THE BARQUE LOTHAIR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5457, 8 January 1896, Page 3

THE BARQUE LOTHAIR.

THE SICKNESS ON BOARD, [Per Press Association.]

NELSON, Jan. 8,

Regarding the strange fatal disease on the barque Lothair, a conversation with Captain Capranza leads to the conclusion that it is not dengue fever at all that is causing the mortality. Five persons have died, one from anaemia, and: others from the disease. The symptoms were that uselessness or paralysis seized the feet and legs and crept upward to the stomach till it reached a vital part, ahdthen death resulted. There was no pain pr swelling, ; no loss of appetite or spirits, 'and no vomiting; in fact all ate heartily throughout, and seven men, including the Captain, who are now still suffering, have excellent appetites. Their legs are simply useless, and they stagger in attempting to . mount the gangway. The Captain has plenty of medicine onboard, but the disease is not known, and hence he cannot use remedies. He is acquainted with the symptoms of dengue . fever, and certainly no fever symptoms are shown - by the victims. The medical authorities here state that from the description it cannot be dengue fever, diagnosing the symptoms as far as possible by referring to standard works; but they hold that in any case the disease is dangerously infectious or contagious, tunless it is due to some purely local cause, such as poisoned food or water, or poisonous exhalations from the .cargo, y