THE BUBONIC PLAGUE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2400, 1 March 1900, Page 17

THE BUBONIC PLAGUE.

A FATAL CASE.

MOJRE CASES IN SYDNEY.

OBUSADE AGAINST EATS.

SYDNEY, February 23.

The health authorities have just made known 'the fact that a man died this afternoon of bubonic plague. The victim was v sailmaker named Dudley, carrying on business in Sussex street, a thickly populated business district. He was taken ill on Sunday, and in the middle of his illness was removed to his private residence at the suburb of Drummoyne, where he died. Both houses have been isolated. Dudley's employees • and his wife and family have been quarantined. The president of the Board of Health reports that the case shows unmistakable evidences of plague. February 25. Two more cases of bubonic plague are reported in Sydney. Makins, a labourer, employed on the wharf and residing at Pyrmont, was taken ill on Wednesday. ( He saw the doctor yesterday, and the latter declared that he had plague symptoms. So far, the case is not alarming, but the health authorities confirm the doctor's opinion. Makin's wife and family, and another man with his wife and child residing in the same house, have- been quarantined. It is believed they contracted the plague from rats on the wharf. The second case, about which there is some doubt, is at Balmain. Strict precautions are being taken awaiting developments. A meeting of the Board of Health decided to declare Dudley's a true case of plague, and a campaign against rats is to be- instituted. Amongst other measures to prevent the spread of the plague, the' Board of Health resolved to urge upon the City Council the necessity of undertaking an active campaign against rats, and approved of offering a bonus for their bodies. Attention is being drawn to the fact that large numbers of rats have died lately, especially in the vicinity of the wharves. The board is investigating the matter, but has not yet been able to declare whether or not they died from plague. It is also rumoured that dead rats were found on Dudley's premises. The shipping companies are waging a war against the rats. The Premier has officially informed the other colonies of the outbreak. February ,-26. Dudley, who died from the plague, was buried with the greatest precautions in the quarantine ground. The coffin was filled with disinfectants. Dudley had personally removed a number of dead rats from his premises prior to being taken ill. Messrs Huddart, Parker, and Co.'s and the Union Steam Ship Company's wharves were the first places where the great mortality of the rodents was noticed. The President of the Board of Health got cultures of the true plague bacillus from a rat taken from the Union Company's wharf. NOUMEA, February 22. From February 6 to 17, inclusive, there have been 12 new cases of plague, and five deaths. LONDON, February 24. The bubonic plague has made its appearance at Aden.

AUCKLAND, February 26. The Waihora, from Sydney, arrived in the stream at 11 o'clock. An inspection by the health officer found no sign of disease, but in view of the recent cases of plague in Sydney he telegraphed to Wellington before granting her permission to berth. The steamer was berthed at 2 p.m. WELLINGTON, February 26. A cable has been received from the Premier of New South Wales confirming the outbreak of the plague, and stating that every precaution has been taken to prevent its spreading. Strict measures were being enforced to stamp it out. The New Zealand Government have made more rigid orders for examining all Sydney steamers.

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