The Pascagoula democrat-star., 1900-01-12

sometimes in extensive epidemics, as
the "Pall plague" in 1858, but most
in districts on the south
ern slope of the Himalayas; and it
was very prevalent in the province OF
Yunnan, China, in 1S7l-73. In both
these regions it existed at least down
to 1879.
The bubonic plague is the most des-
tructive Of all known epidemics. Rare
ly less than go, sometimes 80 per cent
of those attacked, die. 1t has often
carried off half Of the population OF a
town or district in which it prevailed,
and has even completely rooted out
whnle families SO that not so much AS
a single survivor remained. The Black
Death of l34S-50 is believed to have
destroyed not less than one-fourth of
the entire population of Europe.
THE SYMPTOMS.
The bubonic plague is a fever The
general symptoms resemble those Of
orher severe fcvers. 1T attacks the
system with chill. or shiyering.
Then there comes u rise OF tempera-
ture, followed by headache OF the most
severe kind. The back and limbs ache
and a deathly sickness quickly spread
to every part Of the body. Great weak
ness succeeds, with mental disturb
lance leading to coma or delirium.
Death often occurs before character
istic symptoms develop, su terrible is
the disease. At an early stage, dark
spots or patches, often appear on the
skin, produced by substantaneOus
hemorrhages, and bleeding may also
take place from the various mucous
membranes. Bleeding from the lungs
though rare in recent cpidemics, was
regarded as Il characteristic symptom
Of the Black Death in its most vru
lent form. About the second or third
day the most distinctive features Of
the disease are developed-viz., one OF
more buboes or glandular swelings,
usually in the groin, armpits, or on
the neck. These generally break and
lead to prolonged suppuration. In a
few cases they are absent altogether.
Carbunclcs not infreQuently develop
at Il later stage Of the disease.
TREATMENT AND CAUSE.
No specific treatment is known.
Good nursing, good punishment, free
stimulation, carly opening Of the bu-
boes. seem to comprise all that can be
done for the patient.
The cause OF the disease is as OBJ
scurc az that of most all other terrible
epidemics. There can be no doubt
but that it is highly infectious dis.
ease, and that the infection may be
conveyed by clothes and bedding, as
well as by direct contact.
In all bubonic plague epidemics 1t
has been observed that the unhealthy
conditions produced by poverty ard
filth are extremely favorable to the dis
ease, and that II has been less preva.
lent and severe among those in COM
Portable circumstances and healthy
surroundings.
FIRST ENGLISH VICTIMS.
The first English victims succumbed
in Dorsetshire in August, l34S.' The
plague reached London in the follow.
ing winter by way Of Gloucester and
Oxford. The havoc was almost in
credible, but it is well attested
Tawns were dropped Of their inhabi
tants; religious houses lost nine
tenths OF their inuates. In L0ndor
100, 600 died, $4,000 being buried in 4
plot of ground now covered by Smith
field. Norwich mourned 5000 deaths
Careful investigators have come Il
the conclusion that the victims OF this
0ne visitation must have comprised
0nc-t third, If not onc-half OF the t0ta
population OF England, which is es
timated to have been from 100000
to 5000, 900 in all.
For a time Scotland enjoyed immu
nifty, and its people spoke Of the ''fou
death OF the English" but soon, lik
Ireland, it was also severely visited.
RELIGIOUS FANATICISM.
The mortality caused by the plagu
was only one Of the startling c0nst
Quences at this time. Religious e,
citement led to extravaganza Of fana,
icism. especially 10 Germany, to tha
of the Flagellants; all natural bond
! OF human society were loosened, s
that friend deserted friend, and moth
ers fed from their stricken children
Decentralization showed itselfin wreck
less debauchery.
Elsewhere perverted Christian yea
! led to friphtful persecution OF tll'
Jews, as ut Mayence, where l2'OW
!, Hebrews we're believed to have beer
massacred.
SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES.
But II is only In modern ttaDss that
the extent Of the economic and Ns0cia
consequences Of this plague has beer
fully understood. The Black Deatl
forms a great economic turning pOin
In English history. The death Of la
borers caused wages In England to b
nearly doubled. Law after law. wa
passed 70 prevent the inevitable RE
Ia the payment OF lahOr. IN feclin
thus cngcndered between landholdei
and tillers of the soil led to numerou
svclal changes and tbs rebellion ,