Cholera in Spain

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 22, 1 August 1885, Page 3

Cholera in Spain

Beports from Spain say that the cholera is raging furiously there in four provinces. The disease is moving along the Mediterranean. Twelve thousand persons have left Madrid. The Govern* ment Cholera Commission, and also the many native and foreign doctors declare that the cholera is Asiatie, and of a violent and rapid character, attacking all classes sf seeiety. The inhabitants of the papulous quarters in Madrid streau•usly opposed all the measures taken by the municipal authorities to disinfect the dwellings, and the enforcement of all sanitary regulations was abandoned in the face of the fact that the existence of cholera in Madrid was denied, the merchants being apprehensive of injury to their business. Three out of four of the Cholera Commissioners appointed recommended inoculation with cholera virus as harmless. The Ministry resigned on 19th June in consequence of tbe decision of King Alfonso to visit the cholera infected districts. All the shops ami cafes in Madrid were closed as a precaution against the disease. The determination ot the King to visit the plague-stricken provinces and the action of the Ministry led te a popular demonstration against the latter on 2lst June. The crowd becoming riotons, the military were called out and fired upon the people who in turn stoned the soldiers. The King, before consulting with Ministers, decided to abandon his projected tour. The Ministry was then reinstated. While the sanitary authorities of Madrid were carrying out their precautionary measures agfiiust the cholera, mobs frequently gathered and attacked them The riot rs were composed of the lower classes, who are bitterly opposed to all kinds of practical preventatire measures, and rely on prayers to keep off the deadly scourge. Frequent religious processions passed along the streets, and solemn services were held in Murcia for the 'purpose of imploring divine assistance. The dead -^^[MMi^garaded the city day and night, Many chulera victims were buried coffin* less. I 'espatshes, dated 28th June, say that the labouring people were dropping dead *f hunger at Murcia, and that the venality and stupidity of the health officers are beyond belief. They seemed to regard the cholera as a big- paying jeb. M erchants who arrived in LenJon en the 29th from Murcia say it is absolutely impossible to describe the national panic, the loss of nerve and reason, and the frenzy of the local quarantine officers. The plague finds 99 in 100 of its victims in the slums of the cities or in the poor villages, ware hygiene is an unknown word.