The outbreak of " plague " at Astrachan appears seriously
to have alarmed the Governments of Central Europe. They believe, it is stated, that it is not "plague," in the technical sense, but the horrible epidemic known in Asia as the "black death," which slays almost as rapidly as cholera, is believed to be con- tagious, and kills 75 per cent, of all victims seized. The blood appears to be poisoned, red patches appear on the skin, which rapidly become darker, and the body in a few hours exhibits all the symptoms of putrefaction. The Russian Government, it is stated, have acknowledged that the disease which has desolated Astrachan and is moving westward is the "black death," and Germany and Austria are pressing an international Commission of inquiry and prevention. So great is the alarm in Vienna, that direct through trains for Warsaw are to cease running, and Prince Auersperg has been appointed president of a committee of prevention. The worst feature about the outbreak is that it has occurred in the depth of winter. That suggests its diffusion through the air, and not through water,—an immense addition to the difficulty of prevention.
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