303
10-
2nd. This Bacillus is not to be found in any other infectious disease.
3rd. With this Bacillus it is possible to produce in animals the identical symptoms which the disease presents in human beings.
From this evidence we must come to the conclusion that this Bacillus is the cause of the disease known as the bubonic plague, therefore the bubonic plague is an infectious disease produced by a specific bacillus.
What are the channels by which these bacilli enter the human body? We may suppose that they have three principal channels of entrance: by respiration, through an external wound, and by the intestinal tract. Examples of the first two ways, of which I shall speak later on, are abundant. Examples of the last-mentioned way are not positive so far, but considering that we discovered the bacilli in the intestinal canal and experiments on animals prove that feeding alone produces definite results, the concession must be made that the third is a possible method of infection.
Most of the cases of Bubonic Plague occur amongst the Chinese, a few other nationalities excepted.
Whoever has looked into a Chinese dwelling in Taipingshan is at once persuaded that here is a suitable hunting-ground for the Plague Bacillus. The houses are so filthy that they are unfit for human habitation.
What means are to be employed against the Plague? Preventive measures, general hygiene, good drainage, perfect water supply, cleanliness in dwelling houses and cleanliness in the streets. As soon as an epidemic breaks out the sick must be perfectly isolated. The infected dwellings, before the household things are removed, have to be disinfected by 2 per cent. carbolic acid solution or by a solution of quicklime in a correct way. Afterwards, wearing apparel, linen, bedding, &c., should be specially disinfected by a steam disinfector for one hour at a temperature of 100° C.; should a steam disinfector not be available the things ought to be exposed directly to the sun's rays for several hours. Articles unfit for use ought to be burned. Dwelling houses thus emptied should be cleaned over again with quicklime or carbolic acid. The fæces should be disinfected carefully with quicklime. Dead bodies covered with quicklime are either to be burned or to be buried at least three metres from the surface. Mice and rats which have died spontaneously in dwelling houses should be carried away with proper precautions. After a patient has apparently recovered he must be kept apart from the healthy community for a period of a month, for during convalescence the bacilli may be discovered in the blood from three to four weeks after all symptoms have ceased.
11-
Individuals ought to keep away from plague patients and infected houses and be careful about their solid and liquid nourishment.
These measures have been generally in force during the epidemic in Hongkong.
The question as to whether immunity against the bacillus of Plague is possible on the lines practised against many other bacillary infectious diseases remains at present an open one. I shall study it thoroughly later on and in an exhaustive manner.
All that I have described above must be regarded only as a short preliminary notice. The results of extensive study on the subject of the Plague Bacillus will be published by me at a later time.
Before I conclude this notice I beg to tender my heartiest thanks to the Colonial Government of Hongkong, to all the Medical men here, and especially to Dr Lowson for his kind assistance.
607
303
10-
2nd.This Bacillus is not to be found in any other infec
tious disease.
3rd. With this Bacillus it is possible to produce in ani- mals the identical symptoms which the disease pre- sents in human beings.
From this evidence we must come to the conclusion that This Bacillus is the ouse of the disease known as the bubonic plague, therefore the bubonic plague is an infectious disease pro- duced by a specific bacillus.
What are the channels by which these bacilli enter the bu man body? We may suppose that they have three principal channels of entrance: by respiration, through an external wound, and by the intestinal tract. Examples of the first two ways, of which I shall speak later on, are abundant. Examples of the last-mentioned way are not positive so far, but considering that we discovered the bacilli in the intestinal canal and experiments on animals prove that feeding alone produces definite results, the concession must be made that the third is a possible method of infection.
Most of the cases of Bubonic Plague occur amongst the Chi- nose, a few other nationalities excepted.
Whoever has looked into a Chinese dwelling in Taipingshan is at once persuaded that here is a suitable hunting-ground for the Plague Bacillus. The houses are so filthy that they are unfit for human habitation.
What means are to be employed against the Plague? Pre- ventive measures, general hygiene, good drainage, perfect water supply, cleanliness in dwelling houses and cleanliness in the streets. As soon as an epidemic breaks out the sick must be perfectly isolated. The infected dwellings, before the household things are removed, have to be disinfected by 2 per cent, carbolic acid solution or by a solution of quicklime in a correct way. Afterwards, wearing apparel, linen, hedding, &c., should be specially disinfected by a steam disinfector for one hour at a
11 -
temperature of 100° C.; should a steam disinfector not be avail- able the things ought to be exposed directly to the sun's rays for several hours. Articles unfit for use ought to be burned. Dwelling houses thus emptied should be cleaned over again with quicklime or carbolic acid. The fæces should be disinfected care- fully with quicklime. Dead bodies covered with quicklime are either to be burned or to be buried at least three metres from the surface. Mice and rats which have died spontaneously in dwel- ling houses should be carried away with proper precautions, After a patient has apparently recovered he must be kept apart from the healthy community for a period of a month, for during convalescence the bacilli may be discovered in the blood from three to four weeks after all symptoms have ceased
Individuals ought to keep away from plague patients and infected houses and be careful about their solid and liquid nourishment,
These measures have been generally in force during the epi- demic in Hongkong.
The question as to whether immunity against the bacillus of Plague is possible on the lines practised against many other ba- eillary infectious diseases remains at present an open one. I shall study it thoroughly later on and in an exhaustive manner.
All that I have described above must be regarded only as a short preliminary notice. The results of extensive study on the subject of the Plague Bacillus will be published by me at a later time.
Before I conclude this notice I beg to tender my heartiest thanks to the Colonial Government of Hongkong, to all the Medical men here, and especially to Dr Lowson for his kind assistance.
607
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.