The Cholera Epidemic.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 207, 29 July 1884, Page 2

The Cholera Epidemic.

[Per Mail Sleamer.] The cholera was reported to be raging m Toulon, m France, on Juno 23rd, on which date 20 deaths had occurred. The city was m a panic; 8000 inhabitants left. Camps were formed for the occupation of navy crews ; pupils of public schools were dismissed. Corpse of victims were not allowed to be taken to churches, but were buried as soon as possible after death m deep trenches, with plenty of chloride of lime. Troops and dock laborers were chiefly attacked, and quarantine was established everywhere. It is said that the first death occurred on June 4th, but was kept secret. The Ministry of Commerce lßSucd a notice ou the 23rd that the cholera was sporadic and not Asiastic ; that it was due to local infection, and therefore ooufined to the place of the origin. The Spanish Government quarantined against French shipping and land communication on the 24th, and their example was followed by Italy. Austria, and Egypt. A chateau m Marseilles, formtrly belonging to the Empress Eugeninie, was prepared for the accomodation of 500 cholera patients. There was a difference of opinion as to the character of the disease. While the Government physician of Toulon joined with the Ministry of Commerce m pronouncing it sporadic, physicians generally were of opinion that it was cholera 6f the true Asiastic, type. The exodus of frightened citizens from Toulon continued on the 26th. on which day eight deaths took place m the hospital. Fires were lighted m the streets for purification. Business both m Toulon and Marseilles bad come to a standstill, and the 14th of July fete had leen abandoned. The mountain passes of France were narrowly guarded to prevent the passages of infected persons, and a military cordon established above the Spanish frontier. Ten deaths were recorded at Toulon on June 27th, and six or seven on the afternoon preceding at Marseilles. ,The Italian Government notified to the postal authori ties, on the 27th, to enclose all mails m tended for Italy m tarred sacks, as it waa passed through France and England. Special reports m regard to the cholera, give a greater number of deaths than the official returns. Rumours were current that the commander of the castle at Toulon had committed suicide, from remorse at having introduced oholera into France. A mosquito plague at Marseilles increased the gloomy prospect. A thousand bonfires were kindjed m various parts of the city to disperse the pest? . A dispaloh from Marseilles, June 30th, says that Captain Billett, of tho Navy, whose wife was seized with cholera, committed suicide. Arrangements were made oh July Ist to fumigate travellers at the Paris Railway Station. Madame Berthier, a Parisian actress, while taking part m a play at Marseilles on July Ist, heard that one of the audience had been seized with cholera, and thereupon fled to Paris m her theatrical costumes. The audience had their admission money refunded. At Toulon on the same day, the captain and the crew of the steamer Mjnqtrel abandoned the vessel and took to the woods. Gendarmes searched for them m vain. On July 1 the cholera had spread to all the villages m the vicinity of Toulon, and a case appeared at Lyons. The Pope has ordered the members of the priesthood m all cholora-infected districts to remain at their posts, and has placed funds at the disposition of bishops. Urgent advices from July 2 state that five cases of cholera were cured by inhaling pure oxygen. The affect of fhis is immediate, and consists of r< storing warmth to the system and making the pulse normal. Geneva, July 4. Passengers ;from 'Toulon and Marseilles are disinfected at the railroad station. Dr B,ouel, naval physician, died on the 2nd from oholera. Several failures had occurred m Toulon owing to the depression to trade on account of the epidemic. There were seven deaths since the evening of the 4th, and the oxygen cure is pronounced unsatisfactory. The intense heat had aggravated the cholera. At Marseilles it is now proved that tho ship Jarthe introduced tho cholera into France. She had fourteen cases on board while m the Red Sea. .