THE BUBONIC PLAGUE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5, 6 January 1900, Page 4

THE BUBONIC PLAGUE.

WHAT THE PLAQUE 18. The bubonic plague is a very malignant kind of contagious fever, prevailing at certain times and places epidemically. It is characterised ;y buboes, or swellings of the lymphatio glands, by oarbuncles anti petechiae, and one attack apparently furnishes very imperfect security against its recurrence m the same individual. It is the most destructive of all known epidemics. Barely less than 60, it is said sometimes 90, per cent of those attacked die. It has often been known to carry off half the population of a town or district m which it prevails, and even to root out whole families, so that no survivor remains. , The general symptoms resemble those of other severe fevers — shivering, rise of temperature, aching m the head, back and limbs and sick ness. Great weakness succeeds, with mental disturbance, leading to coma or delirium. Death, however, often occurs before any characteristic symptoms are developed ; but at an early etage, dark spots, or patches, often appear on the skin, produced by subcutaneous haemorrhages (petechiae, ecchymoses) and bleeding may also take place from the various mucous membranes. Bleeding from the luDgs, though rare m receat epidemics, was regarded as a characteristic symptom of " Black Death " m its most virulent, fqrtn. About the second or third day the most distinctive features of the disease are developed, viz , one ot more buboes or glandular swellings, usually m the neck, armpits, r or groins, These generally break, and lead to prolonged suppuration. In a few cases' they are absent altogether. Carbuncles not frequently develop at a later stage of the disease. Good nursing, good nourishment, free stimulation, and early opening of the buboes are hopeful. Ytrsin's inoculation with prepared serum proved useful m the Bombay epidemic of 1896-98, the last serious outbreak ot the plague. There can be uo doubt that it is a highly infec tious disease, and that the infection may be conveyed ly clothes, bodding, etc., as well as by direct contact of the . sick. In all epidemics it has been, of qourse, observed that the unhealthy (conditions produced by poverty and filth are extremely favourable to the disease, and that it has been much less prevalent and severe among those m comfortable circumstances and healthy surroundings.