BUBONIC PLAGUE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVI, Issue 14386, 31 May 1907, Page 7

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 tli© jury brought in ia verdict that death was due to " acutesepticaemia 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 Purdy said plague might have come from Sydney, San Fr.ancisco or Calcutta, while it was possible it might have been 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 Public 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. Suoh places were to be found in the lower part of Queen Street and the older places. In every case of plague but ono the victims had been working in the lower end of Queen Street. It was poesible that the plague had been in-' troduced 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 and distribution of the population are not likely to induce it. It is, however, quite likely it will, go on appearing until public bodies become more particular about the sanitary conditions. There is a tendency to act the ostrich here and for people to bury their heads.