George Hugh Spencer Blackburne and T. L. Anderson

“ A guinea-pig was inoculated with an agar culture made from gland of first fatal case (second case) , and died in four days with very typical plague.
It will be seen that the outbreak was short and sharp—eight cases (of which four died) within a month—one of the highest mortalities in Australia; but the disease has always appeared in a severe form in this town, the mortality generally being from 50 to 100 per cent.
Rats.—Energetic measures were taken to exterminate rats. When the first case occurred, there was the usual statement that there were no rats in the place ”

“ Case IV.—R.S., age 15 (female) , working as a tailoress in an infected area, but living in suburb. Sudden onset, with headache and vomiting. Bubo began to develop 24 hours after onset. Left femoral and inguinal buboes. Sharp attack for four days in hospital and termination by lysis. Rash appeared on fourth day, and affected forearms and legs. Diagnosis confirmed by smear from gland.
Case V.—P.W., age 26, living and working at a hotel, where infected rats were discovered immediately after occurrence of the case. Onset acute, with headache and vomiting. Heavy drinker for some years. ”

“ Vomiting and diarrhœa at onset; large right inguinal bubo with marked induration; highest temperature noted was 102°; no rash; bubo suppurated. Diagnosis confirmed by smears of pus showing typical bipolar bacillus. ”

“ Diagnosis established by examination of smears from glands.
Case II.—N.B., age 19, living and employed at same place as Case I. Sudden onset; high temperature; vomiting and diarrhœa; left femoral bubo developed in 12 hours; eyes injected; rapid pulse and quickened respirations; active delirium, but not violent; diarrhœa persistent. Died on fifth day. Usual post mortem appearances. Diagnosis confirmed by post mortem, culture, and inoculation.
Case III.—L.B., age 23 (female) , employed same as Cases I. and II. Right axillary and supra-clavicular buboes; diarrhœa persistent ”

“ He eventually died on February 24th. These three cases seem to have been the climax of the outbreak. The next was reported five days later—a very mild one—a man out of employment, living in a common lodging house, who had been ill for five days. All the other occupants were sent out as "contacts" (26) . The next and last case was reported two days later—a nightman working all over the West Ward, and living in a suburb. He died two days later. In Appendix I. is a table showing cases, etc. I have included the column "cases among contacts," because it is usually given ”