The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-10-06
Hitherto the United states Has Es-
eaped. but There l. No Certainty
that mmunity May Continue.
TENS OF MILLIONS OF VICTIMS
APPALLING FATALITY OF THE DIS
EASE IN EUROPE AND ASIA.
symptoms of the ScourGe. Modes of
Transmission and steps Tint May
BE Taken 10 Guard Against IL.

Surgeon General Walter Wyman. OF the
United States Marine Hospital Service,
with headquarters in Washington, is doing
his utmost 10 prevent the dreaded bubonic
plague from becoming epidemic in this
country, and the fact that this terrible
scourge has been kept at bay thus far is
doubtless due largely TO the rigid enforce
ment Of quarantine regulations and the
prompt attention given TO cases of the
plague as soon as discovered. The United
States is enjoying a singular immunity
from this devastating scourge, but there Is
no real certainty that the black death
viii never sweep away people by the mil
lions, as it has done in times past in Eu-
rope and Asia. Even now it is raging in
India, where the deaths range from 1.5O0
to 1900 a week, and threatens TO again be-
come epidemic over the greater part of
that country. Since the winter of 1861.
when the recent visitation first broke out,
it is that over half a million
victims have been swept into the grave by
the pestilence in India alone. The plague
commission is attempting to prevent its
extension by improving the sanitary condi-
tiOns of the people. In China the plague is
epidemic in parts of Canton and through
out the province of Kwang-Tung. 1t is
found from Hong-KOng all the way along
the West river for four hundred miles.
Many villages are practically depopulated.
Cape Town. Africa. especially among the
native Kafirs, is a hotbed of BLACK
DEATH" There have been several cases of
plague discovered on vessels from that
port. A number were discovered at Aus
tralian ports. where vigorous measures
were taken TO prevent the spread of the
disease. With the plague epidemic in for
eign countries the supreme Importance of
quarantine regulations is at once apparent.
These regulations are very inclusive.
Among other things they provide that IN
a port where plague prevails the vessel
should not tie up TO the dock. No lines
should be passed to the shore that might
permit rats to come on board. Passengers
and cargo should be lightered, the crew not
allowed on shore. and personal communi-
cation from shore to the vessel shall he
under medical supervision" Another pre-
caution Is that dogs, cats, monkeys and
mice shall not be shipped from a port
where the presence of plague is even sus-
pected.
In domestic ports suspected vessels are
placed in quarantine in anchorage suf-
fciently remote from the nearest land or
other vessels TO prevent the escape Of rats
by swimming. In case OF mere suspicion
that a vessel is infected all the passengers.
excepting those In the first cabin, shall be
bathed and body and clothing disinfected
before landing. Baggage Is also subject to
distinction.
D~ISINFECTING SHIPS.
Where a vessel is really infected with the
plague there is a preliminary disinfection
of all accessible parts with sulphur diox-
ide. Escaping rats must be killed. All
water tanks must be emptied and disinfect-
ed by steam or a 10 per cent. solution of
potassium permanganats before rehlling.
Nothing shall be thrown overheard. no;
even the deck sweepings. Such refuse shall
be burned.
Iron vessels with cargo are cleansed by
tventy-four hours exposure to sulphur
dioxide. Liquehed sulphur dioxide may be
used in the disinfecting OF cargoes. holds
and living apartments. Where the vessel
is without cargo the hold must be thor
oughly washed with a solution Of bichlorlde
OF mercury applied under pressure TO all
surfaces by means of a hose or by the use
OF sulphur dioxide. The treatment of
wooden vessels is about the same as that
of those of iron-the difference being that
the exposure of the hold to sulphur dioxide
must precede the washing with bichloride,
and this exposure must be forty-eight
hours I'm vessels without cargo, or IL only
5 per cent. strength sulphur dioxide Is OBJ
tainable, the exposure must be seventy-two
hours. The cleansing process includes bed
ding. hangings. carpets, clothing and all
textiles, and even extends to both solid or
water ballast. which must be changed or
disinfected. The remains OF all rats and
vermin shall be gathered up and burned,
aud the places where gathered subsequent
ly disinfected.
The treatment OF crew and passengers Is
equally exacting. All sick are placed in a
hospital and suspects are Isolated. Others
are segregated i'm small groups. Each male
and female is required TO strip and submit
10 a thorough examination of all glandular
regions for symptoms of the disease. The
people detained shall be inspected by the
physician twice daily. and no intercourse
will be allowed between the different
groups while in quarantine. In case of
death from plague on board a vessel in
quarantine the body is either cremated or
wrapped without preliminary washing in a
sheet and saturated with a solution of
bichloride of mercury and surrounded in a
coffin by twice ne body weight of caustic
lime and buried. Thus everything about
the vessel and persons on board is thor
Oughly cleansed and all refuse buried. Pas
sengers on board a suspected vessel are de-
tanned not less than fifteen days, and in
ease Of sickness the time may be even
longer. The measures are drastic. causing
financial loss 10 ship owners and great in
convenience to the persons on board, but
are necessary because of the terrible ma
ture OF the plagGe. II is more 10 be dread
ed than smallpox. yellow fever or the chol-
era IL IS as apt 10 affect a community in
winter as I'm summer. and sometimes seems
10 DEFY all known measures OF suppression.
There is a righteousness about il that
terrOrizes the people and renders them
more susceptible TO its attack. Once start
ed, there Is no telling where it will end.
For that reason France. Germany. Eng
land Japan and other countries are taking
special preeaution 10 keep the plague from
getting a foothOld. Therefore, quarantine
regulations similar 10 those in force In the
United States have been adopted by a num-
Der of the foreign countries.
Heretofore the rayages Of the bubonic