First Report of the North Manchurian Plague Prevention Service

Abstract

Immediately following on the International Plague Conference held in Mukden in April, 1911, the Chinese Government, anxious to carry out the recommendations of the Conference, instituted the North Manchurian Plague Prevention Service. The chief of these recommendations were briefly: (a) Systematic investigations should be made as to whether epizootic plague occurs among Tarbagans and other rodents, and, if such exists, an accurate investigation should be made of the nature of the infection. (b) A general improvement in the sanitary condition of cities and villages, especially with regard to overcrowding, is desirable. (c) Education of the public by lectures and the issue of pamphlets and handbills, explaining preventive measures in simple language. (d) The need for isolation of pneumonic-plague patients being urgent, permanent hospitals should be available. (e) Hospital accommodation for suspected cases of plague should be provided. (f) Contact quarantine stations should be constructed.