CHOLERA OUTBREAK AT TOWNS. VILLE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1778, 19 December 1885, Page 10

CHOLERA OUTBREAK AT TOWNS. VILLE.

(Redteb's Telegrams.)

Townsville, December 11. An outbreak of what appears to be cholera has occurred on board the British India Steam Navigation Company's R.M.S. Dorunda, which arrived here to-day from London. Later. The outbreak of disease on the Dorunda is developing to an alarming extent. Up to the present four deaths have occurred, one'being an adult and three children. Sixteen persons are now seriously ill, four of whom are apparently dying. The symptoms of the disease are those of Asiatic cholera. One man who was quite well on Wednesday morning died before the night. The serious outbreak has occurred since the vessel left Cooktown. It is believed the disease was carried aboard at Batavia. Latest. Further inquiries relative to the appearance of cholera on the' Dorunda tend to confirm the supposition that the infection was caught at Batavia. The inhabitants of this town have displayed considerable anger at the doctor coming ashore after being in contact with patients. In order to test public feeling and prevent the possibility of the disease spreading on shore, the mayor has commanded the doctor not to leave his house for the present. Brisbane, December 12. News iroiA Townsville states that two more deaths from cholera have occurred on board the Doruuda. There are four additional cases, which are expected to assume serious developments, and the other patients seem now worse than they were yesterday. Brisbane, December 14. Two more deaths are reported on board the s.s. Dorunda. The medical authorities are in some doubt whether the deaths are clue to cholera or to the effects of eating tinned fish containing a poisonous substance. The British India Steam Navigation Company's Dorunda arrived here to-day from Townsville. Fifteen fresh cases of sickness have broken out, and five deaths occurred on board the vessel since she left Townsville. The medical officer affirms his belief that the disease is undoubtedly cholera, and that it was introduced on board at Batavia.