London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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City of London 1900

Report on the proceedings of the Public Health (Sanitary) Department of the Corporation of London during the year 1900

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38
"of invaded areas by Professor Haffkine, under the
"auspices of the Indian Government, in Bombay.
"As yet the protective material in question is not
"generally purchasable in this country. For the present,
"therefore, and until further notice, the Board,
"having provided themselves with a supply of Pro"fessor
Haffkine's plague prophylactic, will be prepared
"to issue this material in limited amount to the
"Medical Officers of Health of districts actually
"invaded by plague, for the protection therein of doctors,
"nurses, and other persons that are, under the condi"tions
of the invaded area, being subjected to sustained
"exposure to plague infection.
"An ordinary attack of plague usually begins some
"three to five days after exposure to infection. Such
"attack may develop gradually, but, as commonly
"met with, there is sudden onset with much fever, as
"indicated by a high temperature, rapid pulse, headache,
"hot skin, and thirst. The eyes are injected as if
"inflamed; the expression, at first anxious and
"frightened, becomes subsequently vacant and dull ; the
"utterance is thick, and the gait unsteady as in one
"under the influence of drink. There is at times a
"distinct tendency to faint. The tongue is at first
"covered with a moist white fur except at the edges,
"which are red, but later on it becomes dry and of a
"mahogany colour.
"The most distinctive sign of plague is the presence
"of swellings, or 'buboes' as they are called, in the
"groin, armpit, or neck. These 'buboes,' which led
''to the disease being called 'bubonic plague,' and
"which have no relation to venereal complaints, appear
"as a rule about the second or third day of the disease.
"They are usually painful and tender on pressure, and