New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-21
HISTORY OF THE BUBONIC PLAGUE
SUPERINTENDENT wYMAN POINTS OUT
THE NECESSITY OF ESPECIAL
VIGILANCE,

Washington. jan 2O.-An interesting and valua-
BILE brochure, giving complete history OF the bu-
bonic plague, together with means which have been
adopted for its prevention, has been prepared and
made public by SUPERINTENDENT Wyman. of the
Marine Hospital Service. It is a partial repro
ducton OF a somewhat similar work issued by
DR.. Wyman several years ago, when the plague
made it's appearance In some of the Eastern
countries supplemented by data gathered since
then. 1t is shown that the plague under various
names is disease which has ravaged the coun-
tries of Africa, Asia and Europe almost from time
immemorlal Pestiences supposed TO have been
the plague prevailed in Athens 1929 B. c. One
historian calculates that one-fourth the population
of Europe. % 10000 persons. died in all the
epdemcs in the fourteenth century.
An interesting account is given of the origin and
spread OF the present epidemic the first recorded
instance of its occurrence In the Western Hemis-
phere being at Santos, Brazil IN October last The
opinion is expressed that in the light Of expert
ence in other parts Of the world 1t seems reason
able to believe that even were the disease intro
duced here It's spread would be limited In cities
where the sanitary conditions are good and where
precautions to the isolation Of patients and the
segregation Of those exposed to infection could and
would be practised The death rate varies In
different epdemcs. and is estimated at from so to
80 per cent There is variation also according
to nationalites, Chinese seemingly being the most
susceptible
The spread of the plague from one country to an
other presents many curious features In marked
10 Otner epidemic contagious and in
fectious diseases. Contiguity of territory while
the most general avenue. does not seem to be es-
sental but the disease proceeds place TO place
by leaps and bounds. often skipping large inter
mediate tracts, but usually following the beaten
tracks OF commerce.
Dr. Wyman expresses the opinion that the quar-
antine methods Of the United States are we'll
adapted to meet emergencies. though the National
laws should be strengthened. In a letter sub
hitting the matter to the Secretary of the Treas
ury he says:
From the facts set forth in the article 1t is
IN the inspection at quarantine of vessels even
though they hail from nOn-infected ports they
may carry passengers crew, stOwaways mer-
chandise from plague-infected districts.
OF other regulations at domestic ports, supple
mented by the information conveyed by medical
officers OF the service In foreign ports and their
surveillance over vessels, II Is hoped that no case
OF plague Will be admitted. But should this mis-
fortune occur, the observations detailed In the
be made 10 avail, while have In the curative
serum and the Haffkine prophylactlc additional
and effective weapons In preventing the spread
of the disease
While these facts are encouraging In character
IL should not be forgotten that the epidemic Is
surely though slowly extending and that for
the nrst time In history II has invaded the Western
hemisphere. The necessity, therefore, of especial
vigilance has been and is still being impress ed upon
quarantine offlcers by the Bureau, and equal I'm
py municipalities, especially those on the seaboard
20 correct Immediately unsanltary conditions which
are now so we'll known 10 favor the propagation
OF infectious disease