INDIA. ■'''>'.) 



converting it into a manifestation of sporadic cases 

 only, easily controlled and exciting little alarm." 



Ilall'kine receives a salary of 2,000 rupees ($640) a 

 month, an amount not any too large for the man 

 through whose scientific researches two of the most 

 dreadful epidemic diseases of India are on the way to 

 extinction. 



BOMBAY BUBONIC PLAGUE HOSPITAL. 



During my tour through the tropics I made frequent 

 inquiries at the different ports for the purpose of find- 

 ing an opportunity to see cases of bubonic plague. All 

 the ports were free from this disease until I came to 

 Bombay. For four years Bombay has been the center 

 of an epidemic of this disease and in consequence a 

 dreaded port for navigators and ship owners. The 

 disease has passed its climax and is gradually being 

 gotten under control. The plague hospital is located 

 outside of the city limits and consists of a row of one- 

 story brick buildings which serve as wards. 



Daring the height of the epidemic as many as 30 

 patients a day were admitted from the city and nearby 

 villages. The mortality has been very great. Many 

 die from the general sepsis, others from pulmonary and 

 other complications. After a period of incubation of 

 from five to seven days, the disease is ushered in abrupt- 

 ly with very high temperature and other symptoms 

 indicative of a profound constitutional disturbance. 

 The inguinal glands are most frequently involved, next 

 the glands of the axillary spaces. The cervical glands 

 are very seldom affected. Enucleation of the suppurat- 

 ing glands has been tried, but was abandoned, as it was 

 found that after such attempts to cut short the local 

 infection, the general infection usually became aggra- 

 vated. 



The local treatment resorted to now consists in the 

 use of poultices until fluctuation is distinct when the 

 abscesses are incised and antiseptic gauze dressings 



