The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-03-12
IT IS PLAGUE
No Longer Doubt That San
Francisco Has 1t.
Animals InOculated With Virus
From the Body
OF DEAD CHINAMAN.
OF DEAD CHINAMAN.
ALI Die With Plague Symptoms
But the Monkey.
Board of Health Decides 1t Is
the Real Thing.

San Francisco, March 12.-At a special
meeting of the board of health held to
consider the plague situation, there were
present besides the members, DR.. kim
youn, federal quarantine officer; DR.. Gas
saway of the United States Marine Hos
pital Service. and Prof Armstrong of the
University of California. DR.. Kinyoun
reported that all of the animals at the
quarantine station on Angel island, which
were inoculated with virus from the body
of the Chinese who expired a few days
ago under suspicious circumstances, had
died. with the exception of the monkey,
and it was in a dying condition An au-
topsy on the rat and guinea pig showed
that they had developed symptoms of
the genuine bubonic plague.
After discussing the matter the board
decided that the Chinese who died at 101
Dupont street had been afflicted with the
plague. A request was made for 100 vol
unteers from among the members of the
medical profession to make a house to
house examination and aid the board is
thoroughly fumigating and disinfecting
the entire quarter. A quarantine was not
declared, but the board adjourned at an
early hour this morning to meet at noon
today, when it is predicted that such ac-
ton will be taken.
The board of health has agreed that
the work of inspecting Chinatown with
a view to improving its sanitary condi-
IlOn snail DeSln at once. Inc SecIlOn VIII
be diStricted and every day until every
danger is passed, every house will be Wis
tied and every occupant inspected Re-
liable Chinese will be detailed to accom-
pany the physicians and the police will
render what assistance they can. These
Chinese will be supplied for the work by
the six companies. Until another case
of plague develops, Chinatown will re-
main free from quarantine, but people
are required to have as little communi-
cation as possible with the suspected dis
trict.
When the Chinese learned of the action
of the board of health, there was an exo-
dUs from Chinatown or those who are
employed. outside of the district, which
may again be quarantined.
DR.. ]. NJ. Williamson, president of the
board of health says:
Regarding the case in question, there
is no cause for panic 1t may be sporadic
and no others may develop, but if sub
sequent Investigations show that new
cases follow the one mentioned, have
every reason to believe the inspection
just inaugurated by the department, will
minimize the danger to such an extent
the disease viii not succeed in getting a
foothold in the city"
No alarm is felt by physicians who
discuss the matter and some doubt is yet
expressed as to the nature of the disease
from which the Chinese died. Consul
General Ho Vow says:
4 believe that this is nothing more nor
less than a ruse on the part of the board
of health to prevent the liability to dam
age suits which have frequently been
threatened on account of the outrageous
acts of last week in quarantining the
Chinese quarters. There never was any
bubonic plague in Chinatown, but if there
was 1 would be the first person to assist
in protecting the health of San Francisco.
THE case in question was made the
subject of a thorough examination by my
self, and l will not hesitate to say that
the public need not be alarmed. The man
was sick for some time. and died of an
ailment which is common, though not
contagious.
IF any more attempts are made to
blockade the Chinese quarters We are
prepared to procure injunctions from the
courts and will protect the rights of our
people as far as possible"
Washington, March 12-The state de-
partment has been informed by the
United States minister at Buenos Ayres
that the bubonic plague has made its
appearance at that important CONNER
cial port