THE MORTALITY

Fu Chia Tien, the Chinese town, when winter began, had a resident population of 25,000 and an additional floating population of some 10,000, the numbers being estimates-only, and, if incorrect, erring by excess. Of these, 5,438 have died from plague, a number insignifiant when compared with the mortality of plague outbreaks in India.

In the chief plague hospital 1,600 plague patients were admitted and 1,600 died. An aged Chinese quack of the old school named Mr. Ku, assisted by one dresser, was in charge of the hospital. They cared for the dying, superintended the removal of the dead, incurred appalling risks, took no precautions’ and yet enjoyed complete immunity.

Many true stories are told of the plague. In one shop a tailor had eight apprentices. Two of these died. Their bodies were hidden, and no report made. Then four more were stricken and died, and their bodies also concealed. But now the master was unnerved. He gathered together his money, collecting what debts could, and with a hoard of 690 roubles hurried off to the railway, determined to flee from the city. But he had come from the infected district, and the railway would not issue him a ticket. In despair he returned to his shop, and three days later he died. Two apprentices now survived. They divided his money, and looked forward to the enjoyment of their gains and of the property. Escape, however, was denied them. Both died, and when the bearers came to search the house they found the money equally shared sewn up in the clothing on their dead bodies.

But all anxiety has now passed, and the danger is over for the present.

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