BUBONIC PLAGUE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8943, 31 May 1907, Page 1

BUBONIC PLAGUE.

THE AUCKLAND OASES. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, May 30. . The inquest on the body of Minnie' Kitchen, a young woman who died a couple of weeks ago, was concluded today, -when the jury brought in ta verdict that death, was due to " acute septicaemia of a bubonic nature." One of the six jurymen refused to sign the verdict because the word plague was omitted. Giving evidence at the inquest respecting Minnie Kitchen's death, Dr Purely said plague might have come from Sydney, San Francisco or Calcutta, while it was possible it might have beeit generated here. He considered Auckland would never have a severe visitation. The Coroner : What do you decide as to the cause of death, in this case? Dr Purdy : Bubonic plague. Dr Makgill Bacteriologist for the Publio Health Department, confirmed! the evidence. He had examined a rat found in Bradford building, where the deceased had worked, and a postmortem had disclosed the presence in the rat of the organisms of plague. In October, 1902, there was an epidemic of mortality amongst rats and mice in that building, but they had failed then to demonstrate plague. Plague had appeared in. Auckland in six consecutive years since July, 1901. This was the fifth manifestation of plague. They had never had more than three cases at a time. This would probably continue until public bodies cleaned away some of the breeding places of plague. Such places were to be found in. the lower part of Queen Street and the older places. In every case of plague but one the viotims had been working in the lower end of Queen Street. It was possible that the plague had been introduced to Auckland. In answer to a juror, Dr Makgill said that it was possible for pneumonic plague to be transmitted to those attending a victim. Bubonic plague* was mostly inoculated by a flea or a bug. The Coroner: What is the cause of death, in this case? Dr Makgill : Bubonic plague of the septaemiea type. I may say Ido not think there will be any big outbreak in Auckland. The habits of the people und distribution of the population are not likely to induce it. It is, however, quite likely it will go on appealing until public bodies become more particular about the sanitary conditions. There is a tendency to act the ostrich here and for people to bury iheJe bnada. ' ■" ! " J