The first case in Kharbin was discovered on November 8th.
During the first month of the epidemic the Chinese authori- ties did everything they could to prevent any effective sanitary precautions from being taken. Early in December, however, three English and twenty-one Chinese doctors had arrived, as well as the Governor of the Province, who is fortunately a man of broad views. The result of the combined Chinese, Russian, and English activities was that by the end of February the plague had apparently been completely stamped out. The number of deaths in Kharbin has been less than 7,000, and in the whole of Manchuria about 41,000. But not a single recovery has been recorded.
"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."
The whole history of the outbreak has been most mysterious, and the Times correspondent may well ask what is to prevent
its recurrence next October.
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