Is continuous procession OF
natives to and from the bathing
places The largest crowds are in the
early morning They each wash their
dirty costume. scrub each other, rasp
their feet, lather their heads with mud,
rub their teeth for a quarter Of an
| ~ 4
gdreling all the time like so many
fountains While all this is going
on those who have finished their ablu-
tions wade about amidst the throng
elbowing their way among the swarm
and dipping their brass water bottles
teyery native has one) brimful of the
sacred mixture and drink il with rap
tufe Then they refill and carry a
supply homeward for others 10 drink
or to sprinkle over certain idols and
sacred spots on their way back Some
Hndus, thus worshiping, immense
themselves 80 times without ceasing
IN the holy river and you think they
, are about 10 commit suicide
The Mohammedan idea Of health
matters is about on a par with the
the Hlndus. and such persons cook ing
everything you eat and doing your
laundry and all work. IL is no wonder
that The young Englishman stationed
, under three 10 five year contract grows
weary and looks on India as She land
Of regret and exile.