THE PLAGUE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2396, 1 February 1900, Page 17

THE PLAGUE.

A SUSPICION CASE IN SYDNEY.

MELBOURNE, Jan. 23

The Board of Health has declared Adelaide an infected port. All passengers arriving by sea and rail wiftl be examined. Arrangements have been made to destroy rats on vessels from infected ports.

SYDNEY, January 24.

. A case of bubonic plague is just reported in the city. The patient has been removed to quarantine for further investigation.

. The supposed plague victim is a van man employed on the wharves,- and residing afc Dawe's Point. It is now stated on the

authority of the town clerk that after medical examination the -case is not one of plague, but the exact nature of the disease is not yet determined.

Payne is a van. man emploj r ed at the •wharves, and not a seaman. He was taken ill on Friday. It was supposed he was suffering from the heat, and he did not see a doctor till to-day. The doctor immediately reported his supposition that certain symptoms resembled the plague N in a mild form. The patient and his wife and three children, v/ith two other members of the household, were straightway quarantined, the premises disinfected, and the strictest precautions taken to prevent the spread of the disease. The health authorities state that there is not the slightest need for alarm, as the case, if it should turn out to be plague, is very mild. Payne is convalescent, and was quarantined as a precautionary measure, in order to^- watch developments and to decide the exact nature

of the disease.

January 25.

;' The health authorities have definitely decided that Payne is suffering from plague.

Four "more persons who are supposed to 'have come into contact with Payne have been quarantined, • \ It is thought the plague was introduced from Mauritius.

The Government have asked shipowners, wharfingers, and others to keep a sharp eye on rats.

January 26

Thei*e are no further plague developments. Payne is making satisfactory progress.

January 29.— There are no fresh plague developments. The patient is improving. •

ADELAIDE, January 23.

The Acting Premier states that there are too suspicions that the plague exists outside the quarantined areas. The Government are obtaining an expert from Melbourne to investigate.

There are no further plague developments.

January 24.

At a special meeting of the Board of Health grave doubts were expressed as to ths existence of true plague in the colony. It has been decided to ask for the appointment of a commission of inquiry-

January 25.

There are no further plague developments. It is expected that the restrictions on the hospital will be removed at the end of the present week.

HOBART," January 29.

[A. case resembling bubonic plague has 'been isolated At Queenstown. The victim as a labourer recently returned from a visit jfca Sydney.

NOUMEA, January 24. Queensland Government have informed Mr Tlirpp Npw Fphridp* lfnii!-« ) m ,> ,li P ,l Seddon that they will be no party to the proJliree men- tteoiities kanakas aa\c died pMa] of the Eastern Exte nsion Company, but here of plague, and one Tonkinese at the other Australian Governments Lave not

et answered.

iwpoui,

WELLINGTON, January 27. In consequence of the outbreak "of the plague, Sydney is to-day proclaimed an infected port.