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# CONCLUSION
From the experience gained in the epidemic of plague in 1896, the following conclusions may be drawn.
Plague is to be regarded as a specific, acute, infectious disease, characterised by a severe general febrile state, by inflammatory swelling of the internal and external lymphatic glands, by swelling of the spleen, by parenchymatous changes in the liver and kidneys, and by inflammatory changes in the cerebral membranes. The disease is caused by a specific bacillus.
The bacillus gains entrance to the body, either through wounds of the skin, or through the mucous membrane of the alimentary tract.
The bacillus is eliminated from the body in the pus from the buboes, in the faeces, the urine, and the expectoration; it thrives in damp, dirty places, and is disseminated by articles that have come into contact with patients suffering from the disease; and it is very sensitive to desiccation.
Preventive measures against plague, as against cholera, consist in cleansing and purifying towns and rivers according to general hygienic principles; in ordinary precautions against infection, by bodily cleanliness, and by the observance of a strictly healthy manner of life, especially in regard to articles of food and drink.
In conclusion, I take this opportunity of expressing my thanks to the Government of Hongkong for summoning me to Hongkong; to the Admiral of the German Asiatic Squadron for granting me leave; to Professor RUBNER, Director of the Hygienic Institute at Berlin, for sending the requisites for the bacteriological laboratory; and to Dr. ATKINSON and Dr. PAULUN in Hongkong for assistance given me in my work.
HONGKONG, November 30th, 1896.
DR. WILM,
Staff Surgeon,
Imperial German Navy.
Send another CPL 81517 for 196
The Under Secretary of State for India presents his compliments and enquires whether a further copy of the English translation of Wilm's Report (dated 18th April, Staff Surgeon, German Navy, 1896) can be obtained.