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47, 48, 49 of Mr. Baber's Report of his journey through Yunnan with Mr. Grosvenor. These books are found in all, probably, to be Strong Thong; to make extracts from them would take more time than I have, but I earnestly recommend reference to them.
The plaque appears to be infectious, but not contagious. There has been a great exodus, and I do not think there is any cord of instance on record of a European taking it. It has been a fatal disease among the natives, but amongst Europeans, there have been few infections, and no alarm for their safety. If it were very infectious, it is probable that it would have carried off many more people than it has.
The Chinese burn Joss sticks and plant the sweet flag, which is supposed to have prophylactic power, as disinfectants. This year they bought a great deal of disinfecting fluid at Pokhoi. They believe, probably with good reason, that a person fortified with a hearty meal, smoking or chewing betel, is less liable to catch the plague than one going into infected air with an empty stomach.
The majority of plague-stricken people appear to have been the dwellers in the dirtiest and most ill-aired streets, while the well-fed and well-housed have enjoyed comparative immunity. More stay-at-home people...