THE BUBONIC PLAGUE. BY A. MITRA, L.R.C.P., L.R.C.S., F.C.S., _Chief Medical Officer, Kashmir._ Calcutta: THACKER, SPINK AND CO., 5 & 6, Government Place. 1897. CONTENTS. Page What is it? 1 Its History 1 The London Epidemic of 1865 3 Geographical Distribution 8 Causes 8 Bacillus 9 Contagious as well as Infectious 11 Nature of an Epidemic 13 Incubation 17 Symptoms 17 Varieties 21 Diagnosis 21 Prognosis 23 Microscopic and Macroscopic Appearances 24 Prevention 24 Sanitary Measures by Municipal Authorities 26 Private Hygiene 29 Inoculation against Plague 32 Treatment 33 Treatment of Symptoms 38 Disinfection 40 Purification of a Room after Plague Cases 41 THE BUBONIC PLAGUE. _WHAT IS IT?_ Any contagious and fatal epidemic disease was originally called a plague (from _plaga_, a stroke), but this term is now applied to that particular kind of plague which is characterised by the appearance of high fever with inflammation of lymphatic glands or bubo, and is therefore called the Bubonic Plague. In Sanskrit Medical Books it has been described as _Vidradhi_ and _Visharpa_, and in Yonani as _Taoon_. The following definition given by Cantlie is comprehensive. “Plague or Malignant Polyadenites is an acute febrile disease of an intensely fatal nature characterised by inflammation of the lymphatic glands, marked cerebral and vascular disturbances, and by the presence of a specific bacillus.” _ITS HISTORY._