584 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



may be carried into Europe. Since several places in Hedjaz, along 

 the eastern shore of the Red Sea, have already become infected 

 with the plague, it is by no means improbable that the disease may 

 find its way into the Balkan Peninsula. There are also several 

 centers of infection along the shores of the Persian Gulf. It will 

 be seen from these statements that Mohammedan pilgrims are ex- 

 posed to the infection. Indeed, already the disease has been de- 

 tected among these pilgrims on steamships in the Ked Sea. 



Certain international measures for the restriction of the plague 

 were formulated at the Sanitary Convention of Venice in 1897. 

 Nearly all civilized nations sent representatives to this conference, 

 and certain general rules were adopted. Recognizing the fact that 

 Mohammedan pilgrims from infected districts in India, coming to 

 Mecca and other places along the eastern shore of the Red Sea, 

 would mingle with those of like faith from Turkey and northern 

 Africa, special rules concerning pilgrims were adopted at this con- 

 ference. It should be understood, however, that these rules are 

 likely to prove efficient safeguards only among those pilgrims who 

 travel by sea. In the first place, the conference made certain regu- 

 lations concerning the construction and sanitary arrangements of 

 pilgrim ships. The upper deck must be kept clear for these people, 

 and on the main covered deck every pilgrim has to have at least 

 sixteen square feet of surface. Every one embarking on a pilgrim 

 vessel must pass a medical inspection. ~No sick person or one sus- 

 pected of having an infectious disease is allowed to go on board. 

 The number which the vessel is allowed to carry is determined 

 beforehand, and the names of all passengers and their home resi- 

 dences are recorded. The ship must supply wholesome water 

 and make provision for food, proper in quality and sufficient in 

 quantity. Every vessel carrying pilgrims must have on board a 

 medical officer and a disinfecting stove. Details are given con- 

 cerning the sanitary regulations during the voyage. All pilgrims 

 are landed on the island of Camaran, in the Red Sea, before being 

 allowed to disembark on the last stage of their journey. The pe- 

 riod of detention from healthy ships at this place extends through 

 only three days. If no disease appears during this time, the pil- 

 grims are allowed to embark again, and go directly to Jeddah. If 

 disease appears either before or after landing at Camaran, the pil- 

 grims are detained at least ten days from the date of the last case. 

 Arriving at Jeddah, they are no longer under international sani- 

 tary regulations, and any control exercised over them at that time 

 must be administered by Turkish authorities. Just here, in my 

 opinion, lies the greatest danger so far as pilgrims are concerned. 

 It is true that the conference made certain recommendations and 



