Quarantine and the plague: being a summary of the report on these subjects, recently addressed to the Royal Academy of Medicine in France / [by R.C. Prus]; with introductory observations, extracts from Parliamentary correspondence, and notes.

  • Milroy, Gavin, 1805-1886.
Date:
1846
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Quarantine and the plague: being a summary of the report on these subjects, recently addressed to the Royal Academy of Medicine in France / [by R.C. Prus]; with introductory observations, extracts from Parliamentary correspondence, and notes. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    that the two cities of Europe which, after Constantinople, have suffered most from this pestilence are Venice and Marseilles :—Venice, which by its lagunes, its filthy canals, the moist heat of its climate, and by the wretched state of a large portion of its inhabitants, combines most of the causes which engender spontaneous plague, and may therefore, a fortiori, pro¬ mote the diffusion of the disease when imported; and Marseilles, which in this respect approaches far too near to Venice. Here we must not fail to remark that sufficient attention has not hitherto been paid to the cases, certainly very numerous, where the plague conveyed to a country has become spontaneously extinguished, for very want of being able to transmit itself. It would be very useful to ascertain with precision what are the local causes, which appear to resist the transmission and propagation of the disease. This work has only just been commenced in respect of a few places in Upper Egypt. Conclusion.—“ If it has been proved that the existence of a pestilential con¬ stitution in a country, into which the plague is imported, is necessary for the transmission and propagation of the disease, it seems nevertheless certain that imported plague will not exercise any great ravages, if it does not meet with, in the character of the climate, atmosphere and population of the place, the con¬ ditions that are favourable for its development.” Fourth Part. What is the ordinary or exceptional term of the incubation of the plague ? —in other words, how long may the plague remain hidden, so to speak, in the system of an infected individual, before it manifests itself by more or less distinct symptoms ? This period is believed to vary considerably according to the stage of the prevailing epidemic, and other less influential circumstances. The varia¬ tions are nevertheless confined within certain limits, which it is important to ascertain ; for upon them should depend, in a great measure, the duration of quarantines. ' All observers have remarked that, when a pestilential epidemic com¬ mences in a town, the incubation of the disease is often extremely short. We read of attacks of the plague proving fatal within a few hours, nay within a few minutes : these are the cases, which have been aptly called “ pestes foudroyantes.” In the second period or stage of the epidemic, the usual term of incubation is from three to five days. It is about the same in the third stage. Upon all these points there is little or no discrepancy of opinion. It is only when we endeavour to determine the longest duration or lapse of time that may be fairly admitted for certain exceptional cases, that we find the statements of different writers to disagree. Some, and these constitute the large majority, maintain that the term of incubation never exceeds eight days ; others think that this term may be prolonged to ten days, and sometimes, although very rarely, a few days more. Dr. Grassi, in his re¬ ply to certain interrogatories addressed to him in 1839 by the English minister, says upon this subject : In the course of several years, some thousands of persons of everv age.