The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-04

The War Department has just received
from Manila several mailed reports on the
outbreak Of the bubonic plague In The Phil
ippines. These reports show that The
dreaded disease has been confined almost
entirely TO Chimes. From December -
TO January 20. o period Of three weeks,
there were fourteen genuine cases Of the
plague with eleven deaths. on January "A
two more cases were reported by the SAM
tary inspectors OF the Health Department.
Both were Cinnamon.
The reports show that the disease has not
spread beyond Manila and General Gus has
established a special sanitary department
for lhe purpose OF combating leprosy as
well as the plague. The san Lasaro Hos
pital is being used as pesthouse. Great
assistance is being rendered by thirty-twO
Chinese citizens under the direction OF the
Chinese Consul. Inspectors Of the sani-
tary department make regular rounds
through the Chinese quarters. each in
spector being accompanied by one OF these
Chinese.
A prominent Chinaman named Don Car
los Pslanca has assumed the personal di-
rection OF the work Of the Chinese yolun-
teers. all OF whom are fluent Spanish
speakers and are familiar with the Tsgalo
tongue Major Brown. OF the Medical De
parfment is making every effort TO stamp
out the disease. Every house where lnfec-
iious diseases OF any kind are reported Is
thoroughly disintected and the residents
rsccinated.
Major Eddie. who is in charge OF the
health department has urged upon Gen
n.s. Of l. h.
lshed municipal laboratory. In Spanish
DAYS there we're four laboratories for ana
lytical purposes in Manila municipal,
medico-legal and a military laboratory. and
the vaccine station. The vaccine station
has been continued, and military labora-
tory established in conjunction with the
First Reserve Hospital.
The work OF the important branch OF the
health department under Major Brown has
been so effective that on January 20 but
five cases OF plague we're in the pest hos-
pital. Three cases Of leprosy were discov-
cred on that day, two being Tagalos ana
one n Chnaman. The reports say that
cases Of leprosy are being discovered nearly
every day and Il is surprising how much
Of il has existed. So far there have been
no cases OF plague reported among Ameri-
can troops or civilians. II was reported in
Manila that there was one suspected case
gu board the cruiser New orleans, out Ine
officials az General Otis headquarters had
no confirmation OF the report.
Cable advices received at the War De
partment from General Otis show that the
health OF the soldiers is gradually improv-
ing The number of sick in the hospitals
of Manila and Corregidor Island has been
reduced nearly 1.0C0 within five weeks. On
January 10 General Otis reported 2,435 sick
IN the hospitals. later report reduced
this to 2,3S1. On February Is the number
Of sick was 2G5l, and on February 26 Cen
eral Otis cabled that the sick numbered
1881 being a reduction Of 904 since jan
uary 1s.
Military hospitals have nov been estab-
lished at Cavite, Corregidor Island. san
Fabian Dagupsn. and Iloilo. General Otis
Is so well pleased with the peaceful con-
ditions prevailing at these places that he
has permitted trained female nurses 70
work In each Of these hospitals. II has
also been decided 20 place two trained
nurses on each OF the army transports 70
assist in the care OF convalescent soldiers
returning 70 the United States.