Plague / Its Cause and the Manner of its Extension, Its Menace, Its Control and Suppression, Its Diagnosis and Treatment

by Thomas Wright Jackson

A second rat cadaver, found at the same time in the same building, during cleaning operations, was similarly treated with identical results.

There could scarcely be a stronger chain of convincing evidence against the rat and the flea, nor a more complete and convincing explanation of Mr. C.'s death than that afforded by these established facts and official documents. So far as I know there is no more striking case on record in the modern history of plague.

Letter of Warning and Appeal.—The following letter of warning and appeal for coöperation was suggested and framed by me February 10, 1914, at the time that extensive rat plague was discovered in the heart of the business district of Manila. I presented it to the Director of Health with a strong recommendation for approval and publication and after consideration he approved and authorized publication upon February 10. No change was made in the wording of the proclamation, but it was issued over the signature of the Director of Health to give added force and authority to the appeal. The results were, as I had hoped they might be, highly beneficial. The taking of the public into the confidence of the health authorities brought about a coöperation, without which our efforts in this difficult situation would have been sadly handicapped. It is my belief that this method should often be used by health authorities, particularly where an intelligent community is threatened.

To Whom It May Concern:

You are hereby informed that the district bounded by Calles Rosario, Juan Luna, Dasmariñas and Plaza Calderon (and possibly the neighborhood bordering upon this congested district) is a dangerous one for all persons living or conducting business therein, on account of the presence there of extensive rat plague. Six human cases (with five deaths) have recently developed there and many dead rats have been found. All human cases have been directly traced to rats dead from plague.

The Bureau of Health is now doing everything within its power to make this district safe, but the attention of all citizens, property owners and tenants is called to the fact that they are required by law to keep their premises free from rats and to abolish all structural conditions of the buildings which favor the harboring of rats. This means rat-proofing, and owners are earnestly urged to perform this necessary work now, under the direction of the Bureau of Health.

As a temporary expedient and safeguard all interiors, walls, floors and ceilings should be sprayed with kerosene daily, or at intervals of two days, to kill the fleas which carry plague from rats to human beings. All dark insanitary places used for living rooms should be vacated at once; all merchandise should be piled upon trusses at least a foot above the floor; all straw, shavings and other material attractive to rats for nesting, should be removed and burned and all food materials upon which rats may feed and live should be placed in covered boxes, bins or cans.

All rat-holes should be permanently closed and all broken cement or masonry should be repaired.

Observance of these instructions may save the lives of yourselves, your families and your tenants. It is your duty to do your part in this matter, a part which neither the Bureau of Health nor the Government can do for you.

Through very great effort the Bureau of Health has controlled plague in Manila and the Philippine Islands during the last two years.