Ravages of the Plague

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 8, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 32.

Ravages of the Plague

Ravages of the Plague.—The San Jose (Cal.) Herald says: "Some idea of the terrors of the plague where epidemic, is obtained from the statement that during a recent week the deaths from that pestilence in the city of Patna, India, were 2,044. Patna is a city of about half the population of San Francisco. The latest data give it 167,510 inhabitants. At the death-rate of last week the plague would sweep off the entire population in a trifle over a year and a half. During the great plague in London of 1665, the highest death-rate was 26,230 during September, but London had then about three times the present population of Patna, so the present rate in the latter city is about the same as that of the great historic scourge of London. Imagine four thousand deaths a week from any disease in San Francisco. It must also be taken into consideration that upon an outbreak of plague every one who can get away usually does so, consequently the death-rate is really higher than is shown by statistics of population. Patna rice should be an unmarketable product at present for all its approved quality."