The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1900-06-05
Another Plague scare.

bubonic plague scare, which. from
all the facts known, we are able to
denounce as equally groundless
with that which originated in the
same source last March.
This latest alarm began with The
case of a Chinese who was under
treatment for malarial fever, &C.
companied, in its acute stage, by
swelling OF the glands. In that
stage his case came under coguizance
of some one connected with the
Board OF Health, and the conclusion
was jumped at that he had bubo nic
plague. The subsequent proceed
ings followed. Iuoculation was de.
cided upon, and the whole Asiatic
population Of the city has been put
under duress to submit to the serum
treatment at the hands OF all sorts
OF employees Of the Board of Health.
There are vague reports of from two
to eight cases of the plague, noue
located nor identified, aud the re-
port OF each attended by the in
formation that the victims were also
suffering from ether diseases previ-
Gus to the assumed presence OF the
capital ailment. This treatment OF
the matter has resulted 10 a we'll
developed panic outside Of San
Francisco, causing a distinct en-
barge upon our commerce and a
shadow upon the export trade and
the prosperity of the whole State
for the entire year.
The time has come for some posi-
tive action on ths part OF the people
OF this city. We have here scienti-
fc physiciane, with the caution aud
modesty which accompany that
character. They are not compelled
to exc out an income by seeking
political position and it's emolu-
ments. They have regard for
their own professional reputation
and for the welfare OF this city.
Their services should be secured to
settle at once this highly vital mat
ter. Since the FIRST needless scare
of last March the newspapers here
have kept a close watch upon the
matter, with able scientific assist
ance, and have been ready at the
appearance OF danger to frankly
disclose all the facts. They have
found no occasion to make any dis
closure, further than that the plague
is not here. The pathological pecu,
liarities Of common disease among
Asiatics are not known to American
practitioners, except to the few who
practice among that race. There
are few physicians OF approved
scientific standing here who have
Asiatics among their clientele, and
80 far not one OF them has given his
testimony to the existancs of sim
gle case OF plague here.
1t is a matter Of such supreme
seriousness TO the whole State as to
dwarf all other matters. The county
organization of physicians has re-
fused to endorse the statement here
tofore made that plague is here.
Their action was based upon posi-
tive knowledge derived from the
professional contacts OF members of
the society. On top of this comes
the admission OF the State Board OF
Health itself that there is no plague
here.
The issue now il, how to remove
the impression that has been un
fortunately propagated abroad, to
the Unreasonable injury OF Califor.
MIA and to the probable loss of a
whole years commerce.
The Call desires to go upon rec
ord in the most positive manner, up
on knowledge obtained through the
exertion OF all The resources at COM
mand OF a newspaper, that there has
been aud is no bubonic plague in
San Francisco. But a newspaper
cannot alone undo the harm that is
being done. There must be immedi.
ate action by the mercantile and