CHOLERA IN SPAIN.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1394, 19 September 1885, Page 3

CHOLERA IN SPAIN.

The Madrid correspondent of the Standard states that the abandonment of King Alphonso’s visit to Murcia has caused deep disappointment to the inhabitants —“ From this cholera stricken city of 86,000 inhabitants, where 1400 deaths out of 3000 cases of cholera have occurred within 20 days, almost all the wealthier inhabitants fled at the first outtreak. They wrre soon followed by about 30,000 persons of all ranks, who spread the epidemic to many villages in the- beautiful Huete, a very garden of tropical vegetation. Among this unhappy population so terrible is the epidemic that during the last three days 510 cases and 280 deaths have occurred. Some rain fell on Saturday, which increased the torrid heat, and created a strange blueish mist at nightfull over this interesting and afflicted country. Awful tales are told of whole families having been swept off before the devoted village doctors and the priests could bring relief. Yet still the sturdy, wiry peasants are at work in the fields. The aspect ef the town of Murcia is very dull ; many ot the shops are closed and many houses untenanted. A few people gather in the cafes or casinos. Processions from the churches pass along the streets with unwonted frequency, the priest carrying the host to the dying, and as the acolytes tinkle their silver bells, the people kneel in the street, uncover their heads, and cross themselves. Other processions twice a day parade the infected streets and carry about the relics an! images of saints. Tbs Bishop has maintained solemn service in the cathedral and churches to implore the Divine assistance. The Bishop and Governor are also unceasing in their visits to persons attacked, and in the distribution of rations and medicines to the poor, A picturesque camp of sheds and tents has been formed on El Molcon Esplanade, commanding a view of the river and Huete, and very close to the gipsy quarter, where splendid types of the

Gitaim race abound living in filthy dens. Day and night the dreaded “ dead cars ” pass to fro along the streets, and often take bodies without coffins within an hour of their decease. In the city of Murcia and tiie Uuete, during the last 24 hours, there were 260 cases and 115 deaths, which is a heavier proportion than that in Naples in 1884.