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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

In the autumn of 1910, the Chinese press reported that a rare and deadly plague had reached Harbin, then known as Manchuria, in China’s extreme northeast. China’s Northeastern provinces were the main focus of the epidemic, but cases were reported sporadically in Tianjin, Beijing, and along the Beijing-Hankou railway line that stretched into central China, indicating the extent of the disease. Reports estimate 50,000 to 60,000 people died due to the Plague, with a mortality rate of 100 percent.

How the Plague Spread

The Plague probably originated from Marmots hunted for their fur in Manchuria. The German chemical industry developed dyes that allowed cheap marmot fur to be made into imitation sable, mink, and otter fur. As a result, marmot fur’s value increased from a few kopecks to a rouble, causing hunters to flock to Manchuria. The migrants, however, were inexperienced. The local hunters, many of whom were Buryat, knew how to identify and avoid diseased marmots, but the migrant hunters collected unhealthy marmots, which carried the plague bacteria.

The cold winter of the northern hemisphere caused hunters to huddle together in huts, causing the airborne pneumonic Plague to spread quickly. The extensive railway network of Manchuria contributed to rapid transmission. Over 200 deaths were reported per day in Kuancheng, near Jilin, and similar cities throughout Manchuria. Most of the plague cases were attributed to poor, middle-aged Chinese who lived in crowded conditions with poor sanitation; if any foreigners contracted the Plague, it was medical personnel.

How the Plague was cured

Russia and Japan were both major railway powers in Manchuria. They both cooperated with the Chinese government to respond effectively to the Plague. In November 1910, Chinese and Russian doctors visited Harbin, or Fujiadian, to assess the situation. Since there was no cure for the Plague, quarantining ‘plague patients, suspected cases, and persons who had come into contact with plague cases’ in train carriages was the only way to prevent its spread. After five days of noticing no symptoms, those quarantined were released.

The Chinese doctor in charge of the response, Wu Lien-Teh (Wu Liande), received imperial permission to burn the dead bodies of victims, thus safely disposing of thousands of bodies. The Russian C.E.R. authorities created sanitary zones, monitored the population, and destroyed plague-infected homes. The epidemic was over by the end of April 1911 due to these preventative measures and the end of the cold winter.

The aftermath of the Plague

The Plague greatly affected trade and commerce in Manchuria, especially the fur and food trades. One newspaper stated that ‘the plague has cost the Chinese silver dollars approximately $7,000,000’ concerning the soybean trade. There were also additional economic consequences of the Plague. The Plague impacted Chinese stock prices and government bonds. Moreover, the Plague led to a Presidential mandate legalizing human dissection, which exceeded the earlier Imperial mandate permitting cremation. The Plague also facilitated Chinese science and disease control by removing a great deal of the superstitions surrounding ancestor worship. The Mukden Conference was the first international scientific conference held in the People’s Republic of China, firmly establishing Chinese scientists as international scientific community members.

Here are some historical photos offer a glimpse into the China during the Manchurian Plague.

#1 Manchurian plague victims, 1910

Manchurian plague victims, 1910

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#2 Doctors’ quarters and dispensary, plague hospital, Peking

Doctors' quarters and dispensary, plague hospital, Peking

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#3 Doctors’ quarters, Peking plague hospital

Doctors' quarters, Peking plague hospital

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#4 Entrance to plague hospital, Peking

Entrance to plague hospital, Peking

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#5 Isolation huts of suspects, Peking

Isolation huts of suspects, Peking

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#6 Bringing coffins to cremation grounds, Changchun

Bringing coffins to cremation grounds, Changchun

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#7 Collecting place for coffins outside city gate, Changchun

Collecting place for coffins outside city gate, Changchun

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#8 Encoffining body, Changchun

Encoffining body, Changchun

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#9 Hauling coffins to cremation, Changchun

Hauling coffins to cremation, Changchun

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#10 Taotai He superintending the first cremation, Changchun

Taotai He superintending the first cremation, Changchun

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#11 Bodies and coffins, first ‘clean-up’, Changchun

Bodies and coffins, first 'clean-up', Changchun

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#12 Coffins, preparatory to stacking for cremation, Changchun

Coffins, preparatory to stacking for cremation, Changchun

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#13 Cremation of seventy-one bodies, Changchun

Cremation of seventy-one bodies, Changchun

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#14 First cremation, Changchun. 1400+ bodies. Taotai He and staff

First cremation, Changchun. 1400+ bodies. Taotai He and staff

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#15 First large cremation, Changchun. Eleven stacks, 1400+ bodies

First large cremation, Changchun. Eleven stacks, 1400+ bodies

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#16 Plague hospital for women and staff, Changchun

Plague hospital for women and staff, Changchun

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#17 Scattering kerosene on stack of coffins, preparatory to cremation, Changchun

Scattering kerosene on stack of coffins, preparatory to cremation, Changchun

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#18 Stacking coffins, Changchun

Stacking coffins, Changchun

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#19 Stacking coffins, Changchun

Stacking coffins, Changchun

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#20 Stacks of coffins, showing arrangements of fuel, Changchun

Stacks of coffins, showing arrangements of fuel, Changchun

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#21 Stacks of unburned coffins and pile of ashes covered with lime, Changchun

Stacks of unburned coffins and pile of ashes covered with lime, Changchun

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#22 Taotai He superintending second cremation, Changchun

Taotai He superintending second cremation, Changchun

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#23 Coffins outside ‘old style’ hospital, Changchun

Coffins outside 'old style' hospital, Changchun

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#24 Home for homeless, Changchun

Home for homeless, Changchun

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#25 Cartload of bodies on way to cremation grounds, Harbin

Cartload of bodies on way to cremation grounds, Harbin

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#26 Removal of bodies to cremation pit, Harbin

Removal of bodies to cremation pit, Harbin

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#27 Moving bodies to cremation pit, Harbin

Moving bodies to cremation pit, Harbin

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#28 Burial coolies, cremation grounds, Fuchiatien

Burial coolies, cremation grounds, Fuchiatien

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#29 Cremation pit, Fuchiatien

Cremation pit, Fuchiatien

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#30 First large cremation, Fuchiatien. 1400+ bodies burned

First large cremation, Fuchiatien. 1400+ bodies burned

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#31 Male inmates, home for the homeless, Fuchiatien

Male inmates, home for the homeless, Fuchiatien

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#32 Results of first attempt at cremation, Fuchiatien

Results of first attempt at cremation, Fuchiatien

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#33 Staff inspecting crematory, Fuchiatien

Staff inspecting crematory, Fuchiatien

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#34 Dr. Aspland in Bacteriological Laboratory, Fuchiatin

Dr. Aspland in Bacteriological Laboratory, Fuchiatin

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#35 Dr. Ku and assistant in front of ‘old style’ Chinese plague hospital, Fuchiatien

Dr. Ku and assistant in front of 'old style' Chinese plague hospital, Fuchiatien

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#36 Dr. P. S. Huang, Director Anti-Plague Bureau, Changchun

Dr. P. S. Huang, Director Anti-Plague Bureau, Changchun

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#37 Dr. Wu Lien Te, Chinese Director of Anti-Plague Bureau, Fuchiatien

Dr. Wu Lien Te, Chinese Director of Anti-Plague Bureau, Fuchiatien

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#38 Dr. Young in Vaccine Laboratory, Changchun

Dr. Young in Vaccine Laboratory, Changchun

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#39 Drs. Strong and Teague performing autopsy

Drs. Strong and Teague performing autopsy

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#40 Drs. Young and Chai in Vaccine Laboratory, Changchun

Drs. Young and Chai in Vaccine Laboratory, Changchun

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#41 Right to left – Taotai Weng, Taotai Huang, Prefect He, Dr. Young

Right to left - Taotai Weng, Taotai Huang, Prefect He, Dr. Young

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#42 Dr. Aspland receiving reports, Fuchiatien

Dr. Aspland receiving reports, Fuchiatien

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#43 Dr. Wu receiving reports at Headquarters, Fuchiatien

Dr. Wu receiving reports at Headquarters, Fuchiatien

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#44 Chinese staff disinfecting at close of working hours. 1:3000 mercury bichloride

Chinese staff disinfecting at close of working hours. 1:3000 mercury bichloride

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#45 Daily inspection of contacts at quarantine, Fuchiatien

Daily inspection of contacts at quarantine, Fuchiatien

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#46 Disinfecting plague infected quarantine car, Fuchiatien

Disinfecting plague infected quarantine car, Fuchiatien

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#47 Disinfection room and part of Russian staff, Harbin

Disinfection room and part of Russian staff, Harbin

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#48 Disinfection squad, Changchun (trained by Japanese)

Disinfection squad, Changchun (trained by Japanese)

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#49 Disinfection squad, Fuchiatien

Disinfection squad, Fuchiatien

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#50 Disinfection station for officers, Fuchiatien

Disinfection station for officers, Fuchiatien

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#51 Examining a suspect

Examining a suspect

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#52 Inspection of contacts, quarantine, Fuchiatien

Inspection of contacts, quarantine, Fuchiatien

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#53 Inspection squad starting on rounds

Inspection squad starting on rounds

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#54 Plague case ’rounded up’ on inspection tour, Fuchiatien

Plague case 'rounded up' on inspection tour, Fuchiatien

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#55 Plague suspected discovered on inspection tour

Plague suspected discovered on inspection tour

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#56 Receiving contacts at quarantine, Fuchiatien

Receiving contacts at quarantine, Fuchiatien

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#57 Receiving contacts at quarantine, Fuchiatien

Receiving contacts at quarantine, Fuchiatien

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#58 Removal of plague patient from quarantine, Fuchiatien

Removal of plague patient from quarantine, Fuchiatien

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#59 South Manchurian Railway quarantine sheds

South Manchurian Railway quarantine sheds

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#60 Taking blood smear from ear of suspect, Fuchiatien

Taking blood smear from ear of suspect, Fuchiatien

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#61 Taking temperature, quarantine, Fuchiatien

Taking temperature, quarantine, Fuchiatien

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#62 Transports (left to right) for [already] sick, for suspects, for contacts, for dead

Transports (left to right) for [already] sick, for suspects, for contacts, for dead

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#63 Plague hospital for women, Changchun

Plague hospital for women, Changchun

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#64 Plague hospital, Mukden

Plague hospital, Mukden

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#65 Burning material and contents of infected houses

Burning material and contents of infected houses

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#66 Burning plague infected house, Fuchiatien

Burning plague infected house, Fuchiatien

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#67 Burning the first plague hospital, Fuchiatien

Burning the first plague hospital, Fuchiatien

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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#68 Plague infected house, Japanese Concession, Changchun

Plague infected house, Japanese Concession, Changchun

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Manchurian Plague: The Deadliest Epidemic in the Chinese History that Killed 60,000 People

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Written by Benjamin Grayson

Former Bouquet seller now making a go with blogging and graphic designing. I love creating & composing history articles and lists.

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