LITERATURE OF PLAGUE.] 379
Plague litera-
ture since
1890.
Since 1890 the literature of plague has much increased both in volume
and importance. The outbreaks in Astrakhan (Russia), 1879-80; in Hongkong
(China), 1890-96; Egypt, the Red Sea ports and India, 1896-99, have been seized
as opportunities for studying and investigating plague in all its various branches,
and much progress on many lines has been made. The chief types of the disease
have been recognised and can now be to some extent diagnosed: the value of
evacuation has been more firmly established; and the experiment in prophylaxis
has been crowned with a very large share of success.
Below are given some of the works dealing with plague since 1890.
(59) R. Nathan, The Plague in India, 1896-97, Simla, 1898.
[Deals comprehensively with the first year of plague (1896-97); and is a very valuable
work in 4 volumes. It contains maps, diagrams, statements, and embodies all the
researches made and measures enforced in India up to the time of its publication.]
(60) R. W. S. Lyons, Report of the Plague Research Committee, Bombay, 1897.
[This Report was written by Majors Lyons and Childe, I. M. S. It is probably the first
medical authority on plague, and is of a remarkable excellence. Dr. Childe's
share is perhaps a little loosely written from want of time. See Chapter II.]
(61) The German Plague Commission's Report, Berlin, 1899.
[A comprehensive Report. The German Commission worked very hard, making a
great many investigations and experiments, which are set down in full.]
(62) N. Rainier, Report on Plague in Palanpur, 1897-98 Bombay, 1899.
[A short report but both interesting and instructive.]
(63) Report on the Outbreak of Bubonic Plague in Bombay, 1896-97, Bombay, 1897.
[Chiefly administrative. Deals with the first few months of the outbreak in Bombay
City. It was compiled under the orders of Mr. P. C. N. Snow, I. C. S., then
Municipal Commissioner.]
(64) and (65) Report of the Bombay Plague Committee, Bombay, 1898.
[Two such Reports issued for 1897-98. The first was compiled under the orders of
General W. Gatacre, then Chairman; and the second under the orders of Sir J.
Campbell, I. C. S., who succeeded General Gatacre as Chairman. They deal with
the progress of plague in Bombay City, and are, so to speak, in continuation of
Mr. Snow's Report.]
(66) M. E. Couchman, Account of Plague Administration in the Bombay Presidency,
1896-97, Bombay, 1897.
[Practically a record and review of administrative plague measures throughout the
Presidency during the first year of plague. This work was compiled under the
orders of Mr. J. DeCourcy Atkins, I. C. S. There is little original matter,
reports and orders being embodied in extenso.]
(67) E. L. Marsh, On the Value of Perchloride of Mercury as a Disinfectant for
Floors, Glasgow, 1899.
[A diminutive volume, but valuable as being the first published results of a series
of experiments in this direction. See book No. (71).]
(68) F. G. Clemow, Plague Epidemics in Russia.