[Rarebooks] FS: Handwritten account of Cholera in the Philippines

[Bob Petrilla]

Anonymous. A TRIP TO SAN ISIDRO: HANDWRITTEN ACCOUNT OF CHOLERA AND ITS
CONTROL IN MANILA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, APRIL 1902. Original manuscript.
5pp, quarto, written in blue ink on letterhead of the Philippine Civil
Service Board, Manila. Two folds. 10.5" x 8" Very Good.
San Isidro is a municipality in Leyte province. The author reports a sudden
reappearance of cholera in Manila after 20 years without it. Americans are
frightened by "facts and gruesome tales recalled by the Filipinos and
Spaniards then resident here...[during] the Great Epidemic of 1882" which
killed 30,000 people in the city and province of Manila, carrying off "a
thousand a day" at its height. We are told of the weather conditions in
1882 that triggered the epidemic, how suddenly it struck, &c. Now, uneasy
Americans who fear another epidemic "crack ghastly jokes to keep up our
spirits," read up on the topic, &c. The lyrics to "Cholera Camp," a
made-up, satirical song are given. So far (April 7), 175 cases have been
reported. The Board of Health has banned produce coming in from Hong Kong,
has distributed handbills with "hygienic rules," &c., &c. Extra police are
being used to enforce quarantine, and a "detention camp has been
established near San Lazaro Hospital." The Board is having to work against
"the natives...of the lowest classes, who want to conceal cases, and
deceive the inspector," throwing dead bodies into the river, &c. The Board
has granted to Filipinos "very few passes" to leave the city, but
"Americans and Europeans have fared much better...." (#036742)
$150.00

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