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13
PLAGUE.
There has been no diminution in the distribution of Plague throughout the
world during 1903, it has instead become more generally diffused.
During the year Plague has existed in:—
Europe Marseilles.
Asia Japan, China, India, Philippine
Islands, Malay Peninsula,
Arabia and the Persian Gulf,
Africa Egypt, Algiers and South
Africa.
North America Mexico and San Francisco.
South America Brazil, Argentine Republic,
Peru and Chili.
Australasia Australia and New Caledonia.
Hawaiian Islands.
Mauritius.
This wide distribution has necessarily caused a considerable increase in the
number of vessels requiring medical inspection on arrival at Gravesend.
A small outbreak of Plague occurred in September at Marseilles, at a paper
factory. About fifteen persons appear to have been attacked, of whom at least
six died. The outbreak was quickly stamped out, and no extension into other
localities seems to have occurred.
Six cases in all were reported by vessels on arrival ; of these, three were
admitted to the Port Sanitary Hospital, but neither of these proved to be
really Plague.
On Saturday, the 10th January, the s.s. "Oroya," of Liverpool, arrived at
Gravesend. After leaving Port Said, a native fireman complained to the
surgeon of a pain in his left groin. On examination he was found to have a
tender and painful bubo in that situation, accompanied by fever.
On arrival at Naples no person was allowed to land, and the vessel sailed
for Marseilles in strict quarantine. At Marseilles several passengers were
landed in the ship's boats, but were placed under supervision in quarantine.
On arrival at Gravesend it was deemed advisable as a precautionary
measure to take the man to the Port Sanitary Hospital for observation and
bacteriological examination. Some fluid from the bubo was submitted to
Dr. Klein, who reported that the results were entirely negative as regards pestis.