My purpose is to invite attention to the continued existence of various plague foci, any one of which might serve to extend the infection further, were governmental quarantine and public health supervision relaxed.
During August, September, October, November and December, 1909, plague cases occurred in India, Mauritius, China, Japan, Egypt, Turkey, Russia, British East Africa, the Azores, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Chili, California (two cases), and the Hawaiian Islands.
During the first half of 1910 no very marked variation in the distribution of plague occurred, cases being reported from practically all of the foreign countries just named.
A year later the situation, so far as the distribution of plague cases is concerned, was not greatly changed, as may be seen from the following tabulation, which I have abstracted from the British Medical Journal of September 16, 1911.
India.—Deaths from plague in India during the first six months, 604,634. Most prevalent (1) United Provinces, 281,317; (2) Punjab, 171,084; (3) Bengal, 58,515; (4) Bombay Presidency, 28,109. Deaths in July, not included above, 8990.
Hong Kong.—April 24 to August 21, 255 cases, 194 deaths.
China.—January 1, 1911, plague was reported in varying intensity in (provinces and towns) Manchuria, Peking, Tien-tsin, Chefo, Shantung, Shanghai, Amoy, Foochow, Swatow, Canton, Pakhoi and Laichow.
Indo-China.—At Saigon, in March and April, 1911, many cases reported. April 17 to May 7, 56 cases; 17 deaths. May 22 to May 28, 37 cases; 12 deaths.
Siam.—In Bangkok plague was more severe during 1911 than in any previous year. March 15 to April 15, 33 cases and 29 deaths.
Java and Sumatra.—In Java, May 25 to June 3, 105 cases and 62 deaths (one province). In Sumatra plague was present, no statistics.