The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1911-05-03
Appalling Death Toll Has Been Taken BY
lhe Plague in China
4 TERRIBLE SCOURCE
The Danger Is Passed for the Pres
ent.-The Astounding Indifference
of the Doctors and the Nurses to
Catching the Disease, Which Seems
to Be So Fatal.

A Pekin letter says many true
stories are told OF the plague in
North China. In one shop tailor
had eight apprentices. Two Of these
died. Their bodies were hidden, and
no report was made. Then four
more were stricken and died. But
now the master was unerved. He
gathered together his money, collect
ing what debts he could, and with a
hoard Of s345 hurried of to the rail-
way, determined to flee from the
place.
But he had come from the infected
district, and the railway would not
issue him ticket. In despair he
returned to his shop, and three days
later he died. Two apprentices now
survived. They divided his money,
and looked forward to the enjoyment
Of their gains and Of the propert,
Escape, however, was denied than.
Both died, and when the bears came
to search the house they found the
money equally shared sewn up in
the clothing on their dead bodies
The danger is over for the present.
Delegates are now gathering for the
conference i n Mukden, which will
meet under the presidency Of Dr..
WI Lienteh. Many interesting ques-
tions await answer. What is the or
igin of the plague? Why has it died
break out before? Why has it died
out? What is the nature Of the
marmot plague? Will the pneumon-
ic outbreak be succeeded by a bu-
boaic infection? During the recent
outbreak there has been an unusual
mortality among horses, mules and
pigs. There are pneumonia symF-
toms but it is believed no plague IN
lection. What is the explanation?
Is the mortality coincidence only?
Finally, what is to prevent a recur-
renee Of the plague next October?
Infection was by direct contact.
Rats and feas played no small part
in the Infection. The attack was ful-
minant, there was no authentic case
of recovery. Old persons and young
children Jared better than the strong
and middle-aged. IN one family, out
OF fourteen persons there were only
TWO survivors, woman OF seventy
one and her great grand-child OF Two.
Evidence as to the value Of laocu-
lation is inconclusive, but evidence
is Overwhelming that nearly every
case of death among European pop
ulation in the infected areas OF North
Manchuria of not less than $4,000.
Astonishing Indifference was man
ifested in the face of danger. Dr.
Mesny. brilliant French doctor who
died, was examining, unmaskeo the
chest sounds Of patient with ms
naked ear when the patient coughea
into his face and thus gave him his
death. DR.. Michel, the Russian 6oc-
tor. whose death shocked the com
munity, believing himself immune
showed a reckless disregard OF pre-
cautions.
When Pere Metillet was struck
down in Eulanfu, large Chinese
town. his fellow missionary from a
neighboring district, Pere Delpai'
came to nurse him. They had been
friends from boyhood. Pere Deipal
kissed mis- dying conraie on the lips,
was infected and died in three days.
In the chief plague hospital, $500
plague patients were admitted and
1900 died. An aged Chinese quack
of the old school, named Ku, assist
ed by one dresser, was in charge OF
the hospital. They cared for the oy-
ing, superintended the removal OF
the dead, incurred appalling rlsks,
took no precaution and yet enjoyed
complete immunity Both were opium
smokers.
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