Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1909-01-07
DISEASE APPEARS
TYPHOID FEVER BREAKS OUT IN
DEVASTATED DISTRICT
or ITALY.
AUTHORITIES ARE ALARMED
rear That the Disease May Spread
Far outside o. the Ruined
Section RegGIc Shaken y
Again.

Rome, Jan. 6.-The report from
Messina that typhoid fever has broken
out there has filled the authorities
with alarm and apprehension. It Is
realized that unless proper sanitary
precautions are taken at once the dis
ease may spread far outside the
ruined district. Even though the
present cases may prove to be dysen-
tary it is well known that this disease
under such conditions as prevail at
Messina and Reggie. would be likely
to prove Just az fatal as typhoid It
self.
According to well known medical
authorities, 1t is the latter disease
that has been responsible for the
defamation Of almost whole armies in
time Of war and the exciting cause
ID unwholesome drinking water and
the ingestion Of articles fit for food.
Physicians here are inclined to think
that dysentery II more to be feared
than any other disease In the devas-
tated regions. It was very fatal In
the Crimea in 1854; in the armies Of
the United States during the civil war
and again In the Franco-G German war
Of 1870. Almost perfect conditions
prevail for its propagation at Mes
sina.
King Victor Emmanuel Tuesday re-
ceived Ambassador Griscom who pre-.
scented him with the steamer Bayern
In the name Of the American relief
committee, representing the American
people. The Bayern is loaded with
provisions and medical supplies and
Is ready to proceed to the Strait OF
Messina. The king was greatly
pleased and said that the Americans
were always first. His majesty ad'
vised the ambassador as to where the
steamer should proceed and as to the
best means of distributing its supplies
to the unfortunates.
Thirteen thousand refugees have ar
rived at Naples up to date, Of whom
5000 are wounded. They are receiv-
ing the best Of care but many have
died Of their injuries and others have
gone mad. More than so per cent Of
those taken out of the ruins after
three days did not have strength left
to survive their terrible experiences.
The United States gunboat Scor-
pion left Naples Tuesday carrying
supplies, principally Of sterilized milk
for distribution at Messina under the
direction Of the American consulate.
The American vice consul, Stuart
Lupton, In answer to inquiries made
by the state department at Washing
ton, teIegraphs from Messina that the
house OF the Little Sisters Of the
Poor" was destroyed. Two of the sis
ters, Natalia San Fillippa and Giusep-
pa Buon Giovanni were killed. The
others, "a In number, are DESTROYS Of
going to Milan, but this is uncertain.
Rear Admiral Sperry, commander
Of the American battleship feet. has
notified the authorities here that ne
will be In Naples on January . with
the first division, composed Of the
Connecticut. Vermont, Minnesota and
Kansas.
The latest news from Reggie shows
that earthquakes occurred there
Tuesday, the shocks being about 20
minutes apart. One Of the heavy
shocks caused the collapse Of . num-
Der Of broken walls ana added 10 the
terror Of the few survivors who re-
main there.
Another contingent Of 400 refugees
arrived here Tuesday night. The king
visited the injured and promised that
all possible would be done to alleviate
their sufferings. The southern and
central towns Of Italy are gradually
filling with refugees and these are be-
ing sent as rapidly as possible 70
northern points. Two hundred e.
riwad a. MILAN Tueadav.