PLAGUE IN MANCHURIA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 972, 28 March 1911, Page 4

PLAGUE IN MANCHURIA.

GRUESOME INCIDENTS. A graphic description of the scene in Fuchiatien, one of the plague-infested towns in Manchuria, is given in a letter written by several Russian residents to the Novaya Zhizn, a Harbin newspaper. Regarding the scene in Fuchiatien, the letter states: — “In one street, seven or eight paces from our carriage, lay seven dead bodies of Chinamen, around which some thirty Chinese were standing gaping. Five steps further two bodies lay in the gutter. “Leaving this circle of death, we perceived a Chinese seller of nuts and lotus seed dying in front of his wares. He died a moment later, and the Chinese picked up the lotus seeds, filled their pockets, and began to eat them. “ From a neighbouring shop men dragged out a corpse and

flung it into the street. We asked a Chinese policeman why he did not interfere. His answer was that it was no business of his. “On reaching the bank of the Sungari we saw three bodies, two entirely naked, the third halfclothed. Dogs were feeding on them. The women of our party fnintprl nt the horrible sisrht.

“Continuing our way towards the landing stage, we counted eighteen graves among the bushes. In all, we passed thirty-two bodies. On the boat the Chinese engineer told us that from 150 to 200 persons died from plague daily, and that the disease was no longer confined to the poverty-stricken, but was attacking merchants and officials.” Further details of the scenes in the plague areas are given in a Cental News St. Petersburg telegram. There are many instances of heroism on the part of European physicians who sacrified their lives in the attempt to check the epidemic. Dr Meunier, the French physician, who was attacked with the plague after working among the victims, took every precaution possible to prevent the spread of the infection. He drenched a shirt with a solution of carbolic, and shunning assistance of any kind, attired himself in the disinfected garment before donning his other clothing and driving to the plague hospital. Dr. Meunier knew his recovery to be impossible, and on reaching the hospital resigned himself to his fate, telling the medical staff that within two days he would be dead, and that the only services he asked were that his relatives might be informed.

“Continuing our way towards the landing stage, we counted eighteen graves among the bushes. In all, we passed thirty-two bodies. On the boat the Chinese engineer told

The corpses from Fuchiatien are being devoured by birds of prey along the Sungari, and as the river is now rising it is feared that the remains will spread the infection throughout the valley.