PLAGUE AT HONGKONG.

Otago Witness, Issue 2104, 21 June 1894, Page 13

PLAGUE AT HONGKONG.

Press Association— By Telegraph— Copyright. Hongkong, June 12.

The plague is causing terrible ravages among the Chinese, and the death rate now numbers 100 per day. Since the outbreak 1500 deaths have occurred. Half the Chinese population has left the town. Several Europeans have been attacked by the epidemic.

June 14.

Eighty-six persons died of the plague on Tuesday. The English soldiers are now being affected.

The Chinese residents threaten that if the Chite c quarter of Hongkong is des'ruyed on account of the plague tue British settlement in Canton will be fired.

June 17.

The death roll since the outbreak of the bubonic plague has reached 190 U. The epidemic has created consternation in the towo, and 80,000 of the population have fled to other districts.

Sydney, June 18.

The Hongkong newspapers to hand by the last mail give deplorable accounts of the ravages of the plague, and contain graphic descriptions of the terrible scenes that have been witnessed.

A telegram received by the Vicfcoriau health officers from Sydney states that tho disease is the Bubonic or Oriental plague. This is the p'ague which prevailed so extensively in Europe in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Dr Gcesswell states it has for some time been supposed by epidemiologists that there was a likelihood of this affection spreading extensively. It has prevailed in the south-east of China for the past 20 years or more, but has not appeared in Europe for the past 40 years, though there has been some prevalence of it at Baku on the Caspian Sea. Itis a disease which differs widely in its effects, and it may have a fatality as much as 55 per cent. It occurs chiefly under conditions of overcrowding and uncleanlinees, and among communities where the soil is allowed to become saturated with the organic waste from man and animals and from the kitchen.

Dr Rennie, of Canton, in a letter to the HongkoDg Sanitary Board, describes the disease as similar to that known as the Great Piague of London of 1665. The symptoms are: "With or without premonitory warnings in the shape of malaise or chill, there is a sudden onset of fever rising to 105deg or over. There is much headache and cerebral disturbance, accompanied by stupor. In from 12 to 24 hours a glandular swelling occurs in theneck, armpifc, or groin, rapidly enlarging to the size of a fowl's egg. Is is hard and exquisitely tender. With or without a decline of tne fever the patient sinks deeper into a condition of coma, and dies usually at the end of 48 hours, or sooner. If six days are reached recovery is hopeful. The glandular swelling shows no sign of suppuratioD. In some cases episfcaxis or vomiting of blood occurs ; petecchue appear in a few cases, but no regular eruption.

Letters of naturalisation have been issued to Axel Robert Ferdnand Hammsrstrotn, fisherman, Moeraki.