2020: DAY 23
BUBONIC PLAGUE
FALLING-OFF IN CASES
RELEASE OF PATIENTS - only 3 cases since Fri. - (but what doctor would attend a patient over Easter?)
- since outbreak, 113 cases, 38 deaths, 576 contacts, 172 still at Quarantine Station
- suggestion from Archdeacon Gunther that baths and washhouses for poor should be supplied, as exist in London where powers exist to bathe and cleanse people who will not keep themselves clean. Greeks, Jews clean themselves – religious duty. "surely at this period of history cleanliness ought to be regarded as helpful in developing moral character."
THE EXPERT FROM INDIA Mr Lyne has now received a telegram stating that there is no such officer available, but it is added that a full supply of prophylactic can be forwarded from India. The services of an officer with experience of the plague are tendered but the Premier says that we how have similar officers in Sydney, and he does not think it will be necessary to send for one from India.
VICTUALLING THE QUARANTINED PEOPLE
THE SYSTEM EMPLOYED - 97 cooks, clerks, stewards, employed. Daily ration: 21/2 meat, 3-4 lb potatoes, 11/2 lb other beg. 11/2 lbe bread, tin of jam for every 4 men, bottle of pickles/8 men. (+ plate, knife, fork, spoon, pannikin)
- 750 men lodged on North Coast wharf, 600 on Union Co. wharf, 1000 men & families in Sussex st area; 950 in Belmore Park area.
REMOVAL OF PATIENTS TO QUARANTINE STATION
EVERY PRECAUTION TO BE USED
Lyne responds to complaints which he says are exaggerated. Every care is taken (Complaints that trip to Quarantine Station a rough one and bad for the health)
AUSTRALIAN PLAGUE CONFERENCE
(p6)
MEETING IN SYDNEY
CONCLUSIONS ARRIVED AT
SUGGESTIONS FOR PREVENTING SPREAD OF PLAGUE
- adoption of Venice Plague conventions
281-5 Kent St, Sydney, 1900 - Source: State Library of NSW