THE AUCKLAND RATS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2412, 24 May 1900, Page 17

THE AUCKLAND RATS.

(Feom,Otjr Own Coehespondent.) WELLINGTON, May 16. Regarding the alleged plague infected rats at Auckland^ Mr Gilruth aeui the following report to the Colonial Secretary-: — Wellington, -15th May. Ec rats found dead on the Auckland wharves. The conclusion that they have suffered from' plague was arrived at for the following reasons . — (1) Bacillus found m the tissues had- a characteristic appearance , of plague .bacillus. (2) The situation of the bacillus in the tissues I was characteristic. (3) Sudden reaction of the bacilli was characteristic. (4) The effect of a minute quantity of affected blood, so much as the point of a needle would carry, from these rats, when injected into the thigh of guinea pigs and rats, was characteristic — that is to say, experimental animals showed all the syniptoms and post-mortem experiences of experimental plague, and death ensued within the prescribed number of days. (5) The same bacillus found large numbers of these experimental animals. (6) The behaviour of organism of various culture was characteristic alone of plague bacillus. Unfortunately my cultures were destroyed by order, I understand, of the chairman of the Auckland Hospital staff. This puerile action prevented me from preserving those particular proofs of the existence of plague in Auckland; but, fortunately, I have other proofs if required.