The Plague Menace.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17317, 1 December 1921, Page 6

The Plague Menace.

It is now a month or two since plague broko out among human beings in Queensland, a high death-rate ensuing among those who were attacked. Within the past few weeks plague-stricken rats have broken through the cordon of traps and trappers drawn round Sydney, and have established themselves in tho produce stores of Sussex street. It is therefore possible that at any time a plague rat may escape the notice and attentions of the rat-catchers at Auckland and Wellington. When that happens, the statement by the recent conference of Australian health officers in Sydney, that "the history of •'plague in Australia points to the "extreme likelihood of a serious outbreak early next year," may be accepted, as it should be now, as a grave warning to New Zealand to take all the precautions possible. The Minister of Health, some little time ago, expressed himself as satisfied with what the municipal authorities in New Zealand were doinr; in this direction. Last week, however, in reply to a question as to whether the local bodies were doing what they could to destroy rats, Mr Parr admitted! that he was not satisfied on the point, but was awaiting information from the of Health before taking action. If the plague camo here, he said, it would bo tlie result of neglect, and in reply to an interjection, he declared that ( he would not, in that case, take the blame. But he will not be able to escape it unless he awakens indifferent municipalities and individuals to a senso of their duty in this matter. The Minister stated in the House, last night that the Health Department has asked the Australian authorities for cultures of the virulent bacillus isolated from plague cases in Queensland, so that stocks of vaccine could be prepared here to meet the emergency that may arise. But according to Dr. Armstrong, Director-General of Public Health in Sydney, the trouble about bubonio plague is that there is no specific treatment. A vaccine has been used, but its results hare not been, generally accepted as being entirely "successful." In the case of plague, therefore, prevention is a thousand times better than cure, because there is no assurance of a cure being effected. No effort must be spared by local bodies not merely to encourage the destruction of rats, but also to ensure that condition of public cleanliness which is a deterrent to the pest. Dips for dogs may be desirable, though if dogs are to be so treated, it is difficult to understand why cats should be left alone. But the main point on which municipalities and private householders should concentrate is the campaign against rats and dirt. If that is waged vigorously, New Zealand may be spared a disastrous epidemic.